Bhutan
Cliffside monasteries, fortress dzongs and masked festivals in the last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom.
About Bhutan
Bhutan is the last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom, a country that measures Gross National Happiness and keeps most of its land under forest.
Cliffside monasteries, fortress dzongs and masked festivals fill its valleys, and the walk up to the Tiger’s Nest above Paro is one of the great sights of the Himalaya.
When to go
Best from March to May, September to November.
- January: good
- February: good
- March: best
- April: best
- May: best
- June: off season
- July: off season
- August: off season
- September: best
- October: best
- November: best
- December: good
Journeys in Bhutan
Before you go
- Getting there
- Fly to Paro from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra or Guwahati, or cross by road at Jaigaon and Phuentsholing, about 160 km from Bagdogra.
- Permits
- Indian citizens need a passport or voter ID and pay a Sustainable Development Fee of ₹1,200 per night. A licensed guide and a route permit are required beyond Thimphu and Paro. Other nationalities pay USD 100 per night.
- What to eat
- Ema datshi (chillies and cheese), kewa datshi, red rice, momos and suja (butter tea).
- The ngultrum is pegged to the rupee and Indian rupees are widely accepted.
- Dress modestly in dzongs and temples, with long sleeves and long trousers or skirts.
- Buy a local SIM at the airport; Indian roaming is expensive.
- Festival dates follow the lunar calendar, so check them before you book.
Questions about Bhutan
How much does Bhutan cost for Indians?
The Sustainable Development Fee is ₹1,200 per adult per night, on top of hotels, a licensed guide and transport. Our Bhutan journey includes all of these.
Can Indians visit Bhutan without a passport?
Yes, with a voter ID card.
When is the best time to visit Bhutan?
March to May and September to November. June to August is the monsoon.