Can I Take a Solo Bhutan Tour? And How?

Traveling to Bhutan is one of the most exciting and exhilarating adventures in Southeast Asia. Lying in the southern shadow of the eastern Himalayas, this unique kingdom is the last true Shangri-La of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges, and one of the most exclusive tourist destinations in the world. An isolated country for centuries, Bhutan has only recently opened up to international tourism, and is renowned for its eco-friendly and environmental tourism that makes it the most beautiful destination in Asia. And this unique destination is one that is already well geared towards solo travelers.

Who can travel Bhutan solo and who’re not allowed to travel Bhutan independently?

Anyone can travel to Bhutan as a solo traveler, but only certain nationalities can travel there independently. Thanks to a tourism policy of “high value, low impact’’, Bhutan has introduced guided tours as a must for almost everyone in the world when visiting the kingdom.

Currently, only nationals of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives can travel independently in Bhutan. This is thanks to mutual travel agreements between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the governments of the three nations, who can either obtain free visas on entry using a passport, or for Indians, travel on their voters ID cards.

However, everyone else needs to be on a pre-arranged tour of the kingdom, complete with tour guide, driver, and private vehicle. And for solo travelers, this is a major advantage, as you are always in the company of someone who knows where to go and how to get there, and has the best interests of your tour enjoyment in mind.

Pre-arranged Bhutan tours are also not as complicated to arrange as many people think. Since there is a need for almost all foreign nationals to be on a pre-arranged tour, there are hundreds of tour operators and travel agencies in Bhutan that are registered to provide tours of the kingdom. All most solo travelers need to do is read up on the kingdom and decide where they might want to go, before talking to the travel agency.

Here at Bhutan Vista, we will help you to decide on a confirmed itinerary for your trip (which can actually be a little flexible, which is one of the advantages of solo tours), give you advice on the best places to go and visit, and make all of the arrangements on your behalf. We will even make the applications for you visa, as well as making sure all the permits for internal travel within Bhutan are completed and obtained before you arrive.

How to travel to Bhutan solo? Feel Alone?

While you can travel to Bhutan in a group, which can actually reduce some of the costs of the trip, many travelers to this ancient kingdom of the Dragon King, or Druk Gyalpo, alone. And in Bhutan, there is no stigma attached to traveling solo, unlike in many of the popular tourist destinations. There is also no danger, as you are never really alone in Bhutan.

Solo travelers to Bhutan must be on an organized and pre-arranged tour of the kingdom in order to get in, and from the moment they arrive, they will be accompanied by their guide and driver (often the same guide and driver during their whole trip in Bhutan), who will take them everywhere they need to go and make sure they are well catered for at all times. They travel with you for the entire tour, staying in local hotels when traveling far from their home cities, and often eat with you as well, if you so desire.

Tour guides in Bhutan are all trained and registered, and cannot just set up as a tour guide unless they are listed with the government’s approved lists for travel agencies. They are provided for the tour by the travel agencies, and are dedicated to providing the best tour experience for your trip to Bhutan. They are also glad to share the knowledge of their country, as well as the passion for life with you, such as the old fable stories, the traditional folk tales, even the funny things about their daily life. So you will never feel bored and alone during your solo tour in Bhutan.

While you will need to be on a pre-arranged tour to Bhutan, there is no requirement to be on a group tour, and you can still get the Bhutan visa, even as a solo traveler. Bhutan does not differentiate from groups or solo travelers, except that you can get a small discount on some parts of the tour cost for having more than two people in the party. However, as most people tend to travel alone to Bhutan, obtaining the visa is the same for everyone.

Flights to Bhutan are handled by two carriers, both of which are Bhutanese airlines. DrukAir and Bhutan Airlines are the only two carriers that are permitted to land at the Paro International Airport in Bhutan, and depart from nine airports in five countries in Asia.

Traveling as part of a group on the flight is not a requirement either. Solo travelers can still book their flights to Bhutan, once they have the visa approval letter, and can board the flights and travel alone to Paro. In fact, is the busiest season in Bhutan, it is more likely to be able to get a solo ticket than to get tickets for a large group on the same aircraft.

Is it safe to travel Bhutan solo?

While there are many countries around the world where it is not recommended to travel alone, especially for women, Bhutan is completely different, and is recommended as one of the safest tourist destinations in the world for safe solo travel. Crime in Bhutan is minimal, though it is on a slow (very slow) increase following the higher number of tourists traveling to the kingdom these days. Violent crime is almost unheard of in Bhutan, and even incidents of petty crime are rare. However, it is still a good idea to err on the side of caution, no matter where you travel. Don’t leave your personal belongings unattended for all to see. You should still take as much care as you would in your own country.

Aside from the lower crime rates, with virtually no crimes committed against international travelers with organized tours, having a guide and driver with you all the time is a deterrent for any would-be criminal. Solo travel in Bhutan does not mean you are traveling alone, so safety is increased exponentially with the addition of the guide and driver to your party of one.

In reality, there are much more dangerous things than crime and criminals in Bhutan. Altitude sickness can be a danger if you are not aware of the symptoms and how to deal with them. However, this is normally only an issue when above 3,000 meters, and is normally only felt on treks since most of the tourist destinations in Bhutan are well below that altitude. Even the highest road pass you will cross is only 3,796 meters above sea level. And you will not spend more than around 30 minutes at that altitude, since you will be traveling along the road from Paro to Haa.

Another thing to consider in Bhutan is the possibility for coming across aggressive dogs, the ones that sleep quietly during the day and turn into raving barking monsters at night! Fortunately, these monsters are usually chained up and protecting properties, so be wary of large dogs on guard. There is actually little danger of dig bites, though the kingdom does still occasionally see small outbreaks of rabies.

All of this said, traveling anywhere requires you to take care of yourself, so just follow a few simple guidelines on personal safety and you will be fine. The government of Bhutan is always keen to take care of tourists, as it is a still-growing industry, yet is paying its way in reducing national poverty in the country and providing education for children.

For independent travelers from India, the Maldives, and Bangladesh, it is almost as safe as for those traveling with tour guides. Bhutan is a predominantly Buddhist nation, with few other religions permitted in the kingdom. As almost all Bhutanese are devout Buddhists, causing harm to another creature, whether human or animal, is anathema to the whole Buddhist doctrine. It is widely believed that to cause deliberate harm to another creature will be the largest demerit possible on the path towards enlightenment. In the Buddhist precepts, there are principles on both non-harming and non-killing, and while non-harming or hitting is not an absolute precept, non-killing is, and must never be done. However, there are incidences of crimes committed against Indian nationals on some occasions, though most of these are drug related, thanks to the high volume of marijuana that grows wild across the kingdom.

Conclusion of Solo Travel to Bhutan

Overall, it is as safe for a solo traveler in Bhutan as for any traveler in the kingdom. Solo travel is even safer for females in Bhutan than anywhere else in the world. With the lowest rate of crimes in the world, Bhutan is a model of what can be achieved through its policies that encourage nationality, pride, and happiness within the kingdom. Generally, the people of Bhutan are friendly and caring towards travelers from anywhere in the world, and racism is something that is unheard of in this high kingdom. So if you are thinking of a solo trip to the Land of the Thunder Dragon, there could be no better or safer place to be right now.