Travel Info

Tourism Council of Bhutan

Bhutan’s tourism industry is relatively young compared to most countries. The industry was initiated on the coronation day of the 4th king in 1974.

The privatisation of the industry in 1991 was regulated and facilitated by the Tourism Authority of Bhutan.

Having only 287 tourists in 1974 and 21,000 Tourists In 2007. Now Bhutan is host to 300,000 tourists yearly.

This growth in the sector came with realisation that Bhutanese tourism needed a multisectoral approach, hence in 2008 the Department of Tourism also known as TCB the Tourism Council of Bhutan was granted full autonomy and is the official government body who take charge of all matters related to tourism in Bhutan.

Travelling to and in Bhutan

Independent travel is scarce in Bhutan and limited to the boundaries of two districts(Thimphu, Paro), through a private tour you have the ability and convenience to navigate Bhutan with the services of a guide, vehicle, and driver.

Fly into Bhutan on the national carrier of Drukair and Bhutan Airlines.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport – Paro International Airport – Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Druk Air flight schedule 2026
Bhutan Airlines flight schedule 2026

Bhutanese Etiquette

Entering into monasteries and temples in Bhutan require tourist to wear the national dress of Bhutan, the Gho for men and Kira for women.

Always walk around the watchtower in monasteries and dzongs in a clockwise direction.

You don’t need to remove your shoes to enter the dzong but there are few halls and courtyards where you are required to remove your footwear before entering.

Photography is prohibited in some areas. Be sure to ask or read the notice before taking pictures.

Tourism System
SDF

The Bhutanese policy for tourists is established as a high value, low volume. Therefore there is an effective sustainable development fee.

The SDF must be paid during the visa application
SDF for foreigners from 1st September 2023 till 31 August 2027(1 Person):

Age
SDF
13 and above
$100/day
6 – 12
$50/day
5 and below
N/A/day

All tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by Moenlam Travels directly or through a local travel agent. The visa will be processed by the Department of Immigration once the full payment of your holiday(including a $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received by Moenlam Travels.
Subsequently the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.

Required documents to send to Moenlam Travels:

  • Clear scanned digital copy of your valid passport.
  • A recent digital passport photo.
  • Valid travel insurance for the duration of your travel.
  • Arrival and departure dates.
  • Your passport with at least 6 months validity at the point of arrival in Bhutan.
  • At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.

Accommodation
Our Picks

Paro:
Spirit of Bhutan Resort
Kyichu Resort
Himalayan Keys Forest Resort
Hotel Valley View
Namsey Chholing Resort
The Village Lodge

Phobjikha Valley:
Hotel Dewachen
Kichu Resort
Punatsangchhu Cottages
Gakling Lodge

Punakha:
Hotel Zangtho Pelri
Dhumra Farm Resort
White Dragon Hotel
Y.T Hotel
Hotel River Valley
Damchen Resort
Singye Lodge

Thimphu:
Tara Phendeyling
Tashi Yid Wong Grand
Kisa Hotel
Tashi Yoedlin
Capital Hotel

Trashigang:
Kelling Lodge
Lingkhar Lodge
Druk Deothjung Resort

Samdrup Jongkhar:
Hotel Peljorling
Hotel TLT
Friends Hotel
Tashi Longched Trokhang Hotel

Bumthang:
Rinchenling Lodge
Mountain Lodge
Jakar Village Lodge
Swiss Guest House Wangdichholing Resort Wangdichholing hotel
Hotel Home
River Lodge
Pelling Hotel
Kaila Lodge
Gadhen Resort
Leki Guest House

Wangduephodrang:
Gaklin Resrott
Tashiling Lodge
Dragon Nest Resort

Phuentsholing:
Hotel Druk
Hotel Phuentsholing
Central Hotel
Park Hotel
Legphel Hotel

Trongsa:
Phuenzi Guest House
Norling lodge
Yangkhil Resort

Mongar:
Newlee Hotel
Druk Zhongkhar Lodge
Hotel Wangchuk 
New Lee Hotel
Samling Hotel.

Homestay:
Feel like a proper Bhutanese and live with local villagers in and around Bhutan. Homestays are common in areas where hotels are scarce and also in areas where there are an abundance of hotels. Homestays offer tourists an authentic village experience.

Cook with the host family, enjoy village feasts and partake in the traditional way of life of the locals.

All homestays listed by Moenlam Travels are certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan and are safe, secure and amazing.

Activities in Bhutan

  • Glamping – Glamorous Camping
  • Helicopter rides by Drukasia
  • Camping
  • Gasa Hot Springs
  • Fly Fishing
  • Feeding Cat fish
  • Bird Watching
  • Archery
  • Trekking
  • Yoga/meditation
  • Hot stone bath
  • Cycling
  • River rafting
  • Shopping
  • Horse Riding
  • Rock Climbing
  • Kayaking

Trekking in Bhutan

Trek
Location(Start)
Duration
Level
Khamsum Chorten Hike
Punakha Town
2 Hours
Hard
Gangtey Nature Hike
Wangdue Phobjikha
3-4 Hours
Easy
Taktsang Goemba Hike
Paro
4-6 Hours
Moderate
Dochula to Lungchutse Lhakhang Hike
Thimphu
3-4 Hours
Easy
Ngang Lhakhang to Tahung Hike
Bumthang
6 Hours
Moderate
Nub Tshona Pata Trek
Haa Valley
6 Days
Moderate
Druk Path Trek
Paro
6 Days
Hard
Nabji Korphu Trek
Trongsa
7 Days
Easy
Merak Sakteng Trek
Trek Start from Merak, Trashigang
7 Days
Hard
Druk Path Trek
Paro
8 Days
Easy
Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
Thimphu
8 Days
Moderate
Jomolhari
Drugyel/Paro
12 Days
Hard
Soi Yaksa Trek
Paro
12 Days
Moderate
Laya Gasa Trek
Paro
17 Days
Hard
Snowman Trek
Paro
30 Days
Hard

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation may also depend on third party service providers not limited to such as hotels, reservations, activities

Tour Cancellations after payment
Fine
Fine flight
30 days prior to the start of the tour
No penalty, except wire charges
$50 administration fee + 10% of flight + wire charges
25 days prior to the start of the tour
10% of SDF
30% of flight
15 days prior to the start of the tour
10% of SDF
9 days prior to the start of the tour or without notice
10% of SDF
55% of flight
3 days and less
30% of SDF(Date change acceptable)
100% of flight. (Date change acceptable)
Tour cancel after arrival in Bhutan
Non refundable 100% of package

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note* if you can’t pick activities or accommodations, we would be glad to recommend you after you contact us through this form