Bhutan charges a daily Sustainable Development Fee and requires every visitor to travel with a licensed operator. The effect is a country that has stayed remarkably intact, and a trip that is worth planning properly.
Most itineraries run Paro to Thimphu to Punakha and back. We would add the Phobjikha valley, where the black-necked cranes winter and the nights are properly cold, and give you a day’s walking between villages rather than another dzong.
A starting point, not a fixed departure. Every element below can be lengthened, shortened or swapped.
Every journey is quoted individually once we know your dates, party size and pace. The first conversation is free.
The Tiger’s Nest walk takes four to five hours return with a steep final section; ponies can be arranged for the way up. Bhutan’s daily fee is set by the government and forms a large part of any quote – we itemise it separately so you can see exactly what it is.
Paro is served by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Kathmandu and Bangkok. The landing is famously hand-flown – sit on the left from Delhi.
Everyone needs a visa, and all visitors pay the Sustainable Development Fee – currently USD 100 per night for most nationalities and Rs 1,200 for Indian nationals. We handle the paperwork; it is part of the quote, not a surprise at the airport.
Thimphu is at 2,300m and the passes go higher. Nothing dramatic, but the Tiger’s Nest climb is four to five hours return and takes most people by surprise.
Long trousers and covered shoulders for the dzongs, warm layers for the evenings, and broken-in walking shoes.
Add a week, drop the walking, bring the children, or start somewhere else entirely. We redraw every itinerary from scratch.
