Eight plates of Bhutan — Paro and the cliff-perched Tiger's Nest, the quiet capital Thimphu, Punakha's great dzong at the river fork, Phobjikha's valley of black-necked cranes, Bumthang's heartland of the founding lamas, the Haa hidden corner. Government-mandated daily fees, our local partner offices in Thimphu, all permits and tourism deposits handled.
Do I need a visa to visit Bhutan?
Yes. All foreign visitors (except Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals) require a tourist visa, processed only through a Bhutanese-licensed tour operator. Indians need a permit on arrival. We handle visa and permit applications for all nationalities.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee?
Bhutan charges a daily $100 SDF (USD 100 per person per night for most nationalities; INR 1,200 for Indians). This goes to free education, healthcare, and conservation. Our tour cost includes the SDF.
When is the best time to visit Bhutan?
March-May for rhododendron and clear skies; September-November for crisp post-monsoon mountain views and the great Thimphu Tshechu festival. Winter (December-February) is dry and quiet, with snow at higher elevations.
Is the Tiger's Nest hike difficult?
It's a 3-4 hour ascent (700m gain) on a well-graded trail with a teahouse at the halfway point. Most reasonably-fit travellers complete it; we adjust the pace and add an overnight in Paro before for acclimatisation.
The Himalayan Guru, custom Himalayan journeys, founded by The Himalayan Guru atelier in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Phone +91 99066 66698, email hello@thehimalayan.guru.