Bhutan Highlights Tours

Bhutan Topography

Bhutan although small is rich in diverse topography. Seventy-two percent of its land is covered by forests and it will remain that way. By constitutional law, at least 60 percent of the country must be covered by trees. This commitment to maintaining a large forested area has allowed for the development of a rich biodiversity.

Most of the forests are concentrated in the southern region of the country while the northern region is more fertile fed by the vast rivers. The mountains lined up by the trees surround the country from all sides. While high above 4000 m, the snowy frozen peaks create an arctic-like feel.

The centrally located cities of Thimpu, Punakha, and Paro are warmer than the other areas of the country flourished with buildings, and monasteries, and are well-protected by the great walls of the Himalayas.

Weather and best time for Bhutan Highlights tour

Although Bhutan is a year-round destination, the climate is quite varied, mainly due to the differences in altitude over a small area and the influence of the monsoons.

December, January And February:

These are the coldest months of the year, especially in the mountainous areas. However, the valleys we will be visiting in our Bhutan highlights tour will have more pleasant temperatures and it is when the skies are clearer and cloudless. These months also are the lower time for the Bhutan highlights tour so the whole budget for the trip can be quite low.

March, April, and May:

These months are some of the most popular to visit the country, it is when the climate is milder and the valleys show their most colorful and spectacular landscapes.

It should be noted that during these months some of the most important festivals in the country are usually held. So reservations must be made well in advance and the costs of services are usually higher.

In May, however, humidity and temperatures are usually higher and clouds appear over the mountains. But nature is still in all its splendor and there are fewer people in all the tourist sites.

June, July And August:

During the month of August (sometimes also early September), it is the monsoon season in Bhutan. The rains are usually very abundant and not the best time to organize a trip.

September, October And November:

During these months some of the most important festivals in the country are celebrated, the weather is ideal for excursions, you can enjoy spectacular views and the temperatures are warm, but pleasant. During October, more than 80% of foreign tourists visit the country, so reservations must be made well in advance and the costs of services are usually higher.

Bhutan Highlights Tour difficulty

The 6 days Bhutan highlights tour is the perfect trip to discover the allure and the magical land of Bhutan where simplicity meets adventure. This trip offers a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in the true essence of the country where we will focus on four main cities: Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, and Paro.

We have combined the flight, comfortable private excursions along with gentle walks around the monuments. Therefore, this tour is most certainly the simplest and most effortless journey you can take in any Himalayan kingdom.

Forget about long treks, high altitudes, and the freezing cold air. In summary, forget about the all usual challenges associated with any mountain trip anywhere in the world.

However, there is one difficult portion of our Bhutan highlights tour- the medium-difficult upward trek to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The journey to the incredible Dzong with its return will take around five hours.

So without a doubt, a spirit of walking and good health are the two prerequisites for this tour in Bhutan.

Who can participate in this trip?

Our Bhutan highlights tour has been carefully planned to suit every individual from children, young kids, families, and seniors. We have ensured you will get everything from this tour: from the natural vistas to cultural insights all the while indulging in the comfort of three-star lodging and private transport with a professional driver.

Most of our journey will occur at a height under 2500 m. however, the will be some sections on the tour that will take us to elevations of more than 3000 m. The Gangtey La ridge at 3293 m, the Dochula Pass at 3150 m, and the Tiger’s Nest at 3120 m.

Nonetheless, we won’t be staying at these elevations for more than an hour so you are unlikely to encounter any altitude sickness. In addition, Bhutan has an outstanding literacy rate, a remarkably low crime rate of almost zero, and accessible healthcare services.

So the Bhutan highlights tour is a completely safe and secure trip for everyone to enjoy the marvel of this amazing hidden country.

Why should I take the Bhutan Highlights tour?

In our 6 days Bhutan highlights tour, you will discover everything there is to know about Bhutan. From the holy Dzongs of Thimphu to the alpine terrain of Punakha, from the religiosity of Taktsang to the pious valley of Gangtey and Phobjikha.

As for people, they are very calm, very hospitable, and always have a smile on their faces, trying to please at all times. Along the way, you always come across friendly people, something to be thankful for given the number of dull people in the world.

The historical sites you will see in Bhutan, especially the Dzongs (fortress monasteries), are not only beautiful but also unique buildings, completely different from those you can see in Tibet.

Apart from the religious architecture, another reason why it is worth taking the Bhutan highlights tour is that you will be surrounded by some impressive landscapes.

Another positive point for traveling to Bhutan is that it is the first country with a zero negative carbon footprint in the world. In other words, you will breathe the purest air in the world and you will be in one of the most environmentally friendly countries.

Altitude Sickness

As mentioned earlier, the likelihood of altitude sickness during our Bhutan highlights tour is quite minimal. However, we cannot guarantee it to be completely absent.

Altitude sickness normally occurs at elevations above 2,500 meters. Throughout our journey, we will go through varying altitudes: starting in Paro at 2,200 meters, and then ascending to 2,400 meters in Thimphu in just 2 hours.

In Punakha, we will again drop to 1,200 meters, only to rise again to 3,000 meters at Phobjikha. We will also traverse high passes above 3,000 meters not on foot, but comfortably in our vehicle. This constant change in elevation may lead to mild symptoms of altitude sickness.

It is common to experience insomnia, nausea, headaches, and exhaustion. Therefore, we suggest each of our guests to rest in their rooms before taking any touring journey around the city.

We also encourage you to give importance to hydration especially to drink lots of electrolyte drinks. With these actions, the conditions often disappear within a few hours. If you take Diamox before entering Paro, it can aid in your acclimatization process.

Accommodation, Food, and Drinks

Bhutan is not only taking measures to retain its cultural richness and architectural heritage but it is also on the path of continuous growth. Once unreachable to tourists, this country has today wide selection of lodgings: from cheap hotels and guest houses to the finest resorts and five-star luxurious hotels.

During our Bhutan highlights tour, we have managed for you to stay at a government-sanctioned three-star hotel with private baths and a hot shower. A single with double beds has to be shared in a pair.

Our program also facilitates three meals a day for you: Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Chili here is the vegetarian favourite and rice is the staple diet.

The most commonly consumed meats in Bhutan are pork, beef, or chicken, and the most commonly used vegetables in their dishes are spinach, pumpkin, tomatoes, onions, or green beans.

Their most famous dishes are ema datshi, a mixture of chili and Bhutanese cheese; paksha paa, pork seasoned with red chili; jasha maru, chicken lightly spiced with tomato and vegetables. In the hotels of the larger cities, you can find a wider variety of dishes other than Bhutanese cuisine.

Transportation

You will experience the impenetrable beauties of four iconic cities of Bhutan: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Phobjikha, with our Bhutan Highlights tour.

For all your comfortable experiences during the tour, we have managed all your transfers in private transport accompanied by a competent Bhutanese guide and driver throughout your adventure. This includes convenient airport transfers as well.

Please note that you will need to arrange and cover the cost of your flights to and from Paro.

Dialects in Bhutan

The dialect used in Bhutan closely resembles to Tibetan language but Dzongkha serves as its national language. Several other dialects are also spoken by its people such as Hindi and Nepali.

With a literacy rate of 72.1%, a significant population also can write and speak in English. Assamese language is also spoken in its eastern part, especially by the population of the mountain tribes.

Use of Currency and Credit Cards

Bhutan’s unit of currency is called the Ngultrum (Nu for short). Indian rupees are accepted almost in every shops, cafes, almost everywhere. It is because India is Bhutan’s major trade partner. You can spend US dollars, or exchange them for the local currency. One US dollar is equal to about 83.86 Nu as of now.

There are currency exchange counters in Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha, but it is better to exchange your money at Paro Airport for the best rates. Remember to keep your receipt, as you will need it if you wish to convert any leftover local or Indian currency at the airport later.

There are ATMs in the larger cities of Bhutan, although they do not always work, nor do they allow you to withdraw large amounts.

Credit cards are accepted in larger stores and hotels, but be aware of the hefty commissions that will apply when you use them.

How to get to Bhutan?

The usual way to get to Bhutan is by air, although there is also the possibility of doing so by land.

By Air

There are only two airlines that serve Bhutan, Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines that fly to Bhutan from:

• India: Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Gauhati and Mumbai
• Nepal: Kathmandu
• Thailand: Bangkok
• Singapore: Changi
• Bangladesh: Dhaka

By Land

If you wish to travel overland, you could enter and exit Bhutan through its southern entrance at Phuentsholing in the Indian state of West Bengal. Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar are the only land border areas for tourists to access Bhutan by land.

Communication, Electricity, and Internet

Your cell phone may or may not get service in Bhutan, which has been carefully embracing technology and telecommunications, being the last country in the world to legalize TV, in 1999.

The Internet came soon after that, and now about 85% of the population has a cell phone, usually with data. Facebook, WhatsApp, and Chinese WeChat are just as big here as elsewhere.

Wi-fi is available in most hotels and at higher-end coffee shops in Paro and Thimphu. If you need to stay connected, ask your guide to help you buy a Bhutanese SIM card from TashiCell or B-Telecom.

You can also buy an eSIM in advance from anywhere in the world. The advantage is that it is activated remotely using a QR code, so you can have internet from the moment you set foot in Paro airport.

If you bring a lot of electrical appliances, bring a plug with several USB charging ports, because the rooms will not have many plugs.

Required Documentation and Cost For Bhutan Highlights Tour

For the Bhutan highlights tour, you must have two documents (passport and visa) and pay the Sustainable Development Fee.

• Passport: must have the validity of six months or more.
• Photo: Two recent Passport sized
• Visa: This is processed by a registered travel agency (like us) and costs 40 USD. Like in Nepal, it is not possible to obtain a Visa upon arrival at the airport.
• Sustainable Development Fee: The government of Bhutan imposes a fee of 100 USD per person per day. We as your trusted partner have included this fee in our total itinerary cost. The price of this fee was 200 USD until 2023, when the government reduced it by half, in order to attract post-pandemic tourism.

Rules and Regulations for entry to Bhutan

Please remember, you can enter Bhutan as an independent visitor like in Nepal. Only Indians, Maldivians, and Bangladeshis are permitted without a Visa in Bhutan.

We therefore must acquire a tourist visa in advance which can only be applied through the certified travel and tour agency like us and not through the embassies or consulates.

At least 15 office days are essential for the processing of Visa, therefore, reserve our tour and send us your documents at least 15 days to a month before your departure date.

Once we have your documents, we will submit your papers to our Bhutan tour operator who will then present them to the Bhutan Tourism Department for their approval.

After the approval, they will issue an invitation and Visa at the Paro Airport valid for 15 days (extension of 15 more days possible).

Local Law of Bhutan

In Bhutan, tobacco regulations are very strict, with some restrictions applied in its purchase and sale. Its production, its sale to minors, and its consumption around Dzongs, schools, hospitals, and other heritage sites are prohibited.

However, there are some sites where you can freely smoke cigarettes. You can bring 200 cigarettes with you for which you should be ready to pay 200% tax and import duty.

Alcohol, beer, wine, and other beverages are freely available in bars, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.