Bhutan travel guide · Updated October 2026 for 2027
Bhutan Travel Guide 2027: How to Visit Bhutan
Everything you need to travel to Bhutan in 2027: the visa and SDF rules, how to get there, when to go, where to visit, what it costs and the local customs worth knowing. Written by our team in Thimphu and checked against official government sources.
By Chencho Gyeltshen, founder · Kingdom of Happiness Tours, Thimphu (licence No. 1052914) · Updated October 2026
In this guide
Everything to know before you travel to Bhutan
Bhutan quick facts
Capital
Thimphu
Language
Dzongkha; English widely used
Currency
Ngultrum (BTN), equal to the Indian rupee
Time zone
UTC+6
International airport
Paro (PBH)
Tourist visa
US$40, apply online
SDF
US$100 per night until 31 Aug 2027
Guide
Licensed guide required
How to travel to Bhutan
How to visit Bhutan in 5 steps
Bhutan welcomes visitors under a “high value, low volume” policy. Travel takes a little more planning than most countries, but the process is clear once you know the rules.
Step 01
Pick your dates
Spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November) have the best weather. Check the 2027 festival dates if you want to see a tshechu.
Step 02
Book a licensed guide and certified hotels
Visitors must travel with a licensed guide and stay in Department of Tourism-certified accommodation. Using a tour operator is no longer required, but it is the simplest way to arrange both.
Step 03
Apply for your visa
Apply online through the Department of Immigration (immi.gov.bt), usually through your operator. The fee is US$40; allow up to five working days. Indian nationals need a free entry permit instead.
Step 04
Pay the SDF
The Sustainable Development Fee is paid for each night in Bhutan: US$100 per adult until 31 August 2027, or Nu. 1,200 for Indian nationals.
Step 05
Book flights and travel
Book flights into Paro once your visa is cleared, or plan an overland route via Phuentsholing or Samdrup Jongkhar. Your visa is stamped on arrival.
Want the full visa details?
Documents, timings and the rules for each nationality are in our step-by-step visa guide.
Visa, SDF and costs
What a trip to Bhutan costs in 2027
Since 2022 there is no fixed daily package rate. You pay the government fees below plus the real cost of your hotels, guide, transport and meals.
US$100
SDF per adult per night
For international visitors, set until 31 August 2027.
US$50
SDF for ages 6–11
Children under 6 pay no SDF.
Nu. 1,200
SDF for Indian nationals
Per person per night, with an entry permit instead of a visa.
US$40
Visa fee
One-time, per person. Processing takes up to five working days.
5%
GST
On most tourism services from 1 January 2026, but not on the SDF.
Tour
Hotels, guide, transport
Depends on hotel category, group size and season. Our tours start from USD 1,180 per person.
Flights
Into Paro
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fares are largely fixed; book early for October and spring.
Extras
Personal spending
Drinks, souvenirs, laundry, and optional tips for your guide and driver.
Worked example: our 6 Days Bhutan Cultural Tour starts from US$1,450 per person. Add 5 nights of SDF (US$500) and the visa (US$40) for an estimated US$1,990 per adult before flights.
How to go to Bhutan
Getting to Bhutan
There is one international airport, at Paro, and two land borders with India that international travellers can use.
By air to Paro
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly to Paro from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu and Kolkata; Drukair also flies from Singapore, Dhaka, Bagdogra, Guwahati and seasonally Gaya. Morning flights are the most reliable.
Overland via Phuentsholing
Opposite Jaigaon in West Bengal, about 4–5 hours from Bagdogra airport. From Phuentsholing, Thimphu is about 5–6 hours by road.
Overland via Samdrup Jongkhar
In the south-east, opposite Darranga in Assam, about 3.5–4 hours from Guwahati. The natural entry for eastern Bhutan.
When to go
Best time to visit Bhutan in 2027
Festival dates are tentative 2027 dates. Full details are in our best time to visit guide and festival calendar.
Spring
March – May
Rhododendrons, mild days and Paro Tshechu (18–22 Mar 2027). One of the two busiest seasons.
Summer
June – August
Monsoon rain, green valleys and fewer visitors. Good for culture, less so for treks and mountain views.
Autumn
September – November
The clearest skies of the year, Thimphu Tshechu (10–12 Oct 2027) and the main trekking season.
Winter
December – February
Dry, cold and quiet. Black-necked cranes in Phobjikha and Punakha Tshechu (16–18 Feb 2027).
Where to go
Best places to visit in Bhutan
A first trip usually covers the western valleys. With more time, head over the passes to central Bhutan.
Tiger's Nest, Paro
Paro Taktsang, the monastery on a cliff above the Paro valley. A 4–6 hour round-trip hike.
Paro Valley
Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum and old farmhouses, close to the airport.
Thimphu
The capital: Tashichho Dzong, the Buddha Dordenma statue, crafts and weekend markets.
Dochula Pass
108 memorial chortens on the road to Punakha, with Himalayan views on clear days.
Punakha
Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers, rice terraces and a mild climate.
Phobjikha Valley
A quiet glacial valley and winter home of endangered black-necked cranes.
Bumthang
Central Bhutan’s spiritual heartland of ancient temples and wide valleys.
Haa Valley
One of the least visited valleys in the west, over the high road pass of Chele La.
How many days in Bhutan?
Sample Bhutan itineraries
Five to six days covers the west; ten or more reaches central Bhutan. Every day can be changed in a customized tour.
6 days
Bhutan highlights
Paro · Thimphu · Punakha
- Day 1: Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphu
- Day 2: Thimphu sightseeing
- Day 3: Dochula Pass to Punakha
- Day 4: Punakha to Paro
- Day 5: Tiger's Nest hike
- Day 6: Depart Paro
11 days
West and central Bhutan
Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha · Bumthang
- Days 1–3: Paro and Thimphu
- Days 4–5: Punakha and Phobjikha
- Days 6–8: Trongsa and Bumthang
- Days 9–10: Return west, Tiger's Nest
- Day 11: Depart Paro
7 days
From India by road
Phuentsholing · Thimphu · Paro
- Day 1: Bagdogra to Phuentsholing
- Days 2–3: Thimphu
- Day 4: Punakha day trip
- Days 5–6: Paro and Tiger's Nest
- Day 7: Return to the border
Bhutan travel tips
Practical tips for travelling in Bhutan
Small things that make your trip smoother, from our guides in Thimphu.
Dress for dzongs
Long sleeves and long trousers or skirts at dzongs, temples and festivals. Remove hats inside.
Respect local customs
Walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels, and don’t point at religious images or people.
Photography
Photos are usually not allowed inside temples and shrine rooms. Ask before photographing people.
Money
Carry some cash in ngultrum or small Indian rupee notes. Larger hotels take cards; ATMs are in main towns.
SIM and internet
Buy a local SIM from B-Mobile or TashiCell with your passport. Hotel Wi-Fi can be slow in rural valleys.
Altitude
Paro is around 2,200 m and passes exceed 3,000 m. Take it easy on day one and drink plenty of water.
Food
Bhutanese food is built on chillies and cheese. Ask for mild dishes; hotels also serve Indian and continental food.
Insurance
Not required for the visa since April 2024, but strongly recommended, especially for treks.
Drones
Flying a drone needs special permission. Leave it at home unless your operator has arranged a permit.
FAQ
Travelling to Bhutan: common questions
How do I visit Bhutan?
Choose your dates, book a licensed guide and certified hotels (most travellers use a local tour operator), apply for your visa online at immi.gov.bt, pay the SDF and book flights into Paro once your visa is cleared.
Can I travel to Bhutan independently?
You can book your own trip without a tour operator, but you cannot travel without a licensed guide. The Department of Tourism’s April 2026 notice confirms a guide must accompany visitors, including between districts and at monuments.
How much does it cost to travel to Bhutan?
Besides your hotels, guide, transport and meals, international visitors pay an SDF of US$100 per adult per night (until 31 August 2027) and a US$40 visa fee. Our 6-day cultural tour comes to about US$1,990 per adult before flights.
How many days do I need in Bhutan?
Five to six days for Paro, Thimphu and Punakha; eight to nine to add Phobjikha; ten or more for Bumthang or a trek.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Bhutan?
No. Indian nationals need an entry permit, using a valid passport or voter ID card, and pay an SDF of Nu. 1,200 per night.
When is the best time to travel to Bhutan?
March to May and late September to November have the best weather and the major festivals. December to February is quiet and dry; June to August is the monsoon.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Bhutan?
No. The requirement was withdrawn in April 2024, but insurance covering medical care and evacuation is strongly recommended.
Which airlines fly to Bhutan?
Only Bhutan’s two airlines, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, fly into Paro International Airport.
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