Things to Do in Bhutan

About Bhutan

The first thing you notice is the pine resin on the breeze drifting down from the 7,000-metre peaks that shoulder Thimphu's valley. Then the sound — prayer wheels spinning outside Dechen Phodrang Monastery at 6 AM while monks debate scripture over butter tea that costs 25 BTN (30¢) a cup at the roadside stall above the post office. In Paro's old town, the smell of sun-dried yak cheese hits you before you reach the 17th-century dzong where the wooden floors creak under centuries of bare feet, and in Punakha the Mo Chhu River carries the scent of cardamom from the surrounding terraces. This is the only country that charges visitors a minimum daily package — currently 200 USD per person — which includes everything from hotels to guides, making it either the world's most expensive backpack destination or its best value luxury trip, depending on how you look at it. The catch? You can't just show up — every itinerary must be pre-approved, every hotel pre-booked through a licensed operator, which means you'll never get lost but you'll never stumble into that perfect hidden teahouse either. The reward for planning ahead is sharing Tiger's Nest Monastery with twenty tourists instead of two hundred, drinking ara with farmers whose families have distilled the corn liquor for four generations, and walking through pine forests where the only sounds are your boots on the needles and the distant ring of prayer bells. Bhutan makes you choose between freedom and access — and somehow the trade-off works.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Domestic flights between Paro and Bumthang cost 4,200 BTN ($50) with Druk Air and sell out weeks ahead — book when you lock your itinerary. The East-West Highway between Thimphu and Punakha is a white-knuckle three-hour drive through the Dochula Pass (3,100 metres) where the road narrows to one lane around prayer-flag-covered chortens. Your package includes a driver and Toyota SUV, but bring motion sickness pills — the switchbacks are relentless. Taxis in Thimphu charge 80 BTN ($1) for trips within the city, but drivers prefer locals and might quote double if you look fresh off the plane.

Money: Bhutan's currency is the ngultrum, pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee. Indian rupees circulate freely, but bring crisp 100-rupee notes — torn bills are rejected everywhere. ATMs in Thimphu and Paro accept international cards but dispense large bills that small shops can't break. Credit cards work at hotels and some tourist shops, but the weekend vegetable market in Thimphu is cash-only. Your daily package covers most expenses, but budget 500-1,000 BTN ($6-12) daily for incidentals like bottled water and monastery donations.

Cultural Respect: Never point your feet at anyone — sit cross-legged or tuck them behind you at monasteries. When entering dzongs, remove hats and sunglasses, and wear long sleeves with covered legs even in summer. Photography inside temples earns sharp rebukes from caretakers — ask first, always. The national dress (gho for men, kira for women) is required in government offices and school visits — your guide will arrange rentals for 800 BTN ($10) per day. Don't be surprised when locals greet you with 'Is the body well?' instead of hello — it's the traditional Bhutanese greeting.

Food Safety: Ema datshi — the national dish of chilies and cheese — ranges from pleasantly spicy to weapons-grade depending on the cook's mood. Start at Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant in Thimphu where they tone it down for visitors. Bottled water costs 25 BTN (30¢) everywhere, but the tap water in Thimphu and Paro is treated and generally safe — your guide will tell you which guesthouses have filtration. Street meat on skewers at the Saturday market looks tempting but skip it unless you enjoy 24-hour intestinal adventures. The best momos are at the tiny shop opposite the clock tower in Thimphu — 80 BTN ($1) for six, steamed in bamboo baskets that predate the owner's grandmother.

When to Visit

Spring (March-May) is the sweet spot — temperatures in the valleys hit 20-25°C (68-77°F) while the rhododendrons bloom across the mountains. Paro's famous Tsechu festival happens mid-March, drawing 5,000 BTN ($60) per day crowds and doubling hotel rates, but worth it for the masked dances in the 17th-century dzong. Autumn (September-November) mirrors spring temperatures but adds clear mountain views after the monsoon — expect 15-20°C (59-68°F) days and the Thimphu Tsechu in late September. Summer (June-August) brings the monsoon — 300mm of rain in July alone, temperatures around 25-30°C (77-86°F), and leeches on hiking trails. The upside? Your 200 USD daily package drops 30% as crowds vanish, and the valleys turn impossibly green. Winter (December-February) sees -5°C (23°F) mornings in Thimphu but clear, crisp days perfect for photography — the snow-dusted Tiger's Nest is postcard-perfect, though high passes close and domestic flights face frequent delays. Budget travelers should target March or October shoulder seasons — hotel rates drop 25% from peak and the weather cooperates. Luxury seekers will find January quietest at top properties like COMO Uma Paro, where suites that cost 1,200 USD in October drop to 900 USD. Families avoid July-August monsoons unless your kids enjoy mud-slick hikes and indoor days. Solo travelers get the best guides (and best prices) during November's low season, when operators compete for the few bookings available.