Embarking on a journey to explore new places, cultures and people is what makes travelling an exciting journey that many people dream of. Bhutan is one such country that offers you to immerse in a travelling experience that is unique from every angle. Located on the highlands of the eastern Himalayas, the country boasts its beauty with the scenic beauty of untouched nature, rich wildlife, a bunch of heritage sites, and ancient monuments that date back to the early 17th century.
Apart from heritage sites and rich history, Bhutan is also known for being the world’s first carbon-free country which was achieved with its lush green forest and sustainable tourism. More than 69% of the total land is covered in forests making it an ideal place for various types of activities such as trekking hiking, mountain climbing, bird watching and many more. Whether you have an interest in exploring ancient sites or want to indulge in adrenaline-pumping activities Bhutan has it all.
Talking about travelling in Bhutan, the country is open to all and people can visit the country from all over the world, however, there are a few rules and formalities that need to be acknowledged before entering into the land of Bhutan.
Visa is a must when it comes to entering Bhutan from foreign countries except India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Department of Immigration along with the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs are two major authorities of Bhutan that issue visa and entry permits on arrival. Tourists may also fill up the online visa application with the days of tours which will be sent under verifications before handing you the visa. Tourists may also avoid the hassle of visa verifications and formalities by consulting with licensed tour operators of Bhutan who will provide you with smoother visa assistance for your trips. Citizens from India and Bangladesh can get their entry permits at the immigration terminal located on the Indo-Bhutan border at Phuentsholing.
Tourist also needs to pay a sum of $200 as a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), which currently has been lowered to $100 until 2027. The SDF is charged on the arrival is needs to be paid on the basis of the days of your stay. The Indian citizens need to pay SDF of ₹1200 per person per night during their stays in Bhutan. The fee enables the investment which be used towards the development of the country with transformative programmes, upgrading the infrastructure and providing enhancing the education facilities for the children. The SDF must be paid at the time of serving visa application which needs to be paid in US dollars while Indians can pay it in INR.
Dos and Don’ts
- Dos
- Don't
20 N / 21 D
05 N / 06 D
08 N / 09 D
