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Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery on its cliff above the Paro valley

Bhutan

The Himalayan kingdom of dzongs, prayer-flag passes and cliff-top monasteries, right next door to Sikkim and North Bengal.

Bhutan borders Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, which makes it an easy addition to a North East holiday. Its fortress-monasteries (dzongs), prayer-flag passes and carefully protected forests give it a character all its own. Most first visits cover the western valleys of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, with the Phobjikha Valley added for its wide glacial landscape and the black-necked cranes that winter there. Bhutan follows a "high value, low volume" approach to tourism: every visitor needs an entry permit and pays a Sustainable Development Fee, both arranged as part of your itinerary.

Note

An entry permit and the Sustainable Development Fee apply to all visitors (Indian nationals can use a passport or voter ID). A licensed Bhutanese guide is required beyond Thimphu and Paro.

Best Season

March to May, September to November

Nearest Airport

Paro International Airport

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Destinations in Bhutan

Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery with prayer flags in the foreground

Bhutan

Paro

The valley of Bhutan's international airport, Rinpung Dzong and the cliff-top Tiger's Nest monastery.

Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu against forested hills

Bhutan

Thimphu

Bhutan's capital, home to Tashichho Dzong, the giant Buddha Dordenma and the National Memorial Chorten.

Punakha Dzong beside the river with jacaranda trees in bloom

Bhutan

Punakha

Bhutan's old capital, where Punakha Dzong stands between two rivers, reached over the Dochula pass.

Farms and forest across the green Phobjikha Valley

Bhutan

Phobjikha Valley

A wide glacial valley in central Bhutan and the winter home of the endangered black-necked crane.