Bhutan Travel Guide


Bhutan tourism guide | Places | Best time to visit | Packages
Bhutan is probably the happiest country of the world, with its primary index of ‘Gross National Happiness’ to measure progress.  This is the place where nature & culture mix with modernisation.  It is officially known as ‘The Kingdom of Bhutan’. Approx 72% of the country is covered with forest. It has also been able to maintain its cultural identity for so many years. You can witness cultural ethnicity in each & every aspect of the country.

It is mostly a Buddhist country which practices ‘Vajrayana Buddhism’. The country is officially divided into 20 Dzongkhag (Districts) which come under 3 Dsongdey (Zones). Official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha.  Read more…

 

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Bhutan Travel Guide | Tour Guide

Places to Visit | Best Time to Visit | Temperature | How to Reach |
Permit/Visa
| Bhutan Currency | Bhutan Map | Tour Packages

Bhutan tour package 7 days Taktsang Monastery -Paro Bhutan

 

Bhutan Tour packages 

List of Bhutan Packages from Phuentsholing

Duration

Price starts

5 nights- 6 days
6 nights- 7 days
5 nights- 6 days
7 nights- 8 days
6 nights- 7 days

 


Places to visit in Bhutan

Phuentsholing

Phuentsholing is mainly a transit city at the southern of Bhutan with a immigration outlet. People travelling by broad may enter the country through Phuentsholing.

 

Thimphu – Bhutan Capital

Thimphu is the capital city & most important tourist place of Bhutan. Being modernised city Thimphu still maintains its ethnicity & traditional identity. Thimphu is situated on valley of Wang Chhu river & offers a breathtaking view of surrounding hills. Trashi Chho Dzong, Memorial Chorten, Simtokha Dzong, National Library, National Folk Heritage Museum,  Traditional Medicine Institute are some of the important tourist attractions to visit in Thimphu. Read more…

 

 

Memorial Chorten -Thimphu, Bhutan

Memorial Chorten -Thimphu, Bhutan

Paro

Paro is an important destination with the only international airport of the country. It’s in valley surrounded surrounding high mountains. The Takshang Monastery, popularly known as Tiger’s Nest, Ta Dzong (National museum), Ringpung Dzong, Drukgyel Dzong, Kichu Lhakang are the some of the important tourist attractions to visit in Paro.  Read more…

 

Chele-La (Pass)

Chele-La (pass) is one of the highest mountain passes in Bhutan with an elevation of approx 3800mt. The pas is approx 37km (2hrs) drive from Paro. The route passes through pristine alpine rhododendron forests. Snow capped mountain like Mt.Jomolhari & Mt.Jichu Drake can to seen from the pass. One can have snowfall & view of frozen rivers during winter.

 

Haa Valley

Another 22 km drive from Chele-La will take you to Haa Valley. The main attractions of Haa Valley is Haa Dzong. Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) & Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) are the other major tourist attractions of Haa Valley. Both the temple built in 7th Century CE. The sacred place is called ‘Meri Pumsum’.

 

Punakha

It is head quarter of Punakha Dzongkhag (district), served as the capital of the country till 1960s. it is situated on the bank of Phuntsholing Vhhu & Mo Chhu River. Punakha Dzong is the main attraction of the city. After Thimphu & Paro, Punakha is the most important tourist attraction in Bhutan. On the way from Thimphu one can visit Dochu-La (pass). Dochula offers a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains.  Read more…

 

Dochu-La (Pass) -Bhutan

Dochu-La (Pass) -Bhutan

Gangtey Monastery & Phobjikha Valley

Toward the east on Punakha Gangtey is a 17th Century monastery. Just a way kilometers there is Phobjikha valley. One can see migratory birds like Black Necked Cranes in the valley.  Read more… 

 

Trongsa

Trongsa is a situated approx 80km east from Phobjikha Valley. It is the headquarter of the Trongsa District. Trongsa Dzong, Chendebji Chorten, & Ta Dzong are the main tourist attractions of the Trongsa.

 

Bumthang

Bumthang is mainly a combination of four valleys Choekhor, Tang, Ura & Chumey. Being the largest Choekhor is specially considered as ‘Bumthang Valley’. Jakar Dzong, Jakar Lhakhang, Wangdue Choling, Mebar-Tsho (Burning Lake), Tamshing, Koenchog Sum Lakhang, Kurje Monastery & Jambay Lakhang are some of the major tourist attractions of Bumthang Valley.  Read more…

 

 

Entrance Fees for Indians at various tourist places

Places in Thimphu

  • Trashichhoe Dzong : Rs. 500 per person
  • National Memorial Chorten :  Rs 500 Per Person
  • Arts & Crafts School :  Rs. 100 Per Person
  • Simply Bhutan :  Rs. 200 per Person
  • Textile Museum :  Rs. 50 per Person
  • Folk Heritage Museum : Rs. 30 Per Person
  • Takin Preserve : Rs. 100 Per Person

Places in Paro 

  • Ta Dzong (NationL Museum) :  Rs. 25 Per Person
  • Ringpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) : Rs 500 Per person
  • Taktsang Monastery :  Rs 1000 Per person
  • Kichu Lhakhang  : Rs 500 Per person

Places in Punakha 

  • Punakha Dzong : Rs 500 Per Person

 

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Best time to visit Bhutan | Weather & Temperature

You can plan your travel to Bhutan at any time of the year. Every season will offer you a different flavor. Weather varies from south to north. Northern part bordering with Tibet is colder & southern part bordering with India is hot & humid. It mainly has four different seasons.

Spring (Match to May)

It is considered a very good season with moderate temperatures. This is the time for green valleys, rhododendrons, fresh vegetables & fruits. The temperature ranges from 0o to 15oC in March & 10oC to 23oC in May.

Monsoon (June to August)

This time of the year gets more rainfall other seasons. But the monsoon is not as prominent as it is in northeastern India. The temperature ranges from 15oC to 25oC.

Autumn (September to November)

It is probably the best time to visit Bhutan with clear weather, blue sky. It provides a magnificent view of valleys, snow-capped mountains & rivers with an opportunity to take great photographs. The temperature ranges from 12oC to 23oC in September & 2oC to 15oC in November.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is mostly sunny & cold. Bhutan gets almost no precipitation in winter. In winter frost can be seen through the country & snowfall in common at the elevation above 3000 meters. January is the coolest month. The temperature ranges from -5oC to 10oC.

 

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Bhutan Temperature 

Montho CelsiusParoThumphuPunakhaTrongsaBumthang
JanuaryMax

Min

9.4

-5.8

12.3

-2.6

17.0

4.3

13.0

-0.2

10.8

-5.1

FebruaryMax

Min

13.0

1.5

14.4

0.6

19.0

7.8

13.9

0.4

10.0

-1.4

MarchMax

Min

14.5

0.6

16.4

3.9

22.8

10.4

16.7

4.4

16.2

3.5

AprilMax

Min

17.6

4.6

20.0

7.1

26.2

12.9

20.1

6.6

18.7

3.9

MayMax

Min

23.5

10.6

22.5

13.1

29.1

17.7

21

11.6

21.3

9.5

JuneMax

Min

25.4

14.1

24.4

15.2

29.2

20.1

22.2

13.6

22.5

13.5

JulyMax

Min

26.8

14.9

25.9

15.6

30.4

20.5

25.3

15.3

24.1

13.6

AugustMax

Min

25.3

14.7

25.0

15.8

29.1

20

23.8

15

23.0

13.7

SeptemberMax

Min

23.4

11.7

23.1

15

27.5

19.1

22.6

14.2

21.6

12.1

OctoberMax

Min

18.7

7.4

21.9

10.4

26.1

14.7

21.8

11.7

19.5

5.9

NovemberMax

Min

13.9

1.4

17.9

5.0

22.6

9.6

19.8

6.4

16.1

-0.5

DecemberMax

Min

11.2

-1.7

14.5

-1.1

19.1

6.3

18.2

2.5

12.3

-2.3

 

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How to reach Bhutan

By Air

Bhutan Airport : Paro (PBH) is having the only international airport in Bhutan.  Paro is well connected with Indian cities like Bagdogra, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bodhgaya & Guwahati. It also connects international destinations like Kathamandu, Dhaka & Bangkok. Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines connect the country with other destinations.

Indian Airport : In the Indian side the nearest airport is in Bagdogra (IXB). The border town Phuntsholing is (170km.) is 4.30 hrs journey from Bagdogra. Bagdogra is directly connected with Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati & Bangkok along with indirect connection will all major Indian cities.

By Train

Bhutan does not have any rail connectivity with in the country. But it can be accessed through Railway stations located in India. The nearest railway station is Hasimara is approx 20km (45 min) away from Phuntsholing. Phuntsholing can also be accessed through New Alipurduar Jn. (60 km) & New Jalpaiguri (NJP) (160 km).

By Road

Bhutan can be accessed by road from the Indian side through the bordering city Phuentsholing.

 


Bhutan Visa/ Permit

For Indians – 4 copies passport size recent colour photographs, Photo ID proof (Passport/ Voter ID) & hotel confirmation vouchers. For minor, its compulsory to carry original birth certificate along with school photo ID or passport.

Foreigners (other than Indians) must have visa clearance before entering Bhutan. Visa can be processed online by providing  photo page of your passport.

Passport should have a minimum 6 months validity left.

Permit cannot be issued during Govt. holidays & weekends. So please plan your tour accordingly.

Permit issued in Phuntsholing & Paro will be valid for Thimphu & Paro only.

Special permit for Punakha, Wangdue, Bumthang, Trongsa ect. will be available from Immigration office located in Thimphu.

Thimphu/Paro/Phuntsholing immigration office is closed on Saturday, Sunday & Government holidays. It may remain close with sudden declared holiday without any prior notice.

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Bhutan Currency

Bhutan currency in called Ngultrum & carries equal value to Indian Rupee.  Indian Rupees are widely accepted in Bhutan except 500, 1000 & 2000 rupee notes.

Bank & major hotels can exchange major currencies. But its important to carry the bank exchange receipt to get it changed back to US Dollar. Foreigners cannot carry Indian Rupee.

Credit & Debit cards (Visa & Mastercard) are accepted in Bhutan. But the service is not widely available. So it is always advisable to carry sufficient cash.

 


Bhutan MAP | Tourist guide MAP

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