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Arriving in Bhutan

By Air

Bhutan is served by two national carriers: Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. International flights operate to and from Paro International Airport, connecting Bhutan with the following cities:

  • Bangladesh: Dhaka

  • India: Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore

  • Nepal: Kathmandu

  • Singapore

  • Thailand: Bangkok

Due to unpredictable weather conditions, flight delays are not uncommon. Therefore, we strongly recommend allowing at least 24 hours of transit time between your international connections and Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines flights—both on arrival and departure.

Flight Frequency and Airfare
Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines operate multiple flights weekly, but schedules and frequencies vary by season. For up-to-date flight schedules and fare information, please contact us at: viaggioanimahimalaya@gmail.com when planning your trip.

By Road

Bhutan shares its southern border with India and has four official land entry points:

  • Samtse and Phuentsholing in western Bhutan

  • Gelephu in central Bhutan

  • Samdrup Jongkhar in eastern Bhutan

Phuentsholing is the most commonly used entry point, located approximately four hours by road from Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal, India. It is a convenient gateway for travelers also visiting the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal.

Gelephu, around six hours’ drive from Bagdogra Airport, is ideal for those planning to explore the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, and the broader northeastern region alongside Bhutan.

Samdrup Jongkhar, located in the southeast, is roughly three hours from Guwahati, the capital of Assam. It provides easy access for travelers coming from Assam and the other northeastern states of India.

Domestic Travel and Airports

Bhutan has four domestic airports that connect the western, central, southern, and eastern parts of the country:

  • Yonphula Airport (East)

  • Bumthang Airport (Central)

  • Gelephu Airport (South)

  • Paro International Airport (West)

Due to Bhutan’s mountainous terrain and variable weather—particularly at high-altitude airports like Yonphula—flights may occasionally be delayed or canceled. Travelers are advised to check conditions prior to travel.

Baggage Allowance for domestic flights is as follows:

  • Business Class: 30 kg

  • Economy Class: 20 kg

International travelers must carry a valid passport with a minimum of six months’ validity at all times.

Helicopter Services

Druk Air also offers helicopter charter services, initially introduced for emergency medical evacuations. Today, these services are also available for heli-hiking, aerial sightseeing, and private travel, significantly reducing travel time across Bhutan’s rugged terrain.

Helicopter flights operate only in clear and calm weather, due to the country’s challenging topography.

Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily levy collected from visitors to support Bhutan’s national development goals. Since Bhutan welcomed its first tourists in 1974, international guests have played a meaningful role in the country’s progress.

The SDF is administered by the national exchequer, with funds directed toward long-term initiatives that benefit the Bhutanese people. These include:

  • Free healthcare and education

  • Skills training and professional development in the tourism and hospitality sector

  • Infrastructure improvements

  • Environmental protection and forest conservation

  • Cultural preservation programs

  • Support for local enterprises and community-based economies

Importantly, the SDF plays a key role in helping Bhutan maintain its carbon-neutral status and rich forest cover, for which the country is globally recognized and environmentally significant.

By contributing to the SDF, visitors help preserve the tranquillity and authenticity of Bhutan, ensuring that future guests can continue to enjoy a meaningful and intimate travel experience.

Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) Rates

The SDF is USD 100 per adult, per night for visitors from all countries except India.

  • Children aged 6 to under 12 years pay a reduced rate of USD 50 per night.

  • Children below 6 years of age are exempt from the SDF.

For Indian nationals, upon presenting a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card, the SDF is Nu. 1,200 (or the equivalent in Indian Rupees) per person, per night.

  • Children aged 6 to under 12 years pay Nu./INR 600 per night.

  • Children below 6 years of age are exempt from the SDF.

SDF Waiver for Border Towns

Effective April 14, 2023, tourists visiting the border towns of Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrupjongkhar for up to 24 hours are exempt from paying the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). This waiver will remain in effect for one year.

The waiver is applicable only to tourists who remain within the designated zones of these towns. Travel beyond these zones will result in the SDF being charged as per standard policy.

The designated boundaries for the waiver are as follows:

  • Samtse: Up to Gurung Basti

  • Phuentsholing: Up to Rinchending Checkpost

  • Gelephu: Up to Aipoli Bridge

  • Samdrupjongkhar: Up to Pinchinna Checkpost

Tourists who cross beyond these points will be required to pay the applicable SDF rates.

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) will be refunded by the Department of Immigration for any cancelled or shortened trips. Please note that any applicable bank charges will be deducted from the total amount refunded.

Pleace email us or do contact us on the :

viaggioanimahimalaya@gmail.com

 

Visa Information for Travel to Bhutan

Visa Requirement

All international travelers require a visa to enter Bhutan. Tourist visas are not issued by any Bhutanese embassy or foreign mission abroad. Instead, visas must be arranged through a licensed local tour operator, such as Etho Metho, as part of your confirmed travel booking.

We will apply for your Bhutan visa after full payment for your tour has been received. To process the visa application, we will require the following:

  • A scanned copy of your passport (page with your photo and details), emailed to us.

    Note: The image must be clear and legible.

  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from Bhutan.

Visa Issuance Process

Arrival by Air (Paro International Airport)

  • Your visa application will be cleared in advance, and a visa clearance document will be emailed to you.

  • This document is required at the time of check-in and for boarding your flight to Bhutan.

  • Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, the actual visa will be stamped in your passport.

  • A passport-sized photograph is not required for immigration processing at Paro.

Arrival by Land (Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu)

  • Visa applications are also cleared in advance for overland travelers.

  • A visa clearance document will be issued and is required at the immigration checkpoints at Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, or Gelephu.

  • The actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival at the respective border checkpoint.

  • A passport-sized photograph is not required, but fingerprints and photos will be taken at the immigration checkpoints at Phuentsholing and Samdrup Jongkhar.

Important Notes

E-Visa Clearance

Please ensure that you travel with the same passport used during the visa application process.
We will not be held responsible if your passport does not match the one used for the Bhutan visa. In such a case, you may be denied boarding or entry into Bhutan.

Transit & Other Country Visas

If you are transiting through or visiting other countries before or after Bhutan, it is your responsibility to ensure you have all necessary visas and travel documents for those destinations.

Bhutan is a small, landlocked country nestled in the eastern Himalayas, bordered by India to the south and China to the north. Its diverse landscape stretches from subtropical plains and dense forests in the south to snow-capped mountains and subalpine forests in the north. Predominantly a Buddhist nation, Bhutan is widely regarded as the last stronghold of Mahayana Buddhism.

Bhutan’s currency is called ngultrum. It’s 1:1 with Indian rupees.

Bhutan is home to 19 spoken languages, with Dzongkha designated as the national language. English, which is the medium of instruction in the country’s education system, is widely spoken and understood across the country.

Bhutan’s Climate and Seasons

Bhutan is a year-round travel destination, offering distinct experiences across its four seasons:

  • Spring (March to May)

  • Summer (June to August)

  • Autumn (September to November)

  • Winter (December to February)

Due to Bhutan’s diverse altitudes and the influence of the northeast and southwest monsoons, the climate varies significantly across regions.

Southern Bhutan

The south experiences a humid subtropical climate that remains relatively stable throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C.

Central Bhutan

Home to temperate forests, this region enjoys a seasonal climate—warm summers and cool, dry winters.

Northern Bhutan

In the north, winters are much colder, with snow-capped mountains year-round due to high altitudes. Even during summer, the lower valleys remain cool and pleasant.

Seasonal Overview

Summer (June to August)

Summer marks the arrival of the Indian monsoon, typically from late June or July to late September, predominantly affecting southern Bhutan. The landscape turns lush and green, and it is the main agricultural season, as crops flourish in the fertile, rain-fed fields.

Autumn (September to November)

Following the monsoon, autumn brings clear skies, mild temperatures, and sunny days. Some early snowfall may occur at higher elevations. This is a time of harvest, festivals, and celebrations, as communities come together to enjoy the results of their hard work.

Winter (December to February)

From late November to March, Bhutan experiences crisp, clear, and sunny winter days. Frost is common across most parts of the country, and snowfall is frequent above 3,000 meters. The northeast winter monsoon can bring strong winds at high altitudes, especially through mountain passes—earning Bhutan the name “Drukyul”, or “Land of the Thunder Dragon”, in Dzongkha, the national language.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is typically dry and vibrant, starting in early March and lasting until mid-April. It is a botanist’s paradise, with forests and hillsides bursting into bloom. The summer rains begin to make an appearance by mid-April, continuing into late June.

Visa and Entry Requirements for Bhutan

Visitors of all nationalities—except Indian nationals—must obtain a visa prior to entering Bhutan.

  • For visitors from all countries except Bangladesh and the Maldives, visas must be applied for and approved in advance of travel.

  • Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives also require a visa, but theirs can be applied for and approved either before arrival or upon entering Bhutan.

Entry Requirements for Indian Nationals

Indian nationals may enter Bhutan by obtaining a permit. They must present either a valid Indian passport or Indian Voter ID card.

  • For Indian nationals under 18 years old, a passport or birth certificate is required.

  • Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Special Provisions for Diplomats

Nationals of Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic or government official passports are eligible to receive a visa upon arrival at their port of entry.

If you prefer to plan and book your trip independently, there are plenty of online resources available for inspiration, research, and bookings—including this website. Additionally, there are many experienced and accredited tour operators who can assist you in organizing your visit.

Our host team is also available to provide guidance and information as you plan your journey to Bhutan.

A correctly input visa application can take up to five days to process.

Yes, provided the extension is applied for before the original visa or permit expires. 

Visitors can extend their stay via the online visa application portal, using the same log-in details that were used to process their original visa. 

The fees for processing your extension application, and daily SDF for the duration of your extended stay, will be payable via the same portal.

A one-time visa application processing fee of USD 40 is applicable. This fee is payable at the time of submitting your visa application, along with the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).

You can exchange your local currency for Ngultrum (BTN) upon arrival at Paro International Airport, or at banks, major hotels, and authorised currency exchange outlets in Thimphu.

Visitors are permitted to bring cash up to the equivalent of USD 10,000 into Bhutan.

SIM cards can be purchased upon arrival at the Visitor Information Centre at Paro International Airport, from branch offices of Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell, or through authorised agents in major towns.

Yes, a licensed guide is required to enter monuments and Dzongs in Bhutan. While some of these sites have no entry fee, others require payment upon arrival, which can be made in cash or through the GoBob mobile application.

While the majority of monuments in Bhutan are free to enter, some do carry an entry fee. Children under the age of five are exempt from payment, and those aged between 5 and 18 years receive a 50% concession on the entry fee. Most monuments are open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

As of June 2023, it was announced that foreign visitors may now access monuments during regular public opening hours, without any special restrictions.