Bhutan Travel Guide 2024/2025
High-valued Travel Experience in Real Shangri-La
Several nations strive for the title of real-life Shangri-La, but Bhutan’s claim has more effectiveness than others. Located in the eastern Himalaya between Tibet of China and India, Bhutan is a unique Kingdom both culturally and environmentally. It’s the world’s last remaining Buddhist country, the world’s only carbon-negative country, as well as the world’s only country using GNP (Gross National Happiness) instead of GDP to measure the society’s progress. Its well-preserved tradition and culture exert a strong influence in all aspects of local people’s life and make them live happily. Its unexploited environment which offers rich and diverse nature, plus its culture, mystery and happiness, make travelers deeply longing for. Lonely Planet even recognized it as the No.1 of Top 10 Countries with Best Value to Visit in 2020.
To protect its fragile environment, Bhutan operates a strict “high value, low impact” tourism, compelling every tourist to pay a Sustainable Development Fee of USD200 per person per night (also known as the Government Tourism Tax) to set foot into its attractive land. The fee will be used to protect invironment of Bhutan, and to improve tourism infrastructure of Bhutan so that all travelers are able to enjoy the less-crowded holiday, appreciate the primitiveness of this beautiful piece of Himalayan paradise as well as high-quality travel experiences. So why still hesitate? Check our detailed Bhutan travel guide to plan your Bhutan experience now!
Big discounts available for Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
It is the best time to travel Bhutan! Reservations made starting from June 01, 2023 onwards will be eligible for the exclusive benefits associated with the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for guests paying in US Dollars. These incentives are applicable for stays in Bhutan from June 01, 2023 to December 31, 2024.
4 + 4: By paying the SDF of USD 200 per person per night for four nights, guests can enjoy an additional four nights without the daily levy.
7 + 7: Guests paying the SDF of USD 200 per person per night for seven nights can receive an extra seven nights without the daily levy.
12 + 18: For a duration of twelve nights, guests can pay the SDF of USD 200 per person per night and receive an impressive eighteen additional nights without the daily levy.
Where to Go in Bhutan - Top Bhutan Destinations
In spite of its tiny scale, Bhutan has many popular destinations with picturesque landscape and cultural attractions. Paro, owning Bhutan’s only international airport, is the tourist distribution center. It is a classic route to travel from Paro, western Bhutan to central Bhutan. Other top destinations along the way include Thimphu (capital city), Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa and Bumthang. Each destination has its own highlight. No matter you want to experience natural beauty, culture charm, colorful festivals, challenging trek or winter birding, you can realize your ambition in one of them easily. Check the regional travel guide to learn about attractions, transportation, weather, hotel, maps and other helpful information.
What to See in Bhutan - Top Bhutan Sightseeing
Different destinations offer different attractions for your visual feast and cultural savory. In Bhutan, what attracts travelers’ eyes first must be the fortress-like building - dzong - the combination of local government and monastic body. Each district has its own dzong with featured appearance and charm. Besides, different monasteries also show the Buddhist essence of Bhutan. Moreover, there are various attractions with different themes to discovery. Here is the list of top attractions in Bhutan for your reference.
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Taktsang Monastery
Type: Religious Sites, Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: one day
Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, is Bhutan’s foremost sight perched on a sheer cliff side about 900 meters above the floor of Paro Valley. It needs a 2~3 hours hike to reach the monastery and admire the best landscape of the whole valley.
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Punakha Dzong
Type: Mountain, Natural Park
Recommended Length of Visit: 2~4 hours
Situated at the juncture of Phochhu and Mochhu Rivers, Punakha Dzong is surrounded by scenic scenery. It features in Tibetan-style architecture complex of white walls, red woodcarving decorations and gilded roofs.
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Buddha Dordenma Statue
Type: Monument & Religion
Recommended Length of Visit: 1~2 hours
Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic statue of Sakyamuni located in the mountains of Thimphu Valley. In this 51.5 meter tall statue, there are over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues made of bronze and gilded in gold.
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Dochula Pass
Type: Viewing Deck of Nature, History
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 hour
On the road between Paro and Thimphu, travelers won’t miss Dochula Pass where you can see 108 stupas which are built tin memory of soldiers died in the war. From Dochula Pass, you can admire the spectacular views of Himalyan Ranges in clear days.
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Phobjikha Valley
Type: Nature & Wildlife Areas, Valleys
Recommended Length of Visit: half day
Phobjikha Valley is a vast bowl-shaped valley with primitive scenery. It is a pleasant experience to hike through the forests and wildflowers. When the winter comes, you can see lots of black-necked cranes from Tibet.
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Rinpung Dzong
Type: Sights & Landmarks
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 ~ 2 hours
Best time to visit: Summer
Rinpung Dzong, also called Paro Dzong, is the politic and religious center of Paro. It is available to see its massive buttressed walls through the whole valley. Its round watchtower now houses National Museum where many treasures are collected.
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Tashichho Dzong
Type: Architecture & Culture
Recommended Length of Visit: 1 hour
Tashichho Dzong, also refered as Thimphu Dzong is the seat of government and summer palace for the leader of Bhutan’s Buddhism. Visiting this dzong allows you to admire the grand architecture and religious atmosphere.
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Trongsa Dzong
Type: Religious Sites, Valleys
Recommended Length of Visit: half day
Built on a spur overlooking the valley of Mande River, Trongsa Dzong is Bhutan’s largest dzong. The scenic backdrop of Black Mountains on its southwest makes it as the most spectacularly sited dzong. Its old watch towers now houses the Royal Museum.
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Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Type: Sacred & Religious Sites, Architectural Buildings
Recommended Length of Visit: 1~2 hours
Overlooking the convergence of the Dangchhu and Punatsangchhu, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is a centuries-old architectural wonder dramatically standing on a ridge. It was damaged in a fire and predicted to be reconstructed in 2021.
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National Memorial Chorten
Type: Sacred & Religious Sites, Monuments
Recommended Length of Visit: 1~2 hours
The white landmark monument is built in central Thimphu to honor memory of his majesty, the 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck of Bhutan and pray for world peace. It is also the most sacred stupa where locals gather to make prostrations, kora walking...
Useful Bhutan Travel Advice
Though Bhutan is just a tiny piece of Himalayan Kingdoms, it offers much to see and experience. A Bhutan tour can be simple and easy, but getting prepared ahead will help you make full of your holidays. Here we list other travel tips you need to know before your Bhutan trip, like how to plan your tour, how to reach Bhutan, Bhutan weather, Bhutan maps, Bhutan accommodation, etc. Check the below practical Bhutan travel information and plan your tour accordingly.
A classic Bhutan trip (covering Paro, Thimphu and Punakha) takes 5~6 days to finish. If you want an in-depth Bhutan tour, you can extend your trip to central Bhutan (Wangdue, Trongsa and Bumthang). You can also spend more time enjoying trekking, birding, festival, etc. For better experience, we suggest you travel Bhutan with Tibet and Nepal together.
Helpful Bhutan Articles
- Bhutan Visa
- Sustainable Development Fee
- Bhutan Travel FAQ
Here are some important things you should know before or during your Bhutan travel, such as how to apply for Bhutan visa, tourism tax, useful travel tips, etc. Just read our most helpful Bhutan travel articles to find an answer to your question. Feel free to contact us if you have any other problems. We are always waiting to help you make a more enjoyable Bhutan tour for you.
- How to Get to Bhutan
- Flights to Bhutan
- Get from Nepal to Bhutan
As a landlocked country bordering Tibet and India, Bhutan can only be reached by international flights and overland driving from India. The most convenient way is taking a flight from Nepal, India, Thailand, Singapore and Bangladesh. Flying from Nepal to Bhutan is a wonderful experience because the chains of spectacular Himalayan peaks can be spotted.
- Bhutan Inner Transportation
- Get from Paro to Thimphu
- Get from Paro to Punakha
- Get from Thimphu to Punakha
- Get from Paro to Bumthang
Without railway systems built in Bhutan, by flight and driving are two main transportation ways to travel Bhutan. There is one main road stretching from Paro to eastern Bhutan, with top tourist destinations scattered. Bhutan has four airports, respectively in Paro, Bumthang, Trashigang and Gelephu. Flights are also accessible.
- Best Time to Visit Bhutan
- Best Time to Visit Paro
- Best Time to Visit Thimphu
- Best Time to Visit Punakha
The major tourist destinations of Bhutan located in lower area are suitable to travel all the year around. However, the best time for whole Bhutan is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is most mild and pleasant. In the spring, you can feast on colored flowers. When the autumn comes, you will enjoy the amazing Himalayan views. If you like birds, just travel in winter.
- Where to Stay in Bhutan
- Where to Stay in Paro
- Where to Stay in Thimphu
- Where to Stay in Punakha
Bhutan is developed with different types of hotels to meet the needs of different international tours. The accommodation in Bhutan ranges from 5-star deluxe hotel to budget hostels. In Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, you can easily find a great hotel with fully-equipped facilities and superb service. In central Bhutan, there are less choices but the accommodation is comfortable as well.
- Things to Do in Bhutan
- Top Bhutan Dzongs
- Top Bhutan Monasteries
- Bhutan Festivals
- Bhutan Birding Experience
- Bhutan Trekking
Bhutan is place not only to see but also to experience. While traveling Bhutan, you really get a lot of interesting and meaningful things to do, like visiting various dzongs and monasteries, watching wonderful chamin colorful festivals, birding in the deep gorges and forests, taking a once-of-a-lifetime trek, taste the Bhutanese style food, etc.
- All Bhutan Maps
- Paro Maps
- Thimphu Maps
- Punakha Maps
- Wangdue Maps
- Trongsa Maps
- Bumthang Maps
To help you enjoy your Bhutan journey better with a full understanding of location and transportation, we provide a large collection of Bhutan maps. Click the above map for all essential Bhutan travel maps or check detailed maps upon below different destinations.
Recommended Bhutan Tour Packages
Bhutan has too much to offer. And our aim is to bring you the best experience in Bhutan. First comers always focus on the west part including Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, which offer convenient access, better accommodation as well as most landmarks. If you want an in-depth discovery, central Bhutan is perfect to provide a dreamier journey to the hidden valleys and historical monasteries. Following are some other recommended Bhutan tour packages that you may be interested in. All of our Bhutan tour packages are customizable to meet your personal requirements. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want or check more Bhutan Tours>
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Paro / Thimphu / Punakha / Paro
5 Days Bhutan Classic Tour (Paro & Thimphu & Punakha)
It is the most classic Bhutan tour covering top 3 classic destinations - Paro, Thimphu Punakha. Especially recommended to first-timer.
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Paro / Thimphu / Punakha / Phobjikha / Paro
6 Days Last Shangri-La Highlights Tour
This 6 days tour is made for those who are interested in Bhutan’s bright culture and unique Bhutanese way of life. It takes you to feel the charm of Shangri-La.
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Paro / Thimphu / Punakha / Phobjikha / Trongsa / Bumthang / Wangue Phodrang / Paro
9 Days Bhutan In-depth Natural and Cultural Tour
It is an in-depth tour allows you to explore almost all Bhutan highlights from Paro to Bumthang viaThimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa...
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Paro / Druk Path / Thimphu / Punakha / Paro
9 Days Druk Path Trekking with Best Bhutan Highlights
Enjoy the most classic trekking experience and iconic attractions in Bhutan with our all-inclusive tour package. Supported by professional trekking team.
