Destination: Bhutan

Thimpu

Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is home to the royal family and combines the traditional with the modern. Explore its various attractions like Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Paper Factory, Druk Wangyal Chorten & Buddha Dordenma Statue. Visit the Centenary Farmers Market & spot the Takin, Bhutan’s national animal, at Motithang Takin Preserve. Thimphu also hosts the Tshechu, a four-day festival marked by Chams, or masked dances. You can explore the modern side of the city in its restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs, and shopping centers.

Punakha

Once the capital of Bhutan, Punakha is a naturally beautiful city located at an altitude of around 1200 meters and offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. The city is home to two rivers- Mo Chhu and Po Chhu, making the valley excellent for cultivation. Punakha is located at a distance of around 70 kilometers from Thimpu and boasts pleasant weather throughout the year. The city features plenty of slopes and the valley is excellent for enjoying trekking and mountain biking. River Rafting in Po Chhu is one of the most popular adventure activities in Bhutan. The city is also famous for its architecturally beautiful Punakha Dzong, which is the second oldest dzong in the country. Top tourist attractions in Punakha include Punakha Dzong, Punakha Suspension Bridge, Chimi Lhakhang, Po Chhu Suspension Bridge, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Talo Monastery and Lingkana Palace.

Wangdue Phodrang

One of the largest districts of Bhutan, Wangdue Phodrang boasts almost everything that a tourist yearns for. From stunning monasteries and sacred temples to rustic villages and exotic wildlife, the city is home to attractions that allure travelers to explore. The factor that makes the city different from others is its diverse topography, with subtropical forests in the south and snowy areas in the north. Wangdue Phodrang features numerous plants and animal species with Jigme Dorji National Park in the southeast and Wangchuck Centennial Park in the north.

The city is also home to rare animal species such as the red panda, blue sheep, snow leopard, and black bear. It is also rich in terms of flora with species such as blue poppy and rhododendrons. Spirituality seekers can visit many monasteries and temples dotted throughout the city. Nature lovers can head out for trekking on the beautiful trails in Wangdue Phodrang. Phobjikha Valley is another excellent place to visit for nature buffs as its boasts glaciers and is affluent in natural beauty.

Phuntsholing

The second largest town in Bhutan, Phuentsholing shares its borders with the Indian State of West Bengal. Serving as an entry point for travelers from Kolkata and Siliguri, it is an important economic hub of Bhutan. 

Phuentsholing is a town on the southern border of Bhutan, known for its modern architecture. It is a valuable trading centre of Bhutan, where Indians, Nepalese, and Bhutanese all come together to live and trade harmoniously in this town.

On your trip to Phuentsholing, you must visit Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, Karbandi Monastery, Bhutan Gate, and Kharbandi Goemba. Zangto Pelri Lhakhang is a small temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. An exquisite example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, the Bhutan Gate is the main gateway for entry from India. The Amo Chuu, which is the Crocodile Breeding Centre, breeds almost extinct species like Ghariyals and alligators. Karbandi Monastery or Karbandi Goemba is a temple with giant statues of Shabdrung Ngawang, Guru Rinpoche, and Shakyamuni Buddha. The temple has a rich history and offers a fantastic view.  This town is a must-visit if you want to experience a day or two of solidarity and peace.

Staying in Bhutan is definitively once in a lifetime experience. The kingdom is truly a nature’s paradise, having been blessed with an abundance of natural beauty everywhere. It is for this reason; Bhutan follows quite unique accommodation policies for its tourists. These policies are an endeavor by the Tourism Council to maintain the sanctity of the place and to keep it eco-friendly. In this paradisiacal place, international tourists have the opportunity to stay in hotels ranging from 3-star to 5-star along with an experience of staying in farms or homes of the locals.

Bhutan typically provides hotels with a minimum of 3-star ratings going up to 5 stars. Since all the hotels are approved by the tourism council, Bhutanese hotels maintain international standards and are clean and hygienic. They provide facilities ranging from television, room service, fitness centres, spa, wifi, and many more. The feeling of staying in these Bhutanese hotels having traditional architecture, amidst blissful nature is simply divine.

Three-star hotels in Bhutan offer value-for-money services along with the warm hospitality that the country is famous for. Some of the best 3-star staying places in Bhutan are:

3-Star Hotels in Thimphu

• Hotel Kisa
• Hotel Jumolhari
• Hotel Migmar
• Hotel Pedling

3-Star Hotels in Punakha

• Meri Puensum Resort
• Hotel Drubchhu
• Damchen Resort
• Hotel Vara

3-Star Hotels in Trongsa

• Yankhil Resort
• Phuenzi Lodge

3-Star Hotels in Bumthang

• Ugeyling Resort
• Peling Resort

3-Star Hotels in Paro

• Mandala Resort
• Dewachen Resort
• Janka Resort

Blended with world-class services and warm hospitality, the 4-star hotels in Bhutan offer tourists an unforgettable experience amidst the pristine and serene nature. Here are some top 4-star hotels in Bhutan.

4-Star Hotels in Thimphu

• Hotel Druk
• Ramada

4-Star Hotels in Trongsa

• Yankhil Resort
• Phuenzi Lodge

4-Star Hotels in Bumthang

• Yurghalling Resort
• Jakar Village Resort

4-Star Hotels in Punakha

• RKPO Green Resort

4-Star Hotels in Paro

• Naksel Boutique
• Resort and Spa Haven Resort

Only the places like Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, and Bumthang have 5* properties, while the rest of the country has a wide network of 3 & 4-star properties. Some of the best luxury hotels in Bhutan are:

5-Star Hotels in Thimphu

• Taj Tashi
• Le Meridien

5-Star Hotels in Trongsa

• Yankhil Resort
• Phuenzi Lodge

5-Star Hotel in Bumthang

• Yurghalling Resort

5-Star Hotel in Punakha

• Dhensa Boutique Resort and Spa – Suite

5-Star Hotel in Paro:

• Jr. Suite / Le Meridien

Tourists can also choose to stay in resorts which have now started getting some limelight in the country. The idea of staying in a resort coupled with a spa and modern amenities will certainly be an unforgettable experience.

Apart from these, Bhutan is also known for its farm stay options and it should definitely be a part of your itinerary. It is an experience of staying on the farms so as to witness Bhutanese farming. These farm stays provide insights into the lifestyle of the farmer and their daily chores. Not to forget the stay is inclusive of delicious homemade food and unmatched hospitality by the locals. Some farm stay options in Bhutan are Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Trashigang, Gubjithang in Punakha, and Dungtse Lhakhang.

Likewise, homestay options are also quite popular among tourists. Here as a tourist, you have the option of staying in a traditional home of a local family. All the homestay options are authorized by the council and are generally located in the countryside amidst greenery and scenic views.

A homestay option in Bhutan not only provides a glimpse into the daily lifestyle of locals but will also treat you to their delicious home-cooked meal. Some of the home stays are available are Haa Valley, Trashigang, and Bumthang. While both the farm stay and homestay provide limited amenities, they are quite sufficient to make it a memorable stay.

The Kingdom of Bhutan follows unique visa policies. With an intention of maintaining its ecological balance and protecting its environmental policies, the country limits the total number of visas to be issued in a year. This also ensures the tourists who visit the country enjoy the beauty to its fullest.

With respect to visas, all nationals except Indians, Bangladeshis and Maldivians require a visa to enter Bhutan (they require a permit available on arrival). To attain a visa, foreign nationals should book their travel either with a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or through an international travel agent.

Travellers have to send a photocopy of the photo page of their passport to the agent for the visa application. Visa gets processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, after the payment of visa fee of USD $ 40. It typically takes 3 days for the visa clearance process without which flights tickets cannot be booked. International tourists also need to pay a daily fee during their stay in Bhutan, which is USD $250 during peak season and USD $200 for low season. The daily package includes costs of accommodation, meals, transport and driver.

Mandatory Document: Photo Page of the Passport

Visa Fee: USD $ 40

There are two ways to obtain a permit for citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives

On Arrival: The permits are issued only at Paro Airport or at Phuentsholing. The following are the documents required for the permit:

• A duly filled form
• Itinerary on an A4 Sheet
• Photocopy of Passport/Voter ID Card
• Passport Size Photo
• Booked Hotel Voucher
• An Undertaking Letter(If you are travelling alone)

Online Permit is facilitated by The Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). The system facilitates the online processing of permits for tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB-certified hotels. Travellers using this facility are able to obtain their permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan.