Bhutan Helicopter Services
Soar over monasteries, valleys and virgin peaks — Arise Bhutan arranges scenic flights and point-to-point charters with RBHS as part of your itinerary.
Enquire About a CharterRooted at Paro, Reaching All of Bhutan
Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services (RBHS) took its first flight on 11 November 2015, timed to mark His Majesty the Fourth King's 60th birthday. Flying two Airbus H130 helicopters out of Paro Airport's original hangar, the fleet has since carried thousands of passengers over more than 1,500 flight hours — from first-time visitors chasing a view of Tiger's Nest to villagers who'd otherwise face a multi-day walk to the nearest road.
Why Bhutan Depends on Rotor Wings
Bhutan's dzongkhags are separated by some of the steepest terrain on earth — Paro to eastern Trashigang can take two full days by road, and several valleys have no all-weather road at all. RBHS closes that gap: in its first six months of operation alone, the service airlifted more than 40 medical patients to hospitals in Thimphu, and it continues to support search and rescue, disaster relief, cargo runs and government transport alongside its scenic flights and charters. As the Department of Air Transport builds helipads across all 18 dzongkhags, that reach keeps growing.
Views No Ground Traveller Sees
Short scenic circuits over Paro that pair beautifully with any tour — perfect for a first or last morning in Bhutan.
Paro Valley Loop
A short scenic circuit over the Paro valley and Rinpung Dzong.
Tiger’s Nest & Drugyel Dzong
Aerial views of Taktsang Monastery clinging to its cliff, and the ruined Drugyel Dzong below.
Mount Jomolhari & Jangothang
Close-up views of Jomolhari (7,314m) and its base camp — terrain most travellers only see on a multi-day trek.
Add a Scenic Flight to Any Package
Charge is per trip, maximum 5 passengers — choose how much of the Jomolhari range you want to see.
30 Minutes
$2,500
per trip · up to 5 pax
- Paro Dzong
- Paro Valley
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery
- Drugyel Dzong
- Mount Jomolhari
- Stop at Jangothang
- Lingzhi Dzong
- Mount Jichu Drakey
60 Minutes — Most Popular
$5,000
per trip · up to 5 pax
- Paro Dzong
- Paro Valley
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery
- Drugyel Dzong
- Mount Jomolhari
- Stop at Jangothang
- Lingzhi Dzong
- Mount Jichu Drakey
90 Minutes
$7,500
per trip · up to 5 pax
- Paro Dzong
- Paro Valley
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery
- Drugyel Dzong
- Mount Jomolhari
- Stop at Jangothang
- Lingzhi Dzong
- Mount Jichu Drakey
Indicative pricing — Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services confirms the final rate, based on fuel and weather conditions, when Arise Bhutan books your charter.
Skip the Mountain Roads
One-way fares per helicopter, up to 5 passengers — contact us in advance so we can confirm your booking with RBHS.
From Paro
| Destination | Landing Spot | Flight Time | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haa | Imtrat Helipad | 12 min | $875 |
| Thimphu | Lungtenphu RBA Ground | 20 min | $1,458 |
| Punakha | Zomling Thang | 50 min | $3,646 |
| Gasa | Gasa Public Ground | 52 min | $3,792 |
| Laya | Langothang Village | 80 min | $5,833 |
| Trongsa | Sherubling HSS Ground | 80 min | $5,833 |
| Bumthang | Batpalathang Airport | 110 min | $8,021 |
| Manas | Manas Park Football Ground | 150 min | $10,938 |
| Trashigang | Kanglung | 168 min | $12,250 |
Regional Tours from Bumthang
| Tour | Route | Flight Time | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Lake Tour | Bumthang → Gomthang → Bumthang | 35 min | $2,552 |
| Traditional Textile Tour | Bumthang → Khoma → Bumthang | 50 min | $3,646 |
| Royal Manas Wildlife Tour | Bumthang → Manas → Bumthang | 80 min | $5,833 |
| Merak-Sakteng Tour | Bumthang → Sakteng → Merak → Bumthang | 107 min | $7,802 |
All fares are one-way, per helicopter — pair a flight in with a road journey out, or book the return leg the same way.
Medical Evacuation
RBHS provides emergency medical evacuation from remote trekking routes and dzongkhags. We strongly recommend travel insurance that explicitly covers helicopter evacuation for any trekking itinerary — see the inclusions and exclusions on each of our trek packages.
Add a Helicopter Flight to Your Bhutan Trip
Tell us which route or scenic flight you're interested in and we'll check availability and pricing with RBHS.
Contact Arise Bhutan