Bhutan Visa
The citizen of Bangladesh, Maldives and India do not require visa to enter Bhutan. People from other countries except from Bangladesh, Maldives and India need visa while traveling to Bhutan.
Processing visa for Bhutan requires a readable color copy of passport via email that has at least six month of validity from the date of exit from Bhutan. The file scan copy should be forwarded to us via email. The passport number and picture of the applicant should be visible in the e-document.
We apply 10 days prior to the date of entry to Bhutan. The tourism council of Bhutan issues a visa clearance letter and email it to the operator. Please note that the visa service is not offered in Bhutan, travelers have to buy full-service package from tour operator.
Travelers traveling by air are required to produce a printed VISA clearance copy at the time of check-in for Druk Air flight. People traveling by land to enter Bhutan via Phuentsholing or Samdrup Jonkhar are required to produce a VISA clearance letter at the immigration center. The actual VISA is stamped in your passport on arrival in Bhutan.
Bhutan Flights
There are several cities that have direct flights to Bhutan. There are two airlines Druk air and Bhutan airlines running flights to Bhutan. Druk air is the national carrier of Bhutan. With its fleet of Airbuses A319-115 and ATR 42 the airlines fly from different Asian countries to the Paro international airport, Paro (PBH); which is only the international airport in Bhutan. There are daily direct flights from Kathmandu, Bagdogra, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Thailand, Dhaka, Singapore to Paro.
The flight schedule and time are subject to change. If you want to know more about the flight schedules and tour to Bhutan please feel free to contact us. We also help to find you the cheapest fares available.
Best time to Bhutan Tour
Bhutan is open all year around. Spring (March-May) and Autumn/fall (September-November are the best time to visit Bhutan. Summer and winter also have their own specialties that could draw the attention of tourists during these seasons. During the spring the weather mostly remains clear and climate is fantastic. It is also the best time to visit for the nature lovers to experience the mystifying beauty of nature. Varieties of flowers and plants bloom in this season that makes your adventure an exotic one.
Summer (June-August) in the other hand could get tricky at times due to the early arrival of monsoon. The month of June would be great for traveling if the monsoon is pushed further. Usually monsoon is in full swing by early July. Travelers who would strive to get some trekking experience on muddy trail while witnessing swollen rivers, green forests and flourishing paddy field could choose late summer to plan their adventure. The view of open clear blue sky after the rain is something that strikes you with its mystifying beauty.
Fall (September-November) is another favorable and crowded season after spring. The weather gets mild despite cold mornings and evenings. Tourists from all around the world thong to Bhutan during this season to witness Black-Necked-Crane festival. The month of October has its own significance and the valley turn into a shade of gold as the farmers prepare to harvest their rice crops during this month.
Winter season (December to February) is not that crowded with tourists in comparison to other seasons. Planning your adventure during the winter could be a better idea if you want to avoid the hustle-bustle of the peak season. During the winter Bhutan may see some snow fall. The temperature level goes down (even below freezing point) during some winter days.
Weather in Bhutan
Bhutan lies in the South Asia between China and India in the Himalayas, weather in Bhutan depends upon the altitude. In the northern parts of the country where mountains rise up to 7,000m/22,965ft, weather conditions are similar to arctic. Southwards, closer to India, the weather is hot and humid in the summer and cool in winter. The monsoon rains are usually heavy. Winters can be a good time to visit the lower parts, but then the highest areas are freezing.
The best times to visit Bhutan are spring (March-May) and autumn (late September – November) when the weather is warm, dry and sunny but always throw in a couple of warm clothes into your travelling gear when you travel to Bhutan regardless of the season.
List of Packing for Bhutan Tour
Layering Clothing-Bring your clothes according to the season and region of your travel. Based on your activity and the weather, you can make quick adjustments, by putting on more clothing if it is cold or taking off layers as it warms up. In the summer time, days can be quite warm, especially in the lowlands of Punakha and Phuentsholing, light cotton clothing is recommended for day time. But in most of the tourist and trekking areas, light woolen clothes for evenings and heavy woolens/down jackets for winter are necessary. A waterproof windbreaker is important for trekking and outdoor activities.
Comfortable and Sturdy shoes-You have a lot of opportunity to walk around in Bhutan, you will be glad you wore sturdy shoes that keep your feet comfortable. Good shoes will let you explore the rural and allow you to have a long day walk. Bring sandals or slip owns to take off easily when entering temples.
Long pants / skirts-Wear particularly conservative clothing in the towns, women should wear long pants or long skirts, men should wear long pants and shorts are not appropriate for anyone. In the dzongs and temples, the legs and arms must be covered, and even threequarters-length Capri pants are not acceptable for women.
Rain gear-Be prepared for occasional shower. A folding umbrella is a good idea to bring with.
Hat, Sunglass, Sunscreen and lip protection-The sun can be scorching in Bhutan. Be sure to apply sunscreen in the morning and throughout your day.
Bank and Currency in Bhutan
Credit cards are accepted only in major international hotels and high-end shops in Bhutan. It is nice to carry cash USD, Euro with you.
ATMs and cash transactions in Bhutan
Only the major towns have ATMs. Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan National Bank and Druk Punjab National Bank are the three banks that accept foreign credit cards. You can withdraw cash from ATM (Visa or MasterCard) but beware of the fees. You can exchange foreign currency for Nu, Bhutanese currency. $100 USD has a higher exchange rate compared to lower denominations bills.
Flights to Bhutan
Flights to Bhutan massively depend on the weather conditions. Flights aren’t operated in poor weather conditions or at night, so there can be delays or flight cancellations. Paro airport is especially dangerous due to its location in a deep valley, which is surrounded by mountain peaks as high as 18,000 ft. Keep basic necessities with you through any possible delays or unexpected stop-overs.
Road Safety
Accidents might happen due to the poor road condition of Bhutan. Always wear your seat belt and driving by night isn’t suggested since roads are poorly lit and have many blind corners. If you have booked your trip with a travel agent, you will already have a car with a driver, so you don’t have to drive. Don’t leave your valuables inside the car when parking near tourist sites or villages.
Spotty Internet connections
B-Mobile SIM and Tashi Cell are the two mobile network provider companies in Bhutan. Your guide can help you get a SIM Card on arrival. 2G, 3G, and 4G connectivity are available and WiFi is available in most hotels in major cities but connectivity might be touch-and-go.
Dress code
A dzong or monastery is a sacred site for Bhutanese so you need to dress appropriately. Don’t wear jeans, wrap your jacket around your waist, or notice if your jacket is unbuttoned or unzipped. No hats, shorts, short skirts, flip-flops, or t-shirts are allowed inside. Make sure your clothing covers your arms and legs.
Tiger’s Nest Hike
Tiger’s Nest is closer to Paro town and is the most popular visited site in Bhutan among foreigners. It’s the most sacred Buddhist site located at 10,000 ft above sea level and was built in 1692. It can be reached upon 20 minutes’ drive from Paro to its base then hike above for about 4-5 hours. Using hiking boots and a walking pole will help the walk. Drink lots of water during the hike. Alternatively, you can also take a pony ride but until halfway, as it is also too steep to walk for ponies too.
Guided Tours Only
You can travel to Bhutan through only the registered travel agency which shall provide you with a guide throughout your tour. Bhutan is in a remote location so having a guide to accompany you and also connect with the locals is a good idea and also important to enjoy your Bhutan journey.
Bhutanese Food
Bhutanese food is spicy but delicious too. Bhutan’s most popular food is Ema Datshi which is rice and spicy chilies topped off with a delicious cheese sauce. Kewa datshi is made up of sliced potatoes and cheese and usually with chilies, too. You can try shakam Paa, dried beef cooked with chilies and radish. Dumplings or momos are everywhere in Bhutan if you love them. If none of these sounds appetizing, you can try fried fern stalks or a tasty yak curry.
Beverages in Bhutan
Ara is the traditional beverage in Bhutan which is a hot, highly alcoholic drink. It is also the national drink of Bhutan. The drink is made with yak butter, and eggs over rice whisky which is heated and then served. Ara is normally creamy, clear, or white in color.
Go for off-the-beaten tracks and travel Eastern Bhutan
The popular route tourist follows for the Bhutan tour is to visit Paro, Thimphu and Punakha and fly back. If you want to discover more then traveling to the southeast from Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar town is the ideal choice. From Samdrup, you can also cross the border to India via the Assam plains.
The eastern side of Bhutan is rarely visited by tourists which has so much to offer with secluded valleys and nature reserves, home to the very rare black-necked cranes. Localities like Trashigang and Mongar have local festivals which are far different from the touristy festivals that occur in and around Paro.
