GoChhutti Destination Intelligence

Bhutan travel guide

Paro valley · 2h from Kolkata — when to actually go, how long the visa really takes, what you will spend per day on top of the package, and who this trip is genuinely wrong for.

Best time to visit Bhutan

Mar – May for rhododendrons, Sep – Nov for clear Himalayan views and the tsechu festivals.

Visa, money and practicalities

Visa: Permit for Indian nationals — Voter ID or passport; we file the route permit
Currency: Ngultrum, pegged 1:1 to INR — Indian rupees accepted widely
SIM: Local Bhutan SIM needed — Indian roaming only works near the border
Power plug: Type D / F / G — Carry a universal adapter

What nobody tells you about Bhutan

The Sustainable Development Fee is ₹1,200 per person per night for Indian nationals, and it is charged on top of most quotes you will be shown. On a 6-night trip that is ₹7,200 a head that appears at the end. Ask every operator whether SDF is inside their number — ours is.

Who should skip Bhutan

Skip Bhutan if you cannot manage the Tiger's Nest hike — 4 to 6 hours, steep, at altitude. It is the reason most people come, and there is no cable car.

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Bhutan?

Mar – May for rhododendrons, Sep – Nov for clear Himalayan views and the tsechu festivals.

What will I spend per day in Bhutan beyond the package?

On top of what your package covers, budget roughly simple ₹1,200, comfortable ₹2,800, heritage hotels ₹7,000 per person per day.

What should I know before booking Bhutan?

Who should not go to Bhutan?

Skip Bhutan if you cannot manage the Tiger's Nest hike — 4 to 6 hours, steep, at altitude. It is the reason most people come, and there is no cable car.

Plan a Bhutan trip

Tell us your dates and budget. One trip designer replies within two hours with two or three routes and the full cost — including what is not in the package.

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