Visit Bhutan for the first time? 10 Best Questions to Ask while Planning Your Bhutan Visit

Visiting Bhutan is not as difficult as you thought until you ask the right questions while arranging your Bhutan tour. For first-time visitors to Bhutan, here are the best 10 questions you need to know. After understanding these facts, you can have a better understanding of the travel to Bhutan and get a clear mind to arrange your first visit to Bhutan, the last Shangri-la in the Himalayas.

Is it worth visiting Bhutan?

Bhutan, lying in the southern Himalayas on the edge of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, is one of the most outstanding and exclusive destinations in the world. A small landlocked kingdom, Bhutan has a very unique culture, where people live in a simple way that is reminiscent of the country’s ancient past.

Reasons to Visit Bhutan

A devout Buddhist country, Bhutan is filled with temples and monasteries, and the national religion, Tibetan Buddhism, has been prevalent in the kingdom since the 8th century.

A land where 70% of the country is covered with natural landscapes of forests and alpine meadows, the natural scenery of this small kingdom is some of the best in the world.

As well as being a stunning place to visit, Bhutan is also renowned for its amazing treks, the longest of which is renowned as the hardest and most arduous trek in the world.

Hiking and trekking are one of the main activities for travelers to Bhutan, and even the trekking is an exclusive and very different experience. Treks range from easy day-long hikes around the areas near the major cities to week-long treks in the most beautiful areas of the country, heading through mountains and valleys, and passing by stunning lakes and the multitude of Dzongs and Lhakhangs that are dotted around the kingdom. And then you have the Snowman, the hardest trek on the planet, which takes you along the northern edge of the Himalayas, covering almost the entire length of the country in around 30 days.

It takes time to count all reasons to travel Bhutan. Its culture, religion, natural beauty, simple lifestyle…if you come to explore the hidden kingdom yourself, you may find your reason to go.

Is it safe to visit Bhutan?

Bhutan has very little in the way of crime and is possibly one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. The few crimes that do happen are normally limited to the larger cities and are rarely aimed at foreign tourists. When it comes to being a solo traveler, especially for women, then Bhutan is probably the one place where even safe for a female tourist can travel Bhutan alone.

While planning a solo tour to Bhutan, please notice that with the tourism policy of Bhutan requiring all international tourists to be on an organized tour, complete with guide, driver, and private car, then you are never really alone when traveling through the country.

For everyone else, your guide and driver will be with you whenever you are traveling around the country, when you are visiting the various sites (most places require your guide to be present before you can enter), and even when you stop for lunch. This means that even a solo female traveler is just as safe in Bhutan as she is walking down her own street at home in her own country.

What documents are required to visit Bhutan?

Bhutan has a different system of entry than anywhere else, and it is not even possible to get a visa without being already booked onto a tour that has been fully paid for in advance.

Apply for Bhutan Visa before visiting Bhutan

The first thing you need to do is contact a reputable registered Bhutan travel agency, who will discuss your requirements and book your tour. Once the tour is booked, you will need to forward a scanned copy of your passport, after which the travel agency will make the application for your entry visa on your behalf.

Once approved, you will be sent the Visa Approval Letter, which you will need to book your flights to Bhutan. Your actual visa will be stamped into your passport when you arrive at the Paro International Airport. You will also be given the Entry Permit, which is valid only for Paro and Thimphu Dzongkhags and is normally for 7 or 14 days, or the exact length of your tour.

More Travel Permit for visiting areas outside Paro and Thimphu

The area of Bhutan outside Paro and Thimphu is considered to be a restricted area, and a separate permit is required to visit the rest of the country. This Restricted-Area Permit is obtained by the travel agency before you arrive, and will only allow you to travel to the places listed in your tour itinerary. Bhutan has road checkpoints at important junctions across the country, where your permits and visa will be checked.

You will also need to have the Temple Permit to enter the temples, monasteries, and Dzongs across Bhutan. The permit is provided by the Bhutanese Ministry of Culture and must be completed before your tour to ensure you have the permit in time.

Getting confused about the visa and permit for Bhutan visit? Don’t worry. We offer all-inclusive Bhutan tour packages that cover all the required travel permits as well as guaranteed Bhutan Visa for you.

Who can visit Bhutan without a visa?

Only the citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives can travel to Bhutan without a visa.

For Indian citizens, they have complete freedom of movement in and out of Bhutan, ratified in the Treaty of 1949. This treaty also allows reciprocal to travel for the Bhutanese into India. Indian nationals may have freedom of movement, but they do still need to have an official identity document with them, or they will not be permitted to cross the border into Bhutan. At this time, the permitted ID for entry to Bhutan include valid Indian passport, Voter ID with a photograph, and Identification Slip issued by the Indian Consulate in Phuentsholing on showing proof of Indian citizenship.

For nationals of the Maldives and Bangladesh, travel to Bhutan is visa-free, and all that is required is a valid passport with at least six months validity at the time of entry to Bhutan. These citizens are permitted to stay as long as they want in Bhutan, at least until their passport expires.

It should also be noted that none of the above nationals are required to be on a booked tour of Bhutan, and they are permitted to travel independently within the entire kingdom.

How to visit Bhutan by air?

There are two options for traveling to Bhutan by air, and only Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are permitted to fly travelers into Paro International Airport.

Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines operate flights from nine airports in five countries, although in the peak weeks, this extends to eleven airports.

The five countries that have direct flights to Paro Bhutan are:

Country	Flight Route	Frequency	Airlines
Nepal	Kathmandu to Paro	Daily	Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines
Singapore	Singapore to Paro	Twice a week	Druk Air
Thailand	Bangkok to Paro	Daily	Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines
Bangladesh	Dhaka to Paro	Three times a week	Druk Air
India	New Delhi to Paro	Daily	Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines
India	Kolkata to Paro	Daily	Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines
India	Guwahati to Paro	Daily	Druk Air

Due to the huge increase in popularity of tourism in Bhutan, new airports have been announced as being added to the list of approved airports for flights to Bhutan with Druk Air in 2020. Starting from September 2020, flights will be offered from Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates and Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan.

Notice:
Bhutan Visa is required for booking the flights to Bhutan. While you are check-in at the departure airport, you need to show your Visa Clearance Letter. And the actual Bhutan Visa will be stamped on your passport upon your arrival at Paro airport.

Is it possible to visit Bhutan by road?

It is easily possible to travel to Bhutan overland, and while there are three overland border checkpoints, only two are actually meant for entry. The main overland border crossing into Bhutan from India is at Phuentsholing, in southern Bhutan. Driving, however, is restricted to Indian nationals only, as other nationals are not permitted to drive within Bhutan. If you are planning an overland trip, then you would need to travel to Hasimara and Jaigaon in West Bengal, close to the border with Bhutan. Most people traveling overland, however, tend to do so by train, using India’s extensive network of railways. One can reach Hasimara, the closest station to Jaigaon, by train from almost anywhere in the country.

Is it expensive to visit Bhutan?

While it may appear to be expensive to visit Bhutan, you should take into account that the cost of the trip to this beautiful Himalayan kingdom included everything you need for the trip, from car and hotel to driver, guide, and meals.

Bhutan has a policy known as the Minimum Daily Package (MDP), which is a set price per night of 250 US dollars in the peak seasons and 200 US dollars in the low seasons. However, this fee includes all of your requirements in the country, for the entire length of your stay. Hotels are priced at a minimum 3-star rating, though you can upgrade for an additional cost on the MDP. All of your meals are also included, as is the cost of the tour vehicle you will use, the gasoline, your driver and tour guide, and the cost of entry to all attractions on the tour.

If you are looking at trying to reduce the cost of the trip to Bhutan, there are ways to plan a budget Bhutan travel. Visiting in the low seasons, from June to August and December to February. At these times, the MDP fee is just 200 dollars per day, so the cost is reduced. There is also a surcharge for travelers traveling solo or as a couple, so it can help to reduce the cost further by traveling as part of a larger group. Groups of three and above do not have a surcharge, and if you are prepared to share your room with another traveler, you can knock off the single room supplement as well.

How much money should I bring while visiting Bhutan?

How much money to bring with you depends on how much you intend to spend on alcohol, snacks, and gifts for the folks at home. The amount of money to bring is entirely up to you, though you are unlikely to spend more than a couple hundred dollars for an average 7-day Bhutan tour, and possibly it will be much less.

Credit cards can be used in larger hotels, but since you have already paid for the hotel when you booked, are unlikely to be of much use in Bhutan, it is better to bring cash with you, and change it once you get t Paro Airport. However, while the ngultrum is the official currency of Bhutan, keep hold of some US dollars, as you can use it in certain places for larger-cost items.

When is the best time to visit Bhutan?

Best Time to Visit Bhutan for Sightseeing

For those that are considering a sightseeing tour, the best time to visit Bhutan is in the peak months from March to May, and September to November. This is when the weather is at its most comfortable and has the least rain at the same time. However, since trekking is not on your agenda, then you can actually visit the country any time of the year, even in the coldest winter months and wettest summer monsoon season. The winters in the main tourist destinations are not as cold as in the high mountains, and a good warm jacket is all that is needed to stay warm. Consequently, the summer monsoon rains actually fall mostly in the late afternoon and evening, leaving the days free to explore, with maybe the odd shower.

Best Time to Trek in Bhutan

The peak months are the best times for Bhutan trekking tours, from March to May and September to November. With the cooler weather than summer, yet warmer than winter, the temperatures are ideal for trekking, so you stay comfortable along the trails. Some warmer clothing may be needed for colder days and the nights, which can get a little chilly. Summer and winter are not ideal for trekking, but some areas that have decent treks in the winter, where the temperatures are not too cold.

Best Time for Visiting Bhutan at a Lower Price

If you are looking to reduce the cost of your Bhutan tour, then from December to Febraury, the winter season is the best time to come at a lower price. Some of the valleys around the major cities and tourist areas are at relatively low altitudes and do not get as cod as the higher mountain areas. While it can get a little chilly, with temperatures as low as 4-5 degrees during the day, and even dropping below freezing at night, it is not so cold that you will freeze to death. Just bring some warm clothing, and you will find it is a lot like northern Europe in winter; cold, but tolerable and even pleasant.

How many are days needed to visit Bhutan?

How long you stay in Bhutan depends on what you are planning for your tour. If you are looking for a decent Bhutan short tour, then you should look at staying for around 3-5 days, with the emphasis on the 5 days Bhutan tour to better see the major attractions of the country.

If you are planning on traveling out of Paro and Thimphu to places like Gangtey and the Phobjikha Valley, then you need around 7 days to aloe for the long travel.

For those planning on a tour around the major areas of Central Bumthang, including traveling around the four valleys of Bumthang and taking a trek, then you should be looking at around 10 days and above, as it can take a long time to drive across the country to Bumthang Dzongkhag, and there is a lot to see there.

If you are planning on heading further east, into the far eastern Dzongkhags such as Lhuntse, Trashigang, and Trashiyangtse, which are great areas for the unique and authentic homestays, then you will need to be looking at staying for more than ten days.

Conclusion

If you ask for the reasons to visit Bhutan, there are many answers to go. No matter you are looking for the last Shangri-la, or want to trek in one of the best Himalaya Kingdoms, you can find your own reason to go in Bhutan.

In fact, Bhutan is one of the safest destinations to visit, even for single female travelers. With the company of your private local guide and driver, you will never feel alone in Bhutan.

While arranging your first travel to Bhutan, you need to apply for Bhutan visa first. Generally, the visa and all required travel permits will be included in the tour package you book from a reliable local travel agency. You can also ask them to book the flight to Paro Bhutan for you.

If you ask whether there is any other way to visit Bhutan, you will know there are ways to enter Bhutan from India by land. But most international travelers choose to visit Bhutan by air.

The cost of Bhutan tour packages is always the top question to know. Though you need to pay the Minimum Daily Package for USD 250 per person per night in peak season and USD 200 per person per night in low season, almost everything is covered in the cost, except for personal expenses like tips for guide, drinks, and souvenirs.

It is necessary to ask for the local weather condition while planning your Bhutan visit. In general, during spring and autumn, you can enjoy the best seasons in Bhutan.

Now, you may have some ideas about visiting Bhutan. If time permits, you can arrange a 7 to 8 days trip from western Bhutan to the central Bumthang area to explore all the essentials of this Kingdom. Short tours in Bhutan always take 3 to 5 days. If you have 10 days or more, you can go further to eastern Bhutan.

We know different people may have different questions about planning their trip to Bhutan. If the above answers and facts still not solve your problem, please feel free to leave your comment below or contact online. Our professional local travel consultant will help you arrange your lifetime visit to Bhutan.