Bhutan is a small Buddhist Kingdom located on the eastern edge of the Great Himalayas sandwiched between the two most populous countries in the world, India to the South and China (Tibet) to the North. Landlocked in the heart of the Mighty Himalayan Mountains, Bhutan is the only carbon negative country in the world with 70% of its land under forest cover. What is so unusual about Bhutan is not only being carbon negative, but measuring the progress of the nation through Happiness Index known as Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Guided by the development philosophy of GNH, it is carefully charting a course into modern world while rigorously protecting its rich natural environment and preserving its time-honoured traditioin and unique cultural heritage.
It is a government regulation that you must use a license Bhutanese Tour Operator to book your travel to Bhutan or one of their international partners.
All International tourists wishing to enter Bhutan require a visa which must be pre-arranged through a license Bhutanese Tour Operator or one of their international partners. Visa clearance must be obtained through your tour operator prior to travel. For Indian passport (or VIC) holders, Bangladeshi nationals and persons from the Maldives may obtain a visa on entry.
For International tourist visas, a cost of USD $40 applies. This can be paid in advance to you tour operator or travel agent. For Indian passport (or VIC) holders, Bangladeshi nationals and persons from the Maldives, there is no cost incurred.
There are a number of airports where you can fly into Bhutan from (Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai.). At present two carriers operate to Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Also, there are three land border crossings which you can travel into the kingdom overland. All crossings are along the Indian border only – Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. All travel arrangements to Bhutan must be made through a local tour operator. A list of tour companies operating in Bhutan is available on this website. Your selected tour operator will make all the necessary arrangements.
Guests from India are levied SDF of Nu. 1,200 or equivalent amount in INR per person per night, which will remain in effect for two years, following which time it may be reviewed and revised in keeping with the principle of the preferential rate after two years.
Visitors from all other countries are levied SDF of USD 200 per person, per night.
There will be a concessionary levy of 50% on the SDF for children between the ages of 6-12 years and exemptions of SDF for children aged 5 years and below.
The SDF funds go to the national exchequer and are allocated to various projects that enhance facilities, services and infrastructure for nationals and guests who visit Bhutan, as well as funding free healthcare and education.
Bhutanese currency is known as the Ngultrum. Its value is tied to the Indian Rupee which is also accepted as legal tender. However Indian notes in 500 and 1000 denominations are not acceptable.
There is no limit on the number of tourists admitted into the country each year. In order to protect our culture, traditions and natural environment, the government has adopted a strict policy of “High Value, Low Impact Tourism”. This policy is aimed at attracting discerning tourists that will respect the unique culture and values of the Bhutanese people while also providing the visitors with an unforgettable one of a kind experience.
Billionaire Singapore found that the top three things that luxury travel segment guests are looking for while on holiday are cultural experiences, food and drink, and experiencing local life and people. Bhutan, one of the least-visited countries in the world and home to a wealth of natural and cultural discoveries made it to the list of five destinations that are trending with Asian travellers for 2023, based on a luxury survey.
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