FAQ
Bhutan: Frequently Asked Questions
15 things worth knowing before you arrive
Bhutan is unlike anywhere else you will ever visit. Before your first trip, questions naturally arise and the answers are often wonderfully surprising. Here are fifteen of the most important and frequently asked questions.
Most international visitors require a tourist visa, which is applied for through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator after your trip is confirmed. You do not need to visit an embassy as the process is handled entirely online and a visa clearance letter is sent to you before departure. The actual visa stamp is placed in your passport upon arrival at Paro International Airport. Citizens of India, Bangladesh and the Maldives follow a slightly different process using a permit rather than a traditional visa.
Bhutan is widely regarded as one of the safest travel destinations in the world. The country has very low rates of crime, a stable political environment and a well-managed tourism framework that ensures visitors are well supported throughout their stay. The primary considerations for travellers are practical in nature such as altitude awareness, weather conditions and appropriate preparation for trekking or mountain travel. Comprehensive travel insurance is always recommended, as it is for any international journey.
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily government levy that applies to all international visitors. It is currently set at USD 100 per person per night for most international tourists and INR 1,200 per person per night for Indian nationals. Children between 6 and 12 receive a 50% discount, and children under 6 are exempt. The fee is valid at this rate until 31 August 2027 and is paid as part of your tour booking. It directly supports Bhutan’s traditional and cultural preservation initiatives making it a meaningful contribution to the country you are visiting.
Bhutan is a year-round destination, and each season has its own distinct character. Spring (March to May) brings blooming rhododendrons, pleasant temperatures, and some of the country’s most celebrated festivals, including the famous Paro Tshechu in April. Autumn (September to November) offers the clearest mountain skies and the Thimphu Tshechu festival in September. Winter (December to February) is peaceful and intimate, with beautiful snow-covered landscapes and fewer visitors. The monsoon months (June to August) reveal Bhutan at its lushest and greenest. Your ideal time depends on what you most want to experience.
Bhutan’s only international airport is Paro International Airport and it being one of the most scenic airports in the world. Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier and Bhutan Airlines operate flights to Paro from regional hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Singapore and Bangkok. Visitors travelling from Europe, North America or Australia will connect through one of these cities. Entry into Bhutan is also possible by road from India through authorised land border crossings.
Bhutan warmly welcomes all visitors and ensures they experience the country with the support of a licensed tour operator and registered guide. This is part of Bhutan’s thoughtful approach to tourism ensuring that every guest has a rich, meaningful and well-supported experience from arrival to departure. Most visitors find that their guide becomes one of the highlights of the trip, opening doors to local culture, stories and places that would be very difficult to discover independently.
The official currency of Bhutan is the Bhutanese Ngultrum (Nu), which is pegged at a fixed 1:1 rate with the Indian Rupee. Indian Rupees are widely accepted across the country. US Dollars, Euros and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks and authorised exchange counters in Thimphu and Paro. Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at most hotels and larger establishments in cities. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases, markets and visits to more remote areas.
The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, which is used for official and religious purposes. Bhutan is also home to a rich variety of regional languages spoken across different districts. For international visitors, English is widely spoken throughout the country, particularly in the tourism sector, hospitality industry and government. As English has been the primary medium of instruction in Bhutanese schools for several decades, which means communication is straightforward and comfortable for most travellers.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors to Bhutan. A comprehensive policy should cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and weather or flight delays. Given Bhutan’s mountainous terrain and the altitude involved in many popular activities, ensuring your policy covers high-altitude trekking and medical evacuation is particularly important. Your tour operator or travel agent will be able to advise on the most suitable coverage for the activities you plan to undertake.
Bhutanese cuisine is wholesome, distinctive and deeply rooted in the country’s highland culture. Red rice forms the foundation of most meals. The national dish, Ema Datshi, is a warming stew of chillies and local cheese that holds a special place in every Bhutanese home. Traditional dishes also include Phaksha Paa (pork with dried chillies), Jasha Maru (spiced minced chicken) and an array of seasonal vegetables. Suja, a salted butter tea made with yak butter is the traditional Bhutanese beverage and a cultural staple worth trying. In Thimphu and Paro, a wide variety of international cuisine is readily available alongside the local fare.
Packing well for Bhutan comes down to one golden principle: layers. Temperatures can shift significantly within a single day, especially at altitude, so versatile clothing you can add or remove is far more practical than heavy items. Lightweight base layers, a warm fleece or mid-layer and a good waterproof outer jacket will cover most situations.
In winter, a proper down jacket is essential. For warmer months and lower elevations, light cotton or linen clothes work well during the day. For footwear, a sturdy pair of broken-in walking shoes or light hiking boots is the single most important item you will pack. Bhutan involves a good deal of walking across monastery courtyards, hillside trails and valley paths. A lighter pair of slip-on shoes is also very useful, as footwear is frequently removed at temples and dzong entrances.
A few additional items worth including: high-factor sunscreen and lip balm (the high-altitude sun is deceptively strong), a reusable water bottle, any personal medications, a power adapter for Type D and M plug sockets (the same as India) and a lightweight daypack for daily excursions. Do leave a little room in your bag on the way home as Bhutan’s handwoven textiles, handmade paper products and traditional crafts make for some of the most meaningful souvenirs you will ever take back home.
Bhutan observes a national code of dress and conduct known as Driglam Namzha, and visitors are kindly requested to dress modestly when visiting dzongs, monasteries and other sacred sites. Shoulders should be covered and clothing should reach at least the knee. When entering a dzong or government building, visitors are required to wear a traditional Bhutanese outer garment namely a kira for women and a gho for men which can be rented locally. Beyond religious sites, comfortable and layered clothing suitable for varying altitudes and temperatures is recommended.
A Tshechu is an annual Buddhist festival celebrated in each district of Bhutan, typically held in the courtyard of the local dzong or monastery. The festival features Cham, a sacred masked dances performed by monks to honour Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Attending a Tshechu is one of the most memorable experiences Bhutan offers where the colour, the pageantry, the devout participation of local communities and the spiritual atmosphere are truly unlike anything else. The Paro Tshechu (April) and Thimphu Tshechu (September) are among the most renowned.
Bhutan offers some of the most breath-taking trekking in the Himalayan region, with options suited to a wide range of fitness levels and experience. The most iconic short hike is the trail to Taktsang Lhakhang popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This hike takes a one to two hour ascent in the Paro Valley that is manageable for most reasonably fit visitors. For those seeking more immersive experiences, longer treks through remote valleys and high mountain passes are available, ranging from moderate multi-day routes to the legendary Snowman Trek. All trekking in Bhutan is done with a registered guide and requires a trekking permit arranged through your tour operator.
Bhutan has a deep and constitutionally protected commitment to its natural environment. The Constitution mandates that a minimum of 60% of the country’s land remains under forest cover at all times – a figure that currently stands at around 72%. Bhutan generates the vast majority of its electricity from clean hydropower and is widely recognised as one of the most ecologically responsible nations in the world. Environmental conservation is not simply a policy aspiration in Bhutan but it is a core expression of the country’s values and identity.