Bhutan Travel FAQ – Local Operator Answers

International visitors book their trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, who arranges the visa, Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), guide and transport. Drukyul Holidays is licensed by Bhutan’s Department of Tourism (Licence No. 1030023).

The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night, fixed until 31 August 2027. Children aged 6–11 pay USD 50, children under 6 are free, and Indian nationals pay INR 1,200 per night.

No. The minimum daily package ended in 2022. Today you pay the SDF and visa fee to the government, plus a land package priced by your tour operator.

Our all-inclusive rate is USD 285 per person per day on twin sharing, covering the SDF, hotels, all meals, a licensed guide and a private vehicle with driver. Add a one-time USD 120 per person for your visa and monument fees. A single room costs USD 40 per night extra, and trekking tours carry a surcharge of USD 100 per person per day. For example, a 7-day tour for two adults costs USD 4,230 in total.

Yes, unless you hold an Indian, Bangladeshi or Maldivian passport. We apply for your visa once your trip is confirmed; the visa fee is included in our one-time USD 120 per person charge.

In US dollars before arrival, by Wise or international bank wire transfer. With a wire transfer, the sender pays all bank charges so the full amount reaches us. We send our bank details with your confirmed itinerary.

Most visitors fly into Paro on Drukair or Bhutan Airlines, from hubs such as Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Singapore and Dhaka. You can also enter by road from India at Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar.

March to May and September to November bring clear mountain views and the biggest festivals. December to February is cold but sunny and quiet; June to August is green, with afternoon rain.

Five to seven days covers Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, including the Tiger’s Nest hike. Allow 10 days or more to add Phobjikha, Bumthang or a trek.

Two to three months ahead is usually enough. For the Paro or Thimphu Tshechu festivals, book about six months ahead, as flights and hotels fill early.

It is a 4–5 hour round trip, climbing about 900 m to roughly 3,100 m altitude. Most reasonably fit travellers manage it at a steady pace, and horses can carry you part of the way up.

The Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN), which is pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee. Bring some US dollars in cash; card acceptance is limited outside larger hotels.

Pack layers, good walking shoes and modest clothing — long sleeves and long trousers or a skirt — for visiting dzongs and temples. Hats and shorts are not allowed inside religious buildings.

Bhutanese food is spicy, built around chillies and cheese and served with red rice. Hotels and restaurants also serve milder Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes, and we can arrange vegetarian or other diets.

Yes. We plan combined trips with Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Darjeeling by road, or Kathmandu by air.