Bhutan operates a High Value Low Impact tourism policy requiring all visitors except Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals to book through licensed tour operators and pay a Sustainable Development Fee. The fee stood at USD 200 per night as of September 2023, increased from the previous USD 65 to limit visitor numbers and fund infrastructure. Independent travel is not permitted for most nationalities. All arrangements including accommodation, transport, guide, and meals must be paid before arrival through the registered operator who submits documentation to the Tourism Council of Bhutan for visa clearance.
Paro International Airport receives flights only from a handful of airlines including Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Runways sit at 2,225 meters elevation in a narrow valley requiring specialized pilot training and visual approach procedures. Weather frequently disrupts schedules. Flights connect through Kathmandu, Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore, and Dhaka. The southern border towns of Phuentsholing and Gelephu offer land entry points from India with connections to Bagdogra and Guwahati airports. The drive from Phuentsholing to Thimphu takes six to seven hours covering 170 kilometers on mountain roads.
No rail network exists in Bhutan. All internal transport relies on roads where distances measure in hours rather than kilometers. Thimphu to Paro takes one hour covering 54 kilometers. Thimphu to Punakha requires three hours for 76 kilometers crossing Dochula Pass at 3,100 meters. Punakha to Trongsa spans four to five hours over 129 kilometers. Trongsa to Bumthang adds two hours for 68 kilometers crossing Yotong La pass at 3,425 meters. The east-west highway stretches 578 kilometers from Phuentsholing to Trashigang requiring multiple days. Landslides during monsoon months from June through August regularly close sections for hours or days.
The ngultrum pegs at parity to the Indian rupee. Both currencies circulate legally within Bhutan though rupees above 100 denomination face restrictions. ATMs function in Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha dispensing ngultrum. Credit cards see acceptance only at higher-end hotels and some shops in Thimphu. Cash remains necessary for most transactions. Banks operate Monday through Friday typically 9:00 to 16:00 with Saturday morning hours. The Bank of Bhutan and Bhutan National Bank maintain the widest branch networks.
Mobile networks operated by Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell cover western valleys adequately but drop in eastern regions and mountain passes. 4G reaches Thimphu and Paro with 3G in district towns. Tourist SIM cards require passport registration through operators or tour companies. WiFi functions in hotels and some restaurants in tourist areas though speeds rarely exceed basic browsing capacity. International calls cost approximately USD 0.50 per minute.
Electricity runs at 230 volts 50 Hz using D, F, and G type plugs. Power cuts occur regularly outside Thimphu particularly during winter when hydroelectric output drops. Most hotels provide backup generators. Tap water requires boiling or filtration throughout the country. Bottled water sells widely though plastic reduction campaigns encourage reusable bottles.
Thimphu holds two public hospitals including Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital with 350 beds. Paro and Punakha maintain smaller district hospitals. Traditional medicine institutes operate alongside allopathic facilities. Evacuation to Bangkok or Delhi becomes necessary for serious conditions requiring specialized treatment. Travel insurance including helicopter evacuation coverage is essential given terrain and infrastructure limitations.
Altitude sickness affects visitors rapidly given that Thimphu sits at 2,334 meters and most valleys range from 2,000 to 3,000 meters. Acclimatization requires at least two days before attempting high passes or treks. Dochula Pass crosses at 3,100 meters on standard tourist routes. Trek passes including Nyile La reach 4,870 meters and Gophu La extends to 4,440 meters. Winter temperatures in valleys drop to minus 10 Celsius with passes becoming significantly colder.
The standard tourist itinerary combines Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha over five to seven days. Extension to Bumthang adds three days minimum. Treks range from short day hikes to the 25-day Snowman Trek crossing eleven passes above 4,500 meters. The Druk Path Trek connecting Paro to Thimphu requires four to five days reaching 4,210 meters at Labana La. Spring months April and May offer rhododendron blooms with October and November providing clear mountain views and festival schedules.