Visit mountainous, mysterious, magical Bhutan, the tiny hidden kingdom in the Himalayas, where snow capped peaks look down on sub-tropical valleys. Step back in time as you wonder through the streets of Thimpu and Paro. Breath the pure mountain air and touch the soul of Bhutan at a ‘tsechu’ [religious festival] staged in an ancient dzong.
Bhutan has opened its doors just a crack and a few lucky tourists, with approved itineraries, can now experience something unique and extemely valuable...a country emerging slowly from the cocoon of its own past, steeped in religion and still wrapped tightly in tradition.
Our Fact File Bhutan 2010 provides some useful information on climate, customs and more.
Try one of our Bhutan itineraries that include architectural tours, festival tours, light trekking...or work up one of your own with us.
Important information for travellers to Bhutan
The Royal Government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach to the development of tourism in the kingdom in an effort to avoid the negative impacts of tourism on the culture and the environment. Visitors must either be guests of the government or tourists. All tourists (group or individual) must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided, package tour or custom designed travel program. Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan.
Visas
All visitors to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the Kingdom. Those who have not had a visa approved will not be permitted to board their Druk Air flight to Bhutan. A two-week visa costs US$ 20 per person and is stamped in your passport at Paro Airport during the immigration process. Visas are approved and issued prior to entry, with the prepayment of your travel itinerary. Therefore visitors to Bhutan need to finalize their travel plans well in advance. We recommend 90 days. We can apply for an extension of all tourist visas should a visitor wish to remain in the kingdom for longer than two weeks. All visa applications must reach us at least 60 days prior to the intended arrival date, earlier if travelling to the kingdom in the peak months of September, October, November, March, April or early May. Full passport details to be faxed or emailed to us in order for the visa to be processed with the immigration authorities. We will advise all visitors of their status before their intended departure date. Visitors are reminded to bring 2 original passport-size photographs with them to Bhutan as they will be required by the immigration authority at Paro Airport. The actual visas are issued (stamped) in your passports at the entry points, either Paro Airport or Phuentsholing (land entry or exit).
Money
The Ngultrum is fixed at par with the Indian Rupee and either currency can be used in Bhutan. If you take Indian Rupees into Bhutan you are advised not to take high denomination notes e.g. Rp1000 and Rp500 as you may find it difficult to use these. Also be aware that there are no ATMs in Bhutan at present and therefore credit cards cannot be used to get cash. You can use credit cards to pay bills in the bigger hotels though.
