Visiting Bhutan requires a little more effort than traveling to some other countries, but this Buddhist kingdom located high in the Himalayas is well worth the extra travel preparations. From limits on tourism to visa requirements to the minimum cost of tours, here is everything you need to know about traveling to Bhutan.
Travel Requirements
In a country that measures its progress in what it calls Gross National Happiness, it is perhaps not surprising that the Bhutanese government regulates the number of tourists that enter the country each year in order to protect the environment and prevent over-tourism. This means that all tourists must travel to Bhutan on a planned guided tour, and a visa is required for all tourists, except for passport holders from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.
Travelers to Bhutan must book their trip through an official tour operator registered with the government. The tour operator will take care of all the details of your trip, including visa arrangements. You will have to pay the $40 visa application fee at the time of booking your trip with your tour operator. Once you have been cleared for travel to Bhutan, you will be issued a visa clearance letter to present upon your arrival in the country.
Minimum Tour Costs
Tour packages have a minimum price called “Minimum Daily Packages.” The cost of your tour includes all accommodations, meals, transportation, guides, and cultural programs during your visit to Bhutan. The Minimum Daily Package price varies depending on the number of people in your group and the time of year.
This high season for Bhutan travel is March through May, and September through November. The minimum tour costs for the high season are as follows:
$250 per person per day, for a group of three or more
$280 per person per day, for a group of two
$290 per day for single individuals
The low season is December through February, and June through August. The minimum tour costs for the low season are as follows:
$200 per person per day, for a group of three or more
$230 per person per day, for a group of two
$240 per day for single individuals
Children five years old and younger travel for free, and 6 – 12-year-olds travel for half the cost of adults.
As the name suggests, the minimum daily packages are just a minimum. You are able to customize your itinerary and upgrade your accommodations for an added fee with your official tour operator.
Related: Browse Bhutan tours 2020
Currency
You will have to exchange your currency for the Bhutanese currency, called ngultrum. ATM machines are not available in Bhutan, nor are credit cards commonly accepted. The Indian rupee is also an acceptable currency, excluding the 500 and 2,000 rupee notes.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to travel to Bhutan is after the monsoon season, from September through November. Spring is also an ideal time to visit Bhutan for temperate weather as well as a number of vibrant festivals that take place in the monasteries and fortresses called dzongs across the country. If you are traveling to Bhutan during the high season, allow ample time to apply for your visa and book your trip.
