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Bhutan FAQ – SD Travels
  • About Bhutan
  • Visas & Entry
  • Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
  • Planning Your Trip
  • During Your Trip
There are 19 languages spoken in Bhutan, with Dzongkha as the national language. English is widely spoken and understood throughout the country.
Bhutan is a year-round destination with four seasons: spring (March to May), summer (June to August), autumn (September to November) and winter (December to February). Spring brings nature in full bloom and is a favourite for trekking. Autumn offers bright, sunny days and the biggest festivals. Winter is crisp and clear with snow above 3,000 metres, and summer brings the monsoon, mostly affecting the south. Because of the range of altitudes, the climate varies a lot by region. Tell us what you want to experience and we will recommend the best months for your itinerary.
Bhutan's currency is the ngultrum (Nu.), pegged 1:1 with the Indian rupee. Indian rupees and US dollars are also widely accepted.
Three plug types are used: British (type G), European (type C) and Indian (type D). We recommend bringing a universal adaptor that covers all three.
Bhutan's country code is +975. Add this to the beginning of any Bhutanese number when calling from abroad.
Yes. Visitors of all nationalities, except Indian nationals, require a visa before entering Bhutan. Indian nationals can enter with a permit using a valid Indian passport or voter ID card. When you book with SD Travels, we take care of the entire visa application on your behalf.
You don't need to. As part of your booking, SD Travels prepares and submits your visa application for you. All we need from you are clear passport scans and your travel details. We will confirm your visa before you fly.
A correctly submitted application is normally processed within five working days. There is a one-off processing fee of USD 40 per person, which we include and itemise in your trip invoice along with your Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
Your visa allows a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry.
Yes, provided the extension is applied for before your original visa expires. If you decide to stay longer, let your SD Travels guide know and we will arrange the extension and the additional SDF for the extra nights.
Indian nationals require a permit, which can be arranged in advance or at the point of entry. Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives require a visa, which can also be approved on arrival. We strongly recommend letting us arrange your documents before you travel to avoid queues at the border.
No, travel insurance is no longer mandatory for visiting Bhutan. However, we strongly recommend that all our guests travel with insurance covering medical care and trip disruption, as a sensible precaution.
Independent travel is permitted in Bhutan, but a certified guide is still mandatory for treks, monument visits and travel beyond border towns. Booking with SD Travels means your visa, SDF, guide, transport, accommodation and permits are all handled in one place, with local knowledge you won't find online.
The Sustainable Development Fee is a daily levy paid by all visitors to Bhutan. It funds free healthcare and education for the Bhutanese people, environmental conservation, cultural preservation and infrastructure. It is also why Bhutan remains uncrowded, carbon-negative and unlike anywhere else you will travel.
USD 100 per adult per night for international visitors. Children aged 6 to 11 pay USD 50 per night, and children under 6 are exempt. Indian nationals pay Nu./INR 1,200 per adult per night, with the same child concessions. SD Travels collects and remits the SDF as part of your booking, so there is nothing extra to arrange.
Yes. The SDF is refundable for any nights not spent in Bhutan, less any bank charges. If your plans change, SD Travels will process the refund request on your behalf; refunds are issued after your departure date.
Just ask us. Email or call SD Travels [contact details] and we will give you a clear, itemised quote covering SDF, visa fee and all trip costs with no hidden charges.
Bhutan's international airport is in Paro, served by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines with flights from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore, Dhaka, Kolkata and other regional hubs. SD Travels can book your Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines tickets as part of your package. Overland entry is also possible through Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.
Your SD Travels driver and guide will be waiting for you at Paro airport. Airport transfers are included in all our itineraries.
All your ground transport is included: a private vehicle with an experienced driver for the full trip. For longer distances, domestic flights to Bumthang, Yonphula or Gelephu can be added, and helicopter charters can be arranged for special itineraries.
Yes, a certified guide is mandatory in Bhutan, and honestly, it's the best part. Your SD Travels guide handles all permits and entries, keeps you safe at altitude, and opens doors to experiences you would never find alone. All our guides are fully certified.
No, all treks must be undertaken with a certified operator and guide. SD Travels arranges everything for our trekking guests: permits, camping logistics, cooks, ponies and safety equipment.
Everything from cosy farmhouse homestays to five-star luxury lodges. We work only with approved hotels and homestays, and match accommodation to your style and budget. Tell us what you prefer and we will build the itinerary around it.
Bhutan is one of the safest destinations in the world, with very little crime. The usual common sense applies to belongings. Be cautious around stray dogs, and during the monsoon (June to September) some roads can be affected by landslides; your guide and driver plan around conditions daily.
At Paro airport on arrival, at banks and larger hotels, or at authorised exchange counters in Thimphu. Your guide can take you whenever you need. You may bring up to USD 10,000 in cash into the country.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at ATMs, banks and most urban hotels and shops, though coverage thins out in rural areas. We recommend carrying some cash (USD, INR or ngultrum). Digital wallet apps like goBoB work well with a local SIM and are accepted almost everywhere; your guide will help you set one up if you like.
Most hotels have Wi-Fi. For reliable data on the road, we recommend a local SIM card (B-Mobile or TashiCell), available at the airport on arrival. Your guide can help you purchase and top up.
No formal rules for visitors. For temples, monasteries and dzongs, wear respectful smart-casual clothing covering shoulders to knees. Layers work best year-round; we send a full packing list with every confirmed booking.
Some monuments charge an entry fee while many are free. Children under 18 receive a 50% concession and under-5s enter free. All monument fees listed in your itinerary are included in your SD Travels package, and your guide handles every entry.
Thimphu's craft markets, the Textile Museum shop and farmers' markets are favourites for authentic, artisan-made pieces. Your guide knows where the genuine work is sold and will steer you away from imports.
Bhutan protects its heritage, so antiques and certain artefacts cannot be taken out of the country. Anything you buy new is fine, and where an export permit is needed for artefact-style purchases, we will arrange it for you.
Drone use requires an advance permit for both recreational and commercial flying. If aerial photography matters to your trip, tell us when booking and we will advise on the process and timelines.
Your SD Travels guide is with you throughout and is your first call for anything at all. You will also have a 24/7 emergency line to our Thimphu office [phone number]. For emergency services in Bhutan, dial 110 for fire, 112 for ambulance and 113 for police.
Tell us straight away, ideally while you are still in Bhutan so we can fix it on the spot. You can speak to your guide, call our office, or email [email]. We take every piece of feedback seriously.

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