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A millennial’s honest review of travelling to Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan is so closely guarded it feels like a secret, parallel universe. It is one of the most carbon-neutral countries in the world. It is the only country that measures Gross National Happiness (and ranks high). And it is a place where the natural, unspoilt scenery is as beautiful as its genuine, honest, and welcoming inhabitants. As Bhutan reopens to visitors, we made it through the vortex to this auspicious green haven to understand its “high value, low volume” approach to tourism. Here are our thoughts.

After 2 long years, Bhutan reopened to international travellers this September, introducing a new tourism strategy with serious repercussions for visitors. These include a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 200 per person per night, which goes towards maintaining Bhutan’s status as one of the most carbon-negative countries in the world. Inarguably, this has increased the cost of travelling to Bhutan by a significant amount, albeit for a significant reason. Read on for our honest review, from the perspective of a budding millennial first timer, to see if it was worth it.

[All images courtesy of Bhutan Travel, unless otherwise stated]

Is travelling to Bhutan worth it? A millennial reviews

Travelling to Bhutan: Documentation and adrenaline

The documents we needed.

With the exception of those from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa before travelling. The visa costs USD 40 (approx. S$55), on top of the SDF of USD 200 (approx. S$274) per adult per night. All of these things can easily be applied and paid for online, or organised with the help of a tour operator, who can fittingly craft the entire itinerary, too. We went with this latter option, which really smoothed out the process for us. Even though most millennials frown at the idea of a guided tour, it is highly recommended if you’re visiting Bhutan for the first time. We were in safe hands throughout the trip with Bhutan Sky Trails , and our kind, soft-spoken guide Kuenley accommodated all of our demands with great patience.

The adrenaline rush at Paro Airport

Paro International Airport is world-famous for its runway. It is one of the shortest in the world, located within a deep valley surrounded by mountains, and thereby also one of the most dangerous. Luckily, pilots flying into Bhutan are especially trained for this, as there are only two airlines that fly here: Royal Bhutan (Druk Air) and Bhutan Airlines.

A three-hour direct flight from Suvarnabhumi, we enjoyed flying Druk Air, and foodies will especially love that they offer a little bowl of Bhutanese chili (delicious) to go with your meal. A window seat is highly advised if it is your first time. The pilot gave us a kind warning over the cabin speaker before we descended into Paro, which was a sweet way to soothe any anxious fliers pre-arrival. Then, right between two mountains and incredibly close to the rice paddy fields just below, the plane swoops onto the landing strip with great speed and finesse. Your Instagram story of this will woo all of your friends.

Guide to Paro: Nature walks, hot stone baths, and moonshine

Where we stayed.

In Paro, we stayed at Zhiwa Ling Heritage , located just a few minutes from the airport. An utterly stunning boutique hotel, Zhiwa Ling Heritage has been named one of the few Unique Lodges of the World by National Geographic, and wholly and entirely deserves that claim. Warm, wooden fixtures are accentuated by classic colourful Bhutanese paintings and adornments, contrasted by a contemporary chalet-in-the-mountains feel.

Extremely well-kept and surrounded by lush gardens, rooms are divided into different wings named after astrological or celestial terms. Unlike many other hotels in Bhutan, the very spacious rooms also have underfloor heating, which was a blissful feature especially on cold early mornings. Cosy, romantic, and deeply accommodating.

What we got up to

The biggest, most famous attraction in Paro is the Tiger’s Nest, or Paro Taktsang. The Buddhist site is composed of a monastery that has been impressively built into the side of a cliff, seemingly defying near all rules of gravity up in the mountains above Paro. The monastery dates back to 1962, though the meditation cave itself has been used since as early as the ninth century. A truly mesmerising sight to behold, the monastic complex is only reachable via a 4-6 hour hike.

Horses can be ridden upwards to make this journey slightly speedier, though we’ll admit going on foot had something wonderfully meditative about it. There is a cafeteria located at a little less than halfway, as well as viewpoints and benches for resting along the way. The camaraderie amongst hikers, and the energy at the cafeteria is most memorable, as wanderers greet each other as they pass by, gushing to one another about the view up top.

After the long walk, we soothed our tired muscles with a local hot stone bath at ZAnTA. As the name suggests, the hot stone bath is warmed by large natural stones, which are heated for hours on a real fire before bath time. These are then placed into wooden bath tubs together with fresh herbs, so that we were soaking in what was essentially an oversized cup of hot herbal tea. It is extremely relaxing, though those with sensitive skin should definitely approach with caution. We’ll admit we squealed a little as extra stones were thrown in from an unsuspecting flap in the wall at the back of the tub.

What we ate

We enjoyed a few of Bhutan’s classic dishes in Paro, our favourites being the national dish, ema datshi (chili cheese), and local pork paa at dinner. In Bhutan, people enjoy a mostly vegetarian diet, and it is easy to see why, as we found many vegetarian dishes to be absolutely delicious here, especially in combination with the traditional red rice.

On the boozy side, we probed our guide a lot about the local moonshine. Once we finally convinced him, Kuenley served us this special Ara in elegant tea cups. Ara is a white spirit that can lie anywhere from 20-60% ABV, so it is especially nice to drink on cold nights — though drink responsibly or you may regret it in the morning.

What we ‘grammed

The Bhutanese have a close connection to astrology and the stars above, and this wisdom became all the more magical to us in the night time. Those with a professional camera must not miss capturing the night sky, from which even the Milky Way is clearly visible.

During the day, we stopped the van often to take pictures of the natural scenery, with those all-famous colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind across the landscape. Paro town itself also boasts many charming shops to capture, though do be courteous and buy something, too. Like what OTOP is to Thailand , Bhutan also has OGOP products, and popular souvenirs include Bhutanese mountain honey, chili paste, and turmeric tea.

Lastly, it may sound mundane, but we also really loved snapping the street signs. Gentle reminders to drivers saying “No Hurry No Worry” make up a lot of the charm on the long mountain car rides, and are symbolic of the sense of care and community that permeates the nation, in similar veins as the roads do.

Guide to Thimphu: The clouds, the kira, and eating yak cheese

Even though Paro is home to the only international airport in Bhutan, it is not the capital city. Thimphu is the capital city, about an hour’s drive away from Paro, through winding rounds along mountains and over freshwater streams so clean you can drink from them. Given its location, temperatures are also slightly warmer in Thimphu.

Le Méridien Thimphu was our home in the capital city for two nights. Whilst the hotel boasts a traditional Bhutanese facade, its interiors are modern and contemporary, very much innate to the Le Méridien brand. The hotel’s highlight is definitely its central location. Those who like to go on strolls to the local market, small shops, and casual cafes, will enjoy Le Méridien’s close proximity to just about everything, as it is located along the high street of the city. We enjoyed the food here, too, in particular the Indian and Bhutanese specialties at both lunch and dinner. As our waistlines started feeling tight after the garlic naan overdose, we were also happy to find a temperature-controlled swimming pool, gym, and spa inside the hotel. A warm and reliable gateway to exploring Thimphu.

Our first morning in Thimphu began at 6am, as we made our way through apple orchards and dense forests up to the Dochula Pass. This famous mountain pass is situated between Thimphu and the former capital of Punakha, and is the site of 108 memorial chortens (or stupas). These were built by Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk in 2003 to honour the Bhutanese soldiers killed in battle against Assamese insurgents from India. On our visit, the weather was chilly and foggy, which is said to be normal for up on the pass. This made the experience evermore mystical, as it feels almost as if you’re in the heavens, looking down on the clouds beneath you. In the distance, the snow-clad peaks of the world’s highest mountains poke through on the horizon. The air was crisp and cool; the awe was unmatched.

Further on in the day and with warmer temperatures to suit, we also visited the Simtokha Dzong. The castle monastery dates back to 1629, and now houses one of the most prominent Dzongkha learning institutes. We were lucky enough to encounter some student monks, who unlike in places like Thailand, are allowed to speak to women. We found this different code of conduct very intriguing, and were even allowed to take a photograph with them. Those who are interested in the Buddhist religion may also be intrigued by the aspects of the Bhutanese way. We studied the praying ritual, the prayer wheels, and the mural paintings with great interest.

For dinner, we visited the Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu for a local Bhutanese experience. By day, visitors can explore the rural history of Bhutan in the museum, and in the evenings enjoy a traditional meal in a traditional setting. With farming tools and equipment adorning the walls around us, we sipped the infamous Bhutanese butter tea, which is slightly salty in flavour. It can be enjoyed with puffed rice (think of it like what marshmallows are to hot cocoa) as a hearty and warming cuppa on a cold night.

Other dishes we sampled and loved include the spiced sausage, cucumber salad, and that notorious Bhutanese chili. We also stopped by a local market and tried dried yak cheese, which comes hanging on a string like cubes of candy. Be warned: it does not taste like conventional candy in any way.

One massive tip for travelling to Bhutan if you’re ‘gram-savvy: wear the local Bhutanese gho for men, or kira for women. Our guide Kuenley arranged these for us, and our photo opportunities went through the roof. Especially handy if you’re visiting temples (where you’ll also be taught how to wear the appropriate khata scarf for entry), these colourful outfits will have you look almost local, and make for very memorable trip photos.

Lastly, “attraction” may be the wrong word, but a sight we really loved was Thimphu’s man-made traffic light. The only traffic light in the city, this special intersection sees a policeman directing traffic himself as he stands in a special central tower, using his arms to point cars in the right direction. Evidently very efficient, we saw this not only as a practical method but also as a testament to the good-humoured character of the Bhutanese people.

Verdict: Is the USD 200 daily fee worth it?

Travelling to Bhutan requires intention and dedication. You don’t book Bhutan on a whim. The visa, limited flights, and SDF are already major checkpoints that ensure this, as you are forced to really think about the goals for your trip, your itinerary, and your contribution to the local community. Millennials, who admittedly often live for cheap thrills and quick escapes, can find great value in Bhutan, as it causes the mind to slow down, reflect, and reevaluate.

Bhutan is rich in natural treasures, cultural significance, and historic and religious meaning, and yet it is this transformative aspect that appealed to us the most. As we seek out more meaningful journeys in a post-pandemic world, Bhutan rises above —   much like the clouds at the Dochula Pass — and leaves visitors with a sentimental shift in mindset and spirit. A most special place; a place absolutely worth protecting and preserving for many years to come, no matter the cost.

Drukair flies directly from Singapore to Paro twice a week. The flight time is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Find out more about Bhutan tourism at Bhutan Travel .

Creative Content Director, Bangkok

Lisa is the Creative Content Director at Lifestyle Asia and Prestige Thailand. When she’s not knees-deep in SEO analysis or editorial calendars, you’ll likely find her in downward-facing dog at the yoga studio, or immersed in conversation at a secret bar in China town. Lisa writes mostly on dining, travel, and pop-culture, and is a huge fan of soup dumplings, Riesling, and power napping — in exactly that order.

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7 Days In Bhutan Travel Itinerary: Best Things To Do & See

Bhutan is a wonderful, secluded little country in the Himalayas. It’s definitely not the easiest country to visit, but it’s worth the effort if you’re looking for a really unique travel experience. I spent one week in Bhutan recently and enjoyed every moment.

Most people spend 5 to 7 days in Bhutan, and an itinerary like that gives you enough time to see many of the top highlights of the country, although you’ll still probably be sad to leave.

Bhutan is full of interesting culture and nature, and yet it’s pretty unspoiled by tourism. Even places that would normally be very crowded and touristy, like the Tiger’s Nest Monastery , still feel refreshingly authentic and personal.

In this travel blog, I’ll share my ideal Bhutan itinerary and some of the best things to do if you have one week in the country! This is basically the same itinerary I used in Bhutan, with a few improvements based on my experience.

Table of Contents show 1) Best Bhutan Tour Company 2) Bhutan Itinerary Day 1: Paro Acclimatization 3) Bhutan Itinerary Day 2: Thimphu 4) Bhutan Itinerary Day 3: Gangtey Valley 5) Bhutan Itinerary Day 4: Punakha & Wangdue 6) Bhutan Itinerary Day 5: Revisiting Thimphu 7) Bhutan Itinerary Day 6: Tiger’s Nest Monastery 8) Bhutan Itinerary Day 7: Paro Farewell 9) 5 Days In Bhutan Itinerary 10) More Bhutan Travel Tips

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike was one of my favorite experiences in Bhutan

Best Bhutan Tour Company

For most nationalities, the only way you can visit Bhutan is with a visa and tour organized by a local Bhutanese tour company. There’s also a daily tax of $100 USD per person, which is a rule established by the Bhutanese government to try to ensure ‘quality over quantity’ tourism.

I visited Bhutan with this tour company on GetYourGuide. It was a great experience, and I would happily recommend them to anyone! The owner of the company, Tsenrig, helped me craft the perfect 7-day Bhutan itinerary, with a visit to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and lots of other great sights around the country of Bhutan.

Their most popular itineraries are 5 or 7 days , but they also have tours of 9 or 10 days , or even as long as 15 or 20 days. The itinerary is very flexible and you can choose the sights you most want to see on each day you spend in the country of Bhutan.

My private tour guide, L. Dorji, was fantastic and very helpful, staying at my side every step of the way. He even kindly insisted to carry my heavy backpack for me, and helped me swap between my camera lenses whenever I was taking pictures.

Dorji knew every detail about the history of Bhutan, and he’s been giving tours for decades. He was one of the best tour guides I’ve had anywhere in the world. Overall, I would highly recommend this company for your travel to Bhutan!

Book Now: Bhutan Tour 5 / 7 / 9 Days

Bhutan Itinerary Day 1: Paro Acclimatization

Welcome to Bhutan! You’ll probably be tired after your flight to Paro. Start your itinerary with a low key visit to Ta Dzong, located just a 20 minute drive from the airport.

This odd looking cylindrical building is a 17th century watch tower that now serves as the national museum of Bhutan. Inside, there are Bhutanese paintings, statues, weapons, and other artifacts.

For me, the best part was seeing the outside and the view of the valley below.

Ta Dzong — the national museum of Bhutan

• Paro Dzong

For most tourists, the Paro Dzong will be your first real experience with a Bhutanese fortress-monastery (called a ‘dzong’). These are kind of like the castles of Bhutan.

Also known as the Rinpung Dzong, this is the main fortress and monastery in Paro town, and it was built in the 17th century overlooking the river and valley. The name basically means “fortress of the heap of jewels.”

The outside walls are impressive, and so is the inside of the courtyard. Don’t miss the giant bee hives hanging from the windows!

You can walk through this fortress in just 30 minutes or so, but it’s well worth a visit! The best photo spot is on the path leading to it.

The 17th century Rinpung Dzong in Paro

• Kyichu Lhakhang

Kyichu Lhakhang is a small Buddhist temple that dates back to the 7th century, making it one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

This one is just a 10 minute drive north of Paro town, so it’s easy to visit even if you’re short on time.  

• Archery Match

Archery has been the national game of Bhutan since 1971, and the locals are always practicing their skills with a bow and arrow. It’s fun to watch an archery match and some of these guys are really skilled.

I decided to skip this since I was exhausted and wanted to save energy for other things, but I still got to witness some archery matches from a distance later on when we were driving around the countryside of Bhutan.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see archery while you’re traveling in Bhutan.  

• Paro Town

If you still have energy, you can spend the rest of the day roaming around Paro town and shopping for souvenirs. There are lots of shops on the main street and they have a good selection of Bhutanese crafts, plus the usual shirts and fridge magnets, and other items for sale.  

• Overnight In Paro

Stay overnight in Paro, which has an altitude of about 2,200 meters (7,200 ft). I stayed at Hotel Olathang, which is a historic 3-star hotel on a hill, surrounded by pine forests and overlooking the Paro valley. It was a little dated, but the location is nice.  

Bhutan Itinerary Day 2: Thimphu

• drive to thimphu.

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Even though the distance from Paro to Thimphu is only 45 kilometers, the drive takes 60-90 minutes because of the winding mountain roads.

Along the way, you’ll pass another monastery across the river called Tachog Lhakhang, as well as an old iron suspension bridge. Your guide can make a quick stop to let you take some photos of it before continuing to Thimphu.  

• Taschichho Dzong

The Tashichho Dzong is a giant fortress-monastery that also serves as the seat of the government in Thimphu.

I was lucky to visit Bhutan during the annual Tshechu festival, which is usually held in Thimphu in late September or early October, so I was able to watch the mask dance here, together with thousands of locals wearing their colorful national clothes.

It was pretty fascinating, and I consider it one of the highlights of my trip to Bhutan!

Thousands of locals gathered at Tashichho Dzong for the annual Tsechu festival

Mask dance at the Tsechu festival

• Cheri Monastery

The Cheri monastery hike is a nice little excursion into the forest near Thimphu, where you can see some wildlife and a 17th century monastery on the hillside.

This hike takes about 45-60 minutes going up, depending on your pace, and a bit less going down. Most of it is uphill, but it’s not as hard as the famous Tiger’s Nest hike , so most people won’t have any problem with it.

We saw birds, mountain goats, and langur monkeys here. My guide told me you could sometimes hear tigers roaring in the distance during the 1980s, and they still occasionally see Himalayan black bears in this area since it’s on the edge of the Jigme Dorji National Park.

Cheri Monastery requires a bit of hiking

We saw grey langur monkeys near the monastery

• Overnight In Thimphu

Stay overnight in Thimphu, which has an altitude of about 2,300 meters (7,500 ft). I stayed at a 3-star hotel called Kisa Villa, which has a garden and close up views of the Taschichho Dzong. You can even see the dzong lit up at night.  

Bhutan Itinerary Day 3: Gangtey Valley

• dochula pass & drukwangyel.

Day three begins with the drive from Thimphu to Phobjikha. This takes about 3 hours because of the usual zigzag roads of Bhutan, but there’s lots of great scenery to enjoy along the way.

After about 45 minutes of driving, you’ll stop at Dochula Pass, a high mountain pass with an altitude of 3,150 meters (10,335 feet). Morning is the best time to come here.

On a clear day, you can get some great views of the snow capped Himalayan mountains in the distance. One of these is Gangkhar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world!

There’s also a monastery at Dochula Pass with 108 stupas, which were built to commemorate 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan. The weather was cloudy when I went, but we were still able to catch some glimpses of the mountains in the distance.

Drukwangyel temple in the clouds

• Gangtey Monastery

After more driving, you’ll reach Phobjikha and visit the Gangtey Monastery, a colorful 17th century building that overlooks the valley.

When I visited, the place was packed with locals and they were practicing their dance moves for another upcoming festival.

Another festival at the Gangtey Monastery

• Kwewa Village Nature Trail

From the Gangtey monastery, there’s a nice little point-to-point nature trail that goes down the hill, through the forest, and across the valley of Phobjikha.

Most of this hike is mild and easy, but it takes about 1 hour or more to reach the end of the trail, where your driver will be waiting for you and your guide.

You can see horses in the valley, and black necked cranes also migrate here during the months of November to February.

Phobjikha valley

• Black Necked Crane Center

After seeing the Phobjikha valley, you have the option to visit an information center for the black necked cranes that tells more about the birds, and they also have telescopes for bird watching.

I decided to skip this and rest at the hotel, since the black necked cranes were out of season when I visited in September.  

• Overnight In Phobjikha

Stay overnight in the Phobjikha valley, which has an altitude of about 3,000 meters (9,800 ft). This is the highest place you’ll stay in this Bhutan itinerary.

I was expecting the hotel here to be a little rough since it’s a more remote location, but actually it was very comfortable. I stayed at the 3-star Gakiling Guest House, which had nice views of the valley, fast WiFi, good food, and friendly staff.  

Bhutan Itinerary Day 4: Punakha & Wangdue

• punakha dzong.

After breakfast, it’s time for the 2 hour drive from Phobjikha to Punakha, which will start to take you back west again, in the same direction you came from earlier.

The first place to visit in Punakha is the Punakha Dzong, which is one of the oldest and biggest fortresses in Bhutan. The view from across the Mo Chu river is an iconic photo of Bhutan.

You can go inside this dzong and wander the courtyard. There are lots of nice details on the inside, including an impressive gold door. Overall, I’d say it’s the best dzong I visited in Bhutan.

The altitude in Punakha is only roughly 1,200 meters (about 4,000 feet), so it’s a lot lower than the other places you’ve visited in Bhutan so far. That also means it’s warmer, so you may want to dress lighter here.

When I visited Punakha in September, I was hot even without a jacket! I felt like swimming in the river to escape the heat.

The iconic view of Punakha Dzong across the river

• Chimi Lhakhang

The Chimi Lhakhang is probably one of the oddest temples in Bhutan. It’s a fertility temple with phalluses and other sexual symbols, established by the ‘divine madman’ in the 15th century.

Childless couples often come here to pray for a child, and when you go inside the temple, they even have a bizarre tradition where they bop you on the head with a wooden phallus as a blessing.

The temple is set on a hill, so in order to reach it you have to do a mini trek up the hill for about 15 to 30 minutes, making it a bit harder to access than some of the other temples in Bhutan.

Chimi Lhakhang

• Pho Chu River Bridge

One of the best sights in the Punakha area is the bridge over the Pho Chu river, which is actually known as the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan!

You can walk across the entire 200 meter bridge to the other side, and it has wonderful views of the valley and the turquoise glacier water of the Pho Chu river.

Amazing views at the Pho Chu river bridge

• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

My favorite view in the Punakha area was on our last stop of the day, when we hiked up to a stupa in the mountains. The name of this one is hard to say: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal.

Hiking to this spot takes about 1 hour, and it’s all uphill. Along the way, you get some amazing views of the rice terraces and the Punakha valley. The top has a 30 meter tall stupa and great views of the mountains.

If you’re reasonably fit and don’t mind a bit of hiking, this spot should definitely be on your Bhutan itinerary. It’s one of the best things to do in the country!

Mountain view at the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal

Green rice fields of Punakha

• Overnight In Punakha

Stay overnight in Punakha, which has an altitude of about 1,200 meters (4,000 ft). I stayed at a new hotel called Divine Heritage House, which had lots of windows so you could enjoy the views of the rice terraces.  

Bhutan Itinerary Day 5: Revisiting Thimphu

• buddha dordenma.

After breakfast, retrace your route back to Thimphu by driving over the Dochula Pass again. The drive will take a total of about 2 hours from Punakha to Thimphu. Welcome back to the capital!

Start your fifth day of sightseeing in Bhutan with a visit to the giant golden Buddha statue on the hill overlooking Thimphu valley. It’s one of the famous icons of Bhutan.

The Buddha Dordenma statue, as it’s called, is also one of the biggest Buddha statues in the world, with a height of 52 meters (169 feet). At a cost of more than $100 million USD, it was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

The giant Buddha Dordenma statue

• Sangay-gang Viewpoint

En route to the Takin Preserve, make a quick stop at the Sangay-gang viewpoint for a good picture of Thimphu city from above.

After a 20 minute drive up the mountain, you can see the entire city of Thimphu below you, and there are some nature trails here if you want to explore a bit longer.  

• Motithang Royal Takin Preserve

The Takin (pronounced ‘tah-kin’) is the national animal of Bhutan. Before my trip, I didn’t even know these animals exist! They look kind of like a cross between a goat and a buffalo.

The Takin Preserve near Thimphu is home to almost two dozen takins, plus a few sambar and barking deer. There’s a metal walkway that runs along the outside of the sanctuary, so you can get a good view of the animals and easily take pictures.

The Takin is a protected animal in Bhutan, and they’re not seen very often in the wild except in places like Jigme Dorji National Park. The Takin preserve allows you to photograph them from a fairly close distance, while still giving them space to roam around and be themselves.

The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan.

Another photo from the Takin Preserve

• National Memorial Stupa

After the Takin Preserve, we made a quick stop at the National Memorial Stupa, which is located in the center of Thimphu city.

This white stupa was built in 1974 to honor the third king of Bhutan, and elderly Buddhist believers come here to circumambulate (walk around the stupa) in a clockwise direction while praying.

The Memorial Stupa in Thimphu city. Notice the people walking around it in circles.

• Zorig Chusum Arts & Crafts School

Zorig Chusum is a school in Thimphu where young people in Bhutan learn how to make traditional arts and crafts. This includes things like calligraphy, painting, carving, sculpting, textiles, and more.

There’s nothing for sale here, but you can watch the students working and training, which is interesting to see. Each room has a different art being practiced, and some of their designs are very good.

You can see all kinds of arts and crafts at the Zorig Chusum school in Thimphu

• Farmer’s Market

Our last stop of the day was at the farmer’s market in Thimphu, where we saw all kinds of fruits and vegetables for sale.

There was quite a selection and it was fun to walk through all the aisles and look at everything, even though I didn’t buy. Chili peppers were everywhere since they’re such an important ingredient in Bhutanese food.

There were even some of the more exotic fruits for sale, like dragonfruit, which I didn’t expect to see in a mountain country like Bhutan.

Veggies for sale at the farmer’s market

Stay overnight in Thimphu once again. I was happy to be back at the familiar Kisa Villa, enjoying the good food and nice views of the Thimphu fortress from my window.  

Bhutan Itinerary Day 6: Tiger’s Nest Monastery

• drive to paro.

It’s your sixth day in Bhutan, and that means it’s time to head back to the town of Paro where you started. After breakfast, you’ll drive approximately 1.5 hours to Paro and then a short distance past Paro to do the hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.  

• Tiger’s Nest Hike

It’s finally time for the grand finale of your Bhutan itinerary: the Tiger’s Nest Monastery !

A lot of tours in Bhutan save this for the end of the trip because it’s such a special place, and also because it gives you more time to become acclimated to altitude before attempting the hike.

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is an amazing 17th century building that clings to the side of a steep 900 meter cliff. It almost looks unreal.

This is easily the most famous and photogenic place in Bhutan, and I consider it one of the most amazing day hikes anywhere in the world.

The famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery

You will need to spend a full day visiting the Tiger’s Nest since the hike takes about 4 to 8 hours, not including the time spent taking photos and touring the inside of the temple.

You can have lunch at the halfway point of the hike, where there’s a cafeteria with great views of the mountain. The whole experience is awesome.

The hike is a bit challenging, but most people of average fitness won’t have a problem with it. I wrote a complete guide for the Tiger’s Nest hike, which you can read in the link below.

Read More: How To Do The Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike

Up close view of Paro Taktsang — the Tiger’s Nest Monastery!

• Bhutanese Cooking Class (Optional)

In the evening, if you’re interested, you can join a Bhutanese cooking class and learn how to make local dishes like Ema Datshi, Kewa Datshi, and Jasha Maru at a farmer’s house.  

• Hot Stone Bath (Optional)

Another activity I was offered at the end of the day is a hot stone bath, where rocks from the river are heated up over a fire and then put in a wooden tub with herbs.

It’s a good way to relax and unwind at the end of your Bhutan trip, especially after hiking to the Tiger’s Nest earlier in the day.  

Spend your last night in Bhutan back in Paro, relaxing and soaking up the views at Hotel Olathang. This location was one of my favorites.  

Bhutan Itinerary Day 7: Paro Farewell

• dzongdrakha monastery (optional).

It’s your last day in Bhutan. If you still have time and energy, you may want to do something extra before you leave. In my case, my flight back to Bangkok with Druk Air was at 4:20 PM, so that gave me a bit of extra time to use.

Another special place you can visit in the Paro area is the Dzongdrakha Monastery. This is a cliffside monastery similar to the Tiger’s Nest, although it’s a shorter and easier hike. Not as many tourists know about it, so you might have the place all to yourself.

Keep in mind the tour providers in Bhutan normally don’t include any activities like this on the last day of the trip, so there may be an extra charge to add it to your itinerary.  

• Go To Airport

After a wonderful 7 days in Bhutan, my driver and guide brought me to the airport, and it was time to say goodbye. Bhutan was a special experience and I was sad to leave.  

Mask dancer at the Tsechu festival in Thimphu

Shrine in the forest on the way to Cheri Monastery

5 Days In Bhutan Itinerary

If you’re not able to spend a full 7 days in Bhutan, a 5 day itinerary can be a good compromise, and it still allows you to see some of the highlights of the country.

Here’s what a good 5 day itinerary for Bhutan could look like:

• Day 1. Paro acclimatization. Visit the Ta Dzong and Paro Dzong. Watch an archery match and then explore Paro town and shop for souvenirs.
• Day 2. Paro to Thimphu. On the drive to Thimphu, see the Tamchog Lhakhang monastery and suspension bridge from a distance. Once you reach Thimphu, visit the National Memorial Stupa, the Buddha Dordenma statue, and the Tashichho Dzong, plus the farmer’s market and any other sights that interest you in Thimphu city.
• Day 3. Thimphu to Punakha. On the drive to Punakha, stop at the Dochula Pass and visit Drukwangyel monastery for views of the Himalayan mountains. Then in Punakha, visit the Punakha Dzong, the Pho Chu river bridge, Chimi Lhakhang, and the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal.
• Day 4. Punakha to Paro. Drive back to Paro where you started, and hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. If you still have time afterwards, visit Kyichu Lhakhang and then enjoy a hot stone bath in the evening.
• Day 5. Leave Bhutan. No sightseeing activities on this day unless you have extra time available.

Kids at the Tsechu festival

Stupa on the Cheri Monastery hike

More Bhutan Travel Tips

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this 7 day Bhutan travel itinerary. These are some of the best things to do in Bhutan if you have a week.

I’ll be adding more Bhutan tips to my travel blog , so don’t forget to bookmark it and check back later!  

• Tiger’s Nest Monastery In Bhutan: Complete Hiking Guide
• 7 Day Bhutan Tour By GetYourGuide

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Thimphu is also experiencing modernization, with the influx of new infrastructure and amenities such as hotels, restaurants, and cafes catering to both locals and tourists. However, Bhutan’s government is keen on preserving the country’s cultural heritage and pristine environment, ensuring that development is carried out in a sustainable manner.

Overall, Thimphu encapsulates the essence of Bhutan, blending tradition with modernity, and serving as a gateway for visitors to explore the country’s unique heritage and natural wonders.

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Table of Contents

Land of Thunder Dragon (Druk Yul)

It’s been almost a month since I’ve been away. June has always been a month for me to clock my travels. Since I’ve turned 30 this year, I wanted to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone. That explains why I decided to embark on a solo trip to Bhutan.

Why Bhutan?

Bhutan is dubbed as the ‘happiest’ country in the world for many reasons. It is officially the only country in the world to measure national happiness.

This Buddhist state understands that happiness is not dependent on how well the country’s economy is doing but how ‘happy’ their people are.

I’ve gone through a quarter of my life, but I’m still figuring out what happiness is all about. Perhaps spending a week in Bhutan would somehow enlighten me on what happiness is?

After watching Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on TED talks, I was so inspired to find out how Bhutan can preserve its biodiversity and produce clean energy without harming the environment. I had to find out how this green nation can put our environment first above everything else. Shouldn’t we be putting our Mother Earth first on the list as earthly citizens?

I knew I could get some answers by visiting Bhutan. I was determined to set foot on this land.

After contemplating for about a month or so, I decided to go ahead with my Bhutan travels this year June. I booked a tour package with a reputable Bhutan tour agency which is based in Singapore. They seemed to be a somewhat reliable agency based on positive online reviews about their services and tour packages.

True enough, there were reliable and efficient. I signed up for the 7-Day Essential Bhutan Tour Package and they did all the necessary paperwork and travel arrangements. Their travel agent, whom I have been conversing with me via email, has been very responsive. I was only required to submit a copy of the passport online and pay via bank transfer.

You will need to apply for VISA to fly into Bhutan unless you’re a Bhutanese or Indian National. So the agency applied VISA for me on my behalf

In general, I am satisfied with their service, but some things just can’t be controlled. I don’t think I had a fantastic experience with my tour guide but at least, everything else went smoothly. There was a hiccup during the trip, and I shall share more about the incident in my upcoming blog posts.

Cultural Immersion

They also offer the rent of traditional Bhutanese costume to clients too. For the ladies, you will be wearing the Kira and for the men, the Gho. You can wear them anytime during the trip. I highly recommend that you give it a try because it is fun to take photos in the costume as keepsakes.

Travel Expenses

It looks like Bhutan is getting a significant share of its tourism dollars from Singapore. As foreigners to the country, we would need to the tourism tax tariffs of USD100 which is inclusive in the tour package.

In total, I forked out about $3000 for this trip. The air ticket itself is about $1,200, and it is not cheap. Considering that there isn’t much amenities or entertainment provided onboard. Since it is the non-peak season, it is considered to be much less expensive than the usual. (However, I later found out that there are other cheaper Bhutan travel packages run by Bhutanese locals which were equally good.)

Since it is the non-peak season, it is considered to be much less expensive than the usual. (However, I later found out that there are other cheaper Bhutan travel packages run by Bhutanese locals which were equally good.)

Flight to Bhutan via DrukAir

From singapore to kolkata.

It seems like DrukAir is the only airline that flies directly from Singapore to Bhutan with a pitstop at Kolkata, India. It was a 4-hour flight to Kolkata and another 45 minutes flight to Paro in Bhutan.

The plane was run down, and the only comforting thing is that the in-flight meals were not too bad. But the plane we took from Paro back to Singapore seems newer and more modern. Still, there wasn’t any form of entertainment onboard.

I read somewhere that you should be seated on the left side of the plane when you are flying from Singapore to Paro so that you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Himalayan ranges.

Thankfully, I got to sit on the right side of the plane when we were flying back from Paro to Singapore. I could see Mount Everest peeking through the clouds.

Do you know that you got to be one of the top pilots in Bhutan to fly the plane through the Himalayan range? It’s not easy flying into Paro where you have to fly passed many tall mountains to get to the valley where Paro town resides.

Meals onboard

We had breakfast on board, and they served us some Briyani-looking rice with curry along with a croissant, yoghurt, and fruits. It was quite a decent breakfast, but I did not have much appetite because I was quite sleep-deprived after having to wake up at 4 am to catch this 6.45 am flight.

Most of the passengers onboard were either Singaporeans or Indian nationals who were flying to Kolkata. Judging the number of Singaporeans onboard, you could say that a majority of the tourists entering Bhutan are Singaporeans.

From Kolkata to Paro

On the flight from Kolkata to Paro, they offered us Vegetarian sandwiches which is mainly just cheese with some sauce similar to mayonnaise. After 45 minutes, we finally reached our destination! I remembered that the air smelt exceptionally fresh!

Paro International Airport

As you can see from the photos below, the airport is indeed very undeveloped and ‘primitive.’ It’s a small airport with only one terminal. I believe there’s only one cafe inside the airport that sells beverages and snacks.

The airport is open during the daytime only and closes in the evening. As with every homes, offices, and building, you will see the photo of the King of Bhutan together with the Queen and their son. Both the young King and Queen are very well-respected by the locals there.

My Tour Guide

I had my private tour guide and driver arranged by tour agent. I requested a female tour guide since the driver would most likely be a male, it would be nice to have a female companion around.

She is only a year younger than me so we had no problems communicating at all. However, she wasn’t as enthusiastic as I thought a tour guide should be. To be honest, there were times where I felt that she wasn’t really present and showed a lack of enthusiasm. She would ask me if I needed her accompaniment to tour various sights when I thought it was expected of the guide to be there throughout unless I wanted to be left alone.

On the other hand, I had a good driver. It is comforting to know that at least there is one kind soul who is there on the lookout for me. I was thankful that they assigned me a really skilful driver who had been very helpful and kind. He would make sure that I am seated comfortably throughout the rides. I felt that he was way more attentive than my guide. Both of us were born in the same year, and I guess that made it easier for us to communicate as well.

Getting used to the High Altitude

In case you didn’t know, the altitude in Bhutan is much higher than what we are used to. Paro, for example, is about 2195 meters above sea level. In comparison, Singapore is no more than 15 meters above sea level. What a huge contrast! But overall, I did not have any altitude sickness or any breathing difficulties. But overall, I did not have any altitude sickness or any breathing difficulties.

The only problem I encounter was the long winding roads with many sharp turns. It has not made any easier for me as I tend to have motion sickness. The road was curvy, and if you have motion sickness like me, you might have to pop an anti-vomiting pill.

Heart of Bhutanese People – Religion

Okay, so where should I begin?

Bhutan has such a rich history and cultural background. Many of the temples built there are dated all the way back to the 14th century. This is a country who holds on strongly to their own set of traditions which have been passed on from generations to generations.

Buddhism is a religion which is widely practised here in Bhutan. To be more specific, the official religion of Bhutan is Vajrayana Buddhism, which originates from Medieval India. This similar form of Buddhism had spread across Tibet and East Asia.

That explains why the Bhutanese culture is somewhat quite similar to Nepalese and Tibetan culture. I was surprised to know that some of my friends thought that Bhutan is part of Nepal! Bhutan is actually a country on its own and is located right above India, just below China on the world map. I hope this informative bit has been enlightening for you too.

I hope this informative bit has been enlightening for you too.

Bhutanese Food

All of the meals I had in Bhutan were all buffet style. The food is relatively quite good, and they tasted just like our regular Chinese dishes. The hotel itself usually provides both breakfast and dinner. For lunch, we would dine at nearby restaurants.

The restaurants would often serve a few vegetable dishes and a meat-based dish (usually chicken) along with red Bhutanese rice. The red Bhutanese rice is their local variety of medium-grain rice which is chewier and fluffier than white rice.

Sometimes they would serve warm soup along with the dishes. I tried their boiled vegetable and pumpkin soup, but there were not as flavourful as the Chinese-style soups we have in Singapore. They probably did not use pork bones to cook their soup which explains the lack of depth and flavour into the soup. Thus, it tasted rather bland to me.

For desserts, they would either serve a scoop of ice cream or fruits like watermelon. The tour package I bought is inclusive of all meals except beverages. Say if you order a bottle of coke, you will need to pay for it.

What to Wear in Bhutan

It’s summer in Bhutan. During the day, it was warm. But on some days, it can get slightly chilly especially after a light shower. Yes, there is occasional rainfall during summer.

As the night falls, the temperature would drop drastically to about 10 degree Celsius. It is cooler in Paro and Thimphu than in Punakha. In fact, it is super warm and humid in Punakha since Punakha has a much lower altitude. It was very sunny in Punakha during the day, and it can quite warm in the evenings.

The higher the altitude, the colder it is. It was freezing at the mountain leading to Haa Valley. Thus it is best to dress in layers.

As for the locals living there, they usually wear their traditional costumes on a daily basis. Only very few of them would deck out in stylish outfits like T-shirts and jeans.

Hotels in Bhutan

I stayed at 3-star hotels which I handpicked personally from the list of hotels found on their website. All of the hotels I chose were relatively good except for one hotel which I will mention again in the upcoming post.

My only qualms are the loud barking noises made by the stray dogs at night. Other than that, everything was okay. If you wish to start in a four or five-star hotel, you will need to top up some money on your own.

Meanwhile, check out the summary of my 7-day Essential Bhutan itinerary with Druk Asia !

Travel Itinerary

Day 1 ( 3 june) from singapore to  paro.

• Flight from Singapore to Kolkata then to Paro International Airport
• Lunch at Thimphu
• National Memorial Chorten
• Simply Bhutan Museum
• Centenary Farmer’s Market
• Check-in Hotel Osel
• Dinner at Hotel Osel

Day 2 (4 June): Thimphu

• Breakfast at Hotel Osel
• Wangditse Day Hike
• Changangkha Lhakhang
• Institute of Zorig Chusum
• Bhutan Post Office/Postal Museum
• Buddha Point
• Walk around Thimphu Town
• Dinner at Namgay Heritage Hotel

Day 3 (5 June): From Thimphu to Punakha

• Dochula Pass
• Lunch at Hotel Lobesa, Punakha
• Druk Wangyai Chortens
• Chhimi Lhakhang Temple (Fertility Temple)
• Punakha Dzong
• Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge
• Dinner at Hotel Lobesa

For more details, read my Day 3 in Bhutan article right here. 

Day 4 (6 June) : From Punakha to Paro

• Paro Valley
• Museum in Paro
• Walk around Paro Town
• Dinner at Gangtey Palace in Paro

 For more details, read my Day 4 in Bhutan post here.

Day 5 (7 June): From Paro to Haa Via Chele La

• Breakfast at Gangtey Palace
• Chele La Pass
• White Temple
• Dinner at Raven’s Nest Hotel

For more details, read my Day 5 in Bhutan post here.  

Day 6 (8 June) : Paro

• Breakfast at Raven’s Nest Hotel
• Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
• Kyichu Lhakhang Temple
• Dinner at Bukhari in Como Uma Paro Hotel (*Special arrangement)

  For more details, read my Day 6 in Bhutan post here. 

Day 7 (9 June): From Paro to Singapore

• Flight back from Paro to Singapore

Stay tuned for my upcoming post as I narrate my story in Bhutan with full details on my blog!

Hope you find this blog post useful! If you have any questions, do let me know in the comment box below. 

Travel with Me to Bhutan! : Day 1

Travel with me to bhutan : day 2 – thimphu, travel with me to bhutan: day 3 – punakha , travel with me to bhutan: day 4 – paro.

Travel with Me to Bhutan!: Day 5 – Haa Valley 

Travel with Me to Bhutan!: Day 6 and 7 – Tiger’s Nest 

15 thoughts on “ Travel with Me to Bhutan! : My Full 7-Day Bhutan Itinerary ”

i was in the mid of deciding which travel agency to use and i came across ur blog. would you mind to share which travel agency that is cheaper and also have equally good service compared to Druk Asia? i have realised many Singaporean have booked with Druk Asia and i understand they gives good service but their price is pretty steep.

Agreed. I do know of some private tours in Bhutan which offers a much cheaper pricing. Some of the travellers shared with me on the plane. In fact, they were telling me that these private guides did a much better job. But I do not know their contacts though.

thanks but by any chance do you remember their company name? or what would you recommend other than Druk Asia? i have been reading and reading but just cant decide which to choose.

HI Michelle!

Understand how you felt! I was so thinking hard on whether to choose Druk Asia or not but I went ahead with them as I know that they are a reputable travel agent. I might have a number which one of the travellers passed to me but I’m not sure if the number is working or if they are reputable. According to them, this guide is quite good.

It’s a contact belonging to this guy called Siram who runs Bhutan Omkara Tour and Travel. I have not contacted them before but you can give it a try and see if you are comfortable with them. But then again, I can’t guarantee anything.

If you would like to avoid the hassle, I still recommend Druk Asia because they have an office in Singapore and at least, I can vouch for their reliability. Even if you do not like your guide, you can request for a change on the second day. They are also very prompt in their replies as well.

Hope this helps and I pray that you have a wonderful and meaningful trip!Do share with me how it went as well! you can tagged me on instagram @deeniseglitz or email me 🙂

The guy’s number is 97 517 698 592. I guess you can try to Whatsapp him.

Thanks so much for the info!!

Does Bhutan lacks mountain? Anyway great share.

Hi Deenise, my family is planning to go on a trip to Bhutan in April 2019. The travel agent is from Bhutan itself but we are asked to pay a fee of $3050 for 7 days and additional of $100/day/pax. Do you think it is reasonable for a seven day trip?

Hi MJ! $100 is the standard rate for Bhutan as all tourist entering Bhutan is charged at this rate which includes accommodation, food and other travel expenses. I think this rate is quite comparable to DrukAsia. You can also approach Drukasia to give you the quote.

Hello Greetings from Samlha Tours And Travels from Bhutan. We are renowned and reputed travel agent in Bhutan and we provide cheaper package cost compared to other agents.

Just wondering did you bring over any form of wifi? I am currently looking for wifi connections for my parents who are travelling over in just a few months time. Any advice? Thanks!

I did not buy a data sim card for the trip. I just tap on their WIFI services. Most hotels and restaurants have WIFI for customers to use for free. I have no problems going on the internet. However, some hotel WIFI is slow.

Great post Deenise and I am definitely considering making a trip there in April this year, I hope the weather is good and it hasnt got too touristy yet?

It is considered rather touristy now but Bhutan has done a great job in trying their best to preserve their environment and controlling the influx of tourists visiting Bhutan. You will be surprised that most of the tourists there are mostly Singaporeans and Indians.

April’s weather should be quite cooling but warmer in certain areas like Punakha.

Enjoy your trip to Bhutan! Let me know how it goes!

Regards Deenise

Quite good details enlisted which makes Bhutan look more exciting. Thanks

Thanks Swati! Bhutan is indeed beautiful. Glad that I’ve managed to make a trip there and covered it on my blog.

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How To Visit Bhutan: Ultimate Bhutan Travel Guide

Bhutan is one of the most fascinating places I have ever visited – but so many people have never even heard of it. Nobody I knew had ever been there before so I couldn’t ask anyone for Bhutan travel advice beforehand. Lucky for you, I’ve tried and tested one of the most booked Bhutan travel packages and will let you in on all the secrets. This article covers everything you need to know before traveling to Bhutan.

Updates on Tourism in Bhutan following the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bhutan officially opened their borders to all travelers on 23rd September 2022. Visitors may be subjected to random RT-PCR testing at the points of entry to maintain covid-19 surveillance for new variants. These tests are free of charge. Here are some other updates to note regarding tourism in Bhutan:

• Bhutan has revised its tourism policy after 30 years to realign on its ‘high value, low volume’ focus.
• Visitors are now required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 200 per person per night for adults (12 years and above). Children aged 5 to 12 years only pay USD 100 per person per night, while those below 12 years old are exempted from the SDF. Indians nationals will however pay only 1200 Rp per day til end 2023.
• Visa application fee of USD40 per person is still applicable and must be paid separately.
• Visitors have the flexibility to customize their own itinerary and plan their own trips to Bhutan after paying for SDF themselves.
• Visitors can still engage a trusted travel agency like Druk Asia to plan their visit to Bhutan though it’s no longer mandatory.
• Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee between 1000 BTN to 2000 BTN (~USD12.50 to ~USD25) to visit certain historical or monumental sites.

How much does it cost to visit Bhutan?

With this new policy, Bhutan tour prices are expected to rise by 30%.

Previously, a 7-day tour in Bhutan, which is the average duration for most visitors, would cost at least 1,740 USD, which includes the current SDF, lodging, all meals, and the transportation services of a trained guide and driver. If operators try to keep out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum, they expect this cost to be at least $2,500 USD.

Basic Information about Bhutan

• Capital City: Thimphu
• National Language: Dzongkha, a Sino-Tibetan language
• Currency: Ngultrum (BTN), 1 USD = 70,95 BTN
• Official Religion: Vajrayana Buddhism
• Timezone: BTT (Bhutan Time), UTC/GMT +6 hours, No DST
• Climate: Weather in Bhutan depends upon the altitude; from arctic to tropical.

Mind-blowing Facts about Bhutan

Check out my article 10 amazing facts about Bhutan you won’t believe for more details.

• People in Bhutan don’t have surnames.
• No animals are killed in Bhutan.
• Chopping trees is illegal.
• Tuesdays are dry days.
• The Bhutanese love cheese.
• They wear their traditional dress daily.
• There are no traffic lights in Bhutan.
• Marijuana grows wild… everywhere!
• The Queen’s father is a pilot for Druk Air.
• Bhutanese people speak Dzongkha.

Bhutan Travel Packages & Bhutan Travel Agents

When I tell people about my awesome Bhutan travel experience, , I often get responses that it seems to be a country that is difficult to visit. In fact, it’s not hard at all to travel to Bhutan . If you’re wondering how to travel to Bhutan , here’s what you need to know:

It’s true that you cannot just book a flight to Paro airport (the only international airport in the country) and travel around solo in Bhutan, you must book your Bhutan trip via one of the government approved Bhutan travel agents. You can fly into Bhutan from the following airports: Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore or Bangkok. I chose to fly in from Nepal and spent four amazing days in Kathmandu prior to my Bhutan trip.

It’s true that you cannot just book a flight to Paro airport (the only international airport in the country) and travel around solo in Bhutan, you must book your Bhutan trip via one of the government approved Bhutan travel agents. You can fly into Bhutan from the following airports: Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore or Bangkok. I chose to fly in from Nepal and spent four amazing days in Kathmandu prior to my Bhutan trip. The only way around this is to consider chartering a plane from somewhere like Jettly , as private planes have access to many more airports than commercial planes – plus, you would arrive in serious style!

Once you decide on the Bhutan travel package of your choice, the travel agent arranges the trip for you, including flight, accommodation, Bhutanese guide and driver.

I booked my Bhutan trip through DrukAsia, an approved tour agency for Bhutan travel with 30 full time guides and 15 freelance guides. All Bhutan tour guides undergo a 3-month-long tourism training by the Bhutanese Tourism Organization and are subject to regular drug testing to ensure the best tour experience to all guests.I chose the “ 7 Day Essential Bhutan Tour ” covering the most important attractions in Bhutan. This tour starts from $1,550 USD and is available year-round.

How much does it cost to travel to Bhutan?

The Bhutan travel cost per day is $200 USD.

This might seem like a steep price but it already includes accommodation, food, transportation and guide during your entire stay. Plus, a part of this daily tariff is also used to fund Bhutan’s education and healthcare system.

The Bhutanese government introduced these strict tourism regulations in order to prevent mass tourism from destroying the country’s unparalleled natural wonders and deep-rooted Buddhist culture.

Bhutan Travel Visa

There are certain Bhutan visa application requirements that need to be met in order to be able to visit Bhutan.

It is not possible to travel Bhutan without a visa except for Indian and Bangladeshi citizens, who can travel to Bhutan without a visa.

A Bhutan travel visa is issued to tourists who booked a Bhutan tour package with a local tour agent approved by the Bhutanese government.

I booked my Bhutan trip with the Bhutan travel specialist DrukAsia , who submitted my Bhutan visa application to the Tourism Council of Bhutan in Thimphu on my behalf. They took care of the entire process – the Bhutan travel visa fee is also included in the Bhutan tour package price.

Travel Insurance for Bhutan

In order to visit Bhutan and qualify for a tourist visa, you need to have travel insurance for Bhutan. Although Bhutan is very safe, unexpected disasters, accidents or other kinds of damage can always happen.

Adequate insurance not only provides you with medical coverage (if you get sick or break your leg), but also covers things like your camera full of epic shots getting damaged or stolen, your flights getting cancelled, or you getting caught up in a natural disaster.

In short, it’s an insurance against potential issues that arise when you’re traveling and can save your life (or at the very least, a lifetime of debt).

BOOK | I recommend booking World Nomads travel insurance .

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Best Time to Travel to Bhutan

In general, Bhutan is a great destination for year-round travel because of the different climate within the country. However, October to December is said to be the ideal time to visit Bhutan because the air is clear and fresh with sunny skies.

January and February are colder, but from then until April the weather remains dry and pleasant. Late spring is also very popular as the famous rhododendrons bloom spectacularly , flooding the valleys with color.

From May, heat and humidity increase and from June to September the monsoon rains dominate the mountains of Bhutan.For those wanting to spot the rare black-necked cranes in Phobjikha Valley, you should plan your Bhutan trip between late October and mid-February.

Is Bhutan safe for traveling?

Many of my fellow travel ladies keep asking me “Is Bhutan safe for solo female travelers”? The answer is: Yes!

Bhutan solo female travel might not yet be a “thing” but it definitely could be. At the same time, you’re never truly alone since you are traveling with a guide and driver for the majority of your tour.

During my own Bhutan trip, I traveled in a private tour with only a Bhutanese guide and a driver – both male and about my age. They were super professional and laid-back at the same time and it felt like traveling with new friends.At no point did I feel unsafe during my trip in Bhutan. That being said, yes, Bhutan is safe for solo female travelers!

Dos and Don’ts for Visiting Bhutan

Religion is incredibly important in Bhutan and visitors should show respect accordingly. The following tips will help you avoid unnecessary faux-pas when traveling to Bhutan.

• Bring warm socks to wear inside temples and monasteries
• Speak quietly in and around religious places
• Use a stretched palm when pointing to someone
• Small donations at temples or monasteries are welcome (5 or 10 Nu)

Don’t

• No hats, shorts or sleeveless shirts
• No shoes inside shrines or temples, socks are allowed
• No smoking in and around temples/monasteries and religious monuments
• No shouting/loud talking in and around religious areas
• No pointing with your finger at people, statues and religious figures

The Best Places to Visit in Bhutan

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Memorial Chorten, Thimphu

The National Memorial Chorten is a beautiful white structure crowned with a golden spire. It was built in memory of Third Druk Gyalpo and is dedicated to World Peace. People come here to make their rounds around the stupa for prayers, especially in the morning hours. On auspicious days, you can even visit the inside of the stupa and see a beautiful golden Buddha statue.

Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu

The Buddha Dordenma statue sits atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park overlooking the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy from the 8th century A.D that is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. At 51.5 meters high, the statue is among the largest statues of Buddha in the world.

Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass is a popular tourist spot on the way to central Bhutan. Besides stunning 360-degree views of the Himalayas, it is also home to 108 stupas that were built to memorialize Bhutanese soldiers killed in a 2003 battle with Indian insurgents from the Assam region. Certainly an impressive location to visit in Bhutan.

Punakha Dzong

This fortification is one of Bhutan’s most stunning structures and was built strategically between the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers in 1637. Punakha Dzong is one of only five in Bhutan. Dzongs serve as administrative and government offices and monasteries and their massive architecture is unique to Bhutan, Tibet and parts of India.

Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge

Located next to Punakha Dzong, the 160-meter-long Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. It offers spectacular views of Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu Valley.

Paro (Rinpung) Dzong

Another one of Bhutan’s five majestic Dzongs, Rinpung Dzong in Paro literally translates to Fortress on Jewels. It received its name due to the fact that the dzong was built using stones rather than clay. It’s considered one of the most beautiful examples of 15th-century architecture in Bhutan.

Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley

One of my personal highlights was visiting Phobjikha Valley. This bowl-shaped valley is home to many of the most beautiful wild animals of Bhutan, including muntjac, sambar, serow, or yak.

Taktsang (Tiger Nest) Monastery

A trip to Bhutan wouldn’t complete without climbing to Tiger Nest Monastery. This dramatically set Buddhist relic hanging from a cliff is going to be the highlight for any traveller to Bhutan. The 2.5-hour hike up the mountains fills you with spiritual bliss when you ascend over two thousand feet over the valley floor.

What to pack for a trip to Bhutan?

Because the weather can vary greatly in the different height levels in the country, you’ll need to pack both warmer and cooler clothes. Here’s a list of the most important things to pack for your trip to Bhutan:

• warm jacket
• good leather or waterproof fabric boots or shoes with good soles
• waterproof jacket
• sunhat and sunscreen
• a sufficient supply of any medication you are taking

Recommended

• thermal underwear (for evenings and in the winter)
• insect repellent
• Camera & gear
• Adequate wet weather gear

Recommended Travel Guides for Bhutan

If you want to learn more about Bhutan and have a handy travel guide in your pocket, check out these three options below:

Bhutan Travelog: Bhutan Travel Guide

Bhutan Travelog aims to provide readers with information about Bhutan’s history, values, and customs, as well as travel tips and recommendations. This book also includes 9 exclusive first-hand accounts from different travelers who have visited Bhutan to give readers a glimpse into this idyllic country.  Buy this book.

Lonely Planet Bhutan

Lonely Planet Bhutan is your passport to the most up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, as well as what hidden discoveries await you. Join the pilgrims at the colorful Changangkha Lhakhang, hike to the dramatic cliff-hanging Taktshang Goemba, and stroll through Thimpu’s bustling weekend market with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Bhutan and start your journey right away!  Buy this book .

Bhutan – Culture Smart: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Culture Wise! Bhutan will provide you with a more in-depth understanding of the country’s history, values, customs, and age-old traditions. It highlights changes in people’s attitudes and behavior as the country modernizes, and it offers practical advice on how to meet Bhutanese people on their own terms, paving the way for a more meaningful experience of this fascinating and beautiful country.  Buy this book.

Are you ready for your trip to Bhutan?

Now that you’ve read this guide about visiting Bhutan, you are ready to embark on your very own Bhutan adventure! Hit up DrukAsia and let them know Linda from Linda Goes East sent you.

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23 essential things to know before visiting Bhutan

Feb 2, 2024 • 15 min read

You'll want to observe proper etiquette at Bhutan's Buddhist sites, such as Punakha Dzong © Kateryna Mashkevych / Shutterstock

Perched in the Himalayas between India and China, tiny Bhutan , with cliff-hanging monasteries, golden-roof temples and colorful prayer flags strung along trails and peaks, stands as the last Buddhist kingdom on earth.

Its careful tourism policy has allowed it to slowly open to the outside world without compromising its culture and traditions or degrading its pristine natural environment – two pillars of  Gross National Happiness (GNH), a unique philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. 

Having traveled extensively in Bhutan on assignment, I’ve come to embrace its diverse seasons and activities, from horse trekking in Bumthang to rafting down the purple-jacaranda-lined Punakha River to learning how to make hoentey (a specialty buckwheat dumpling eaten during Lomba, the New Year) in the semi-remote Haa Valley.

This quick guide navigates Bhutan's cultural landscape, highlighting its local customs and quirks, as you plan your journey to the country known locally as Druk Yul, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. 

1. Independent travel is finally possible, but a tour operator is still the way to go

Since reopening in 2022, Bhutan has scrapped its all-inclusive tour-package minimum, and initially raised the Sustainable Daily Fee (SDF) to US$200 before reducing it to US$100 , valid now through September 2027. There is a 50% discount for kids ages six to 11, with no SDF for those under six. A one-time US$40 visa-application fee  also applies.

Fees are significantly lower for travelers from India, who can visit with a special permit. Indian travelers need to have a passport or voter ID card. Indian Aadhar cards are not accepted. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals are  eligible for visa upon arrival , but must pay the SDF.

The good news is that adventurous travelers planning a trip can now independently book accommodations, guides (mandatory for any journey beyond Thimphu and Paro) and transportation. You can also, for the first time ever, extend your visa while you’re there, and you can even drive your own car – for a fee. 

However, for activities like trekking, attending festivals or engaging in more specialized interests, such as birding, horse trekking or cycling, using a tour operator will undoubtedly enhance your overall experience – and is generally required. Lists of certified tour operators, guides and accommodations, including hotels and homestays, can be found on the official Bhutan Travel website .

2. Book early for festivals and trekking in the high season

Since reopening, there are no longer incentives for offseason travel, except for occasional hotel deals. This means you may as well time your trip with autumn and spring, when the most famous tsechus (monastic festivals) take place and the leaves change or rhododendrons bloom, respectively. Book far ahead if you’re considering attending a celebration or going trekking.

That said, locals argue that anytime of year is wonderful to visit Bhutan – and that summer and winter are just as wonderful, with plenty of lesser-known festivals. But these seasons are not ideal if you’re planning a multiday trek, due to muddy trails and chilly camping.

Still, the winter holiday season is auspicious, offering crisp air, clear skies and perfect light for photography, with few travelers. Plus, if you go for the December 17 National Day celebrations at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu , you may even get the chance to meet the king! 

3. Travel insurance is mandatory 

Per Bhutan’s Tourism Rules and Regulations 2022 , you must have travel insurance that covers accidental death, permanent disability due to accidents, emergency medical evacuation and hospital charges in case of sickness. You’ll need your proof of insurance coverage – in English – in order to apply for your visa. 

If you do find yourself feeling unwell during your trip, consider a visit to Thimphu’s National Institute of Traditional Medicine . A doctor will assess your pulse, temperature and ask about your bowels. In turn, you’ll receive a prescription for ayurvedic medicine crafted from local plants, all at no cost. (A small donation is appreciated.) Another moniker for Bhutan is “Menjong,” which aptly means “Land of Medicinal Herbs.”

Alternatively, head to the nearest hospital or health clinic for treatment geared towards Western medicine. The Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital , also known as the National Referral Hospital, is the biggest in Bhutan and located in Thimphu. 

4. Only two airlines fly to Bhutan

Bhutan is served by two national airlines: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines . Because of the challenging landing conditions at Paro International Airport, surrounded by peaks as high as 5500m (18,000ft), only a select few pilots are authorized to fly there.

Direct flights to and from Paro connect you to various destinations, including Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kolkata and New Delhi), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok) and, from March 2024, the UAE (Sharjah). While Bangkok and Delhi are common entry points, Kathmandu promises the most epic route, with glimpses of Mt Everest on clear days. Request a window seat on the left-hand side when flying to Bhutan. 

Note that it’s not possible to check your luggage through to your final destination, so you’ll have to claim it before boarding your Bhutan connection. 

You can also reach Bhutan overland via India. (Bhutan has border disputes with China. Transit is not possible.) 

5. Bhutan is the world’s first carbon-negative country

Bhutan gained global attention for being the world's first carbon-negative country. Aside from its relatively underpopulated and underdeveloped status (being roughly the same size as Switzerland with only 10% of its population), a key factor in sustaining this achievement is a landmark constitutional mandate requiring the country to maintain a minimum of 60% forest coverage at all times. This is further supported by the environmental conservation pillar of GNH. 

Plastic has also been banned since 1999, though it's not regularly enforced. Nevertheless, do your part to keep the environment clean. There’s plenty of signage to remind you along the way: “Clean & beautiful environment is a feast to the soul,” says one placard en route to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery . 

6. Bhutan is exceptionally safe

Bhutan, a happy and devout Buddhist nation, maintains a low crime rate, with violent crime being scarce. One of the safest countries you’ll ever visit, it’s ranked the 25th-least-corrupt nation out of 180 countries by Transparency International. 

As a single woman, I never felt unsafe on any of my trips to Bhutan. I was also never truly “alone” since I was always under the watchful eye of my guide or local friends. In recent years, the number of female guides has increased, which is more good news for solo women travelers . 

7. Save the hike up to Tiger's Nest for the end

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can occur when travelers are above 2500m (8202ft). Given that the most commonly visited cities Thimphu and Paro are just 200m to 300m below that threshold, and that several treks in the Bhutanese Himalayas traverse mountain passes reaching heights of 5000m, AMS is a risk in Bhutan.

Ascend slowly, take rest days when needed, and if you begin to feel ill, stop. If it's not managed carefully, AMS can develop into life-threatening forms of altitude sickness, so pay close attention to how you're feeling. If your symptoms don’t ease, descend right away. Helicopter rescue is always an option in case of emergency.

Note: Due to the altitude, acclimatization may be necessary. I recommend waiting a few days or until the end of your trip – saving the best for last! – before embarking on the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery trek , which ascends about 1000m (3000ft). Make sure to schedule a traditional hot-stone bath afterward as well.

8. Stay current on your vaccinations

No vaccines are required for entry into Bhutan. This includes the COVID-19 jab, although you may need proof of it if you’re traveling via India.

That said, you should stay up-to-date with your vaccines and consult a healthcare professional at least eight weeks before your departure in case you need any boosters. Standard recommendations include vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, and typhoid, in addition to childhood vaccinations for measles-mumps-rubella and polio.  

For longer trips, including travelers who are moving to Bhutan, you may wish to consider vaccinations for Japanese encephalitis and rabies. Rabies is particularly noteworthy since friendly animals, like monkeys and dogs, can all transmit the virus, and untreated infection is fatal. If you are bitten by an animal, such as a stray dog, immediately go to the nearest health clinic and get a postexposure prophylaxis shot (you’ll need a total of four). 

9. Pack a few medical essentials

Be wary of mosquito-borne illnesses when visiting in the summer months and in the southern regions. Because of climate change, Bhutan had its first nation-wide dengue epidemic in 2019. Dengue is deadly, and there is no vaccine to protect against it. (Malaria, which can be prevented with drugs, is rare and – fingers crossed – anticipated to be eliminated by 2025 .)

You’ll need sunscreen too. Bhutan's average elevation is 3280m (10,760ft), making it one of the highest countries in the world. It also shares the same latitude as Texas, Egypt and the Bahamas, so the sun is strong. Protect your skin – and your eyes. 

There are no tunnels in Bhutan, which means the mountain roads are windy. You may want to consider bringing Dramamine for car sickness and Diamox for altitude sickness – consult your healthcare provider before you travel to discuss whether they're right for you. Pack your own diapers and tampons, if you use them; you can, however, find menstrual pads in stores and at select hotels and restaurants. And don’t forget earplugs – at night, howling dogs can be disruptive to sleep, especially in downtown Thimphu. 

10. Bhutanese food is surprisingly delicious – and spicy!

For decades, Bhutanese cuisine suffered in reputation because travelers were mostly exposed to mediocre buffets at their three-star hotels, featuring Indian, Chinese and continental dishes tailored precisely to their palates.

Thankfully, those buffets are slowly being phased out. The local cuisine, emphasizing fresh and seasonal ingredients, is on the up and up and proving to be extremely tasty, if you know where to go. Ask your tour operator or guide for recommendations. 

And while Bhutanese cuisine is defined by hot chili peppers, such as with ema datse (chilies with cheese) and kewa datse  (potatoes, chilies and cheese), dishes can be modified according to your taste if requested in advance. Still, you may need antacids. 

11. Don’t drink the tap water

Tap water isn’t safe to drink in Bhutan unless it has been boiled or purified. Ask your hotel or guesthouse for boiled water, or purchase bottled water to have on your person. 

Do, however, drink the local whiskey and lager (Bhutan has a flourishing craft-beer scene). 

12. Learn local etiquette

“ Kuzu zangpo la ” means “hello” in Dzongkha, a Sino-Tibetan language and the national language of Bhutan, most commonly spoken in the western part of the country. Recite this while bowing (shaking hands is less common). The deeper the bow, the greater the respect. 

Aside from Dzongkha (and the many other local languages and dialects), English is widely spoken because it is the language of instruction in schools. When Bhutanese converse in English, it is common to hear the word “la” at the end of a sentence or question as a sign of respect; for example, “Thank you, la.” Feel free to reciprocate. 

If you find yourself invited into someone’s home and offered food, tradition dictates that you say the words “ meshu meshu”  while covering your mouth with your hands. After two or three offers, it is customary to accept. Similarly, if you are the one making an offer, or even giving a gift or tip, expect similar resistance. (Do consider giving a small tip if someone has invited you into their home and served you food or arra, a local spirit distilled from rice.)

13. Tipping is appreciated (but not mandatory) 

Even if you’ve paid in advance for your all-inclusive trip, show appreciation to your guide and driver by tipping them at the end. On a trek, extend this gesture to the crew – ie the cook, any helpers and the horsemen. While 10–15% is normal, the amount and currency are up to you. 

Tipping is not necessary at restaurants and hotels. A 10% service charge is already added to your bill when you dine out. 

14. Bhutan has nightlife

While most people are drawn to Bhutan for its serene landscapes, peaceful Buddhist monasteries and imposing fortresses ( dzongs ) such as  Punakha Dzong , the country is hiding a buzzing nightlife and music scene that is equally worth exploring. 

Thimphu's nightlife centers around Chang Lam near the stadium, featuring diverse options like the Zone (a popular bar hangout), Mojo Park (a fantastic music venue, where the band Misty Terrace got its start), the Grey Area (Bhutan’s first gastropub) and nightclubs Space 34 and Viva City, which are open to the wee hours.

Note:  Bhutan has ended dry Tuesdays and bars ars are now open throughout the week. 

15. It is finally legal to smoke in Bhutan, but be discreet

Bhutan was long known for its drastic yet visionary health law that forbade smoking and the trade of tobacco products. While the law was recently reversed, smoking must be done “out of sight,” ie behind buildings. The same goes for vaping.

Despite cannabis growing prolifically throughout the country, it remains illegal. Possession can land you in jail for up to one year. The only “drugs” produced in the country are traditional medicines. 

Note: While vaping products are sold in a few places in Thimphu, they’re not widely available. It’s advisable to bring your own. 

16. Keep an open mind

Whether it’s migoi  (yeti) sightings in Bhutan’s wild east, the significance of phalluses as symbols of protection or the flying tiger bringing Guru Rinpoche to the cave where the gravity-defying Tiger’s Nest Monastery now stands, folktales, myths and legends are an integral part of Bhutan’s culture and national pride – and believed to be true.

Approach Bhutan with an open mind. Westerners may find it challenging to suspend logic and reason, but be kind when pushing back, and consider setting aside your own preconceptions. Do as the new tourism tagline says: Believe. 

17. Pack layers

You’ll want layers for fluctuating temperatures and varying terrains, and modest clothing for entering temples and monasteries, including socks for cold temple floors. Aside from a good pair of hiking boots, bring a nicer shoe to wear with a gho  or kira  (Bhutanese national dress for men and women, respectively), should you decide to buy an outfit  – highly recommended if you’re attending a festival or meeting with a dignitary. For inspiration, follow Bhutan Street Fashion on Instagram or Facebook.

18. Carry small change

Cash is necessary for buying souvenirs, leaving small donations at monasteries, nunneries and temples (particularly if you’d like a blessing from a monk), and giving tips to your guide, driver and trekking crew, as mentioned earlier. 

If you’re an independent traveler, you’ll want to have small bills on hand to pay for entrance fees to sites and museums. Few – as in almost zero – businesses accept credit cards.

19. Stay connected

SIM cards used to be challenging to obtain, but now you can easily get them upon arrival at Paro International Airport. You can also rent a pocket Wi-Fi device there – useful if you’re planning to visit remote regions and need to be online. 

20. Bring cash and download these apps

It’s easier to bring your own money (make sure the bills are crisp) rather than rely on and seek out ATM machines in the country. The official currency in Bhutan is the ngultrum, which is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee. Do exchange at a bank or hotel so that you can have some small ngultrum notes for butter-lamp offerings and such. 

Most Bhutanese businesses accept cash or payments through either goBoB or the  BNB MyPay app . Foreign visitors can activate the app by downloading it from Google Play or Apple's App Store, inserting a local SIM purchased at the airport and funding the digital wallet with their credit or debit card. While goBoB is more popular among locals, some tour operators argue MyPay is better for foreigners because it is linked to more international card networks and is powered by Stripe.

21. Spin prayer wheels clockwise, and other temple tips

When visiting Buddhist monasteries, nunneries and temples, observe proper etiquette: remove shoes and hats, wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, refrain from photography in altar rooms, avoid pointing, never lean against a stupa and consider leaving a small donation on the altar or with a monk. If seeking a blessing, it's customary to offer a small donation.

Be it in a car or on foot, circumambulation of a Buddhist temple or shrine, such as a stupa or chorten, must always be clockwise. To go counterclockwise, whether it’s out of ignorance or on purpose, is seen as offensive, culturally insensitive and unlucky. Similarly, prayer wheels, which help purify karma, should be spun in a clockwise direction. 

22. Don’t bargain hard

Unlike some other places in Asia, like India or Vietnam, where you’re expected to haggle, Bhutan’s market scene is a lot more straightforward. You typically pay the price that’s listed – aggressive negotiating tactics are a foreign concept. 

That said, be prepared to spend a pretty penny if you plan to shop. Your eyes will be undoubtedly drawn to abundantly colorful textiles crafted from natural fibers, like silk and cotton. These can take months to assemble, and the prices – which can top four figures – reflect the meticulous work and cultural richness woven into each piece, often done by women.

Note: Geometric yathras , textiles made of yak wool and commonly found in central Bhutan’s Bumthang region, are more budget-friendly.) 

23. Consult the lunar calendar

The Bhutanese calendar is based on Tibet's, which follows the lunar calendar. Buddhist festivals, like tsechus, follow the lunar calendar, meaning the dates change from year to year. There are other cultural festivals, like Bhutan National Day and the Black Necked Crane Festival in Phobjikha Valley, that follow the Gregorian calendar and therefore stay the same.

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Dubbed as the world’s happiest country, Bhutan, the Kingdom of Thunder Dragon, appeals global travellers by its enchanting beauties of exotic culture, surreal mountainscape, untouched scenery, hospitable people, and unique ways of life. Encapsulating within itself the richness of various local highlights, Bhutan is a promising yet very exclusive Asian country for different travel tastes ranging from culture buffs, lovebirds to adventure enthusiasts, or those simply seeking escapades from the modern life.

6 Awesome Things To Do In Bhutan

Nestled in the eastern ranges of spellbinding Himalayas, Bhutan, a hidden landlocked country, is an exotic and attractive Asian destination for those who are seeking an exclusive journey of uncovering hidden beauties of Himalayas region. Dubbed as “the world’s happiest country”, Bhutan encapsulates within itself the richness of local history, Himalayan Buddhist traditions, myths & legends besides the spectacular natural scenery and wonderful hospitality. Here, you will be immersed in the world of spiritual highlights & mysteries, pristine landscape, exceptional laid-back vibe, and a wide range of venturous outdoor activities. The country is an ideal Asian stop for escapades from modern life, inviting packages for adventure enthusiasts, or merely the true retreats with peaceful local life as Bhutan has to offer. Whether your travel purpose is, 6 iconic experiences listed below surely deserve to be included in your Bhutan’s travel bucket list:

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An ultimate travel guide to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon

Kuzu zango la, bhutan.

Kuzu Zango la means ‘Hello’ in Bhutan. 2020 is indeed the year to say Hello to Bhutan! Lonely Planet will nod in agreement. Yes, this tiny yet picturesque Himalayan country is ranked number one on the list of Lonely planet’s Top countries to visit in 2020. Bhutan is famously called as the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Druk, the thunder dragon is featured on the country’s flag is rooted in the Bhutanese mythology.  It is also the Symbol of National Importance.

Stunning natural landscapes, breathtaking snow-capped Himalayan views, unspoiled pine forests, pristine villages, distinctive Buddist culture, majestic monasteries make it appealing to many travelers across the world. Being the last great Himalayan kingdom, the country practices an amalgamation of traditional and contemporary style of living. The best part of your Holiday in Bhutan is that it lets you have a flexible, unusual, and interesting itinerary. You can choose to ride the mountain bike one morning and experience the adventure drive.  Or you can choose a salubrious farm stay and relax with nature. Else, you can wander around in the markets as the sun sets and see crimson – robbed monks coming to the town from the hills. When in Bhutan, you will be spoilt for choices; you will want to experience anything and everything.

Add this country in your 2020 bucket list and get ready to experience this gorgeous tiny country!

How to reach Bhutan?

The easiest and fastest option to reach the tiny Himalayan country is flying into it. There are several flights that connect major Indian metro cities Paro, the country’s only International airport.

Hasimara is the nearest railway station to India which is about 17 km from the Indo – Bhutan border town called the Jaigaon. Trains are the most cost-efficient way to reach Bhutan and it connects major Indian cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Ranchi, Kanpur to Hasimara. Another station that offers better connectivity is New Jalpaiguri. You can prebook your seats at the IRCTC website itself. Although the journey takes a longer time, the routes have better connectivity.  And of course, the best choice for budget travelers.

If you want to reach Bhutan by road, you should first reach the border town of Bhutan, called the Phuentsholing. The Jaigaon town in West Bengal is only 4.3 Km this Bhutanese town. Private cabs are available for hire which can be used to commute inside. Also, from the national airport at Bagdogra in West Bengal, the Bhutanese border town is 170 Kms. Its approximately 5 hours drive. The airport also has prepaid taxis, that will take you inside the country.

The budget traveler way to reach Bhutan is combining the flight and roadway. Take a flight till Bagdogra and then hire a cab to Phuentsholing. If you are booking in advance then you can also book flights at a cheaper price.

Leave an inquiry if you want to travel to Bhutan!

Getting a Tourist Permit – Visa

Indian travelers don’t require a visa to Bhutan , they will be granted an entry-cum-stay permit at the immigration offices upon entry. The travelers will have to submit a passport with a minimum of six months validity or Government-issued ID cards such as Voter IDs. These documents will be verified before the hand over of tourism permits. If you are flying directly to Paro, you can get your permits from the Paro International Airport.

List of documents to be submitted

• Copy of Government-issued ids like Voter’s ID or Passport
• Accommodation vouchers as proof of stay
• Passport Size Photo
• If you are driving yourself, you will need to obtain a Route Permit from the Royal Safety Transport Authority (RSTA), which will be issued at the bus station at Phuentsholing.

Hacks for obtaining the Tourism Permit

• Early birds can enjoy an advantage. Going early in the morning to obtain the Permits, you can dodge the long queue. Plan your day such that you will reach Phuentsholing around 08:00 AM or 08:30 AM.
• Fill the form accurately. Do not forget to mention all the details.
• If you need to take photocopies, you can reach out to the  Photostat shops just opposite to the Immigration office.
• This Tourist permit allows you to visit Thimphu, Paro, and Punaka. In order to visit Bumthang and several other tourist attractions, you will need a separate permit.
• In order to ease the process of getting Tourism permits, the Bhutanese Government has launched the Online Permit System, which facilitates this process. You can process these permits through registered Bhutanese tour operators and others who have been certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB).

Booking your accommodation

Bhutan will welcome you to its pristine Himalayan landscape, snow-capped peaks, and its most serene traditional villages. So, In addition to Hotel accommodations that you can choose to stay, pick up a traditional homestay that is located in the interiors. The concept of Homestays is very common among the Bhutanese locals and many have grabbed the opportunity to serve tourists the authentic way. You can learn to cook local dishes with your host, relax in the garden with a cup of butter tea as the host’s family performs a local dance, later dine with them.  Starting from Phuentsholing to the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu, you can find budget homestays and hotels.

Currency Information

The officially and locally accepted currency in Bhutan is Ngultrum. The country is a small Himalayan kingdom and does not have very advanced banking services. However, at the Paro International airport, currency exchange services are available. The ideal way is to exchange at the airport itself and then proceed inside the country. Few Hotels also offer a currency exchange service at their reception. Another important point to note here is inside the town, credit cards/cheques might not be accepted, hence it’s always advised to carry the cash in hand.

The best time visit the Himalayan country

The best time to visit Bhutan is during its post-monsoon season. Late September through October, you will be greeted by clear blue skies, pleasant, sunny weather. This makes your day the best to roam around Bhutan. You can also experience snowfall at higher elevations.

Bhutan is indeed a perfect holiday choice for 2020. This little Himalayan country will amaze you with its pristine resources, warm people and you will take back memories which will be worth a lifetime! We, at Pickyoutrail, have the best packages and we will help you craft an amazing itinerary exclusively for you!

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How to Get to Bhutan from Singapore (Update 2024)

Leave behind the relentless buzz of work and the never-ending task list. Seek out the irresistible tranquility of Bhutan , nestled high in the Himalayas , where time slows and nature dictates life's simple rhythms. It's the lure of the country's pure simplicity that calls to many from the bustling cityscapes.

Singapore , a Southeast Asian powerhouse, lies almost 4,500 kilometers southwest of Bhutan . Despite this distance, you can transition from Singapore's fast pace to Bhutan's gentle mountainside. Direct flights to Bhutan offer the quickest route, but embracing layovers in Thailand, India, or Nepal can enrich your travel experience. For the intrepid, the journey by land from India promises an adventure into Bhutan's heart.

Keep in mind, this is but an introduction. Peruse our full "From Singapore to Bhutan" guide for detailed insights on both air and land travel, alongside savvy planning tips for your ultimate Bhutan adventure .

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From Singapore Travel to Bhutan by Air - Most Recommended

Nothing beats the convenience of flying direct from bustling Singapore to the blissful kingdom of Bhutan . Since 2012, Drukair has operated flights to Singapore, providing easy access for tourists from Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and even Australia, to immerse themselves in the serenity and traditions of this Himalayan gem.

Direct Flights from Singapore to Bhutan: Schedule & Prices

(Prices may change, please check the official website or contact our friendly travel experts .)

DrukAir's twice-weekly flights make it easy for Singaporeans and international travelers to reach Bhutan . Every Thursday and Sunday , Flight KB 541 departs from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) at 12:30 PM and arrives at Paro International Airport (PBH) at 4:45 PM.

The return flight operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with Flight KB 540 taking off from Paro at 8:05 AM and landing in Singapore at 4:10 PM.

5 Days Iconic Bhutan Tour to Paro, Thimphu & Punakha - Highlights of Bhutan 6 Days Best Bhutan Group Tour with Paro, Thimphu & Punakha 8 Days Bhutan Group Tour with Phobjikha Valley (Nature & Birding)

The journey takes only about 6 hours , including a brief 45-minute refueling stop in Guwahati, India , where passengers remain on board.

As it is widely known, there are no fixed ticket prices, and they are always subject to fluctuation, which applies to direct flights from Singapore to Bhutan as well. Considering that there is no First Class, you can enjoy the services offered by Drukair in their Business Class and Economy Class cabins on this journey. The prices listed here are for reference purposes:

Economy Class: Typically, there are around 102 seats available in Economy Class, with prices around $550 USD.

Business Class: The Airbus A319 aircraft has 16 seats in the Business Class cabin, with prices approximately around $900 USD.

Round-trip: The round-trip cost from Singapore to Bhutan is approximately SGD 1,465 (USD 1,050), but prices may vary due to taxes and availability.

Alternative Flight Options from Singapore to Bhutan

It is true that the limited availability of only 2 direct flights per week from Singapore to Bhutan restricts the possibilities of traveling to Bhutan . However, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines have more flight routes from countries like Thailand, Nepal, and India, with almost daily flights. You can choose to travel to one of these countries and then make a connecting flight from there to Bhutan.

Singapore - Thailand - Bhutan

Traveling from Singapore via Bangkok, Thailand, and then taking flights with Drukair and Bhutan Airlines to Paro International Airport can be a recommended option for transit .

On one hand, Thailand is a popular tourist destination and offers visa-free entry to citizens from 56 countries worldwide, including Singapore and citizens of most Western countries. On the other hand, Singapore has more frequent flights to Bangkok, with the advantage of even lower ticket prices, sometimes below $100 USD, providing more cost advantages.

With this transit option, you would need about 5-6 hours of flight time . Remember to arrive in Bangkok a day in advance as flights from Bangkok to Paro always depart in the early morning.

Singapore - India - Bhutan

As an alternative option, it is suggested connecting through India. Since there are direct flights from Singapore to Kolkata and Delhi in India, you can continue your journey to Bhutan from there. The total flying time is ca. 7 hours .

Singapore - Nepal - Bhutan

If you desire to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayan route, it is recommended considering a transit through Nepal. From Kathmandu to Paro , you will have the opportunity to witness the unparalleled panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. Remember to choose a seat on the left side of the aircraft. The total flying time for this route is around 6 hours . View all flights to Bhutan .

4 Days Bhutan Tour from Nepal - Kathmandu to Paro & Thimphu 5 Days Incredible Bhutan Tour from Delhi to Paro, Haa & Thimphu 6 Days Amazing Bhutan Tour from Bangkok to Paro, Thimphu & Punakha

How to Book Your Flight?

Whether you are taking a direct flight or choosing a transit route, you can purchase tickets from various countries to Paro through the official websites of Drukair and Bhutan Airlines or through local travel agencies. When planning to visit Bhutan during the peak tourist season in March-May and September-November, remember to buy your tickets in advance.

Exploring Changi International Airport and Transit

For tourists flying from Singapore to Paro , it is recommended to proceed to Row 10 at Terminal 3 of Changi Airport to check-in for your flight. The check-in counters open three hours before the scheduled departure time and close 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

What You'll Need at Check-in:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity
• The e-ticket for Drukair
• A valid visa for Bhutan

If you have several hours of transit time at Changi Airport:

If you have a few hours of layover in Singapore, it means you have the opportunity to explore one of the most award-winning airports in the world. The 40-meter-tall Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport , the world's largest indoor waterfall, has been a major attraction for many tourists and is worth a visit and a photo stop.

Similarly, the different themed gardens across the 5 terminals are loved by nature enthusiasts: Cactus Garden (T1), Sunflower Garden (T2), Enchanted Garden (T2), Orchid Garden (T2), and the popular Butterfly Garden (T3).

With over 300 shops, the airport also offers a shopper's paradise where you can spend your time indulging in some retail therapy.

Passengers traveling in Business Class (J Class) on flights KB541 and KB900 can also access the Marhaba Lounge on the 2nd floor after receiving their boarding pass and lounge invitation card. They can enjoy the facilities available in the lounge.

Get to Bhutan from Singapore by Road

If you prefer traveling to Bhutan by road, you can start by traveling from Singapore to India . From there, you can continue your journey to Bhutan by road. Generally, there are three gateway cities that allow road access to Bhutan .

Phuentsholing: The Gateway to Bhutan

Phuentsholing stands as the primary overland threshold to Bhutan. This vibrant border town is where the contemporary pace of India transitions into the measured rhythm of Bhutanese life.

Reaching Phuentsholing:

From the Indian metropolis of Kolkata , travelers can fly or take a train to Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri, then complete their journey to Phuentsholing by road. Delhi's denizens have similar options, with flights to Bagdogra being the quickest route before the scenic drive to the border. For those nearer to the northeastern states, a direct road trip from Guwahati to Phuentsholing is a feasible option, with panoramic vistas accompanying you to the gateway of Bhutan .

Border Crossing Procedures:

Indian nationals can breeze through the border with valid ID proof, while foreign tourists must ensure they have secured a visa and made travel arrangements with a Bhutanese tour operator. The immigration office in Phuentsholing is your first stop for the necessary entry permits.

Alternative Overland Entry Points

Beyond Phuentsholing, there are lesser-trodden paths like Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu that offer alternative entries into the Dragon Kingdom.

Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu:

Both these entry points are accessible via Guwahati in Assam. A drive to Samdrup Jongkhar typically takes about three hours, while Gelephu is a longer journey through the sub-tropical plains of Assam.

Border Formalities:

As with Phuentsholing, travelers must have their documentation in order, including visas for international visitors and travel permits, which can be obtained at the respective entry points.

Explore alternative popular ways to enter Bhutan from other countries:

How to Travel to Bhutan from USA

How to Travel from Bangkok(Thailand) to Bhutan

How to Get to Bhutan from Nepal

How to Travel to Bhutan from India

Do I Need a Bhutan Visa from Singapore to Bhutan?

And Yes, if you are a Singapore citizen or departing from Singapore, you will need a visa to enter Bhutan . You can apply for a Bhutan visa by filling out the application form on the official website, submitting the required documents, and paying the visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per night. It's important to note that these fees do not cover the expenses you will incur during your trip in Bhutan.

Alternatively, you can also apply for a visa through a Bhutanese travel agency after booking your tour packages with them.

If you're facing challenges with the payment process for the necessary accounts, a travel agency can be an invaluable resource. Agencies like Asia Odyssey Travel , when you reserve one of their travel packages, offer comprehensive services that include managing your Bhutan visa application. They possess the expertise in handling the transfer protocols, ensuring a smooth preparation for your journey. By opting for their services, you can sit back and let the professionals take care of all the details.

How to Plan Your Bhutan Trip from Singapore?

Venturing from the tropical cityscape of Singapore to the serene Himalayan haven of Bhutan is a journey from one world to another. With its majestic mountains and monasteries, Bhutan is a destination that promises an escape into a culture preserved through time. To navigate the planning of your Bhutanese expedition, consider these essential pointers.

Best Time to Visit Bhutan

Timing is crucial to making the most of your Bhutan trip . The spring months of March to May bloom with rhododendrons and clear blue skies, offering perfect conditions for those iconic mountain views. Autumn, from September to November , is equally splendid, with golden hues painting the landscapes and crisp air enhancing the great festivities of popular Tsechus (festivals) . Both seasons boast pleasant weather, conducive to exploring the great outdoors and witnessing Bhutan's vibrant cultural tapestry. Best time to visit Bhutan .

Must-Visit Destinations in Bhutan

Bhutan is dotted with destinations that are as mystical as they are beautiful.

Thimphu , the capital, is a trove of tradition with a dash of modernism. Here, the Tashichho Dzong stands as a fortress of history.

Journeying to Paro uncovers the treasure of Taktsang Monastery, a sacred site defying gravity atop a cliff.

Punakha , with its fortress of fine architecture by the river, and Bumthang , a spiritual oasis with ancient temples, are unmissable. The serene Phobjikha Valley whispers the tales of migrating black-necked cranes against a backdrop of pastoral beauty.

Perhaps you would like to know more travel tips for your bhutan travel :

10 Best Places to Visit in Bhutan

20 Best Things to Do in Bhutan

Top 15 Attractions in Bhutan

6 Famous Bhutan Dzongs

10 Famous Bhutan Monasteries

Top 7 Valleys in Bhutan to Visit

Top 10 Thimphu Tourist Places to Visit

Planning Your Bhutan Travel Length

When deciding on the duration of your journey from Singapore to Bhutan , the return flight timing from Paro to Singapore becomes a crucial factor. The return flights are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which allows for a stay in Bhutan for 6-8 days . This timeframe typically covers the cultural highlights of Bhutan , including the Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro, the magnificent dzongs in Thimphu and Punakha , and the serene valleys of Bumthang . This time range is suitable for relaxed exploration, meaningful interactions with the local culture, and participation in traditional Bhutanese celebrations.

For those seeking a more profound connection with Bhutan's landscape and heritage, a 14-day journey allows for comprehensive tours that can include a trekking in more remote areas like the Jomolhari or Druk Path , where the natural beauty of Bhutan unfolds in a tapestry of mountain trails and alpine meadows.

Click the following link when you're unsure about how many days to stay in Bhutan

How to Plan 4 Days in Bhutan

How to Plan Bhutan Itinerary for 5 Days

How to Plan Bhutan Itinerary for 6 Days

How to Plan Bhutan Itinerary for 7 Days

How to Plan Bhutan Itinerary for 8 Days

Explore Bhutan with Local-based Asia Odyssey Travel

Asia Odyssey Travel is a local-based travel agency that offers Bhutan Group Tours and customized tours in Bhutan. Our team of experienced local guides ensures that you have an immersive and insightful journey, sharing our deep understanding of Bhutanese culture, history, and spirituality.

Bhutan, known as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon," is a captivating destination with its stunning landscapes, ancient monasteries, and rich Buddhist traditions. Asia Odyssey Travel can help you discover the highlights of Bhutan, including Paro , Punakha , Thimphu , Bumthang , and Gangtey .

Whether you're interested in trekking through pristine mountain trails, participating in vibrant festivals, or exploring remote villages, Asia Odyssey Travel can tailor Bhutan Trekking Tour and Bhutan Festival Tour itineraries to suit your preferences.

Embark on a memorable journey through Bhutan with Asia Odyssey Travel and immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty and traditions of this unique Himalayan kingdom.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact us by submitting the following form and we'll immediately get back to you.

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Bhutan travel blog — The fullest Bhutan travel guide blog for a wonderful trip to Bhutan for the first-timers

Dzong is the architectural monastery and fortress typically of the Himalayan countries, most notably is in Bhutan. These monasteries and fortresses are used as religious, military, administrative and social centers. It is also the site for annual religious festivals.

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The town of Paro is considered to be Bhutan’s most historic and beautiful town with beautiful valleys, majestic natural scenery. Together with Thimphu and Punakha form the most famous tourist triangle in Bhutan.

Paro Taktsang

Paro Taktsang is also known as “Tiger’s Nest”, built on a cliff in 1692. According to legend, “The Second Buddha” – Guru Rinpoche has been riding tiger to get here and meditating for three years. Later, he was honored by the Bhutanese as a god. Today, Paro Taktsang has a religious and cultural significance that is very important to this country.

Kyichu Lhakhang

Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the most sacred tombs of Bhutan, including two temples. The first temple was built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and the second was built in 1968 by Ashi Kesang, the Queen of Bhutan.

Rinpung Dzong

This name means that the fort is located on the treasure, the administrative center of Paro.

This was once the capital and political center of Bhutan until 1955. Punakha located at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, but its climate is a bit different Thimphu, quite warm in winter and hot in summer.

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong is where Guru Rinpoche receive with consideration the Buddha to Bhutan. It not only is the place where religious activities are held, it is also the major administrative center of the country. In addition to Punakha, Bhutan also has many other Dzong (fortresses) such as Changangkha Lhakhang, a temple-fortress in Thimphu. Every year, this site attracts many pilgrims to visit and pray.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

A Chorten art symbol for the Tantric of Bhutan.

Dochula Pass

Dochula is home to 108 stupas, all year round covered in fog. If you want to see the scenery, from October to February next year is the most ideal time, from Dochula visitors will be watching the majestic scenery of the Himalayas.

Mount Jhomolhari

Anyone who likes to venture out should know that Bhutan has some of the world’s highest mountains such as Jhomolhari and Jitchu Drake. Pay close attention to the mountain you want to conquer because some of the peaks are considered as sacred places by the gods and the government has forbidden climbers to come there.

Bhutan travel blog: Festival in Bhutan

Bhutan is famous for its festivals, most notably is the Tsechu festival with thousands of people gathering to watching masked dances in various colors and forms bearing the bold of religious theme. The festival is dedicated to the god Guru Padmasambhava, the Indian saint who made important contributions to the birth of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalayas. The most popular festivals for tourists is the festivities held in Paro in the spring and in Thimphu and Bumthang in the fall.

Bhutan travel blog: What to eat in Bhutan?

Normally, we think travel is always accompanied by food. But perhaps Bhutan is an exception. Almost the Bhutanese are vegetarians and their main dishes are made from rice. Rice and corn are the main foods. Bhutanese cuisine is very monotonous, light and unattractive. In the capital of Thimphu, which has only a few Thai and Korean restaurants. No other restaurants. The dishes are mainly steamed vegetables and sometime has fried chicken or a long time there is beef. If you are not familiar with Bhutanese food, you should bring some food from your country to Bhutan.

This is the most famous and popular dish in Bhutan. Ema means chili and datshi is the cheese in Dzongkha – the main language in Bhutan. You will not only eat ema datshi everyday, but also you will see it in every meal when in Bhutan. Chilli – either fresh green chillies or red chillies, chopped and cooked with cheese and plenty of butter. Although the main ingredient consists of chili and cheese, it is difficult to find two identical ema datshi dishes: each one has its own taste and flavor, some will watery, others will be viscous because of lots of cheese.

Shamu Datshi

The dish of cheese cooked with vegetables is shamu datshi, including mushrooms and cheese. Like other Bhutanese datshi, you eat shamu datshi with rice. You have probably noticed, there is no way to come to Bhutan without eating the cheese with plenty of cheese, so much cheese! Datshi is probably one of the first Bhutanese you learned.

Momo is a kind of dumplings, very popular in India, Nepal, and Bhutan – as well as throughout the Himalayas region. They are very similar to other kinds of dumplings in the world, which probably originated in China. Momo is easily found in all restaurants and street food stalls in Bhutan. You can eat hot momo with grilled meats, cheese, vegetables inside, or eat with lots of ezay – a kind of Bhutanese chili sauce. Also, momo can be crispy deep fried after steaming. This is a popular snack in Bhutan, and certainly you will always have momo to enjoy when stay in Bhutan.

It is impossible not to mention ezay – the word for any type of chili sauce in Bhutan. Here you can think, chili sauce is not really a food … But in Bhutan, ezay is mandatory to eat with all food, so it can be considered as a separate dish itself. It’s more like a salad than chili sauce. Each Bhutanese has its own recipe for ezay. It may be includes dried chili, Sichuan pepper, tomatoes and a little bit of cheese.

Whether you dine at luxury resorts or at village festivals, you will still see red rice. Bhutanese eat red rice like Vietnamese eat white rice or Americans eat bread. Red rice has high nutritional value, because the fields in the Paro valley – which produces red rice, are very fertile with high levels of mineral water. Only one small meal made of Bhutanese red rice is also provided 80% of Manganese and 20% of Phosphorus required for the body. The red color of non-cooked rice is the natural anti-cancer agent. After cooking, the color of the rice turned to light red or pink, rice also becomes soft and flexible.

Made from mountain tea or natural herbs, yak butter and salt. This is the traditional drink of the Himalayan mountains, and is used to warm the body very well in the winter.

Bhutan blog: What to buy in Bhutan?

Butter and cheese.

Butter is made entirely from cow’s milk. Bhutan is a Buddhist country so people restrict killing animals. Therefore, they raise cows mainly for milk and use in agriculture. Moreover, butter and cheese are important to the Bhutanese like rice for the Vietnamese. They use avocados instead of cooking oil and use cheese in their daily meals. Yak cow butter is priced at 600-1000 Nu/kg.

Bhutan honey is world famous because it is 100% natural honey. You can easily find the tourist places. The price is about 270-300 Nu/bottle of 275 gram.

However, you should ask a guide to take you to the local shops. The price will be better at the tourist shops.

If you meet the local market you should buy soil honey here. Because it is much better than forest honey. The price of soil honey is about 1000 Nu/bottle of 750 gram, 300 Nu/bottle of 200 gram.

Hand woven fabric

Textile weaving is an important part of the culture and life of Bhutanese people. Woven fabrics of Bhutanese craftsmen are highly appreciated in the world, they are woven from cotton, raw cotton and silk, also from wool … with elaborate motifs knit on fabric.

Bhutan travel blog: Some useful notes when traveling to Bhutan

• The amount that visitors pay of $200/day or $250/day (in peak tourist season) included costs of eating, traveling and accommodation and does not include personal expenses. Many visitors misunderstand that this is the amount of money they have to spend every day in Bhutan. This amount will be transferred to the travel agencies here. For example, if you travel to Bhutan for 4 days, the total cost will be $1000 excluding airfare and visa costs.
• When visiting the Royal Palace, tourists often will not be photographed, visitors should respect this.
• The natural environment here is very fresh and clean, visitors should be careful while visiting and throw garbage is taboo.
• Respect the indigenous beliefs and culture of Bhutanese people.
• Respect the king as well as the Royal family, Bhutanese people see the king as a living Buddha, wholeheartedly adored and admired.
• Stylish, courtesy when visiting religious buildings, temples or palaces.
• Smoking in Bhutan is strictly forbidden, and smoking can be arrested and sent to jail.
• Bhutanese people are very friendly and hospitable, you can get acquainted and chat with them.
• Do not catch fish, kill animals, cut trees, pick flowers … those behaviors can be disturbing people and make the authorities pay attention.

• What to buy in Bhutan? — +19 must-buy Bhutan souvenirs & best things to buy in Bhutan
• Bhutan photography tour — 15+ beautiful moments revealed the beauty of the fairy land of Bhutan.
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• 6 reasons why Bhutan is the most livable country in the world.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Bhutan you can refer to

• 5D4N Classic Bhutan Tour
• 9D8N Classic Bhutan Tour
• Thimphu Private Car Charter
• 6D5N Dagala Thousand Lake Trek
• 6D5N Druk Path Trek
• 14D13N Laya – Gasa Trek
• 7D6N Classic Bhutan Tour
• 8D7N Classic Bhutan Tour
• 6D5N Classic Bhutan Tour

Read more: What to buy in Bhutan? — +19 must-buy Bhutan souvenirs & best things to buy in Bhutan  and Bhutan guide here .

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A Bhutan travel guide – all the information you need to visit the land of happiness

We just finished a 7 days Bhutan trip from India . And I can’t wait to share all the information with you guys on how to visit Bhutan, Bhutan travel from India, Bhutan travel packages, Bhutan travel cost and  post covid travel guidelines for Bhutan along with all the other general information needed to visit Bhutan. Before getting started, let me tell you that Bhutan is located in the Himalayas. It is an extremely beautiful country, very less populated and naturally blessed with unparalleled beauty of the Himalayas.

People from all over the world visit Bhutan. But, Indian tourists form a major chunk of Tourists visiting Bhutan. Since, it is a neighbouring country of India. And it is very easy to visit Bhutan from India. So, without further ado, let us get started with our Bhutan travel guide.

Table of Contents

How to reach Bhutan

Bhutan is a landlocked country. And hence it can only be reached by land or by air. Below is the details of these two ways of reaching Bhutan.

Reaching Bhutan by road

The nearest airport to Bhutan in India is Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal. Indians usually take a road trip to Bhutan from Bagdogara. We also did the same. From Bagdogra you can take a taxi or a shared cab or a bus to the border of Bhutan.

Earlier, before the covid lockdown, Indian vehicles could enter into Bhutan with a road permit. But now, there is an additional charge per day levied on Indian vehicles entering Bhutan. Which is INR 4500/- per vehicle per day for four wheelers entering Bhutan from India, for the duration of their stay in Bhutan at the time of this writing . Do verify the latest charges if you are planning to drive to Bhutan. Also, charges are different for 2 wheelers and heavy vehicles. 

So, most of the Indian vehicles now drop tourists on the border town Jaigaon, right before entering into Bhutan. And from there, a Bhutanese vehicle picks the tourists up and takes them to Bhutan.

To reach from Bagdogra to Jaigaon by road takes around 4 hours to 5 hours.

So, if you are going to Bhutan through this route, try to start early in the morning. Take an early morning flight so that you reach Bagdogra by noon. And you comfortably cover the distance from Bagdogra to Jaigaon by evening. We did the same.

Obtaining the entry permit and entering into Bhutan by road

From Jaigaon , one can cross the India Bhutan Gate and complete the immigration formalities before proceeding further into Bhutan.

At the border of India and Bhutan, right besides the gate, there is an immigration office. You enter the office building from India, complete the formalities to obtain the permit. And when you exit from the building, you find yourself in Bhutan.

In the meanwhile, your luggage will be loaded in the Bhutanese vehicle that you would have booked for the tour. And the vehicle will cross the road and wait for you on the Bhutan side.

I have written this separate post on what all documents are required for Indians visiting Bhutan. And the whole process of obtaining the permit , explaining it clearly. Since, some rules around tour packages for Bhutan from India have changed post covid, do read that post to understand the whole scenario.

Note: When going from Bagdogra and returning, it’s good to book a local Indian cab till Jaigaon . And a Bhutan cab for the complete round trip of Bhutan from the border. When you return, the Bhutan vehicle will again drop you at Jaigaon. And from there you can hire an Indian vehicle for your onwards journey in India, ex., for Bagdogara airport. 

Reaching Bhutan by train

There is no rail network in Bhutan! Being a Himalayan country, it’s very difficult to lay and maintain rail network here. Hence, Bhutan has not invested into one. The nearest railway station is Hasimara in India. You can reach here via a train from Siliguri and some other major stations of India. But from Hasimara, you will have to hire a cab from here to Jaigaon and continue onwards accordingly. Siliguri on the other hand is a major train station in India, which is well connected from rest of India. So, you will get a train easily upto Siliguri town and from there you can take a cab to Jaigaon.

Reaching Bhutan by air

The only international airport in Bhutan is Paro International Airport . It is a very small airport, with a very small runway. And very limited flights operate here. From India, there are a few flights operating from Delhi. And then other flights are there connecting Bhutan to rest of the world. But a flight to Paro is often very costly. Having said that, if you decide to fly into Paro, you will be completing your arrival formalities and permit documentations at the Paro International Airport.

For Indians, another option to enter Bhutan by air (along with a 4-5 hrs road trip) is through Bagdogara airport in West Bengal. It is a small defence airport that has opened up to commercial flights as well. And there are flights to Bagdogara available from rest of the major airports in India including Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. So, you can fly into Bagdogara and then take a taxi or cab to Jaigaon – the bordering town. As explained above in the section “Reaching Bhutan by Road”.

What are the documents required for visiting Bhutan

The residents of India, Maldives and Bangladesh don’t require any visa to enter Bhutan. Others need to apply for a visa. I am not aware of the visa application process. As being an Indian, I just required a permit to enter Bhutan. The permit stamp is done on the passport. And the following documents are required to visit Bhutan from India, Maldives or Bangladesh :

• A passport valid for at least next 6 months
• Government ID proof – voter Id card or Aadhar Card
• In case of minor, if they don’t have passport then Birth Certificate is required

Our agent also asked us to carry 4 passport size color photographs each, but they were not asked for anywhere. I have detailed out this complete process of obtaining the Bhutan travel permit from India.

Where to stay in Bhutan

If you are traveling by road, the first night of your stay in Bhutan, you will be staying in Jaigaon as you will reach here by evening most likely. Jaigaon is the town on the Indian side, on India – Bhutan border. We stayed at hotel Sheetal Residency in jaigaon, just 200 meters from the India – Bhutan gate. Basic rooms and in house restaurant. But it’s location was excellent. And a lot of shops nearby where you can find everything from food to umbrella to medicines – whatever you may need for your onwards journey.

You can also book Hotel Satyam , which is another decent option to stay in Jaigaon.

The next few nights you will most likely stay in Thimphu or Paro. Both these cities have multiple stay options from economical to mid-range to 5 star luxury resorts. If you are buying a package, you can ask your agent to book a hotel as per your preferred star category.

In Thimphu we stayed in Bhutan Boutique Hotel. It was a 3 star hotel located in the center of the town. And had all the required facilities. If you are looking for a slice of luxury in Bhutan, go for Taj Tashi hotel . It is a 5 star luxury hotel located in a heritage building. Here’s a complete list of hotels in Thimphu for you to browse through.

While in Paro we stayed at Zhideychen Resort .  Again, a comfortable 3 star hotel stay. Here’s a list of hotels in Paro .

If you are also planning to stay a few nights at Punakha like we did, then there are plenty of things to do and places to see in Punakha as well. But, I will highly recommend the hotel I stayed in Zhingkham Resort Punakha . This hotel is located further from the main town, uphill. From the room and the balconies one gets an excellent view of the whole Punakha valley from here. Look at the picture below to understand what I am talking about.

What are the general travel guideline changes for travel to Bhutan post covid

The travel guidelines to visit Bhutan have changed a little post covid. When Bhutan reopened it’s border to tourists in September 2022. I have tried to capture the changed guidelines in my Bhutan travel guide as per my experience.

• Taking a guide is a must for Indians as well as foreign nationals visiting Bhutan. The guide will accompany you where ever you visit in Bhutan. Earlier it was not a mandate, barring at some sightseeing places like forts and temples.
• Indians visiting Bhutan have to pay a SDF (Standard Development Fee) of INR 1200 per day per person (for everyone above 5 years of age). Earlier this was not the case. While Foreign Nationals have to pay US Dollars 160 per person per day at the time of this writing.
• Four Wheeler Vehicles from India entering Bhutan have to pay a fee of INR 4500 per day per vehicle for the duration they will be in Bhutan.
• The entrance fee to most of the sites have been hiked post the lockdown has opened. Most of the places it is Nu 500 per adult and Nu 250 per child elder than 5 years. Entry is free for children below 5 years of age.

What is the best time of the year to visit Bhutan

As per our Bhutan travel guide, Bhutan is almost an year round destination, barring the monsoon months when heavy rains cause frequent landslide in the area. However, the months of April and May are considered the peak season in Bhutan. It is spring season then. And the country comes alive with fresh greenery and blooming flowers at this time of the year. But, to experience the beauty of Bhutan in winter, when it gets covered in snow, one can visit from December through February. January is the coldest month in Bhutan. It snows and the temperature drops to sub zero at places. But this is also an off season due to the harsh weather, which means you get much better deals at much lower prices. The months of October and March form shoulder seasons.

When we visited Bhutan in April first week, Thimphu and Paro were still quiet chilly in the evening and morning hours. While Punakha was quiet warm in the day and pleasant in the evenings.

If you want to coincide your visit with one of the festivals of Bhutan, then you can visit as per the below festival timings. However,  our Bhutan travel guide suggests that do check the exact dates of the festival in the year you are traveling, for, they follow the lunar calendar. And hence, not fall on the same date of English Calendar every year.

Festivals of Bhutan

• Thimphu Tshechu festival which is also the National Festival of Bhutan is held on 10th day of 8th month of lunar calendar. In the year 2023, this festival will be celebrated from 24th to 26th September.
• Jambay Lhakhang Drup is celebrated in October – November. It is a fierce festival of energetic celebrations including dances, mask performances, fire performances etc.
• Wangdue Phodrang Tsechu is also celebrated in the Wangdue Phodrang region in October – November time period
• Punakha Drubchen is a festival celebrated in Punakha in February or March. It recreates the memories of the war with Tibet and celebrates Bhutan’s victory over Tibet through performances commemorating the same.
• Paro Tshechu Festival is celebrated in March or April. We just missed it by a day 🙁 when we reached Paro, it was the last day of the festival. Near the city center, huge fare is held, People dance, eat, shop, rejoice, re-inact scenes from legendary tales and enjoy themselves to the full. Even on the last evening of the festival, there was so much crowd and the whole atmosphere was so charged up.
• Haa summer festival is celebrated in the month of July, wherein the nomads of Haa Valley celebrate their lives. And the tourists also get a chance to mingle with the locals and celebrate.

What currency works in Bhutan

One Indian Rupees = One Bhutanese Ngultrum (Nu)

Indian currency is widely accepted in Bhutan. US Dollars are also accepted. Particularly, if you go shopping expensive items like gold, then US Dollars are preferred. And cash is accepted everywhere. We didn’t pay through card or any other means anywhere but only cash. So, just to be on safer side, we converted around 15k INR to Nu in Jaigaon. Also, the same agent who arranged our whole travel helped us with currency exchange as well. However, at times, it can be a problem to use very high value Indian notes in Bhutan. Like INR 500 and INR 2000 notes are not that well accepted everywhere. So, if you plan to do with Indian currency in Bhutan, then carry smaller denominations of notes with you.

What kind of mobile and internet connectivity works in Bhutan

• Wifi was available in all the hotels that we stayed in Bhutan. Although the speed was not very great at ours though.
• My husband who uses Airtel, got his international roaming enabled for Bhutan. At the time of this writing, Airtel had a package of INR 3000/- for 10 days.
• I took a local tourist sim with one week validity for INR 330/- which had a mobile data of 1.5 GB and some talk time (Which I forgot, how much it was because I hardly used it). From a shop in Phuentsholing, the border town on Bhutan side, right after crossing the gates. And the documents required to obtain this sim were my passport copy and the Bhutan travel permit copy.

Overall, our Bhutan travel guide suggests that you enable the international roaming in at least one phone when you are traveling with family or in a group. And when traveling solo, you should definitely enable it. Because if for some reason you will need to do some transactions where a message through your simcard is expected, you can do that only when you have enabled international roaming.

For us, we had to alter our travel plans and change the dates of our airline tickets for some reason, which needed some digital payment. Which in turn needed OTP on one of our phones. Since, Abhishek had international roaming enabled, we were able to do the same without any hassles.

What to pack for a trip to Bhutan

Actually what to pack for Bhutan depends on which time of the year you are traveling to Bhutan. As per our Bhutan travel guide, really heavy winter wear is required if you are traveling in the months of December, January and February. In these months you should carry good boots which can help you travel on snow, heavy winter jackets, layers of woollen cloths, caps, gloves, etc. When we traveled in the first week of April, these are the basic things we carried with us –

• 2 sweaters (woollen) each for kids
• 1 moderate jacket each for all of us
• 1 heavy jacket for kids – just in case it got suddenly cold
• 2 full sleeve t-shirts for everyone
• 2 half sleeve t-shirts for everyone
• 4 pairs of socks, 5 pairs of undergarments for everyone
• 1 woollen cap for everyone
• full cover bottom wear and full sleeve nightwear
• umbrella (as it may occasionally rain in these months)
• Trekking / hiking shoes
• Medicines, particularly for altitude sickness and motion sickness
• Some snacks and munchies that the kids like – just to satisfy their taste, Otherwise you have plenty of options in Bhutan.

If you are wondering how to pack light for your Bhutan travel, you can check these travel packing tips and tricks that we swear by. And if you want to know what all special things we carry to make our travel with our kids easier, checkout this post .

What is the language spoken in Bhutan

Bhutanese, English and Hindi are widely spoken in Bhutan. Most of the people understand Hindi well, and are able to converse in Hindi. While the travel guides in Bhutan receive training in different languages like Chinese, Spanish, French etc. while doing their certification for becoming a guide. So, if you don’t understand Hindi, English or Bhutanese then you can always ask your travel agent to provide you with a guide who knows the language you understand. Both our driver and our guide were very well versed in English as well as Hindi. So, it was a breeze to communicate while in Bhutan.

What kind of food is available in Bhutan

Some of the main cuisines of Bhutan that you will get in most of the restaurants include Ema Datshi, Shakam Paa, Jasha Maru, Puta, Suja, Goen Hogey, Dumplings and Shakam Datshi . I will soon dedicate a separate post on the cuisines available in Bhutan. In short, most of the Bhutanese dishes are bland, healthy and good for the mountain climate. I found very less junk food options in Bhutan.

While Indian and Indo-Chinese food is also abundant. We could get basic Indian food like Roti, Dal, Rice, Curries, Paneer Dishes. And Ind- Chinese dishes like chowmine, noodles, momo etc. almost everywhere. Some high end restaurants and resorts also have continental options like boiled veggies, roasted non vegetarian food, oats porridge etc. Bread and butter, puri – sabji, eggs and omelette are abundant as breakfast options.

Most of the hotels that we stayed in had limited but decent spread for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, do note that the food availability window in Bhutan is short for every meal. For instance, breakfast may be available only from 7:30am to 9:00am.

What are the places to visit in Bhutan

As per our Bhutan travel guide, the three most popular places to visit in Bhutan are Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. Apart from these, there are many other valleys like the Haa Valley and many trekking trails that you can visit in Bhutan. As per our driver and guide, you need 15-20 days to explore Bhutan completely. However, most of the visitors limit themselves to Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.

In Phuentsholing, you can visit a few places like a zoo, Karbandi Monastery and crocodile breeding center.

There are many local places to see in Thimphu that include the Thimphu Dzong ( fort also called Tashichho Dzong) , Buddha Dordenma or the Buddha Point , Memorial Chorten, the oldest temple of Bhutan, Simply Bhutan experiencial museum, Bhutan Folk Heritage Museum, Art Museum, Takin Preserve (Takin is the national animal of Bhutan) etc.

While in Paro, the most popular site is the Tigers Nest Monastery that everyone wants to have on their itinerary. Apart from this, one can visit the Paro Weekend Market , Zuri Dzong Fort , Rinpung Dzong monastery , Drukgyel Dzong Monastery and many other scenic view points.

Visiting The Punakha Dzong and Punakha Fertility temple of Punakha are two most important things to do in Punakha . While visitors also enjoy river rafting in Punakha , a trip on the Punakha Suspension Bridge and visiting other nearby valleys from Punakha as a day trip. Some of these valleys are Haa Valley and Bumthang Valley .

What does a typical Bhutan travel itinerary look like

Most of the travel agents provide a Bhutan travel package of 5 nights 6 days. Wherein you spend the first night at Jaigaon. And then 2 nights each in Thimphu and Paro. But, I asked my agent to add one more day to my package to make it more relaxing. He made it a 6 nights 7 days package tour to Bhutan. And what I found was that I still made a mistake. A Bhutan travel package of 6 nights and 7 days might suit you if you are a group of adults interested to see only the highlights of Bhutan. Anything you want to explore beyond the towns of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, you need more days in your itinerary. Also, if you are traveling to Bhutan with kids , you must make a plan of minimum 10 days.

I have explained more about it in details in this detailed post : 7 days Bhutan trip itinerary from India with kids .  As the roads in Bhutan are more winding than some other Himalayan destinations that we have visited like Shimla and Manali or Palampur . And kids will need enough rest in between.

Shopping in Bhutan as per our Bhutan travel guide

As per my Bhutan travel guide, you can shop for handicrafts, Buddha Idols, musical bowls etc. in Bhutan. Then there are traditional paintings, but I found them to be very expensive. And cloths also are expensive. Having said that, you can buy small souvenirs from handicraft shops near the Thimphu Handicraft Museum. Or, from the local market in Paro. Compared to the kind of shopping I have done in Rajasthan in India or what one can do in Dubai , or similar such top shopping destinations , I found Bhutan had limited offerings. As such, we only bought a couple of refrigerator magnets from our trip to Bhutan.

General tips on visiting Bhutan as per our Bhutan travel guide

• Carry an umbrella with you when visiting in summer and spring months, as it rains all of a sudden in Bhutan
• You must wear good trekking shoes, particularly for trekking to Tiger’s Nest . As, it is a moderate trek and general walking shoes might not suffice.
• Use packaged water bottle while in Bhutan.
• Dispose of the waste properly in designated waste bins, There is heavy fine for littering in Bhutan.
• Our Bhutan travel guide says that it is a must to carry motion sickness medicines for winding Himalayan roads
• Take enough stops when traveling between places to further combat motion sickness
• Keep your passport and permits with you all the time. There are designated check posts where these documents will be checked as you travel through Bhutan.
• If you are traveling with your kids, make sure to carry all their general medication with you as you will not get the same brand in Bhutan. (Happened with us)
• Most of the shops close early in Bhutan., around 9:00pm
• Tipping the hotel staff, guide or driver is not a norm in Bhutan but it is a good gesture.

PS: Some of our links are affiliated, this means we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product by clicking those links. However, this will have no extra cost for you.

15 thoughts on “A Bhutan travel guide – all the information you need to visit the land of happiness”

You have provided a thorough Bhutan travel guide, blending personal experiences with practical tips. From visa information to cultural insights, it equips travelers with essential knowledge for a seamless journey. Engaging narratives and detailed itineraries make it a valuable resource for anyone planning to explore the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

I’m thoroughly impressed by your blog on Bhutan! Your vivid descriptions have transported me to this Himalayan paradise, and I can almost feel the tranquility emanating from the famous temples in Bhutan that you’ve written about. Your love for Bhutan shines through in every paragraph. Fantastic work!

Bhutan allure lies not only in its stunning landscapes but also in its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and embracing sustainable tourism practices. For travelers seeking a meaningful and enriching vacation experience.

Very descriptive guide about Bhutan, enjoyed the reading.

Thank you Ankita!!

Hi did you have the name of your guide?

Hello, I appreciate the information regarding your trip to Bhutan. Using a Makemytrip tour package, I intend to travel to Bhutan in December 2023 from Bagdora. suggest me do you have any inputs to travel in December month.

Hi Nagaraj. December will be colder so plz pack enough woollen. Apart from that, since you are going with a package tour from Makemytrip, rest everything will be smooth

Hi, I would like to visit Bhutan in Mar 2024 can you please give some references for Bhutan travel guide.Regards, Sonali

Hi Sonali, We booked our tour through Rudra Narayan who helps arrange trips to Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling area. His contact number is : 7063570832

Hi, I would like to visit Bhutan Mar 2024 can you please give me some references of travel guide whom I can contact and ask for their services.

I want to travel to Bhutan on my Two wheeler, what are the charges per day for a two wheeler if I wish to enter Bbutan from India?

It is the same for two wheeler as well. INR 4500 per day per vehicle.

Can u please share the contact details of your tour guide. I plan to visit bhutan this month.

Sure, will share shortly

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Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, Bhutan beckons travelers with its pristine landscapes, ancient monasteries, and vibrant traditions. As you embark on a Bhutan tour or trip from Singapore, prepare to be enchanted by the country’s untouched beauty and profound spirituality.

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• Paro Tshechu Festival (21st – 25th March 2024)
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• Nimalung kurjey Festival (14th – 16th June 2024)
• Haa Summer Festival (14th – 15th July 2024)
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• Gangtey Festival (16th – 18th Sept 2024)
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• Jakar Tshechu Festival (10th – 12th Nov 2024)
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• Jomolhari Round Trek ( 8 Days )
• Laya Gasa Trek ( 12 Days )
• Snowman Trek ( 24 Days )
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• The best time to visit Bhutan 2024 / 2025
• Flights to Bhutan | Fares & schedules.
• Bhutan Travel Cost 2024 / 2025
• Tourist Visa for Bhutan
• Luxury Hotels in Bhutan (5 Star Hotels & Resorts).
• FAQs for Bhutan Trip:

How to book flights to Bhutan from Singapore?

This blog features tips on how to book flights to Bhutan from Singapore.

Drukair, the national airline of Bhutan only operates flights to Bhutan from Singapore. There are two (2) flights a week from Changi Airport , Singapore to Paro, Bhutan (Thursday and Sunday). The return flights from Paro (Bhutan) to Singapore flights are on Wednesday and Saturday.

Singapore to Paro (Bhutan) flight timings:

• Departure from Singapore at 1230 hours and arrive Paro (Bhutan) at 1645 hours, flight no. KB 541.

Bhutan (Paro) to Singapore flight timings:

• Departure from Paro at 1430 hours and arrive Singapore at 2240 hours, flight no. KB540

The above flights have a 45 minutes layover at Guwahati , India . The flight duration is 5 1/2 hours.

* Please note that all timings mentioned above are local.

Singapore – Paro – Singapore fares (Round trip):

• Singapore – Paro Bhutan – Singapore flight fare: US $ 1073 (Round trip) in economy class & US $ 1657 (Round trip) in business class.

The fares given above are inclusive of all taxes and are same for all international tourists.

How to book flights to Bhutan from Singapore ?

You can book and pay for your flights to Bhutan from Singapore through the airline’s website: Drukair .

We can also purchase the tickets and e-mail them to you. As a local ticketing agent of Drukair, we can book and hold your seats for a month without having to pay a penny.

NOTE: You have  to produce e-Bhutan visa at the Drukair check-in counter in Changi airport without which you will not be allowed to board the flight to Bhutan. For more details on how to get e-Bhutan visa for Singaporean citizens , please click the link …

Drukair schedules and fares are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact us for the latest fares and schedules.

Discount on flight fares (If applicable):

Infants below 2 years get 90 % discount on the published fares. 3 – 5 years old Infants get 33 % discount on published fares. Children between 6 – 11 years get 50 % discount on the published fares.

Passport validity for travel to Bhutan:

The passport validity required for travel to Bhutan is minimum 6 months.

Baggage allowances:

• Checked baggage: 30 Kg (Economy) & 40 Kg (Business).
• Cabin luggage: 5 Kg (Economy) & 7 Kg (Business).
• Excess baggage charge per Kg: 1.5 % of highest normal economy fare (Adult) for one way.

Reporting time for flights to Bhutan:

It is 3 hours before departure. All timings mentioned in the ticket are local.

The view of Himalayas from your flight to Bhutan:

Your flight to Bhutan is the best mountain flight in the world. You can see the up-close view of the Himalayan ranges.

If you plan to fly to Bhutan from Singapore via Kathmandu , then you can see 5 peaks all above 8000 m including Mt. Everest . These include Cho Oyu (8188 m), Mt. Makalu (8463 m), Mt. Lhotse (8416 m), and finally Mt. Everest (8848 m).

If your flight to Bhutan from Singapore is a direct flight or is via Guwahati, then you will see the panoramic Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586 m) and Mt. Jomolhari (7326 m).

If you travel to Bhutan in early spring or winter or even in late autumn, then you have the better chances of seeing these beautiful high points on the surface of the earth. The morning flights are even better as there will be less or no clouds to obstruct the mountain ranges.

Seating arrangements on Drukair flight:

There is always a big rush for the best seats in the aircraft. The seats on these air crafts are allocated on the “First come, first serve basis” at the check-in-counter at the port of entry (Singapore / Bangkok or Kathmandu). SO PLEASE CHECK–IN EARLY TO GET THE BEST SEATS.

If you travel to Bhutan from Kathmandu, request the ground staff at the check-in counter to assign the seat on the left side of the aircraft, possibly by window. If you travel from Singapore /  Bangkok , request for the seats on the right hand side.

For more information on tours, treks, festival dates and more, please check our links on the side bar.

Please contact us for all your Bhutan travel needs & see you in Bhutan ..!

Bhutan photos:, frequently asked questions (faqs):, 1. do the singaporean airlines operate flights to bhutan .

No, Singaporean Airlines do not operate any flights to Bhutan.

2. How much is the Bhutan visa cost for Singaporean citizens ?

The Bhutan visa cost for Singaporean citizens is US $ 40 per person per trip. The duration of visa depends on the length of the package tour booked with the local travel agency.

3. Are there any direct flights from Singapore to Bhutan ?

Yes, there are direct flights to Bhutan from Singapore (Changi Airport) operated by Drukair (Bhutanese airline) twice a week that are on thursday and sunday.

4. What is the Bhutan flight cancellation policy ?

Bhutan flight cancellation policy is as follows:

(1) No charge if cancelled within 45 days of the start of the tour programme;

(2) Charge 20% of the fare if cancelled within 30 days of the start of the tour programme;

(3) Charge 30% of the fare if cancelled within 21 days of the start of the tour programme;

(4) Charge 50% of the fare if cancelled within 14 days of the start of the tour programme; and

(5) Charge 100% of the fare charge if cancelled within 7 days or after the arrival tourist in Bhutan.

Bhutan Travel Links

• Booking Bhutan Tour .
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• Best time to visit Bhutan .
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• Flights to Bhutan .
• Photography Tour .
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Bhutan Travel Blogs

We aim to make your travel to our beautiful country Bhutan much easier from different countries through these Bhutan travel blogs.

The National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.

Bhutan - The Land of Thunder Dragon.

Bhutan is also called “Druk Yul” or “The Land of Thunder Dragon”. More than 70% of the land is still under forest cover as mandated by the country’s constitution. It has a well maintained rich bio-diversity with more than 780 species of birds, 48 species of rare rhododendrons and an estimated 400 species of medicinal plants and orchids. Much of the country’s forests are designated as wildlife sanctuaries and parks and the wild animals roam freely. This is why Bhutan is designated as one of the top 10 bio-diversity hotspots in the world.

Bhutan is also the only carbon negative country in the world which means, it emits less carbon than it produces. Bhutan emphasizes higher importance to Gross National Happiness (GNH) than Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Buddhist religion, age old tradition and culture are well preserved and play a vital role in the daily lives of the Bhutanese people. Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan but, English is also widely spoken throughout the country.

Welcome to Bhutan !

The Bhutan Travel blogs for visitors from different countries are below.

• Bhutan Travel | 12 amazing Tips for Travel to Bhutan – Yak Holidays .
• Travel to Bhutan from Canada .
• Travel to Bhutan from the United Kingdom .
• Advice: Travel to Bhutan from Australia / New Zealand .
• Travel to Bhutan from Singapore.
• Travel to Bhutan from France.
• Tips – Travel to Bhutan from Poland.
• Travel to Bhutan from Germany.
• Travel to Bhutan from Belgium.
• Advice – Travel to Bhutan from Italy.
• Travel to Bhutan from Spain / Portugal.
• Advice for travel to Bhutan from Sweden.
• Tips for travel to Bhutan from Brazil / Argentina.
• Travel to Bhutan from Denmark.
• Travel to Bhutan from Finland.
• Tips – Travel to Bhutan from Greece.
• Travel to Bhutan from Ireland.
• Travel to Bhutan from Malaysia.
• Advice – Travel to Bhutan from Norway.
• Travel to Bhutan from Russia.
• Travel to Bhutan from South Africa.
• Tips – Travel to Bhutan from Switzerland.
• Travel to Bhutan from Ukraine.
• Travel to Bhutan from Hong Kong.
• Advice – Travel to Bhutan from Taiwan.
• How to travel to Bhutan from Indonesia.
• Travel to Bhutan from Vietnam.
• Travel to Bhutan from Myanmar.
• Tips-Travel to Bhutan from Thailand.
• Travel to Bhutan from Cambodia.
• Travel to Bhutan from South Korea Seoul.
• Advice-Travel to Bhutan from Philippines.
• Travel to Bhutan from Mexico.
• Travel to Bhutan from Japan .
• flights, Travel to Bhutan from Austria.
• Visa, flights, travel to Bhutan from Czech Republic.
• Visa, flights, travel to Bhutan from Netherlands.
• Travel to Bhutan from Israel.
• Travel to Bhutan from Nepal.

Ashley Chen

Bhutanese can now enter Singapore quarantine-free from Apr 1

Looking forward to taking a break from Bhutan? Here's some good news for you.

From April 1, all fully vaccinated Bhutanese travellers and children aged 12 and below can now enter Singapore with just a travel insurance and a pre-departure COVID-19 test within two days before departure. PCR, professionally-administered ART, or ART supervised by licensed Singapore providers (including remotely supervised) are accepted.

The new border policies for Singapore is close to travel experience pre-pandemic. Under Singapore's new Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) that replaces its previous Vaccinated Travel Lane Scheme (VTL), travellers from all countries and regions (except those from Restricted Category) are allowed to enter Singapore quarantine-free. Currently, there is no country in the Restricted Category. Travellers are also no longer required to take any COVID-19 tests upon arrival in Singapore.

"We will continue to monitor the local and global Covid-19 situations and consider removing the pre-departure test requirement in the coming weeks," said MOH Singapore.

How to show vaccination proof?

Travellers will be able to show all vaccination certificates regardless of place of issuance as proof of vaccination. Both digital or physical certificate are accepted as long as it's in English or accompanied by an English translation. Children aged 12 years and below are exempted from the vaccination requirement, in line with domestic measures.

COVID-19 Travel Insurance

All short-term visitors will need to have travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs in Singapore, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000 (based on COVID-19 bill sizes at private hospitals). This is a requirement regardless of the traveller’s vaccination or recovery status, as there is still a risk that these travellers can get a COVID-19 infection and require medical attention.​

The travel insurance will help with the costs of their medical treatment in Singapore. Please ensure sufficient coverage as travellers will have to pay for their own treatment costs beyond their insurance coverage.​

Visitors should purchase such travel insurance prior to travelling to Singapore, either from Singapore-based or overseas insurers.​

You can purchase a travel insurance from HL Assurance Pte Ltd - ChangiAssure Covid Insurance or from the insurer in Bhutan.​

The travel insurance typically costs approximately 1800 nu or S$32. ​ All Short Term Visitors are required to prepare an electronic or physical copy of their insurance policy to bring with them to facilitate their entry into Singapore.

Singapore Arrival Card

The existing Singapore Arrival Card will also be simplified such that travellers will only need to submit their personal particulars, vaccination status and health declaration.

Regulations for non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers 

Non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above are generally not allowed to enter Singapore. But exemptions will be made for long-term pass holders medically ineligible for vaccines, long-term pass holders aged 13 to 17, and long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with other valid entry approvals. 

“This shift to the Vaccinated Travel Framework is a decisive step for Singapore and an important signal to the world – that Singapore has fully reopened its borders, that we are reconnecting with the world, and reclaiming Changi’s status as an international aviation hub.” Transport Minister S. Iswaran said at a press conference.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the move to reopen to vaccinated travellers will provide a much-needed boost to businesses, particularly the tourism sector. 

Singapore on a journey toward full reopening

Changi Airport Group chief executive Lee Seow Hiang said the airport is now preparing to welcome more travellers.

“The normalisation of airport protocols will also be welcomed by airport workers, who have been working tirelessly over the past two years to ensure a safe environment for travellers,” he added. 

“We will continue to ensure that air travel is safe for our passengers, even as we begin to restore Changi’s handling capacity.”

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) regional vice-president for Asia-Pacific Philip Goh said the reopening will enable airlines to ramp up their services. He added that the removal of pre-departure testing in time to come will also boost the aviation sector’s journey towards a full recovery.

What are the current COVID-19 protocols in Singapore?

Singapore will start easing COVID-19 rules from March 29 as the Omicron wave subsides. 

• People can now gather up to 10 people and have 10 visitors for households at any one time
• Up to 10 vaccinated people can dine at F&B outlets
• Sale, consumption of alcohol are now allowed after 10.30pm and live performances can resume
• Masks are optional outdoors but encouraged in crowded area
• Masks are mandatory indoors including malls, public transport, hawker centres
• Large-scale social events can now resume with no more than 10 pax per table and 1m between tables 
• 75% of employees who work from home can return to offices

Do I need to quarantine when I return to Bhutan from Singapore?

As of March 24, all inbound travellers to Bhutan are required to undergo 14-day quarantine. However, from April 25, the quarantine period in Bhutan will be reduced to 5 days for fully vaccinated travellers.

Where can I book my flight tickets from Bhutan to Singapore?

Drukair offers direct flights from Bhutan to Singapore. You may check out www.drukair.com for their flight schedules.

Step-by-step guide on how to travel from Bhutan to Singapore (effective Apr 1, 2022)

1. Book your flight tickets from www.drukair.com . Currently, there are limited flights available from Paro Airport to Singapore.

2. Purchase a travel insurance with at least S$30,000 coverage for COVID-19 related charges.

3. Submit SG Arrival Card and e-health declaration via the official and free e-service on the Immigrations & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.

4. Get a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or professionally administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) within two days prior to departure.

5. Download the local contact tracing app, TraceTogether, and register your profile.

6. Dust off your passport and enjoy your holidays in Singapore quarantine-free.

Are you ready to dust off your passport?

Bhutanese artist invited to decorate life-sized tiger sculpture for display in Singapore

A detailed summary of bhutan's covid-19 management and plans moving forward, upcoming events.

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Bhutan Travel Blog

Travel to Bhutan from different locations of the world. Every traveler needs to know Bhutan Travel Blog. Bhutan Himalayan Holidays is an inbound travel agency in Bhutan registered under the Tourism Council of Bhutan. The Tour agency in Bhutan since 2008 and provided services to different clients from different countries. Every client took memories of Bhutan and left footprints in Bhutan. Bhutan travel blog of Bhutan Himalayan Holidays will provide you complete solution for travelers traveling to Bhutan. You can refer to the contents of  Bhutan referring to travel to Bhutan.

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