Bhutan Travel Guide
Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon. Bhutan sounds exotic, mystical, almost otherworldly. Well, it feels that way too. Bhutan is a joy to travel to, this tiny country straddling the Himalayas. It is a feast for the eyes and an amazing cultural experience. Explore the dzongs, marvel at the Himalayas, eat chilies and cheese, learn about Buddhism, and have one of the most unique travel experiences of your life.
Bhutan Stats
Official Language: Dzongkha
Population: 730,000
Capital City: Thimphu
Currency: Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN)
Power Outlet: Type D, F & G
Top Experiences in Bhutan
Tiger’s Nest (Paro Takstang). Gaze at this Buddhist monastery precariously perched on the side of a mountain hundreds of meters off of the ground. It’s worth the uphill hike to get here and this is your chance to see one of Bhutan’s most popular icons.
Paro. Most people spend at least a little time in this city since it is home to Paro International Airport. This is also your home base for the hike up to the Tiger’s Nest.
Thimphu. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. There is a lot to do here. Visit the Cheri Monastery, see the Takin Preserve, spin prayer wheels at the Memorial Chorten, or gaze up at Buddha Dordenma, the largest sitting Buddha in the world.
Dochula Pass. The Dochula Pass is a high mountain pass (3,150 meters, 10,330 ft) on the road between Thimpu and Punakha. Get a glimpse of snow-covered Himalayas and walk among the 108 chortens that serve as a memorial to Bhutanese soldiers killed in a uprising in 2003.
Punakha. This city was once the capital of Bhutan. Visitors come here to see the amazing Punakha Dzong sitting on the banks of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers.
Chimi Lhakhang. This is a Buddhist monastery located near Punakha. Lama Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman, is one of Bhutan’s favorite saints, famous for his sexual exploits. His temple is now visited by childless couples searching to increase their fertility. Be blessed by a wooden phallus to ward off evil spirits…a travel experience you won’t soon forget.
See a festival. Bhutan is a country that loves a festival. These are among the most colorful events in the world.
Snowman Trek. This is one of the hardest high-altitude treks in the world. Spend 25 days trekking through the Himalayas of Bhutan, crossing nine passes with altitudes over 4500 meters.
Bhutan Itinerary
With one week in Bhutan, you can explore the cultural heart of this country, making memories that will last for a lifetime. On this 7-day itinerary, visit Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
7 Day Bhutan Itinerary: Thimphu, Punakha, Paro & the Tiger’s Nest
Articles About Bhutan
We spent 7 days exploring the highlights of Bhutan: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and hiking to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Journey through Bhutan in photos and learn how you can have the same experience.
A Journey through Bhutan in Photos
Bhutan is a tiny country nestled away in the Himalayas. This is the land of dramatic mountain scenery, Buddhism, prayer wheels, dzongs, ancient traditions, chilies and cheese, rice terraces, and some of the most beautiful woodworking you will ever see. We spent an unforgettable week here and fell in love with this country. Come journey […]
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking to the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Takstang, is one of Bhutan’s most recognized spots. Even people on the quickest of tours through Bhutan find the time to make it here. Why? Because this place is extraordinary. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a small collection of buildings precariously perched on a cliff, 900 meters […]
Travel Tips
- Tourist Tariff
Also called the Minimum Daily Package, this is the daily fee, per person, to visit Bhutan. This tariff covers your stay in a 3 star accommodation (4 and 5 star accommodations require an additional fee), all meals, a licensed Bhutanese tour guide, all internal transportation, and camping equipment if you are going trekking. This fee also includes taxes and the Royalty fee.
It costs $450 to $600 per solo traveler per day, or $475 to $500 USD per person per day if traveling as a couple.
Your payment needs to be wired to the Bhutan National Bank before your visa will be issued. This fee is mandatory. There is no negotiating down the price of the tourist tariff.
- Is Bhutan Worth It?
Bhutan is an expensive destination. For travelers on a budget, spending several hundred dollars per day may not seem feasible. “Is Bhutan worth it?” was a question we asked ourselves (and travel forums) multiple times before booking our trip. I am so glad we did. Bhutan is one of the most unique places to visit on the planet. So yes, Bhutan is worth it. Read our posts to learn more.
- Best Time To Go
September through November are the best months to visit Bhutan, with clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and the greatest number of festivals. Springtime, from March through May, are also good, with comfortable temperatures but a small chance of rain. The summer months, June through August, can be hot and this period gets the most rainfall. The winter months, December through February, have clear skies but cold temperatures and has the fewest tourists.
Nearby Destinations
If your trip will take you beyond the borders of Bhutan, here are a few of our articles in India and Nepal.
A Journey through India in Photos
India is a country of stark contrasts. This is a country of magnificent beauty, ancient temples, towering mountains, steamy jungles, and hot, dry deserts. It’s also a country that is overpopulated and in some areas impoverished. Travel to India and you will love it and hate it, rejoice in its beauty and become disheartened with its […]
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: A Day-By-Day Guide
The Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal was one of the highlights of our trip around the world. In fact, this trek was so important to us that we planned the entire year around this two week adventure. Trekking to base camp was more challenging than we anticipated, both physically and mentally, but was absolutely […]
Going on Camel Safari In Jaisalmer, India
Jaisalmer, India, a small city located in the desert just 130 kilometers from India’s border with Pakistan, was our home for five days. When planning this trip and learning that we could go on a camel safari in the desert, sleeping under the stars at night, we all got very excited. What a cool thing […]
This is Kathmandu, Nepal…a Photojourney
Kathmandu, Nepal…how best to describe this crazy city? Chaotic, dirty, loud…but Kathmandu is also exotic, beautiful, and captivating. The streets are dusty and dirty. Even though you want to look up at the thousands of signs over your head and in the windows of the shops, you must always be looking down to avoid […]
What Traveling Through Asia Has Taught Us
We have now been traveling through Asia for over five months and still have several more to go. It has been quite the learning experience for our family…new foods, new cultures, lots of history to learn about. Most of it has been a wonderful experience although we have had a few difficulties along the way, […]