Bhutan
Land of the Thunder Dragon
Bhutan does not give answers. It creates the space for them to arise.
It is the mystery, the magic, and the unknown that call people here. Bhutan cannot be fully described, because it is different for everyone. It meets you exactly where you are in life.
Tourism Policies
Bhutan opened its borders for foreign visitors in 1974. From the beginning the Government implemented a unique tourism policy of ‘High-value, Low-volume’, to prevent mass tourism and protect the environment of the Kingdom. As a consequence, visitors of Bhutan need to comply with several regulations: obtain a visa or travel permit and pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
Visa
Almost all nationalities need a visa to enter Bhutan. The visa must be processed before arrival. You can apply for your visa through the website of the Department for Immigration.
The following documents are needed:
- Digital copy of your passport, which must be valid at least 6 months after departure date from Bhutan
- A recent passport-size photograph
- During the visa application process, you need to pay the Sustainable Development Fee.
Visa processing can take up to 5 working days.
Exemptions
Indian passport holders do not require a visa, but a travel permit. You can apply for the travel permit before arrival or at your point of entry.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
The mandatory SDF is levied by the Government of Bhutan to all tourists visiting Bhutan. The funds collected by this fee go towards various initiatives in the country, including preserving the country’s pristine environment, maintaining its cultural heritage, providing free healthcare and education, and supporting sustainable development projects that benefit local communities.
The SDF is US$100 per person per night and is paid directly to the Bhutanese Government during the visa application process.
Flights
There is one international airport in Bhutan: the Paro airport (PBH).
Two airlines fly to Bhutan:
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines.
Flights to Paro are available from the following airports:
- Bangkok (Thailand), twice daily
- Dhaka (Bangladesh), twice a week
- Kathmandu (Nepal), daily
- Kolkata (India), twice a week
- New Delhi (India), daily
- Singapore, twice a week
- Dubai, twice a week
- Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
- Hong Kong
Seasons
Text about seasons and weather
Festivals
Bhutan is well-known for its annual festivals (tshechu) taking place in every big city and region.
People from all over Bhutan will gather for the colorful festivities, including dance, folk songs, and musical performances.
The dates are primarily based on the Tibetan lunar calendar.
As a result, the dates of the festivals vary each year on the Gregorian calendar.
Accommodation
During our journeys, you will only stay in 5-star hotels:
- Paro Valley: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
- Punakha Valley: PEMAKO
- Punakha Valley: andBeyond River Lodge
- Gangtey Valley: Gangtey Lodge
The Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary and the Gangtey Lodge are part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), and a member of their Considerate Collection.
