Home β€Ί Countries β€Ί Bhutan

πŸ‡§πŸ‡Ή Bhutan

The cliffside Tiger's Nest monastery, dzongs and prayer flags in a carbon-negative kingdom that measures Gross National Happiness β€” Bhutan is travel like nowhere else.

Visa required πŸ“… Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov πŸ’΅ $250/day avg
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Capital
Thimphu
πŸ’±
Currency
Ngultrum (BTN) / INR
πŸ—£οΈ
Language
Dzongkha
πŸ“…
Best time
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
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Visa
Visa + SDF (via operator)
πŸ’΅
Avg daily budget
$120 – $500
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Safety
Very safe
✈️
Main airport
Paro (PBH)
Overview

Why travellers love Bhutan

Bhutan limits tourism to keep it special: a daily Sustainable Development Fee and a licensed guide are required, but the reward is pristine culture and scenery.

Highlights are the Tiger's Nest hike, the Paro and Thimphu valleys and Himalayan treks.

Where to go

Top places in Bhutan

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Paro

Paro

πŸ—“ 2 days

Home of the Tiger's Nest and the airport.

CultureAdventureIconic
Thimphu

Thimphu

πŸ—“ 1–2 days

The capital β€” dzongs and Buddha Dordenma.

CultureCity
Punakha

Punakha

πŸ—“ 1–2 days

Riverside dzong and rice valleys.

CultureNature
Phobjikha Valley

Phobjikha Valley

πŸ—“ 1 day

Glacial valley of black-necked cranes.

NatureRelax
Plan day by day

Bhutan itineraries

Ready-made routes β€” tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Paro β†’ Thimphu β†’ Punakha
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$600 – $2,500
1–2

Paro

Home of the Tiger's Nest and the airport.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Culture Β· Adventure Β· Iconic
3–4

Thimphu

The capital β€” dzongs and Buddha Dordenma.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Culture Β· City
5

Punakha

Riverside dzong and rice valleys.

πŸ—“ 1 day✨ Culture Β· Nature
Route
Paro β†’ Thimphu β†’ Punakha β†’ Phobjikha Valley
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$840 – $3,500
1–2

Paro

Home of the Tiger's Nest and the airport.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Culture Β· Adventure Β· Iconic
3–4

Thimphu

The capital β€” dzongs and Buddha Dordenma.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Culture Β· City
5–6

Punakha

Riverside dzong and rice valleys.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Culture Β· Nature
7

Phobjikha Valley

Glacial valley of black-necked cranes.

πŸ—“ 1 day✨ Nature Β· Relax
Route
Paro β†’ Thimphu β†’ Punakha β†’ Phobjikha Valley
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$1,200 – $5,000
1–3

Paro

Home of the Tiger's Nest and the airport.

πŸ—“ 3 days✨ Culture Β· Adventure Β· Iconic
4–6

Thimphu

The capital β€” dzongs and Buddha Dordenma.

πŸ—“ 3 days✨ Culture Β· City
7–8

Punakha

Riverside dzong and rice valleys.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Culture Β· Nature
9–10

Phobjikha Valley

Glacial valley of black-necked cranes.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Nature Β· Relax
✨ Build a custom Bhutan itinerary β†’
Visa & entry

Bhutan visa requirements

Visa required?
Visa required for most (not Indian nationals)
Allowed stay
As per booking
Visa on arrival
No
eVisa
Yes (with SDF)
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
Visa required
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. Most visitors need a visa plus a daily Sustainable Development Fee (~US$100/day) and must book through a licensed Bhutanese operator. Always verify with the official Bhutan immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Bhutan visa guide β†’Use the visa checker β†’
Money

Bhutan budget guide

Budget

$120/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$500+/day
  • 4–5β˜… hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Bhutan budget guide β†’
Things to do

Top attractions in Bhutan

πŸ›•

Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang)

A monastery clinging to a cliff.

🏯

Punakha Dzong

Bhutan's most beautiful fortress-monastery.

🧘

Buddha Dordenma

A giant golden Buddha above Thimphu.

🐦

Phobjikha cranes

Wintering black-necked cranes.

🚩

Festivals (tshechus)

Masked dances at the dzongs.

Get outside

Nature in Bhutan

All nature
Blog

Bhutan travel articles

All guides