Bhutan Travel FAQ

The Sustainable Development Fee is Bhutan's mandatory daily visitor levy. It is currently USD 100 per person per night for international tourists (excluding citizens of India, Bangladesh, and Maldives, who pay BTN 1,200 per night — approximately USD 14). The SDF directly funds Bhutan's free universal education, free healthcare, and environmental conservation programmes — the pillars of Gross National Happiness. Arise Bhutan calculates and includes the full SDF in all package prices, so there are no surprise costs on arrival.

Yes. Citizens of India, Bangladesh, and Maldives pay a reduced SDF of BTN 1,200 (approximately USD 14) per person per night — significantly less than the USD 100/night international rate. Regional visitors also do not require a pre-arranged visa but must carry a valid passport or Indian government-issued voter ID. They still require a licensed Bhutanese tour operator to arrange permits and SDF payment. Arise Bhutan handles all SDF processing for both regional and international visitors.

Bhutan visa applications must be submitted by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator — individual applications are not accepted. The process: (1) Book your tour and provide passport details to Arise Bhutan. (2) We submit your visa clearance application to the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). (3) TCB typically approves clearance within 3–7 working days. (4) Visa clearance is emailed to you to present at Paro Airport for the official visa stamp on arrival. We recommend finalising bookings at least 3 weeks before travel to allow ample processing time, especially during peak season (March–May and September–November).

No — Bhutan does not offer visas on arrival for most nationalities, and there is no direct public visa application portal. All international tourist visas must be arranged exclusively through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. The visa stamp is placed in your passport upon landing at Paro International Airport once your clearance letter is verified. Arise Bhutan manages the entire visa process as part of every package — you will have your clearance confirmation well before boarding your flight.

Paro International Airport (PBH) is Bhutan's only international airport. Flights are operated by: (1) Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) — the national carrier, flying from Bangkok (BKK), Delhi (DEL), Kolkata (CCU), Kathmandu (KTM), Mumbai (BOM), Singapore (SIN), and Dhaka (DAC). (2) Bhutan Airlines — flying from Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, and Kathmandu. Most international travellers connect through Bangkok, Delhi, or Kolkata. The Paro approach is one of aviation's most dramatic — pilots require special certification to land at this mountain-ringed airport. Arise Bhutan can assist with flight booking on request.

Bhutan has two main peak seasons: Spring (March–May) — mild temperatures, rhododendrons in full bloom across mountain passes, and the famous Paro Tshechu festival. Autumn (September–November) — the clearest mountain views of the year as monsoon dust settles, golden rice harvests, and the Thimphu Tshechu festival. Summer (June–August) is monsoon season — lush green valleys but some road closures. Winter (December–February) is cold but uncrowded, with stunning clear skies and the unique Punakha Drubchen festival. Arise Bhutan guides operate year-round and can advise on the best timing for your interests.

Connectivity varies significantly. In Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha, 4G LTE coverage from Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell is generally reliable. Most 3-star and above hotels offer decent WiFi. In trekking areas like the Druk Path and Phobjikha Valley, connectivity drops to 2G or is absent. We recommend purchasing a local SIM card at Paro Airport on arrival (approximately BTN 300–500 including data). WhatsApp, Instagram, and most social platforms function normally. Some VPN services may experience throttling.

Bhutan's currency is the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN), pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee (INR is also widely accepted). ATMs are available in Paro and Thimphu and generally accept Visa and Mastercard, though per-transaction limits of BTN 10,000–20,000 apply. Credit card acceptance is improving in major towns but many local restaurants and all trekking areas are cash-only. We recommend arriving with USD 200–400 in cash as backup. Your Arise Bhutan guide can assist with currency exchange at official rate bureaus.

Most cultural tours stay between 2,200m and 3,200m — an elevation most visitors adapt to without medication. Tiger's Nest reaches 3,120m; Dochu La pass is 3,100m. For trekking itineraries, elevations of 3,800m–4,200m are common and acclimatization days are built into all Arise Bhutan trekking programmes. Mild symptoms (headache, mild fatigue) at altitude are normal — stay hydrated and ascend slowly. We recommend consulting your doctor about Diamox (acetazolamide) for trekking tours. All Arise Bhutan guides are trained in altitude first aid.