Journeys That Inspire
The Soul, One Valley At A Time
Perched high in the Himalayas, the Kingdom of Bhutan offers a wealth of elevated experiences — epic landscapes and slow journeys that create room for both quiet awe and exhilarating adventure. Here's what to know before you believe.
Dzongkha
19 spoken, incl. English
Buddhist
Mostly Buddhist nation
Monarchy
Democratic constitutional
Ngultrum
BTN, pegged to INR
A place — and a pace — unlike any other
Our guests are called here by the promise of a place, and a pace, unlike any other. They're drawn to experience life where beliefs are both everyday and extraordinary, and where values are lived — not performed.
Epic landscapes and slow journeys create room for both quiet awe and exhilarating adventure, all served up alongside home-made cheese and fearsomely hot chillies that make our warm welcome a literal one.
From celestial to earthly
A sense of the sublime lingers over a colourful culture with a love of archery, exquisite crafts, hot-stone baths, rich musical traditions, and an ever-present sense of fun. Bhutan existed almost undisturbed for centuries, allowing unique traditions to flourish — and today, that heritage sits alongside a nation investing steadily in education, technology and infrastructure.
Signature Experiences
What Draws Travellers Here
Sanctuary and wonder
Find inner peace amidst majestic mountains and serene glacial lakes, or learn directly from our Buddhist nation's spiritual teachers.
Centuries, undisturbed
Vibrant arts, crafts and exuberant festivals offer a living window into a remarkable, near-unbroken culture.
Compassion, lived daily
Guests most often name "the Bhutanese people" as the most cherished part of their trip — a peaceable nation of hospitality and warmth.
Adventures for all ages
Trek, hike and camp in nature at its wildest, spot a takin, learn archery, or cross a suspension bridge to a beautiful dzong.
Good To Know
Getting There, Getting Around
How to get here
Bhutan has two airlines — Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Direct flights connect Paro International Airport to Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok), and soon the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). Flights can be booked directly through the airlines or via a ticketing agent. Private jets are welcome.
Travel within the country
The most convenient way to travel in Bhutan is to hire a vehicle and driver through a tourism service provider. Self-driving is possible, but a licensed guide must be with you at all times.
Three domestic airports connect the western, central, southern and eastern regions, and Drukair Helicopter Services offers private charter — a favourite activity among guests.
Entry Requirements
Visa & Sustainable Development Fee
All visitors contribute to Bhutan's economic, social and cultural development through the SDF — funding free healthcare and education, cultural preservation, conservation projects, and infrastructure.
Visa
- Required for all visitors except those from India
- Applications are usually processed within five days
- Guests from India need a permit, applied for online or at the border
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- USD 100 per person, per night, for all visitors except those from India
- 50% discount for children aged 6–12 (USD 50 per child)
- Waived entirely for children under 6
- For guests from India: 1,200 Ngultrum per person, per night, with the same youth discounts
Plan Your Timing
Bhutan Is A Year-Round Destination
Winter
Bright days, cool nights. Limited snowfall, with clear skies offering spectacular views of the Himalayas and migrating wildlife.
Spring
Trekkers and photographers alike make the most of nature in full bloom across the valleys.
Summer
Crops thrive in verdant landscapes, with warm days and cool nights throughout the monsoon.
Autumn
Savour the abundance of harvest season alongside Bhutan's most vivid festival calendar.
Places Worth Visiting
A first sense of the two valleys most journeys begin in.
Taktsang Monastery
The "Tiger's Nest" clings to a cliffside at 3,100m, said to have been reached by Guru Rinpoche on the back of a flying tigress. Allow 2–3 hours uphill, 1–2 downhill.
Rinpung Dzong
"Fortress on a Heap of Jewels", built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Once the meeting hall for the National Assembly, it still houses both administrative offices and the monastic body.
Ta Dzong
The National Museum of Bhutan, shaped like a conch shell, exhibits artefacts and relics of historical and religious significance above the Paro valley.
Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang
A rare three-storey chorten-form temple built without a single nail, perched on a hill between the Paro valley and Dopshari village.
Drukgyel Dzong
The "Fortress of Victory", built in 1649 to commemorate a triumph over foreign invasion — now under careful reconstruction after a 1951 fire.
Buddha Dordenma
A 169-foot bronze Buddha at "Buddha Point," said to fulfil an ancient prophecy of blessings, peace and happiness for the whole world.
Tashichho Dzong
Seat of the Royal Government and the Throne Room of His Majesty the King, and summer residence of the Je Khenpo, chief abbot of the monastic order.
The Memorial Chorten
Built in 1974 as tribute to the Third King, its intricate carvings and murals make it one of Thimphu's most visited landmarks.
Simtokha Dzong
Bhutan's oldest fortress-monastery, built in 1629, named "the sublime dharma" for the spiritual education it still imparts today.
Kaja Throm
The lively Centenary Farmers Market — fresh produce, textiles and crafts in a bustling social space at the heart of the city.
Dochula Pass
At 3,100m, 108 memorial stupas frame a panoramic view of Himalayan peaks, including the unclimbed Gangkarpuensum (7,570m).