Bhutan
Tiger's Nest above Paro, Punakha Dzong at the river confluence, the 108 stupas of Dochula and the giant Buddha over Thimphu — a calm Himalayan kingdom with a special low fee for Indians.
Packages from ₹30,000 per person, indicative · full cost breakdown ↓
Bhutan tour packages
2 ready-made plans, every one customisable. Each has an indicative price, the highlights and a full day-by-day page.
Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
The essential Bhutan circuit, flying in and out of Paro: the capital, the Dochula pass and Punakha Dzong, and two nights in Paro with a day for Tiger's Nest.
Bhutan by Road via Phuentsholing
The favourite route for Gujarati families. You fly to Bagdogra, cross into Bhutan at Phuentsholing, and drive the full Thimphu–Punakha–Paro circuit without the expensive Paro flights.
Bhutan is a quiet, clean Himalayan kingdom of monasteries, prayer flags and fortress-monasteries called dzongs. Unlike most international trips, Indians need no visa and pay a much lower Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) than other visitors: ₹1,200 per person per night, against USD 100 for most nationalities. Every tourist travels with a licensed Bhutanese guide and vehicle, so the trip runs smoothly with very little planning on your side.
There are two ways in. You can fly to Paro from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra and a few other Indian cities, or fly to Bagdogra and drive through the border town of Phuentsholing, which adds two nights but saves on the costly Paro flights. The classic circuit is Thimphu, Punakha over the Dochula pass, and Paro, ending with the hike to Tiger's Nest. Hotels serve Indian vegetarian food readily, so food is easy.
What to see in Bhutan
Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery
Bhutan's icon, clinging to a cliff about 900 m above the Paro valley. The hike takes 5–6 hours up and back, and ponies go part of the way. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here on a tigress.
Punakha Dzong
Perhaps the most beautiful dzong, at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, especially when the jacaranda blooms in spring.
Dochula Pass
At 3,100 m on the Thimphu–Punakha road, with 108 memorial chortens and, on clear days, a sweeping view of the eastern Himalaya.
Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu
A giant golden seated Buddha on a hill above the capital, with thousands of smaller Buddhas inside.
Tashichho Dzong & Memorial Chorten
The seat of Bhutan's government and central monk body (visit in the evening), and the white stupa where Thimphu's elders circle and pray all day.
Paro Rinpung Dzong & National Museum
The 17th-century 'fortress on a heap of jewels', reached by the covered cantilever Nyamai Zam bridge, with the old watchtower museum above.
Chimi Lhakhang
The 'fertility temple' of the Divine Madman, a short walk through rice fields near Punakha.
Phuentsholing Gate
The ornate border gate where India's Jaigaon becomes Bhutan's Phuentsholing — an instant change of pace, and the start of the road into the hills.
Getting there from Ahmedabad
Via Bagdogra: fly Ahmedabad–Bagdogra with one stop in Delhi or Kolkata, then drive about 170 km (5 hours) to Phuentsholing. This is the most economical route and suits families who enjoy road journeys.
Via Paro: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly to Paro from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra and a few other cities. The landing among the mountains is spectacular. Seats are limited and fares are high, so book early.
All tourists, Indians included, must book through a Bhutan-licensed tour operator. The operator processes the entry permit, which is linked to your confirmed hotels and guide.
Getting around. Every tourist travels with a licensed Bhutanese guide and a Bhutan-registered vehicle. Indian vehicles normally stop at the border for tourist trips. Roads are winding and speeds are low, so plan around 30 km an hour. Guides and vehicles work fixed daytime hours.
When to go
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March – May | Pleasant (15–25°C in the valleys), with rhododendrons and jacaranda in bloom and the Paro Tshechu festival. One of the two best seasons. |
| Monsoon | June – August | Green and quiet with afternoon rain. Mountain views are often hidden and the Phuentsholing road can have landslide delays. Rates are lower. |
| Autumn | September – November | Clear skies, the Thimphu Tshechu festival and the best mountain views. It's the peak season, and festival weeks carry surcharges. |
| Winter | December – February | Cold, near or below freezing at night in Thimphu and Paro, but very clear. Punakha stays mild. Dochula can get snow. |
Permits, rules and packing
Indian nationals don't need a visa. A permit is issued against a valid Indian passport (at least 6 months' validity) or an original Voter ID card. Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence and e-Voter ID printouts are not accepted. Children without a passport need an original birth certificate in English and a school ID with photo. Indians pay an SDF of ₹1,200 per person per night, with half for children aged 6–12 and none for under-5s, and it's included in our packages. Rules on documents are tightening, so a passport is the safest choice. We confirm current requirements with our Bhutan partner when you book. Documents are needed at least 10 working days before travel.
What to pack
- Passport (preferred) or original Voter ID, plus photocopies and passport photos
- Warm layers for Thimphu and Paro evenings in every season, and a heavy jacket in winter
- Good walking shoes and a stick for Tiger's Nest
- Modest clothing for dzongs and temples, with long sleeves and full-length trousers or skirts, and no caps inside
- Personal medicines and motion-sickness tablets for the winding roads
- Indian rupees in smaller notes are accepted at par with the ngultrum; carry some cash as cards aren't accepted everywhere
Veg and Jain food in Bhutan
- Hotels in Thimphu, Punakha, Paro and Phuentsholing serve North Indian vegetarian buffets as standard, because Indian travellers are a big share of guests.
- Try the Bhutanese vegetarian dishes: ema datshi (chillies in cheese), kewa datshi (potato and cheese) and red rice.
- Jain meals are possible with advance notice at most hotels. Mention it when booking.
- Bhutan restricts tobacco, and most of the country is meat-light, so vegetarian travellers find it very comfortable.
What a Bhutan trip costs from Ahmedabad
Indicative per-person land costs on twin sharing, including SDF, guide, vehicle, and breakfast and dinner, excluding flights, GST and TCS.
3★ hotels, 5 nights via Paro or a shared vehicle for 6–8 people
Good 4★ hotels, 5 nights via Paro or 7 nights by road for 4 people
Deluxe 4★ and 5★ hotels (Taj, Le Méridien, Dhensa class)
Where the money goes
- Flights: Ahmedabad–Bagdogra return usually costs ₹12,000–22,000 per person. Paro flights from Delhi or Kolkata cost much more, often ₹25,000–45,000 return.
- SDF: ₹1,200 per person per night for Indians, so ₹8,400 each for a 7-night trip. It's included in our prices.
- Vehicle size: 2 people use an SUV, 3–5 a Hiace van, and larger groups a bigger coach. Groups of 4–8 get the best per-person price.
- Festival (Tshechu) dates and the Christmas–New Year gala dinners carry surcharges.
Prices are indicative for 2026 and change with dates, group size and hotel choice. We confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Travelling with parents and children
- Tiger's Nest is a steep 5–6 hour hike. Elders and small children can go by pony to the halfway café, which has a great view of the monastery, and wait there.
- The road via Phuentsholing involves two long, winding drive days, so carry motion-sickness tablets and snacks.
- Bhutan is very safe and relaxed, which makes it one of the best first international trips for children.
- Dress modestly for dzongs, where full sleeves and long trousers or skirts are required. Guides will ask you to remove caps.
- Book early for October and for Diwali and Christmas school holidays, when Indian travel to Bhutan peaks.
Questions families ask us about Bhutan
How much does a Bhutan trip cost from Ahmedabad?
Value ₹30,000 – 40,000, Comfort ₹40,000 – 55,000, Premium ₹60,000 – 1,10,000. Indicative per-person land costs on twin sharing, including SDF, guide, vehicle, and breakfast and dinner, excluding flights, GST and TCS. Prices are indicative and change with your dates, group size and hotel choice — we confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Do Indians need a visa or passport for Bhutan?
No visa is needed. The entry permit is issued against a valid Indian passport (at least 6 months' validity) or an original Voter ID card. Aadhaar, PAN and e-Voter ID printouts are not accepted. A passport is the safest choice, and we confirm current rules when you book.
How much is the SDF for Indians?
₹1,200 per person per night. Children aged 6–12 pay half, and under-5s are exempt. It's included in all our Bhutan packages.
Is a guide compulsory in Bhutan?
Yes. Tourists must travel with a licensed Bhutanese guide and a Bhutan-registered vehicle arranged by a licensed operator. It's included in the package and makes the trip very easy.
Should we fly to Paro or go by road?
Flying to Paro saves two days but costs more and has limited seats. Going by road via Bagdogra and Phuentsholing takes two more nights but costs less and shows you the change from plains to mountains. Most families with more than a week choose the road.
Can senior citizens do the Tiger's Nest hike?
The full hike is steep and takes 5–6 hours, so it isn't recommended for most elders. Ponies go to the halfway café, which has an excellent view of the monastery, and that's a good option for parents.
What is the best time to visit Bhutan?
March–May and September–November. Winter is cold but very clear, and the monsoon (June–August) is green and quiet but cloudy.
Ready to plan Bhutan?
Send us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a day-by-day plan, hotel names and a price — usually within 24 hours.