Backpacking Bhutan 2020
Bhutan Travel Guide
Updated 7th Feb 2019
The Happiest Country in the world. Bhutan is always my most favorite country to visit. I first visited this country when I was 3 years old and my first travel. Though I can't remember anything still that experience may be made me fall in love with traveling.
Bhutan an isolated Himalayan kingdom where you can find some chill, reconnect with nature and enjoy awesome hospitality.
Backpacking in Bhutan is not cheap but a truly amazing experience altogether. You will be in awe of this untouched wilderness, clean and calm Himalayas.
Visiting Bhutan is a bit of expensive. But YES it is worth it.
Bhutan is also known as the Land of Thunder Dragon. It not only offers you amazing scenic beauty and culture but also offers you to rejuvenate yourself via Yoga retreats.
#BhutanQuickInfo
* Capital: Thimpu
* Currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum (Nu)
Get Xe Currency for real-time conversion
* Indian Rupees (INR) are also accepted (except INR 2000 note)
* Time Zone: 30 mins ahead of IST
* Airport: Paro International Airport (PBH)
Paro (Rinpung) Dzong at night
Getting There
Bhutan is well connected via air & road. The DrukAir flights to Paro are quite cheap if you buy the tickets earlier. There are direct flights from Kolkata, Delhi & Mumbai. Check flights on GoIbibo, and get your INR 150 off on a flight.
If you are opting road, then take a Train from Kolkata to Hashimara and then take a car or Auto (Tuk Tuk) to Phuentsholing, Indo-Bhutan border.
Take the train from Shealdah (SDH) to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and from there you can take Bus or Cab directly to Phuentsholing. It will save time, trains run slow after NJP coursing through Jungle.
If you going via Hashimara then take Auto from Hashimara to Jaigaon (India side) which takes around 45 mins. From there rent a car.
You can take your own car also. Need to get a permit from the Road Safety Department.
Best Time To Visit Bhutan
Bhutan is in the Himalayas so forget about planning on Winter vacation.
The best time to visit Bhutan is undoubtedly from March to May (Spring) and from September to November (Autumn).
During these months the weather tends to be pleasantly dry and warm. That makes a perfect trip to hike up to the mountain or a road trip up in the hills.
Rains start from the end of May and continue until the first week of September. Bhutan receives heaviest from late-June onwards, especially in the south. There is a risk of flash floods during this season.
So please avoid visiting Bhutan in monsoon.
How To Get VISA for Bhutan
For Indian Citizens
Indians do not need a VISA, but an Entry Permit to visit Bhutan. Also, Indians do not need a Passport. If you have your Voter card you are good to go.
You can get this permit two ways.
1. Do It Yourself:
Our favorite option. You can get this permit in Phuentsholing (by road) and Paro Airport (by air).
In the airport, you can get this any time. But Phuentsholing immigration office works only on weekdays (Mon-Fri) 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. So plan accordingly.
You need to submit your digital prints (Fingerprint & Photo) there.
This permit is free.
Please wear a full-length dress (cover your legs) when going to the immigration office or temples or dzong.
I did the mistake which cost me 50 mins extra in getting the permit queue. :(
Monday & Friday are the busiest days at Phuentsholing immigration office. Make sure you go there as early as possible. Or avoid those days.
Fill the form before going to the office. Get it from the hotel if you are staying in Jaigaon or Phuentsholing. Jaigaon side is cheaper to stay.
To roam around in Phuentsholing you do not require permits.
You have to show you accommodation details for your entire stay in Bhutan.
This permit is only valid for 7 or 14 days and only for Thimpu & Paro. If you are willing to go to other places you have to get additional In Line Permit from Thimpu immigration office.
2. Hire a Tour Agent:
This is the easiest & hassle free way. You have to do nothing but submit your documents and show up at the immigration office for digital prints.
If you are on a package tour then a charge is included otherwise you can get individuals only for permit purpose at INR 400 only.
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The Thunder Dragon
There is a provision to get E-Permit also but you have to take a Bhutanese tour guide, a car, and at least 3 * hotel.
which is pretty expensive if you are broke like me or on a budget trip.
This is an effort to protect Bhutan’s environment and culture, the government has placed this kind of rules.
Do not go through an Indian operator, you will have to physically go to Thimpu to get your inline permits. A waste, if Thimpu is not a part of your travel plan
For Other Countries Citizen
Citizens of Bangladesh & Maldives do not need a visa and a booking with a licensed tour operator to visit Bhutan, provided they have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
All other countries need the E-visa and a booking with a licensed tour operator. Because the government has placed a minimum fee of $200 per person per day for visiting Bhutan.
Places to Visit in Bhutan
Bhutan is a renowned tourist destination. Every year you can see the place crowded with people. If you are planning for a spectacular journey in this small country then check out our picked destinations.
5 Days Bhutan Travel Itinerary
1. Paro
2. Thimpu
3. Punakha
The common tourist place yet amazing.
Land straight into the small airport at Paro Valley.
Roam around the valley and visit Ta Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro Rinpung Dzong, and Drukgyal Dzong.
Reserve an entire day for trekking up to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery. Trust me it will be tiring if you are not a pro trekker.
After Paro, leave for Thimpu enjoying the spectacular beauty of nature.
Two of the common attraction in Thimpu is Changangkha Monastery and Buddha Dordenma Statue.
Iconic Paro Taktsang aka Tiger's Nest Monastery
You must visit Tango Monastery and Tashichho Dzong.
While there are a lot of things to do in Thimphu, here’s a list of the 10 best you can do in Thimpu.
Next, head for Punakha via Dochula Pass. Observe the amazing beauty of the snow-covered mountains. Visit Punakha Dzong and Chime Lhakhang.
there is no need to stay in Punakha you can visit Punakha from Thimpu. But still, if you want to stay there I recommend staying in Mendrelgang Homestay
11 Days Bhutan Travel Itinerary
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Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimpu
1. Paro
2. Thimpu
3. Punakha
4. Phobjikha /Gangtey
5. Bumthang
6. Mongar
7. Trashigang
Explore the aesthetic valleys of the west, religious central Bhutan & the hilly east.
Start from Paro, visit the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts showing an exceptional introduction to Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past.
Visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa. Hike up to Taktsang Monastery.
Drive to Thimphu, the capital of the nation which is around 50 km from Paro. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, clicking Instagram worthy photos. You should visit the National Memorial Chorten, completed by the Royal Queen Mother as a memorial stupa for the Third King.
Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters) to Punakha. On a clear day, the road trip offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks. Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan.
Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Palaces, Buddhist temples, and monasteries. Visit Jakar Dzong (Dzong of the White Bird) and Tamshing Lhakhang holding ancient Buddhist wall paintings.
You can also visit Black Mountain range, Trongsa which is en route to Bhumthang from Punakha. If you are not staying there you can visit from Jakar, Bhumthang which is 2.5 hrs drive away.
The journey to Mongar from Jakar takes about 6 hours to drive through Thrumshing-La Pass. The road slowly passes through pictorial alpine valleys, pine forests, maize fields.
Drive to Trashigang (4 hrs) through forests filled with ferns and over Kori-La Pass.
visit Trashigang Dzong, the temple of Gom Kora, Tashiyangtse Dzong, the stupa of Chorten Kora and Doksum Village. In this village, women weave traditional Bhutanese fabric and famous for unique wooden crafts.
How Much You Will Spend
The followings might help you to plan your budget for the trip.
Transportation
There are specific bus routes between the main cities. Bus tickets vary from INR 170-230.
A rented car takes INR 3000 per day. Shared Taxi takes Phuentsholing to Paro 750 per person, Paro to Thimpu 500, Paro city to Tiger's Nest Base 400 per head.
I recommended to rent/hire a car for the entire trip as it will be cheaper, hassle-free and saves lots of travel time
Do not take the bus its uncertain and takes much time. Our bus broke down in middle and we waited for like 4 hours to get it fixed.
Food & Drink
Small shops & local street food INR 250 per meal
Restaurants and non-Bhutanese Breakfast 300 (Eg Bread, Omlett, Juice)
Almost every restaurant serve Indian cuisine which cost around 300-450 per dish (Rice, Chicken curry)
Bhutanese Peach Wine INR 375
Domestic beer (Druk Lager) INR 110
Domestic Vodka 30 ml INR 50
Shopping
Fridge magnets INR 100
Praying Beads INR 600-1300