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Nestled in the Himalayas, the Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most stunning destinations that few travelers make it to due to its location, cost, or travel logistics.
As the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation in the world, Bhutan counts with a rich culture and strong heritage, a harmonious society, and varied natural scenery that ranges from the Himalayan mountains on the north to lush jungles on the south.
This all sounds beautiful and paradisiac –and in my opinion, it is– but since Bhutan is not your typical holiday destination, there are several things you must take into consideration before planning your trip to “The Last Shangri-La.”
Why Visit Bhutan?
A major part of Bhutan’s appeal is that it is the only carbon-negative country on the planet. This means that it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it produces. As an added bonus, this also makes it one of the most environment-friendly places to visit on Earth.
Visiting Bhutan as a tourist can be a truly special experience. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy spectacular views and explore interesting cultural attractions.
There are also many Buddhist temples scattered around the country that are well worth visiting, offering stunning architecture and calming ambiance.
Bhutan Travel Guide: 19 Important Facts
This beautiful country is known for promoting Gross National Happiness over Gross Domestic Product and productivity, and the Bhutanese people are a testament to that. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you do travel to Bhutan.
1. You Need a Visa to Visit Bhutan
Except for Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians, all other nationalities require visas to enter Bhutan.
Indian, Bangladeshis, and Maldivian nationals can fly in or go to the border with a valid passport with a minimum of six-month validity (Indian citizens may also use their Voters Identity Card [VIC]).
All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance via their tour company or independently before traveling to Bhutan. The visa costs $40, plus there’s a daily Sustainable Development Fee that must be paid per person (more on that in #3).
If you’re traveling independently, you can apply on the official website. If traveling on a tour, you are required to send the photo page of your passport to your tour operator, who will then apply for your visa.
Please check their visa FAQs before applying. I found it to be quite informative.
At your point of entry, you will be required to show your visa clearance letter (emailed to you by your tour company or provided online), so immigration then stamps your official visa in your passport.

2. You No Longer Need to Hire a Tour Company
Before 2022, it was not possible to travel Bhutan independently (except for Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians). But now, all nationalities can travel independently and engage service providers directly.
Having said that, I visited Bhutan during its pre-pandemic tourism days when a tour company was required to travel the country, and I have to say I was able to learn and see much more about the country than if traveling by myself.
But There Are Some Great Tour Operators
I chose to go with Yangphel Adventure Travel for my Bhutan tour as they are one of the most reputed and oldest tour companies in Bhutan. They’ve been leading tours since Bhutan opened for tourism in the late 1970s.
I recommend them as they made my experience in Bhutan a memorable one. Plus, my guide, Tshering, was really knowledgeable, which is essential in a country with so much history and mysticism.
Another plus of Bhutan tours is that they will take care of everything for you, so you just relax and enjoy the moment. Should you decide to go with a tour company, I also recommend Druk Asia.
They have several comprehensive tours and offer a free expert consultation to plan your perfect trip to Bhutan.

3. There is a Mandatory Daily Fee of $200 Per Person
Before 2022, the visa used to cost $250 per day per person, but it included your tour, accommodation, food, and transportation. Out of the total daily fee, $65 went to a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
Now, Bhutan has restructured its visa cost in a controversial move that removes the mandatory tours and their associated cost from the visa, but the SDF increased to $200 per day per person.
On the plus side, you now have more control of your travel experience and expenses since you can now travel as a budget or luxury traveler by choosing where to stay and engaging with service providers directly.
On the downside, your trip will probably still be more expensive now due to the tripled SDF. The SDF, though, will go towards activities that promote carbon-neutral tourism and building a more sustainable tourism sector.
This includes offsetting the carbon footprint of tourists and upskilling workers in the sector. According to the Tourism Council of Bhutan’s press release, “Indian tourists will pay a previously stipulated fee, which will be revised at a later date.”

Sorting Affordable Accommodation & Insurance
When I visited during the mandatory tour days with the $250 per day visa, Yangphel gave me the opportunity to stay at the only five-star hotel in Bhutan owned by a Bhutanese, the Zhiwa Ling Hotel (which is recognized as one of the National Geographic Lodges), and Oh my God… that place is worth it! So beautiful!
Unfortunately, Bhutan is not a budget-backpacker-friendly country, but even with the relatively high expenses, it is worth visiting it. Since you can now book your own hotels independently, here’s a list of hotels to book at the most popular destinations to visit.
Regarding travel insurance, it is mandatory in Bhutan. If you’re an independent traveler or if your tour company doesn’t include it, you can get your travel insurance with HeyMondo, which covers you in Bhutan.

4. You Can Either Fly or Enter The Country Overland
Flying is the most common method to reach Bhutan, but you must know that there’s only one international airport in the country, located in the city of Paro – one hour away from Thimphu – the capital city. Entering overland is possible from India, but not from Tibet/China.
Only three airlines fly to Bhutan: Druk Air, Bhutan Airlines, and Buddha Air (just charter flights). Flights to Bhutan only depart from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Malaysia and Indonesia are seasonal departure points.
Where to Find Flights
If your tour doesn’t include flights, I recommend checking for flights on Skyscanner or Kayak.
A trick that often helps me save money is buying two separate roundtrips: one from your home country to one of the countries mentioned above and another from that “middle country” to Bhutan. It often comes cheaper, but not always, so check both options.
A Note About Bhutan’s International Airport
Also worth noting about Paro Airport is that landing there is one of the most interesting, if not scary, landings I’ve ever experienced. The airport is wedged in between mountains, so pilots have to do some serious maneuvering and turns to reach the landing strip.

5. It is Possible to go Camping And do Homestays (Sort of)
Yes, you can do homestays. Having said that, Bhutan’s homestays are not like the typical homestay program where you stay at someone’s home.
In Bhutan, you can stay in farmhouses in the countryside, but they operate like a hotel, with hotel standards (western standards). On the plus side, you eat with the family at every meal.
Camping is also possible, especially if you’re doing multi-day hikes across the country or in more remote regions. When trekking, the camping experience is more like regular camping, but you have a cook, horses to carry your stuff, and a guide.
If you’re not trekking, then the camping experience is more like “glamping,” where you’ll have a traditional Bhutanese tent and the “luxury” of a hotel room in a tent. Even when camping or doing a homestay, you must pay the visa’s full price (SDF).
6. You can go anywhere in the country
When you plan your trip, you will either tell your tour company where you want to go, or they will suggest popular places to go. Or, if you’re traveling independently, you can plan your trip as you wish.
Pre-pandemic, it was possible to go anywhere in the country, but it had to be arranged beforehand to get the zone travel permits – especially if it was a special zone.
These days, there’s more freedom to move around without the need for zone travel permits.
Most travelers don’t go to the east side of the country, but it’s only because of logistics and lack of tourism infrastructure in the region, but that is slowly changing as new airports open in those zones, making tourism more accessible.

7. Expect Really Spicy Bhutanese Food
Bhutanese eat chili for breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner. I was told that they believe any meal without chili pepper is an unworthy meal, and I think that’s sort of true.
If you’re into spicy food, then you’ll feel like you’re in heaven. On the other hand, if spicy food is not your thing –like me– you can ask them to make non-spicy dishes when you have the option of ordering food.
Your guide will ask you on the first day about any dietary restrictions or allergies, so this would be a good time to let him know if you don’t like spicy food or anything else.
Most meals will be buffet style, so, unfortunately, most dishes they cook will have some spice (but sometimes they accommodate you with a non-spicy batch if ordered).
For some non-buffet restaurants, your guide will tell you the meal options to choose about 45 minutes to an hour before lunch/dinner, so your food will be ready once you arrive.
Bhutan’s National Dish
The country’s national dish, ema datse, is a spicy curry of chilies and farmer’s cheese; paired with nutty red rice. It is also topped off with ezay salsa, which is also made from dried chilies.
8. Expect to See a Lot of Phallic Symbols. It’s Not Porn!
Don’t be alarmed by Bhutan’s phallic obsession. It’s part of their culture and religion! You’ll see penises painted on doorways, across walls, and even as giant sculptures or souvenirs.
This phallic worship is a nod to the teachings of Drukpa Kunley, a revered saint who traveled the country teaching a new form of Buddhism—through sex.

You’ll learn about him, his teachings, and how the phallic symbol became part of Buddhism throughout your trip.
To me, he sounded like a horny monk who wanted to have sex with everyone (even with a cow), but hey, this is part of the interesting history of Bhutan.
There’s even a temple in the Punakha Valley, called Chime Lhakhang, where couples trying to have a kid visit it to meet with the monk, pray, and make an offering.
Women with fertility problems hold a wooden penis about two feet tall and give three rounds around the temple while holding it on their chest like a baby. It’s a local ritual for fertility.
To me, all of this Buthanese culture and identity is fascinating. If you want to learn more about it before your trip, I recommend reading Bhutan Travelog to get a more extensive background of Bhutan, including other travel tips and things to do in Bhutan.

9. Bring US Dollars And Expect Indian Rupees in Return
While you can use the local currency, the Ngultrum (or Nu for short), it is convenient to take US dollars for any souvenir purchase, tips, or drinks. Get whatever cash you need at the ATM at the airport, as there are not a lot of ATMs in the country.
Major cities do have several, though. But don’t get too much cash, as almost everything is included on your tour (assuming you’re on a tour). I withdrew the equivalent of $60 in Nu for a week and had some extra by the end of the trip.
It is normal to pay in Nu or USD and receive Indian Rupees in return. The Nu and the Indian Rupee are paired one to one, so it is accepted almost everywhere in the country. Also, candy can be a form of “change” if they don’t have any small currency available.
10. Astrology is Big in Bhutan
Whether you like astrology or not, you’ll learn a lot about it in Bhutan. This study of the movements and relative positions of celestial objects is so prominent in the country that it is consulted even to build a house, have children, get cremated, and so on.
Be respectful of what your guide says about astrology (even if you don’t believe in it) since it is an essential aspect of their culture.

11. Mountaineering is Forbidden in Bhutan
Hiking is possible up to 6,000m in elevation. Peaks under that altitude are considered trekking peaks. Anything above is considered mountaineering, which is forbidden as the mountains are sacred to the Bhutanese.
Snow peaks are considered the domain of the gods and goddesses, and it is believed that if you go there, they’ll get disturbed – bringing hail storms, drought, floods, etc.

The story goes that in the 80s, a Japanese team tried to climb Jomolhari Mountain’s 7,300 meters peak (where the mountain goddess lives) from the Bhutanese side but died in the attempt.
According to my guide, two more teams tried, but he’s not sure if they were successful (according to Wikipedia, it has been summited since 1937, though from Tibet).
Then in 1988 and 1989, a huge drought came, affecting the country’s crops. Then when they finally harvested, a rainstorm came, damaging, damping, and rotting the rice grains.
Farmers consulted astrologers, who told them the goddess of the mountain had been disturbed. Since then, climbing has been forbidden in Bhutan.
12. Summer is Monsoon Season
When planning your trip, consider what you’d want to see and the seasons.
Spring and fall are often considered the best times to visit, especially if you’re going hiking, as the skies are mostly clear and the temperature is not too hot or cold. Also, September to November are considered their tourism high season months.
Winter will give you the clearest views of the snowcapped Himalayas, but you run the risk or not reaching some of the most mountainous regions since several roads are closed when there’s heavy snowfall.
Summer, on the other hand, brings heavy rains. And even when it isn’t rainy, clouds and fog tend to hover over the sky and cover some of the best views.
I visited during the summer, and though I couldn’t appreciate the clearest views of the mountains, I didn’t get any rain.
13. You’ll Need to Take Proper Clothing For The Dzongs
Dzongs are some of the most impressive buildings in Bhutan, and you shouldn’t miss seeing them. A Dzong is a traditional building with half a temple and half municipal offices. Basically, in Bhutan, there’s no separation of “church and state.”
When visiting a Dzong or any monastery, make sure you are appropriately dressed; otherwise, you won’t be allowed in their interior spaces.
So What to Wear in Bhutan?
Proper clothing consists of long pants and long sleeve shirts/t-shirts. Jeans are acceptable (as is casual clothing) as long as they cover your arms and legs. Closed shoes are also required.
Should you have a jacket, you’re not supposed to wear it around your waist or have it unbuttoned or unzipped. You can’t wear caps or hats inside the monasteries, but having them in the courtyards and outdoor spaces is okay.

For my trip, since it was during the summer and relatively hot, I traveled with a day pack with a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt. Whenever I went to a Dzong, I wore them over my shorts and short sleeve t-shirt. It was easy to put on and take off.
Naturally, since Bhutan is nestled in the Himalayas, it’s always good to carry at least a jacket as even during the summer, it gets cold up the mountains, especially at night.
14. Want to Stay Connected? Get a Local SIM Card.
While there is a mobile network in the country, their service and coverage are still hit-and-miss. Some cell phone providers (from your country) might allow roaming there, but most still don’t. You should verify with your company.
Alternatively, you can get a local SIM card for tourists if you want to stay connected. You’ll need your passport to get it. But again, the service is hit-and-miss and only works (mostly) in the city. Some hotels have Wifi, but it is also not that reliable and mostly slow.
The local SIM card for tourists with Tashi Cell costs 600 Nu (about $9). It includes 300 Nu for calls and texts and 2GB of 3G data. You can add more internet as needed.
The SIM card with Bhutan Mobile costs 100 Nu (about $1.50) and includes 100 Nu of talk. Data Charges are based on pay-per-use at 0.0003 Nu per kb.

15. You Won’t Find Tobacco Being Sold
Bhutan banned the sale and production of tobacco. Smoking is prohibited in public places but allowed privately. Tourists and Bhutanese can bring in up to 200 cigarettes.
Before smoking, it is recommended you ask your guide to find you a place to smoke so it doesn’t get you or your guide in trouble. Hotels, some local bars, and restaurants have indoor smoking rooms, and some nightclubs informally allow it after dark.
Many locals smoke and buy their cigarettes from local “dealers,” but don’t count on buying yours from them as they only sell to familiar faces. So, better bring yours.
Lastly, smuggling tobacco (outside the allowed cigarettes) could get you three years in prison, so don’t do it.
16. Stay on The Good Side of The Bhutanese Government: Don’t Smoke Weed
Cannabis grows almost everywhere in the country freely. Interestingly enough, Bhutan was the last country to introduce the radio –in 1988– and the TV and internet came in 1999 (also the last country to get these).
Bhutanese didn’t know about weed smoking until the TV came, and they saw Bob Marley as an inspiration for it. Now it is considered illegal, and if found in possession, it could land you five years in prison.
Interesting Fact:
What’s even more interesting is that before they “discovered” it could be smoked, locals used to collect the cannabis, chop it, boil it, and give it to the pigs. Talk about happy pigs!
17. Don’t go Into Taboo Subjects, And Don’t Disrespect The Royals
Your guide will be well-informed and will probably answer every question you have about the country, but be mindful of controversial topics as they will steer away from them, especially the Bhutanese refugees issue from the 1990s issue.
Bhutan has been a constitutional monarchy since 2007. Criticizing the royal family is almost considered blasphemy since they are seen as incarnations of gods.
Other than this, your guide, who will always be dressed with the traditional gho (if male) or kira (if female), will feed you tons of useful information about religion, culture, and anything you want to know about Bhutan.

18. Practice the Dha
The Dha, or archery, is Bhutan’s national sport. Tell your tour guide to plan some time to take you to an archery field, as it’s an activity that foreigners are encouraged to participate in. Most towns have an archery field.
Otherwise, watch a local match with some of the world’s best archers, which I’m sure will impress you.
19. Don’t Have Enough Time to Visit Much? Go to Paro and Punakha
Ideally, you’ll have enough time to visit places like Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and more. But if time (or budget) doesn’t allow you to stay there for long, focus on visiting Paro and Punakha.
Paro
In Paro, you’ll see the Paro Dzong, and not far from it, you’ll be able to hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest.
This semi-challenging hike takes half a day (about two to three hours up, and one to two hours down, depending on your pace), but it is worth every step.
You’ll go from 2,500 meters in height up to 3,100 meters, where the temple is nested.

Punakha
In Punakha, you’ll see one of the most beautiful and biggest Dzongs in all of Bhutan.
It is very picturesque, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can go whitewater rafting on the river that flows in front of it (though its rapids classification is quite low).
Summary of Planning a Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan might be expensive to visit for a budget traveler, but trust me; it is worth seeing as this is one of the few countries in the world where you’ll still feel like stepping into a completely foreign, non-westernized environment.


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