Travel Information – Your Complete Guide to Visiting Bhutan

Tourists (International Visitors)

• All foreign travelers (except Indian nationals) require a Bhutan Tourist Visa.
• Visa is processed only through licensed Bhutan tour operators such as Bhutan Tsenden Travel.
• A confirmed tour package and valid passport (at least 6 months validity) are required.

SDF – Sustainable Development Fee

• USD 100 per person, per night for most nationalities (subject to change by the Royal Government of Bhutan).
• Children below 5 years: SDF exempt
• Children 6–12 years: 50% concession

Indian Nationals

• No visa required.
• Must obtain an Entry Permit using:
  • Passport or
  • Voter ID Card
• SDF for Indian travelers applies; currently ₹1,200 per night per adult (as per latest regulation).

By Air

Bhutan has one international airport:

• Paro International Airport (PBH)

Major airlines connecting Bhutan:

• Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines)
• Bhutan Airlines

Common routes:

• From Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati (India)
• From Bangkok (Thailand)
• From Kathmandu (Nepal)
• From Singapore & Dhaka (seasonally)

By Road (For Indian Travellers)

Entry points from India:

• Phuentsholing (West Bhutan) – Most popular
• Gelephu (Central Bhutan)
• Samdrup Jongkhar (East Bhutan)

🌸 Spring (March–May)

Best for trekking, clear skies, rhododendron blooms.

☀️ Summer (June–August)

Green landscapes; occasional monsoon rains.

🍂 Autumn (September–November)

Peak season, great visibility, popular festivals.

❄️ Winter (December–February)

Perfect for cultural tours & birdwatching; cold but peaceful.

• Private vehicles arranged through licensed tour operators
• Clean, well-maintained taxis
• Domestic flights operate between Paro → Bumthang
• No self-drive vehicle rental for tourists
• Roads are scenic but mountainous — travel times may be longer

Bhutan offers:

• 3-star, 4-star, 5-star hotels
• Boutique heritage lodges
• Homely farm stays
  All accommodations used by Bhutan Tsenden Travel are licensed and certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Areas Requiring Special Permits

• Punakha
• Phobjikha (Wangdue)
• Bumthang
• Trongsa
• Haa Valley
• Eastern Bhutan regions

We process all required permits on your behalf.

Local Currency

• Ngultrum (BTN)
• Indian Rupee (₹) is widely accepted except ₹500 & ₹2,000 notes.

Payments

• Credit cards accepted in major towns
• Digital payments available in some hotels
• ATMs available but sometimes unreliable — carry some cash

• Bhutan is very safe for travelers
• Tap water is not recommended — drink bottled water
• Carry basic medicines
• Altitude may affect some visitors (especially in high passes)
• Always follow trail safety instructions when trekking

Popular Bhutanese dishes:

• Ema Datshi (chili & cheese)
• Kewa Datshi (potato & cheese)
• Red rice
• Sha Kam (dried beef)
• Hoentey (buckwheat dumplings)

Vegetarian options are widely available.
International cuisine available in major towns.

Bhutanese festivals are vibrant and sacred.
Most famous:

• Paro Tshechu
• Thimphu Tshechu
• Punakha Drubchen
• Jambay Lhakhang Drup (Bumthang)
• Haa Summer Festival

Your trip can be customized to match festival dates.

Things to buy:

• Handwoven textiles
• Traditional Bhutanese clothing (Gho/Kira)
• Buddhist art & souvenirs
• Handmade paper products
• Local tea & incense

Shopping is ethical — no bargaining culture.

• Respect monasteries and religious sites
• Dress modestly inside dzongs & temples
• Do not touch or disturb sacred objects
• Photography restrictions apply in some temples
• Bhutan is a plastic-free country — avoid single-use plastics

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm jacket (even in summer; nights are cool)
• Layered clothing
• Raincoat (June–August)
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm
• Travel documents & permits
• Camera for capturing stunning landscapes

Know Bhutan's Festivals

The Tsechu is a festival in honour of Guru Rimpoche, who brought Buddhism to Darjeeling. Most of the monasteries and dzongs perform tsechu is an immense way. Though the dates and the duration of performance of tsechu vary, all the districts conduct it every year. The dances of the tshechus are presented by both monks and local community performers. The people consider it a blessing to be able to watch them performing. The Bhutanese people, dressed in their finest clothing and jewellery, gather together to celebrate the festival.

Apart from Tshechus, there are other festivals also, which are very popular in Darjeeling. They are the folk festivals, which exist in different parts of Bhutan; Ache Lhamo Dances is one of them. This festival is organised by the Ura community, in Bumthang on the eigth day of the seventh month of the Bhutaneses calendar. The girls of this village hike up to the mountain in the morning to make their offerings, they dance the whole day; and return back in the evening with flower offerings.

We provide customized private tour program with services of independent guide, driver and transportation throughout the tour program. The services will also include pick up and drop at the airport.

• Bookings of the tour package are received through email only
• Price will be quoted as per the accommodation, air fare and other travel services as required by the tourist
• All entrance frees of monuments and sites may or may not be included in the price.
• Price will not cover travel insurance, alcohol beverage, Tips, gift items and any other personal shopping
• Confirmation of the bookings will be sent through email after receiving the confirmation from respective service providers
• Full Payment for the tour package shall be made to hold the booking
• Refund for cancellation depends on the time of cancellation as it depends on the cancellation policy of respective service providers.
• Valid passport as per international rules shall be required to confirm the booking
• Visa is subject to approval by the government.

Bhutan’s tourism sector is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Bhutan enjoys a reputation for authenticity, remoteness and a well-protected cultural heritage and natural environment.

Today tourism is a vibrant business with a high potential for growth and further development. The Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly to a policy of 'High Value, Low Volume' tourism which serves the purpose of creating an image of exclusivity and high- yield for Bhutan.

The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socioeconomic development particularly for a developing country like Bhutan. It believes that tourism, in affording the opportunity to travel, can help to promote a deeper understanding among people and to strengthen ties of friendship based on a deeper appreciation and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.

Towards achieving this objective, the Royal Government, has adopted a very cautious approach to growth and development of the tourism industry in Bhutan. Its tremendous potential as a truly indigenous industry and the clear comparative advantages Bhutan enjoys, are compelling reasons to promote Bhutan as a high-end tourist destination in a manner which accords with the tenets of Gross National Happiness.