Short Bhutan Tour

How does our trip start?

This Short Bhutan Tour starts with a short flight to Paro International Airport from Kathmandu. It will take us about an hour and twenty minutes to reach Paro from Kathmandu, and an hour and forty-five minutes if you are traveling on Sundays and Tuesdays. There are flights going to Paro every day of the week, so there is no shortage of flights, but sometimes it can get packed since there are only two airlines permitted to fly in and out of Bhutan.

Once we arrive at Paro, we will grab our bags and hit the road to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. This city will be our main focus of the Short Bhutan Tour since it offers a great deal of sites. This is how our trip will start.

Best seasons

In general, Bhutan can be visited at any time of the year, however, there are some seasons that offer better roaming conditions than others. The most popular time of the year is spring, you might have guessed this one. Spring is said to be the best time to visit Bhutan as this offers lush Magnolia, wildflowers, and Rhododendron blooms. In addition to that, the air quality is great with excellent visibility of the Himalayas up north.

The daytime temperature during this season ranges from 11°C to 23°C, with warm winds during the day and cool breezes during the night. You might also experience the Paro Tshechu festival if you schedule your Short Bhutan Tour just right.

Next up, we have the Autumn season, one of the best seasons for viewing the mountains and capturing pictures. This season offers the best visibility with deep blue, clear skies and an average temperature of 10°C to 21°C. This season is also full of festivals, including  Thimphu Tshechu, Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu, Jambay Lhakhang Drup, and more.

While winter is not much chosen by visitors, this season is still an option. However, the views might not be that great since it will be gloomy and cloudy for the most part. The average temperature during this season ranges from 8°C to 15°C, while the nighttime temperature can go well below 0°C.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

Throughout the Short Bhutan Tour, you will get to stay in 3-star hotels, which is the standard accommodation arrangement that we offer. If you want to one-up this, you can choose from the different 4-star and 5-star hotel options available in Paro and Thimphu. This arrangement is exclusive of the standard trek package. All your rooms will be on a twin-sharing basis, which means any two people in the group will share a room with two single beds. If you would like to stay in a private room, we can make it happen at a price.

Your breakfast options are pancakes, omelets,  with some kind of veggies, different types of flat bread, toasts, Bhutanese porridge, fruit bowl, etc. Meanwhile, your lunch and dinner options are Ema Datshi, Shakam Paa, Kewa Datshi, Jasha Maru, Phaksha Paa, Momo, Thukpa, etc. You will also find a bunch of different traditional curries and stir-fried veggies or tofu (with chili).

The Short Bhutan Tour package will cover 3 meals per day from day 1 to day 4, while any extra meals and any kind of drinks will be at your own expense. Non-vegetarian options are available at every eatery.

The most popular drink options are Suja, aka butter tea, black lemon tea, Ngaja (milk tea), Zumzin peach wine, Ara (local spirit), Local fruit wine, herbal tea, ginger tea, etc.

Transportation

This Short Bhutan Tour itinerary requires travelers to fly from Kathmandu to Paro, drive from Paro to Thimphu, drive back to Thimphu, and fly back to Kathmandu at the end of the tour. You will also travel in a private jeep/car during the sightseeing days. All of these transportation expenses will be covered by your standard trek package.

Visa/Permit

Before you get on the plane to Bhutan, you must have your tourist visa approved. In fact, you will not be able to board the plane without proof of a tourist visa. For this, you have to fill out an online application form, pay your visa fees, and send all the required documents to the immigration office’s email address. You will have your tourist visa approved within 5 business days after your application.

In addition to that, every international tourist except citizens of the Maldives, India, and Bangladesh is required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per day. The idea behind this approach is to promote high-value tourism with a low volume of tourists. The proceeds of this fee are used for conserving the natural beauty, preservation of cultural and historic sites, and developing the infrastructure.

Trip preparation

Preparing for this tour is simple, you just need to make sure that you have packed all your important and essential stuff. For some, essentials might be medicines, while some may need glasses or contacts. In general, you should not forget to pack sunhats, sunglasses, sunscreen, light breathable clothes, with a weatherproof jacket.

Cost & Budget

This Short Bhutan Tour is priced at USD _______ per person. Our standard package will include all your accommodation expenses, 3 meals per day, transportation expenses, welcome and farewell dinner, wages for the tour guide and drivers, and more.

Gadgets charging & Internet

Paro and Thimphu are the most developed cities of Bhutan, so you will get electricity 24 hours and the internet connectivity is very reliable with a wide range of coverage. You will have access to the internet in your hotel room, but you might have to rely on roaming data during your day tours.

Your Extra expenses

Expenses such as extra meals, upgraded accommodation, additional accommodation, visa fees, SDF fees, personal travel insurance fees, tips for the drivers and tour guide, etc., are your extra expenses.

Things to Remember Before Doing The Short Bhutan Tour

• Confirm your SDF and Visa payment before you board the plane to Paro. Unless you are Maldivian, Bangladeshi, or Indian, you will not be allowed to board the flight if you do not have your visa approval.
• You will be hiking over 6 km to get to the Tiger Nest Monastery, which requires a strong hiking boots. Sure, you can do it in regular shoes, but having a specific gear helps you a lot.
• If you are planning on flying a drone, you need to get a special permission from the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) of Bhutan.
• ATMs are available throughout the itinerary, but they are not always in working condition, so we recommend carrying a little bit of extra cash to prepare for the worst case.
• Always dress modestly while visiting religious and historic sites. As a rule of thumb, always cover your shoulders and knees.

Add-Ons

Upgrade Your Accommodation

There are many high-end hotels in Bhutan that offer a great deal of luxury, including but not limited to Six Senses Bhutan, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Le Meridien Thimphu, Norkhil Boutique Hotel & Spa, and more. Most of the luxury hotels in Bhutan are concentrated in Thimphu and Paro; the other parts of the country are free from deep Western influence, preserving the cultural integrity of each region.

In general, we will book you a room at a 3-star hotel that offers a great range of services along with a comfortable stay. However, it is up to you to decide if you want a bit of luxury during this Short Bhutan Tour. This upgrade is not a part of the standard tour package. You will be charged separately for this arrangement.