Bhutan travel tips: from our Thimphu team
Before you travel to Bhutan, know four things: most visitors need a visa arranged before they fly, everyone pays a daily Sustainable Development Fee, you cover your arms and legs at dzongs and temples, and spring and autumn are the best seasons. It's also one of the safest countries you can visit.
Below is everything our team in Thimphu has written for first-time visitors, from day-by-day itineraries to what each month is like and how Bhutan compares with Nepal. For the paperwork, start with our Bhutan travel guide.
5 articles · updated · by our team in Thimphu
All travel tips articles
5 min read
Bhutan vs Nepal: which should you visit?
Choose Bhutan for quiet valleys, living Buddhist culture and a trip where everything is arranged for you. Choose Nepal for big-mountain trekking, jungle safaris, lively cities and travel on any budget. Nepal is cheaper day to day; Bhutan costs more, but most of it is included. And with a short flight between Kathmandu and Paro, many travellers do both.
Updated
4 min read
Bhutan in October: weather, festivals and trekking
October is one of the best months to visit Bhutan. The monsoon has gone, days are mostly dry and sunny, the mountains are clear, and the rice fields of Paro and Punakha turn gold. Expect roughly 10–22°C in Thimphu and 7–19°C in Paro, warmer in Punakha and cold at night in Phobjikha and Bumthang. It's peak season for trekking and festivals, so book early.
Updated
5 min read
Bhutan in December: weather, festivals and 10 reasons to go
December is cold in Bhutan, with freezing nights but mostly dry, sunny days and the clearest mountain views of the year. Thimphu and Paro range from about -2°C at night to 11–14°C by day, Punakha stays milder, and snow is possible on the high passes. It's also quiet, the black-necked cranes are in Phobjikha, and the Druk Wangyel Tshechu is held at Dochula every 13 December.
Updated
4 min read
Is Bhutan safe? A traveller's safety guide
Yes. Bhutan is one of the safest countries you can visit: violent crime is rare, petty theft is uncommon, and every international visitor travels with a licensed guide. The real risks are the ones mountains bring, such as altitude, winding roads and changeable weather, and they're easy to plan for. Here's what to know before you go.
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9 min read
Bhutan itinerary: 5, 7, 8 and 10 days, day by day
Five days is enough for Paro, Thimphu, Dochula and the Tiger's Nest. Seven or eight days adds Punakha and the Phobjikha valley at a comfortable pace, and ten days takes you on to Bumthang in central Bhutan. Below are the day-by-day routes we use for each length, with drive times and what to know before you choose.
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