![](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-GO-TO-BHUTAN-150x150.jpg\")
<\/div>\nTucked away on the eastern part of the Great Himalayan Range between Tibet, an autonomous region of China and the Indian states of Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, is the kingdom of Bhutan, known locally as Druk Yul, or \u2018Land of the Thunder Dragon\u2019. Often referred to as the world\u2019s \u2018last Shangri-La\u2019, Bhutan wears its deep-rooted cultural identity with pride while taking a careful, nuanced approach to embracing modernization. With a rich cultural heritage, spectacular landscapes, warm, kind-hearted people, and a palpable sense of spiritual energy permeating through the land, Bhutan is an immensely rewarding destination for travelers who dare to venture beyond the usual in search of something deeper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll never forget my first glimpse of Bhutan on my recent trip to Bhutan in springtime with <\/span>Druk Asia<\/span><\/a>. The dragon on the yellow-red wing of my <\/span>Drukair <\/span><\/a>flight pierced through the clouds to reveal farms and village homes surrounded by swathes of verdant forest, narrow mountain roads adorned by colorful prayer flags snaking across the landscape, clouds that hung low as if to reverently greet clifftop monasteries, and emerald valleys and canyons with contours so deliciously deep that I wished I could touch them with my fingertips.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With just 130,000 international visitors in 2023, and a target of 300,000 tourist arrivals each year, Bhutan attracts a special kind of traveler. If you\u2019re planning a trip to the beautiful Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, here\u2019s what you should know before you go.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While two airlines fly to Paro International Airport (PBH) in Bhutan, flying on the national airline <\/span>Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines<\/span><\/a> is undoubtedly the best way to reach Bhutan. Drukair flies to Paro from Kathmandu, Dhaka, Bangkok, the Indian cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Bodh Gaya, Bagdogra and Guwahati via direct flights, and Singapore (with a connection in Guwahati). In operation since 1981, Drukair\u2019s fleet includes the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A319, ATR 42-600, and a helicopter H-13072.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To get to Bhutan from Dubai, we flew to New Delhi and took the Drukair flight from Delhi to Paro. From my recent experience, the planes were in great condition and well-maintained. Flying with Drukair felt safe and the service and food surpassed my expectations, especially if I were to compare it to most Indian airlines. With an inflight magazine and an inflight entertainment solution to pass the time during the 2 hour 20 minute duration from Delhi to Paro, Druk Air certainly met the standards of an international airline.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While I love traveling independently to new countries, I quickly realized that Bhutan is the kind of country where going with a local expert such as <\/span>Druk Asia<\/span><\/a> really turned my trip into an invaluable, life-changing experience and freed me of the pressure of organizing an itinerary. Our Bhutanese guide Yuden Tenzin was knowledgeable, truly passionate, and exceptionally kind, so much that were it not for our conversations and interactions, we\u2019d have come away barely scratching the surface when it came to understanding the unique aspects of Bhutanese culture and the way of life. Skip independent travel if it\u2019s your first time in Bhutan and go with a local guide instead.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A part of my trip with <\/span>Druk Asia<\/span><\/a> included their <\/span>Neykor experience<\/span><\/a>, or a spiritual journey led by His Eminence Khedrupchen Rinpoche, an accomplished spiritual teacher from whom we learned lessons that both Ankit and I think of as our spiritual awakening. These took place during meditation sessions, talks, hikes, and casual conversations over meals in an easy, light-hearted setting. As we left Bhutan after this <\/span>Neykor trip<\/span><\/a>, our spirits felt lighter, as if something special had been set into motion. We would have never had access to an experience like this without the support of <\/span>Druk Asia,<\/span><\/a> a company that is truly invested in the responsible development of tourism in Bhutan.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The all-inclusive package at <\/span>Druk Asia<\/span><\/a> meant that I didn\u2019t need to worry about anything, whether it was what sights we\u2019d be visiting, where we\u2019d be stopping for meals, or which hotels (notoriously hard to research online) were the best ones in a particular city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Their itineraries are customizable, so when I said I was keen on doing the Gangtey Nature Trail, they easily added Gangtey to my itinerary, switching it with another activity that was aligned with my interests. Our guide Yuden added a nice little surprise with a picnic lunch while we were road tripping to the Haa valley on our last day. Thanks to their expertise, we stayed at some unique hotels around Bhutan, including a glamping resort overlooking the beautiful Phobjikha Valley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While it is now possible for tourists to visit Thimpu and Paro independently, you\u2019ll need a guide to visit elsewhere. If I\u2019m being honest, guides in Bhutan play the very important role of acting as cultural educators in what is a unique part of the world. Without them, I fear that many tourists would not know about appropriate behavior, dress, or would miss the depth of traditions and spirituality that are an integral part of the Bhutanese way of life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s possible to visit Bhutan around the year, with every season adding its unique charm. But if you prefer mild weather, plan on making the most of the country\u2019s sublime landscapes, and doing a fair bit of trekking or multi-day treks (such as the Trans-Bhutan Trail), then spring or autumn is the best time to visit Bhutan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I visited in May and enjoyed driving past landscapes adorned with the bright reds and pinks of blooming rhododendrons and seeing the pretty violet flowers of glorious jacaranda trees around Punakha Dzong. While visiting Thimpu, Gangtey, Punakha, Paro, and the Haa Valley, the temperature ranged from 9\u00b0C to 16\u00b0C with bright sunny days, some warmer than others, and cool, breezy evenings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I was keen to do the hike to Paro Taktsang, the monastery more commonly known as Tiger\u2019s Nest, perched upon a rock at 2,950m above sea level, and knew I\u2019d be miserable doing it in rainy weather on a slippery trail. Thankfully, it was a bright sunny day, and the effort of hiking there got me warm enough to peel off the layers I was wearing and finish the hike in a cotton t-shirt!<\/span><\/p>\n Spring and autumn are also high season in Bhutan on account of <\/span>tshechu <\/span><\/i>celebrations around the country. A <\/span>tshechu <\/span><\/i>is a 4 or 5-day religious festival when visitors can expect to see traditional dances and monastic rituals, with the <\/span>tshechu<\/span><\/i> for each town taking place on a different date. Many tourists come in spring to attend the Paro <\/span>tshechu<\/span><\/i> while others coming in autumn try to attend the Thimphu <\/span>tshechu<\/span><\/i> or the Bumthang <\/span>tshechu<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If I\u2019m being honest, when I first planned to visit Bhutan in 2018, with plans that eventually fell through, I too wanted to attend a <\/span>tshechu<\/span><\/i>. But a local tour operator advised me to avoid that period, confiding that there were far too many tourists coming specifically for the festival and contributing to the usual problems of overtourism. While things might be different now and you\u2019re free to come for a <\/span>tshechu<\/span><\/i>, I can confirm that Bhutan is just as magical even if you visit outside of that busy time. One of the things I appreciated was having beautiful places, such as the Gangtey Nature Trail, almost entirely to ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n The monsoon season in Bhutan lasts from June to August during the summer months. While sightseeing is still possible, conditions are not always ideal for hikes.<\/span><\/p>\n Absorbing more carbon than the economy emits annually, Bhutan is the first carbon-negative country in the world and the only one in South Asia. The country\u2019s constitution mandates that at least 60% of its area shall always remain under forest cover \u2013 currently 72% of its 38,000 sq km is forest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bhutan\u2019s focus on environmental conservation isn\u2019t just about laws and mandates; the realization that humans and nature are interconnected runs deep on a cultural level. The Bhutanese people\u2019s respect for nature is obvious everywhere \u2013 in how green the landscape appears when you peek out of the flight window arriving into Paro, in how the guides stop to pick rubbish should a stray wrapper appear on the trail, in how the architecture never imposes itself upon the surrounding landscape, in the signs in tourist spots that remind you to leave the place as pristine and beautiful as you found it, and in the many national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature reserves around the country.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bhutan\u2019s rivers also generate enough hydroelectricity to not only meet the needs of the country, but also to be exported to neighbors like India.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Everywhere you go in Bhutan, from local restaurants and resort lobbies to cultural museums, you\u2019ll see framed photographs of the fifth and reigning king of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who is also the head of the state. He comes from a family that has been ruling Bhutan for the last 100 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Largely credited with spearheading and continuing initiatives that advance the wellbeing of Bhutanese people, the country\u2019s responsible and sustainable development, and environment and climate action, the king of Bhutan is revered by the people of Bhutan. From our conversations with people in Bhutan, it was obvious that they viewed the monarch as a visionary leader whom they could trust for matters of their welfare and security.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It was under the leadership of his father, the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck that Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. Since then, it is a parliamentary democracy with the executive power held by the cabinet headed by the Prime Minister, currently H.E. Tshering Tobgay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bhutan first appeared on my radar when I read that the country has an index that measures Gross National Happiness, a concept that was introduced in the 1970s by Bhutan\u2019s fourth king His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and later adopted in the country\u2019s constitution in 2008. In fact, the idea of happiness as the goal of governance isn\u2019t a new concept or a modern-day marketing tactic with countries being ranked on a Happiness Index; as per the ancient 1629 legal code of Bhutan, \u201cThe purpose of the government is to provide happiness to its people. If it cannot provide happiness, there is no reason for the government to exist.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Bhutan, Gross National Happiness is defined as \u201ca multidimensional development approach seeking to achieve a harmonious balance between material well-being and the spiritual, emotional, and cultural needs of society.\u201d True to this belief, policies and development initiatives in Bhutan aim to create conditions that contribute to the happiness of the Bhutanese people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The four pillars of Gross National Happiness are good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.<\/span><\/p>\n Perhaps it is these motivations that are responsible for things such as free education for 11 years and free healthcare in Bhutan, something that isn\u2019t common in Asian countries.<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s something extraordinary about a culture that places wellbeing over profit and a monarch who understands that making one set of people richer in the country or rising GDP doesn\u2019t equate to real progress.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Known as the Ngultrum, and often referred to simply as \u2018Nu\u2019, the Bhutanese currency has the same value as the Indian Rupee being pegged to it, which is also widely accepted around the country. In cities such as Paro and Thimpu, many shops will also accept USD, but you might have to accept change back in Bhutanese Ngultrum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most hotels, big restaurants, and many shops in main cities like Thimpu, Punakha, and Paro will also accept debit and credit cards but they might charge you a small percentage as a fee. It\u2019s best to have cash handy, whether in the local currency or the Indian Rupee for donations at temples, monasteries, nunneries, any small purchases such as tea or snacks from a stall or to pay the 10Nu fee to use the toilet at popular tourist spots, as well as tips for waiters, guides, and drivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Seeing as sustainable socio-economic development is one of the pillars of the country\u2019s Gross National Happiness, it makes sense that Bhutan\u2019s approach to developing tourism has been focused on sustainable tourism development, since Bhutan opened to international tourists in 1974.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To combat overtourism and attract high-value and low volume tourism, Bhutan imposes a daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) on all international tourists. As of May 2024, this fee is USD100 (as a 50% discounted rate on the original USD200) per night for all international tourists (until 31st August 2027) and Nu1200 (or INR1200) per night for Indian visitors. Children under six are not subject to SDF, while kids between six and under 12 years of age are required to pay 50% of the applicable SDF.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The SDF is used by the government to fund projects in social welfare, developmental, environmental conservation and preservation, cultural preservation and promotion, infrastructure, including tourism and hospitality projects.<\/span><\/p>\n Bhutan is the first country that I visited where I paid a tourist tax, and even though this means that Bhutan is not a cheap destination (I\u2019ve talked before about how much I hate the idea of promoting places as cheap destinations), I\u2019m all for a model of tourism that doesn\u2019t turn tourists into entitled visitors that come to a country, and take more than they give back. But since the SDF considerably hikes up the cost of a trip to Bhutan, there are mixed feelings in the tourism industry about its impact on the recovery of tourism after the pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In Bhutan, a country of 777,224 people (projected population for 2024), you see the impact of the SDF in free education and healthcare, general cleanliness, well-maintained roads and buildings, the offsetting of the carbon footprint of visitors, and decently developed tourism infrastructure (though there is more work required in that area).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Foreign tourists can apply for an e-visa online on the <\/span>official website of the Department of Immigration<\/span><\/a> before they arrive or ask their tour company to do this on their behalf. While Indian nationals only require a permit to enter Bhutan, all other nationalities require a visa to do so. A visa costs $40, and you\u2019ll also need to pay the SDF for your trip duration through this portal. Bangladeshi and Maldivian passport holders are eligible for visa on arrival. Foreigners can stay in Bhutan for a maximum of 90 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indian nationals will need to show their Indian passport or an Indian voter ID card (or a birth certificate if they\u2019re under 18 years of age) for a permit to be issued. This permit can be issued on arrival, but you can also apply for it online to be issued in advance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re an Indian tourist planning to get the permit issued on arrival, bring cash in INR to pay the SDF. Be prepared to queue for anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes as most other Indian tourists have the same idea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIs it dangerous to fly into Bhutan?\u201d I was asked this a few times, thanks to Paro International Airport being featured in numerous articles as one of the world\u2019s most dangerous airports to land in. This is due to the airport\u2019s geographical location in a valley between 18,000ft peaks and dense forest terrain, a short <\/span>6,445 ft<\/span> runway that requires planes to adhere to strict speed and altitude guidelines, and the need for pilots to maneuver planes at a 45-degree between the mountains and onto the runway manually using visual landmarks in the absence of a radar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Planes are allowed to land and depart from Paro International Airport only during daylight hours, and can be diverted or delayed if there are clouds obstructing the views. That being said, if you\u2019re a nervous flier like me, it\u2019s reassuring to know that only 24 pilots in the world are certified to land at Paro International Airport, which means they\u2019re likely to be highly skilled.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My own experience flying into Paro on <\/span>Drukair<\/span><\/a> was better than expected. Shortly before landing, the pilot warned us about the approach through the mountains and the turbulence expected, reassuring us that it was not unusual while landing in Bhutan. But I\u2019m grateful there was no turbulence at all. The approach was thrilling, the flying smooth, and at no point did I feel alarmed, anxious, or afraid. The pilots at Drukair know what they\u2019re doing and have some serious skills, so you can relax in the knowledge that you\u2019re in good hands.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You might not experience any altitude sickness while visiting cultural sites in towns such as Thimpu and Paro, unless you\u2019re hiking in the high mountains or driving through Chelela Pass (3,988m) or high altitudes. Even so, considering that the altitude of most towns in Bhutan is above 2,000m, it\u2019s best that you give your body a few days to acclimatize and schedule the hike to Paro Taktsang, or Tiger\u2019s Nest monastery, located at 2,950m above sea level, towards the end of your trip. The elevation gain during the 3 hour hike up is about 700m, with several steep stairs descending and ascending towards the end, making this a challenging hike.<\/span><\/p>\n We did this hike on our second last day in Bhutan, and it took us about 8 hours round-trip, with an hour-long lunch break on the way back and a nearly 40-minute tea break on the way up, plus a few leisurely stops for photographs. It\u2019s best to wear layers, drink lots of water, regulate your breathing, take frequent rest stops when you need them, and be comfortable with going slowly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019m fortunate to have experienced the kindness of people in the far corners of the planet, but believe me when I say that the Bhutanese people are extraordinary in their ability to show compassion and kindness. I believe it has to do with the Bhutanese way of life, where my <\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Paro-views-from-flight-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>The best way to get there is to fly to Bhutan<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Drukair-flight-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Paro-view-from-window-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>To explore Bhutan, go with a company that is a true local expert<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picnic-memories-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/With-Khedrupchen-Rinpoche-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Gangtey-Nature-Trail-2-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picnic-in-Bhutan-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Gangtey-Tent-Resort-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tigers-nest-hike-9-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Bhutan<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Punakha-Dzong-with-jacaranda-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/loves-spring-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/hiking-to-Paro-Takstang-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Phobjikha-valley-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Traditional-dance-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>Bhutan is the world\u2019s first carbon-negative country\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Bhutan-views-landscape-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Gangtey-Nature-Trail-3-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>The kingdom of Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/gangtey-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/views-of-Paro-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/a>Bhutan is the only country in the world to measure Gross National Happiness<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/prayer-wheels-for-luck-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Homestay-dinner-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/a>The Ngultrum is the Bhutanese currency<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Paro-town-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>Bhutan\u2019s tourism strategy is designed to attract high-value tourists<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/hiking-to-tigers-nest-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>Foreign tourists need an e-visa or e-permit to visit Bhutan<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Bhutan-village-Haa-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nYou don\u2019t need to be afraid of flying into Bhutan<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flight-view-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kanchenjunga-from-Drukair-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>Hike to Tiger\u2019s Nest monastery at the end of your trip<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/tigers-Nest-monastery-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tigers-nest-behind-us-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thebohochica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Posing-with-views-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a>The Bhutanese are an exceptionally kind people<\/span><\/h2>\n