Once your trip is confirmed, the Department of Immigration will issue an e-visa clearance and send it to you electronically. This clearance number is mandatory -you will not be allowed to board your flight to Bhutan or enter the country without it.
Paro is home to Bhutan’s only international airport, located at an altitude of 2,235 meters above sea level and surrounded by mountains. It is about an hour’s drive from the capital city, Thimphu. Until Bhutan Airlines began operations in 2013, Druk Air was the only airline operating in the country.
Best time to visit Bhutan.
Spring & autumn months – March, April, May, October, & November. These months offer pleasant weather, clear skies, and excellent visibility, making them perfect for trekking, sightseeing, & photography.
July and early September are typically the wettest months. However, even this period has its unique charm. The monsoon rains bring the valleys to life, carpeting the landscape in lush greenery. It’s a time when Bhutan’s terraced rice fields flourish, and you can witness the vibrant rural life—farmers ploughing, sowing, and children playing in the fields. It’s a beautiful and serene experience for those who appreciate nature’s rhythm.
Payment and Tariff
All international visitors to Bhutan are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person, per night. For Indian nationals, the SDF is INR 1,200 per person, per night.
All international visitors to Bhutan are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person, per night. For Indian nationals, the SDF is INR 1,200 per person, per night.
Exemptions & Discounts:
Indian day tourists who do not travel beyond the first designated location (i.e., the border town of Phuntsholing) are exempt from the SDF. Children under 5 years of age are exempt from the SDF. Children aged 6 to 12 years receive a 50% discount on the applicable SDF.
24-Hour Stay in Phuentsholing
Phuentsholing serves as the main gateway to Bhutan for many international visitors arriving by road from India.
Tourists may stay within the designated Phuentsholing border area for up to 24 hours without paying the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). This allows visitors to explore the town, enjoy local attractions, shop, dine, and experience Bhutanese hospitality before continuing their journey into the country.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
The SDF becomes applicable when tourists travel beyond the designated border area and proceed further into Bhutan. Visitors planning to explore other destinations such as Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Bumthang, Gangtey, and other regions must complete the required travel formalities and pay the applicable SDF.