Bhutan Travel Guide: Trip Planner and Travel Advice

Visa and entry requirements

Visas (US$40) are not issued outside the country. Instead you will receive a visa approval letter from your licensed tour operator when you book and pay for your trip. It is important that you only used licensed tour operators. The visa will be stamped into your passport when you enter the country and present your visa approval.

Bhutan doesn’t place a limit on the number of visitors; however, it does shun backpacker tourism by charging a minimum daily tariff. The tariff includes all accommodation, food and transport costs, plus a US$65 per day royalty levied by the government to fund development and alleviate poverty. Currently the tariff is US$250 per person per day for groups of three or more in high season (March–May and September–November) and US$200 per person in low season (December–February and June–August). The surcharge for singles and couples is US$40 and US$30 per person per day. The US$65 royalty is halved after day 8 and removed after day 14. For visitors holding passports from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives, visas are free and available on arrival providing they have a passport that is valid for six months, and there is no daily tariff. Other conditions and costs apply, however. If you have any questions, just ask our local expert.

Embassies and consulates

India

Royal Bhutanese Embassy

Chandragupta Marg

Chanakyapuri

New Delhi 110021

Phone: 91-11-26889230/ 9809/ 9807

Fax: 91-11-26876710

Bangaladesh 

Royal Bhutanese Embassy

House No.12 CEN

Road No.107,

Gulshan

Dhaka  1212

Phone: 880-2-8826863/ 8827160

Fax: 880-2-8823939

Kuwait 

Royal Bhutanese Embassy

Adailiya-Block 3

Essa Abdul Rahman Al-Assoussi Street

Jaddah No. 32- Villa No. 7

Kuwait

Phone: 965 2516640/ 50

Fax: 965 2516550

Thailand 

Royal Bhutanese Embassy

375/1 Soi Ratchadanivej

Pracha-Uthit Road

Samsen nod Huay Kwang

Bangkok 10320

Thailand

Phone: 66-2-2744740/ 41/ 42

Fax: 66-2-2744743

USA 

Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the UN

763 United Nations Plaza(1st Ave.)

New York  N.Y.10017

Phone: (212) 682-2268/ 682-2312/ 682-2371/ 682-2752

Fax: (212) 661-0551

Switzerland 

Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the UN

17-19 Chemin du Champ d'Anier

1209 Geneva Switzerland

Phone: 41-22-7990890

Fax: 41-22-7990899

Transport

Getting to Bhtuan

By air

Currently, Bhutan has just one international airport, which is at Paro and is 7,300 ft above sea level. There is another international airport that is due to be constructed in the south, at Gelephu, although no completion date is currently known. There are just two airlines that fly to Paro (Drukair and Bhutan Airlines). There are also several domestic airports in Bhutan. 

By land 

There are currently three border crossings open to tourists: Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.

Phuentsholing is in the south west of the country, roughly 105 miles east of Bagdogra, in India. Upon crossing at Phuentsholing, Thimpu is a further six hours' drive.

Gelephu is also in the south and is approximately 160 miles from Thimphu.

The district of Samdrup Jongkhar is in the south east and borders the Indian district of Assam. Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, is around 90 miles away and will take about three hours. Once over the border, Thimpu is about 400 miles away, a journey that will take you in excess of three days.

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Getting around Bhutan

Transport is provided as part of your tour package. Larger groups will have a minibus while couples and singles will enjoy a private vehicle, usually an SUV. Vehicles are late models and are well maintained.

Health and safety

Medical care

Beware – the fresh mountain air may come as a shock to the system! Bhutan is a very safe country though you should always exercise care at night in towns. In any case, nightlife options are minimal. Any excursion in Bhutan will involve driving along winding mountain roads, so if you suffer from carsickness bring your favoured medication. If you are planning to trek in Bhutan you should make sure you are aware of the symptoms and treatment of altitude sickness. Talk to our local expert, for more information, or if you have any questions.

All tourists are allocated an official guide who you should ask to assist you in any dealings with the local police in an emergency

Officials do not require certificates of immunisation unless you have passed through an infected area within 14 days prior to your arrival. It is recommended that travellers have standard vaccinations. The World Health Organization recommends the following vaccinations for people travelling to Bhutan:

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• Diphtheria and tetanus (for adults) Single booster recommended if you haven't had one in 10 years.
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• Hepatitis A Provides virtually 100% protection for up to 12 months. A second vaccination after 12 months provides at least another 20 years' protection. 
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• Hepatitis B Now considered standard for all travellers, Hep B is given as three vaccinations over six months. 
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• Polio Although Bhutan's last case of polio came as far back as 1986, it has recently been reported in nearby Nepal and India. 
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• Typhoid Can only offers around 70% protection. A single injection that lasts for two to three years.
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• Varicella If you've not had chickenpox, discuss varicella with your doctor.
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• The following immunisations may be recommended for people going for a longer time, or those at increased risk. Book an appointment with the travel nurse at your local GP:
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• Japanese B Encephalitis 
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• Meningitis 
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• Rabies 
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• Tuberculosis 

Money and budgeting

 The Bhutanese Ngultrum (Nu) is pegged to the value of the Indian rupee. Ngultrums come in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Nu notes. One ngultrum is made up of 100 chetrums (Ch), and there are coins of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 Ch and 1 Nu. Rupees are accepted in Bhutan but ngultrums are not accepted in India. Credit cards are accepted in some shops and ATMs can be found in Paro and Thimphu. 

 Got any questions? No problem – just ask our local expert, who is more than happy to answer any questions you may have.