Call: +91 7384718607
Call: +91 7384718607
Bhutan opened its doors post COVID with a promise of a better experience for its visitors from around the globe. Better infrastructure and improved services are some of the perks that welcome you this year. Yes, visiting Bhutan isn’t as affordable as before, but it’s totally worth it as it supports Bhutan’s sustainability efforts.
What has changed, what is mandatory, what do you need to carry- read on for all the details.
INTRODUCTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FEE
Bhutan is levying a daily sustainable development fee (SDF) on visitors to support Bhutan’s development. It is mandatory for Indians to pay 1,200 ngultrums, or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees, per person, per night. Children aged 6-12 years will be given a 50% concessionary discount on their SDF. Those aged 5 or younger are exempt.
Update (June 2023): According to the new rules, Bhutan has lowered the SDF for visitors paying in dollars. Tourists paying the daily fees for four days will be allowed to stay an extra 4 days. Those paying SDF for 12 days can stay for a full month. This will stay in effect till 2024.
Day visitors to the Bhutanese towns bordering India are also exempt from paying the SDF until they reach a point designated by the Bhutanese government.
MANDATORY GUIDES
It is now mandatory for Indians to be accompanied by a guide for journeys beyond Thimphu and Paro. Guides are thus also mandatory for visitors who enter Bhutan via land borders and plan to travel beyond the border towns. All treks must also be undertaken with an accredited tour operator or guide.
ENTRY PERMITS BY ROAD AND AIR
ROAD: Indians coming to Bhutan by road are required to obtain an 'Entry Permit' on the basis of valid travel documents from the Immigration Office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal.
Note: Daily fee of 4500/- levied under "green tax" needs to be paid if driving your own vehicle.
AIR: Indians coming by air must possess valid travel documents and get an Entry Permit at the Paro International Airport.
Note: The 'entry permit' allows an Indian tourist to visit Thimphu and Paro only. However, any tourist going beyond Thimphu and Paro needs to acquire a 'special area permit' from the RGoB Immigration Office at Thimphu on any working day (Monday to Friday).
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR PERMIT
1) Visitors from India require a passport or voter ID card. Children under 18 years of age require a birth certificate or passport and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
2) Passport-size photograph.
3) Travel insurance* valid for the whole duration of the trip.
*There is an option to purchase domestic travel insurance from Bhutanese insurance providers at the port of entry during arrivals.
No visa is required to visit Bhutan for Indian nationals.
Fixed Departure Tours (Nov and Dec 2023)
Dates:
25th Nov - 1st Dec
09th Dec - 15th Dec
23rd Dec - 29th Dec
I would like to know if a guide is required for 2 people?? I read somewhere that Indian nationals can travel in Bhutan without guide. If the group is more is more than 4 then definitely guide is required.
Hi Ujjaini, a guide is mandatory for anyone visiting Bhutan, even if it's one person.
Hi, I am planning to visit Bhutan in April from Hyderabad via Jaigaon,India route. However, the permit office in Phuntsholing is closed on local holidays. So I am not sure where to get the list of local holidays( I can only find public holidays listed). Can you help to confirm the dates in April which have public holidays?
We r a senior couple from Pune, India. We want to visit Bhutan in our own car. April end this year. Please guide us.
You will need to pay a daily fee of Rs. 4,500 for your car as "Green Tax" plus the daily fee of Rs1,200 per person
I am 77 years I would like to visit Bhutan.