Plan your trip · Guide
Bhutan
A country that measures success in happiness and keeps tourism tightly managed. What to know before you go: how to get in, the fee, when to travel and how to behave in temples and dzongs.
01 · The basics
Before you go
You enter Bhutan by air through Paro, and trips are organised with a licensed local operator, which is how we do it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Flight to Paro, the country’s only international airport. From February 2027, direct flights from Dubai are due to resume. |
| Visa | We handle it for you and it’s included in our trips. |
| Tourism fee (SDF) | USD 100 per person per night, confirmed until 31 August 2027. It’s included in our trips and we take care of it. We explain it in how much a trip to Bhutan costs. |
| Currency | Ngultrum, pegged to the Indian rupee. |
| Weather | Mild in the valleys, with cool nights, especially in winter. |
| Plugs | Types C, D and M, 230 V. Many sockets are universal. If yours are a different type, bring an adapter. |
02 · When to go
Something in almost every season
- Spring (March to May): good weather and valleys in bloom
- Autumn (September to November): clear skies and Himalayan views
- Winter (December to February): cold, but with very clear days and fewer visitors
- Summer (June to August): rainy season, with the country at its greenest
- Festivals (tsechus): held at temples and dzongs on different dates through the year, following the lunar calendar
03 · Customs
How to behave in temples and dzongs
- Clothing: shoulders and legs covered to enter temples and dzongs
- Hats off when you go in
- Photos: not allowed inside temples. Outside, ask before photographing monks or people
- Go clockwise around stupas, chortens and prayer wheels
- Food: the national dish is ema datshi, chilli with cheese. If spicy isn’t your thing, ask for it mild
04 · The trip
Discover Bhutan
Discover Bhutan
Best time: almost all year round (see above).
Four days of temples, dzongs and the hike up to Tiger’s Nest. It pairs really well with a trek in Nepal and needs no special preparation.
Questions?
Got a question?
If you’re thinking about Bhutan, on its own or combined with Nepal, write to us and we’ll reply by email.
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