7 Tips To Note When Planning A Trip to Bhutan | Druk Asia Blog

7 Tips To Note When Planning A Trip to Bhutan

Updated on 04 / May / 2023

Bhutan Monk

Take note of peak & non-peak periods

 

The peak tourist seasons in Bhutan are Spring: March - May and Fall: September - November. In particular, March, April, October and November are especially busy. If you're considering visiting during these months, it's best to book your tour package and flight tickets at least 3 months ahead to ensure your reservation.   

 

Back in 2010, Drukair tickets were sold out for 3 consecutive weeks, so to avoid disappointment, we'd advise you to plan ahead. More tourists tend to travel during this period as they are the ideal months for festivals and trekking, which are naturally big draws.

 

If you want to avoid the crowd of the peak tourist period, consider travelling during the non-peak period.

 

Read Best Time to Travel to Bhutan 

Cost difference between peak & non-peak periods

 

Although Bhutan has away with the minimum daily rate policy (MDRP) from September 2022, with the introduction of the new Bhutan Tourism Act 2022, there is still a cost difference for accommodation between peak and non-peak periods. Peak season can be as much as 50% different compared to non-peak seasons.

 

Read about Costing and Visa to Bhutan

Surcharge for groups of 2 travellers or less

 

Travelers intending to go alone or as a pair should note the price difference for singles or couples since most of Bhutan tours are private tours and a single traveller will still be assigned one licensed tour guide, a car and a driver. In most countries this is termed as FIT or single surcharge.

 

Bhutan Dzong

For your first trip to Bhutan

 

The most popular itinerary for a first time visitor to Bhutan is our 7-days Essential Bhutan. This private tour gives first time visitors the opportunity to visit the important sites in Bhutan and experience the warm hospitality afforded by the Bhutanese. Besides visiting sights like Tiger’s nest, Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang and Thimphu, visitors can also customize their trip to include Gangtey or a trek to Bumdra.

Know the seasons

 

It really depends on what you want to see and do. If you want to trek, April, May, September and October are the best months with optimum weather. Although it is colder, the skies are generally clear and blue, and most importantly, it won't be muddy. Do note that the monsoon season in Bhutan is from Mid Jun - Mid Sep and during this time, light rain (1-2 hours) in the morning is typical. Heavy downpours are rare, but we generally do not recommend trekking, unless they are short day hikes. 

 

Winter is a good time to catch the endangered black necked crane in their winter home, the Phobjika valley and summer is a wonderful time for mushroom picking (there's even a Matsutake Mushroom Festival) and to catch glimpses of (sometimes double) rainbows over the valleys. If you're there to seek solace or for spirituality reasons, anytime would be a good time to go.

 

Read our best time to visit Bhutan »

 

Bhutan Festival

Time your arrival during a Bhutanese Festival

 

There are numerous festivals occurring throughout the year in Bhutan, though the popular ones such as the Paro and Thimphu Tshechu happen during the high tourist season. Festivals in Bhutan usually showcase colourful dances in elaborate costumes, with Bhutanese in attendance dressed to their best and unsurprisingly, tend to be huge tourist draws.

 

Apart from religious festivals, there are a range of other festivals catering to other interests, such as the Punakha Festival, Black Necked Crane Festival, Royal Highlander Festival, Ura Matsusake Mushroom Festival and Haa Summer Festival, to name a few. If you're looking for a more intimate experience, consider going for a lesser known festival. *Friendly tip* These tend to provide better photo taking opportunities.  

 

The Dochula Pass Festival, also offers up a great chance to witness some of the royal family of Bhutan.

 

Check our Bhutan Festival Calendar for 2023

 

Consider a home stay

 

To be frank, this suggestion is often met with mixed response. Given the amount of money spent on the trip, many travellers want to unwind in the comfort of a hotel room. Others however, love the authenticity of staying with a local family and having the firsthand experience of what daily life is to a Bhutanese.

 

Some things to take note of if you're seriously considering this option: while some families have modern facilities, not all families have electricity or a hot shower - they may have to boil the water using firewood. What they lack in facilities however, they'll more than make up for with unparalleled hospitality.

 

See photos of homestay

 

End it in luxury

 

In Bhutan, much of your time will be spent in the car travelling from valley to valley and destination to destination. After driving through this beautiful country and possibly experiencing a homestay with a local family, consider ending your trip with a pampering, luxurious stay in a 5-star accommodation such as Uma Paro (where actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau got married) with their complimentary yoga sessions overlooking the charming Paro valley. Choose from their range of other holistic wellness programmes such as guided meditation, ayurvedic therapies or pampering massages. 

 

Luxury hotels include:
Uma Paro
Taj Tashi
Terma Linca
Amankora
Le Meridien
Six Senses

Bonus tips for our readers

 

- Most hotels have WiFi, but if you need more connectivity you can get a local SIM card from Tashi Cell or B-Mobile and top up with prepaid cards. Get a Bhutan Sim before you depart for Bhutan.

 

- The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, but most Bhutanese are fluent in English as that is the medium of education so communication shouldn't be a problem.

 

- The local currency is the Ngultrum, which is pegged to the Indian Rupee. Note: The Indian Rupee in denominations of 500 and 1000 are no longer accepted in Bhutan. 

 

- As the tour packages are prepaid, you'll only need money for your own personal expenses - souvenirs, tips (for driver & guide) and drinks. We normally recommend travellers bring about US$200

 

- There are ATMs in Bhutan, they do not work for international cards. It is recommended that your bring some cash which you can exchange at the FX counter at Paro Airport on arrival.

 

- Credit Cards are only accepted at the international hotel chains like Uma Paro, Six Senses Lodges in Bhutan, Amankora Lodges and Le Meridien Hotels.

 

- Previously banned in Bhutan in 2010, import of cigarettes and tobacco products are permitted again since 2021. Although its now legal to import and sell tobacco products, lighting up in public is still a no no at the moment. Lighting up should be discrete, and when at F&B outlets only at designated areas/rooms.

 

- Tuesdays are considered the national 'dry day,' with the sale of alcohol prohibited. 

 

- Do pack warm clothes, especially if you're travelling between the months of November and March. As a general tip, it would be wise to always have a jacket when travelling in Bhutan regardless of the seasons as you will experience huge changes in elevation, with certain valleys colder than others. It's best to be prepared!

 

- Prepare some of your own entertainment for the flight as well as trip. Bring some books to read and save movies to watch on your laptop or tablet. Apart from Thimphu and Paro, nightlife is non-existent and most hotels tend to be a distance away from the main town.

 

- Want to listen to music? The best radio stations for Western songs are 92, 965 and 99.9 FM. You can also enjoy the local music on other local stations on the radio.

 

- You can haggle in most shops but don't expect more than 10% discount. Generally speaking, prices between shops don't differ substantially.

 

- You don't have to tip in restaurants and hotels, unlike Western countries. The guide will take care of tipping on your behalf. However, do take note that you have to tip your guide.

 

- The roads tend to be windy so if you are prone to motion sickness, bring Dramamine or other medication to prevent nausea as you will be spending a lot of time in the car travelling around Bhutan.

 

- Bring along a multi-purpose electrical plug and a universal travel adapter. Most hotel rooms have limited electrical plugs, so it'll be wise to take along if you have many devices.

 

- When taking photos/filming inside Dzongs, monasteries, temples, or any religious institutions, check with your guide whether it is permitted as some areas do not allow it.    

 

Check out about DOs and DON'Ts in Bhutan 



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Planning to travel to Bhutan during a festival?

On popular dates of travel such as during festival time, flight tickets tend to get fully reserved 5 months prior. Due to limited flight and seats available, we recommend you to reserve your ticket as early as possible. You can reserve your ticket for free with us and plan your trip to Bhutan with a peace of mind knowing that you will have a spot on your flight to Bhutan.


 

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