A nation in the eastern Himalayas bordering India and China known for its Monasteries, scenic beauty, majestic Himalayan views, unique and fascinating architecture, peaceful countryside, fluttering flags, rich Buddhist culture, and no traffic signals.
“Happiness is a place” guys and this place is Bhutan. A place which has chosen GNP (Gross National Happiness) over GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to measure its progress.
It’s the only carbon negative country in the world and committed so much to conservation that it preserves 60% of its land under forest cover at all times. You can imagine how un-spoilt and beautiful it must be!!!
People here go beyond their limits to help others and are always excited to welcome you in their home without your asking for it.
Table of Contents
Why Bhutan
Bhutan is one of the most peaceful, beautiful and friendly countries in the world. From peaceful Paro and modern Thimphu to untouched Phobjika and ancient Punakha – Bhutan is a happy world with welcoming and genial people.
It’s a location you can easily explore in budget.
Getting into Bhutan
By Air
Paro International Airport/Bhutan is connected directly to Nepal(Kathmandu), India(NewDelhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Gaya), Bangladesh(Dhaka), Thailand(Bangkok) and Singapore(Changi). At present two carriers operate to Bhutan – Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. We took flight from Bagdogra to Paro (1 hr) via Drukair.
–Visa and other formalities–
No Visa required for Indians, Bangladeshi and Maldives nationals. Once you reach Paro you will get entry permit (for visiting Paro, Thimphu, and Phuentsholing for 7 days) provided you carry a passport with validity of at least 6 months. Indian nationals can also use Voter Identity card instead of their passport (if they do not have one). But it’s always preferable to have a passport.
All other tourists other than Indians, Bangladeshi and Maldives nationals must obtain prior visa clearance. You are required to send a photocopy of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD 40 visa fee and USD 200-250 per day*) has been done. Visa clearance may take up to 72 working hours.
Note* – $200-$250 per day covers accommodation, food, guide and vehicle with driver.
By Land
Phuentsholing/Bhutan is a border town from where you can enter Bhutan by land.
Note – The Nearest airport to Phuentsholing is Bagdogra (3-4 hours). Taxis are easily available to commute between these two cities (Rs. 2500 for a private taxi, Rs 650 for a shared taxi)
–Entry Permit–
After entering Phuentsholing, you need to obtain a permit (valid for visiting Paro, Thimphu, and Phuentsholing for 7 days) from the Immigration Office in Phuentsholing of The Royal Government of Bhutan. You will need 2 passport size photographs and carry a passport with validity of at least 6 months. As told earlier, Voter Card can also be used as an ID Proof for Indian Nationals.
Note – Immigration Office, Phuentsholing remains closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Bhutan Public Holidays. On working days it remains open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Bhutan Standard Time, so plan your travel accordingly guys. They might ask for your hotel bookings and itinerary, so don’t forget to carry a photocopy of email confirmation of your hotel bookings.
–Taking your Vehicle to Bhutan–
Indians can even take their own vehicles. For that vehicle, a permit is also required. You can get that from The Road safety and Transport Authority of Bhutan at Phuentsholing. You need to produce all valid documents of the vehicle which should have an Indian registration vehicle number and yes, of course, the owner of the car and the driver must be the same person.
Withdraw cash from ATM beforehand if you are from India
Check the back side of your Debit/ Credit card, if it’s mentioned “Not valid for payment in foreign exchange in Nepal and Bhutan”, in that case, you need to carry all the cash you will require in Bhutan. You may ask your bank to enable International Transactions on your card if you don’t want to carry cash at all.
Bhutan’s currency is “Ngultrum” and its value is the same as Indian Rupee which is widely accepted in Bhutan.
Once You reach Bhutan
Booking Taxi
Taxis are available just outside Paro Airport. You can book one straight away from there. Their price ranges between 2500-3000 Ngultrum per day. We did the same and found a driver smiling just outside the Airport. We booked the taxi from Bhutan_lambu_Taxi_service and our experience with the driver (who then became our friend) is one of the best in Bhutan.
Note: Paro and Thimphu can be explored without booking a taxi for the whole day, you can either walk or use cabs to reach from one location to another (Taxis will charge 200 Ngultrum if you are availing it for even a km).
Buying a local SIM Card
Ask your driver if you want to take a local SIM card. Only two operators – Tashi Cell and B Mobile operate there. We purchased a SIM for 200 Ngultrum having the same amount of credit. Considering that there is WiFi in most hotels and homestays, this amount is sufficient.
Extending your permit and going beyond Paro and Thimphu
You need a separate permit if you are interested in going beyond Paro and Thimphu. There is an immigration office in Thimphu and it makes your permit available within 3-4 hours. We got one for Punakha and Phobjika. Your stay can also be extended up to a maximum of 30 days.
Leaving Bhutan by road
If you are planning to leave Bhutan by road, make sure to submit your entry permit at the last checkpoint on the way to Phuentsholing.
Best time to visit Bhutan
Considering weather, condition of roads, visibility of peaks and fascinating festivals, Spring (Mid March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are considered the best time to visit Bhutan.
From Mid March to May snow is mostly gone and peaks are visible at their best. From September to November you can enjoy the festivals of Bhutan, but it’s crowded and the prices are high because of the tourist season, so book your accommodation in advance.
June to August is rainy season in Bhutan. You can visit at that time too as the prices are low and it is less crowded but there are chances of landslides.
If you want to experience snowfall you can visit Bhutan in winter from December till February. But during this time you will find disrupting roads and such conditions make the routes unfavorable.
We visited during the first week of March when the tourist season hadn’t set in, the weather was favorable and it was economical. We found it an ideal time to visit.
Our 9 days and 8 Nights Itinerary for Bhutan
Guys!!! Kuzkuzampol La – Hello in Bhutanese !!!. Entering the beautiful country by air and leaving it by road, we backpacked for Bhutan for a trip of 9 days.
The same itinerary can be covered within 7 days if you choose to fly both the ways but to have an unforgettable experience of crossing the border, we chose to travel by road.
The travel route taken by us in Bhutan –
Paro (2N) ->Thimpu (2N) ->Phobjikha Valley (1N) ->Punakha (1N) ->Paro (1N) ->Phuentsholing (1N)
Day 1-2 Exploring Peaceful Paro and hike to famous Tiger’s Nest
Day 3-4 Experience the blend of ancient and modern Thimphu
Day 5 Touch the untouched in Phobjikha
Day 6-7 Wander and wonder in Ancient city of Punakha
Day 8 In Paro and Journey to Phuentsholing
Paro is so calm and soothing that we felt like home here.
Go for a morning walk along the riverside and appreciate the beauty of Bhutan.
We suggest you go for a shared taxi from Phuentsholing if you are leaving Bhutan by road and the taxi charges are somewhere between 600-700 Nu per person.
Owing to the mountainous terrain, it takes around 4-4.5 hours from Phuentsholing to Paro.
Day 9 Explore Pheuntsholing and Journey back home
Phuentsholing is a border town to Jaigaon (in India) and there is no restriction in crossing the border to and fro.
The market in Phuentsholing is what you will love the most. It has all the authenticity of Bhutanese at a considerably lower rate than other cities of Bhutan. You can buy chilies, red rice, handmade soaps, peach wine from here for your loved ones.
Nearest Airport is Bagdogra and it takes around 4-4.5 hours to reach there.
Local Bhutanese Food (Vegetarian) and Drinks: A must try
Ema Datshi
National dish of Bhutan made of red chilies and cheese.
Since Chilies and Cheese both are Bhutanese favorites, you will find a blend of both in almost every dish served here.
If you are in Bhutan, it’s a must try.
We tried it at a homestay in Phobjika and Shu loved it to the bits (He loves spicy).
Saag
Green leafy vegetables with cheese.
Almost similar to the Indian saag, the only difference being is that Bhutanese don’t overcook.
Red Rice
Its a staple food of the Bhutanese people. It’s a variety of rice grown in Eastern Himalayas which is gluten-free and highly nutritious.
We bought it for home as well.
Peach Wine
Made from organic peach grown in Bhutan. Has a Natural and pure fruit flavor. It will leave you with a sweet aroma and playful vibe. We are in love with it since we had its first sip. Guys just smell it and savor its flavor before you take the first sip.
It’s a must try and also alcohol content is just 15%.
Getting it just for 150 Nu per 200 ml bottle, we bought 4 bottles of this ravishing drink for our family and friends.
Bhathuk
A noodles soup with slightly bigger noodles. Bhutanese relish it in winters to keep themselves warm.
Suja with Muri
Suja is Bhutanese butter tea made by boiling butter with tea leaves and water and it really gives you warmth in chilled weather. Is a bit salty in taste and served with muri (roasted rice).
We loved it with Muri and had it several times during our stay in Bhutan.
Ara
A traditional alcoholic beverage of Bhutan.
It has a very strong aroma and taste.
Bhutanese believe dipping your finger in the served drink and swirling it three times clockwise and with the same finger offering it to the almighty before you having it.
Accommodation : Hotels and Homestays
Hotel charges are usually between 1500-3000 Nu per night for a room and mostly includes breakfast. Homestays may charge up to 1500 Nu per person per night. Price of homestays is usually higher in offbeat destinations like Phobjika.
For a unique and memorable experience and to get the real taste of Bhutan, go for Homestays.
Money Saving Tips
Though Bhutan is not a very expensive country, still there are a lot of ways to lower your cost and save money in Bhutan.
1. Take packaged food with you – Though many Bhutanese dishes are really tempting, you might not be able to have them like a 2-time meal daily for a week. Other food options (including Indian) are widely available but are a bit expensive. It’s good to carry packed food (Haldiram’s and MTR etc).
2. Cook your food –In homestays, you can cook your own food and cut down your expenses. Buy vegetables from the local market and cook them in the kitchen of Homestays.
3. Explore by foot – Instead of taking taxis, prefer walking for exploring places within a city.
4. Take shared taxis and buses – To commute between cities, you can consider taking buses or shared taxis.
5. Carry a student ID, if you have one – If you are carrying a valid student Id, there is 50% concession on entry charges for Museums, Temples, and Monasteries. Until 2017 there was no fee or entry charge in Museums, Temples, and Monasteries. But now, they charge an amount that ranges in between 300-500 Nu per person.
Other information related to Bhutan
Clothing
It entirely depends upon the season you are visiting.
Make sure to pack something which covers your shoulders and legs as it is mandatory while you visit Monasteries, Temples, and Dzong in Bhutan.
Otherwise there are no restrictions as such.
Time Zone Bhutan
Bhutan timezone is GMT + 6.
Bhutan is 30 minutes ahead of Indian timezone.
Language Bhutan
Dzongkha or Bhutanese is official and national language of Bhutan.
People in Paro and Thimphu are fluent in both English and Hindi (Thanks to Indian TV commercials which are popular there).
Dzong
Dzong is a distinctive type of fortress found mainly in Bhutan and Tibetan areas of China. It is a complex of courtyards, temples, administrative offices, and monks accommodation.
They stand in the middle of mountains by the side of rivers.
Five Color Flags
Five color flags which you will see all around Bhutan represent the natural forces, — “blue (sky), white (clouds), red (fire), green (water) and yellow (earth)” – are inscribed with Buddhist scriptural prayers to usher prosperity and peace in the country.
Prayer Wheel
In Buddhism, there is a belief that rotating these prayer wheels clockwise purifies the bad karma and is a way to get rid of negativity and accumulate wisdom.
We loved our stay in Bhutan to bits. Amazing country and more amazing people!!!
We hope this guide will help you in planning an unforgettable trip to Bhutan.
Let us know if you find it a useful read? What you loved the most? And do you want us to add anything more into this?
Great Blog. A must read blog before planning a trip to Bhutan. And the pictures are beautiful guys.
Thanks Konica. Hope to see your next trip to Bhutan.
Guys, managed to read the post after long. Very well written. One question I have is what budget should I look on for this itinerary? And if given an option would you had done something different other than this itinerary? Maybe that you got to hear from locals that some place nearby is much beautiful? But good job!
One of my friend was asking me about Bhutan and I forwarded her this post
Thank you Sourabh. It’s damn motivation if your friend can get help. If you plan in advance, you will cut short it in between 25-30K. Rest we are working on our newsletter in which we will be sharing our tips to cut short your expense. If we are given an option to look something different as suggested by locals, we would go for Bumthang too.
oh how much I want to be in Bhutan