Bhutan Travel Cost: how much does it cost to travel to Bhutan?

Bhutan is a very unique destination when it comes to tourism, and the cost of a tour in the Land of the Thunder Dragon depends on the length of the visit, the accommodation requirements, etc. The total cost of a tour normally includes all the things you will need, and as long as you do not opt for higher-rated accommodation or spend extra on eating out a lot, then the cost can be kept relatively low. Breaking down the total cost of the tour is actually quite easy, as everything in Bhutan has a set price, making it easy to estimate the total cost.

What is the daily fee for a Bhutan tour?

Bhutan is unusual in that the entire cost of your stay in the country covers everything that you will need, from accommodation and meals to drivers, guides, private vehicles, etc. The payment is rated on a daily basis, and the Bhutan tour cost per day is known as the Minimum Daily Package (MDP). The amount of the package depends on the time of year you are traveling.

In the peak season months of March, April, May, September, October, and November, the MDP costs USD 250 per person per night.

In the low season months of January, February, June, July, August, and December, the amount drops to just USD 200 per person per night.

Bhutan Visa and Permit Cost

The standard cost of Bhutan visa is USD 40 per person, and is included in the overall quoted cost of the tour. While the visa for Bhutan is issued by the Immigration Department of the Bhutanese government, you cannot apply for it in person, and the application will be made by us on your behalf.

There are also certain permits that you will need for travel in Bhutan, which are applied for by us once you have booked the tour. On entry to Bhutan you will be issued with the standard entry permit, which allows for travel within the areas of Paro and Thimphu. For all other areas outside those, other permits will be applied for by us to ensure that your trip runs smoothly. All of the permits are included in our all-inclusive Bhutan tour packages, and there are no additional fees for the permits for other areas of Bhutan.

Bhutan Package Cost Inclusion

The Minimum Daily Package in Bhutan is just like an all-inclusive package holiday, and all of the things that you need in Bhutan are included in this single tour cost. This makes it easier to work out the total cost of the trip, as you will not need to worry about being charged additional costs once you arrive. Your tour cost actually includes all of your accommodation for the duration of the tour, including trekking accommodation for those on treks; all of your meals during your trip; the cost of the visa and all the permits; the cost of the guide and driver that will be traveling with you around Bhutan; all of the entrance fees to the various attractions that you will visit whilst in Bhutan; all of your transport requirements for the tour; and bottled water for the duration of the tour.

>> Browse the popular all-inclusive Bhutan Tours in 2023.

Bhutan Package Cost Exclusion

While most of the tour cost is included in the overall package, there are some things that are excluded from the package, which you will need to pay for yourself.

Airfare to/from Bhutan

The main exclusion of Bhutan tour packages is the cost of your Bhutan flights to and from Paro. However, while the cost is not a part of the overall tour price, we can help with booking your flights for you, if you wish.

Personal Expensed in the Bhutan Tour

Personal expenses are also excluded from the overall tour cost, and included your own personal purchases for toiletries, batteries, film, personal shopping, alcoholic drinks, phone calls in the hotel, laundry, etc. All of these are personal costs that you will need to cover on top of the cost of the tour.

Some Add-on Activities

There are also some optional activities that you can take part in whilst in Bhutan that are not included in the overall tour cost. These include things like hiring a horse for the first half of the trek up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which is not normally part of the trek up to the high monastery overlooking the Paro Valley.

Extra Cost for Bhutan Travel Options

Bhutan Hot Stone Bath in Paro Farm House

In Bhutan, taking a hot stone bath is one of the luxuries of local herbal and traditional medicine, and the baths, which are normally in the local farmhouses and home stays, are an additional expense outside the tour cost. The hot stone bath is a relaxing experience that uses local fresh river water and hot stones from a fire to heat it to the desired temperature.

Bhutan Cooking Class in Paro Farm House

Cooking classes are an optional activity that are a separate cost to the overall tour cost, and are not usually part of the normal package. These amazing classes show you how to prepare local Bhutanese cuisine in a class with a local Bhutanese cook. You can learn about the influences of other cuisines and cultures on Bhutanese cooking, and the impressive use of chilies in just about every dish.

River Rafting in Punakha

Rafting down the rivers in Punakha, which is usually done on the Mo Chhu, is an amazing adventure that can give you an awesome experience. The rafting experience usually extends over a distance of around 10-12 kilometers, and takes you through 4th and 5th degree rapids in an exciting adventure. This is also an additional cost, and you can arrange it with your travel consultant.

Bhutanese National Game Archery

Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and one of the most loved pastimes in the kingdom. Known locally as “dha”, archery is played in every town and village across the country, with competitions at local, regional, and national levels. If you are interested in learning more about the sport, you can sign up for archery lessons with the Bhutan Archery Federation in Thimphu for an additional cost.

Extra Cost for Bhutan Hotel Upgrade

For most tours of Bhutan, the hotel is included in the overall cost, and this includes your accommodation in the standard 3-star hotels that are the main places for tourists to stay in Bhutan. However, if you wish to upgrade your hotel to a higher grade, then this will incur an additional cost on top of the overall cost of the tour.

How to Upgrade Your Hotel

If you request the upgrade option at the time of booking your tour, then the upgrade cost will be added to your overall tour cost from the start, so the amount you pay for the tour is already set, just higher than the MDP. However, if you decide to upgrade once you are in Bhutan, it is not hard to arrange, but you will be required to pay the entire amount of the upgrade in full as an additional cost.

Best Luxury Hotels in Bhutan

Bhutan has some great luxury hotels in several cities across the country, including such delightful hotels as the COMO Uma in Paro, the Taj Tashi Hotel in Thimphu, the Le Meridien Hotel in Thimphu, the Have Resort in Paro, and the famous Amankora Hotels, which can be found in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, and Bumthang.

How to cut down the Bhutan travel cost?

While Bhutan can appear to be expensive, when you consider the things the cost covers, it is a good deal for a tour package to such an exclusive destination. However, if you are planning a Bhutan tour on a Budget, then the easiest way to do so is to book the tour in the low season for tourism in Bhutan. The peak seasons run from March to May and September to November, and the MDP for these months is 250 dollars per night. In the low seasons, from June to August and December to February, the cost is just 200 dollars per night.

There are also surcharges to the standard MDP amounts, which depend on how many people are in the group. For solo travelers, you can expect to pay USD 40 per night as a single surcharge, and for couples, the surcharge is USD 30 per person per night. However, with groups of three or more, there is no surcharge at all, so it pays to travel with friends or family.

How much does it cost to fly to Bhutan?

Flights to Paro depend on the airport that you are departing from, and start at just USD 124 per person, to as high as USD1,185 per person.

Flights to Bhutan are only offered by two airlines, DrukAir and Bhutan Airlines. DrukAir is the national flagship carrier, and the first airline in Bhutan, while Bhutan Airlines is the first and only private airline in the kingdom. All inbound and outbound tourists must use one of the two airlines, as they are the only carriers permitted to land at Paro International Airport.

These airlines offer flights to Paro from nine airports in five countries, all of which are in Asia. The cities with flights to Paro include Kathmandu (Nepal), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Dhaka (Bangladesh), New Delhi (India), Guwahati (India), and Kolkata (India).

Since there are limited flights to Bhutan, it is suggested to book your flight to Bhutan as early as possible.

Conclusion of Bhutan Travel Cost

With its unique package deals, Bhutan is actually a lot more affordable than many people think. Having everything included in the overall cost makes the whole trip much easier to manage, and with high and low seasons having different costs, you can decide when to travel easier. And while there are exclusions to the MDP, these are only for personal items and optional activities, and you can always bring enough with you to save from buying them in Bhutan or not take the activities. Now, this exclusive destination does not seem so expensive, when you know what you actually get for your money.