A mountain with a group of buildings on top of it.

Bhutan

Dzongs, prayer flags and the Tiger's Nest on its cliff, with far fewer people than anywhere else in the Himalaya.

Best time to visit: Mar–May and Sep–Nov
Getting around: Car with a licensed guide
Currency: Ngultrum (BTN); rupees accepted
Ideal length: 6–8 days

Bhutan is made for slow travel

Bhutan limits tourism on purpose, and it shows: clean valleys, monasteries still in daily use, and roads where you meet more cows than coaches. For Indian travellers it's also one of the easiest trips abroad, with no visa and a short flight to Paro.

A first visit usually covers Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in six or seven days, with the Tiger's Nest hike saved for the end. With a few more days, Phobjikha and Bumthang show the quieter, older Bhutan. Spring and autumn bring clear skies and festivals; winter is cold, crisp and quiet.

The kingdom, valley by valley

Map of Bhutan — Approximate Map & Locations

Bhutan's only airport, a fine old dzong and the trailhead for the Tiger's Nest. Over the Chele La pass, the Haa Valley is the country's quietest.
A capital with no traffic lights, the giant Buddha Dordenma and a lively weekend market. On the road to Punakha, Dochula Pass has 108 chortens and Himalayan views on clear days.
Punakha has the most beautiful dzong in the country, where two rivers meet. Beyond it, the wide Phobjikha Valley is where black-necked cranes spend the winter, November to February.
The spiritual heartland of central Bhutan, for a longer, deeper trip.

Things worth actually doing

Tap the ones you would like on your trip.

Pick a few and we will build the trip around them.

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Good to know before you go

No visa, but a permit
Indian travellers get an entry permit on arrival with a passport or voter ID. Carry the original.
The SDF for Indians
Indian visitors pay a Sustainable Development Fee of ₹1,200 per person per night; children pay less.
A licensed guide goes with you
Beyond Paro and Thimphu a licensed guide is required. We arrange one with the car.
Dress for dzongs
Full sleeves and long trousers or skirts to enter dzongs and temples.
Take the first day easy
Paro and Thimphu sit above 2,200 metres. Save the big hike for the end of the trip.