Photo: DoT, Bhutan
Bhutan continues to be a much sought-after travel destination. It regularly features as one of the best places to visit in travel publications and specialist magazines. Bhutan is often misconceived as a difficult place to get to. Prior to the pandemic, over 270,000 tourists visited Bhutan each year, and the number of visitors has been increasing in the last decade as infrastructure has improved, including the opening of a new airline.
The tiny kingdom, nestled in the eastern Himalayas, has many attractions: rich culture and tradition, a pristine environment, avenues for nature-based activities such as trekking, walking, and bird-watching, and Bhutan's distinctive approach to development — Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is one of three carbon-negative countries in the world and is widely considered a leading sustainable travel destination.
Air travel and accommodation in Bhutan books up well in advance. We recommend planning at least six months ahead, and working with a Bhutan-based travel company to arrange your itinerary, visa, and logistics. Most international travel companies partner with local Bhutan specialists to do this.
For a first visit, a good mix of cultural activities and walking or trekking makes for the right foundation. Plan to attend one or a few of the festivals held in ancient monasteries and dzongs across the country. Bhutan is best experienced on foot, so incorporating a few days of village walks or trekking will reward you. If you have specific interests in nature or wildlife, a more tailored itinerary is easy to arrange.
The spring months of March, April, and May, and the autumn months of September, October, and November are the best times to visit. The weather is clear and warm, ideal for trekking and walking, and the most popular festivals fall during both seasons. That said, every season has its own character — summer brings lush green valleys, and winter offers snow-laden mountains and a quieter, more intimate Bhutan.
Bhutan rewards time. To thoroughly enjoy the country at leisure, a minimum of eight days is recommended. This gives enough time to explore Western Bhutan properly, including the road journeys that are themselves part of the experience. Domestic flights are also available between Bumthang in central Bhutan and Paro in the west.
Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines fly daily from New Delhi, Kathmandu, and Bangkok into Bhutan. There are also limited flights from Kolkata and Singapore. Entry by road via India is possible, and these border crossings are convenient if you are also visiting Sikkim, West Bengal, or Assam.