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Bhutan Holidays

Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a nation wrapped in myth and legend. Virtually untouched and nestled deep in the eastern Himalaya, this is a mysterious and peaceful country of supernatural beings, ancient monastic fortresses and warm-hearted people. A bastion of Tibetan Buddhism, Bhutan is best known for its religious festivals known as Tsechus where colourful mask dances and religious performances depict the cultural heritage of the country. Nearly all settlements in Bhutan have a Dzong – a fortress and seat of civil and religious power unique to Bhutan – and the valleys remain staggeringly distinct, from subtropical Punakha with it spectacular Dzong and the stunning high-altitude scenery of Gangtey to remote Bumthang and the far-flung valleys of eastern Bhutan. Pettitts Travel specialises in providing quality, tailor-made holidays and tours to Bhutan.

Bhutan TAILOR-MADE ITINERARIES
Druk Path Trek from Paro to Thimphu

8 days from £1735 per person

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Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon

12 days from £3650 per person

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A Journey through Bhutan

21 days from £5490 per person

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Places to visit in Bhutan

Bhutan is series of valleys, each geographically unique and with their own administrative centre or Dzong. The southern border regions are at a lower elevation whilst the mountainous north and eastern settlements are both remote and challenging to reach. Paro, with its international airport, is the main entrance to the kingdom and the starting point of not only the famous hike to Taktsang Monastery but also the longer Druk Path Trek. The beautiful Punakha Valley and its ancient Dzong are reached from capital Thimphu by crossing the precipitous Dochu-La Pass whilst Gangtey and the Phobjikha Valley provide a refuge for the endangered black-necked crane. Secluded central and eastern Bhutan is the location of many isolated settlements including Bumthang, Mongar, Lhuentse and Trashigang – each with their own monasteries and Gompas, myths and legends. For those travelling overland from India the main border towns are Phuentsholing in the west and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east.

When to Visit bhutan

The best time to visit Bhutan is either during the spring or autumn although the country can be a year-round destination. From March to May Bhutan is at its prettiest with spring flowers, rhododendron and azalea all in bloom whilst the clear autumn skies of October and November provide unblemished mountain views. Snowfall is common at higher altitudes, especially during December and January, and you should expect it to be cold. Between October and early March central and eastern Bhutan also sees the arrival of the rare black-necked crane. June, July and August feel the effects of the Indian monsoon although this is largely confined to Bhutan’s southern border region.

JAN
FEB
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Best Times
Good Times
This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

Capital: Thimphu

Main Language: Dzongkha

Time Zone: GMT + 6

Currency: Ngultrum (BTN)

Holiday Ideas for Bhutan

Bhutan Holiday Review

What a 'gang' you all are at Pettitts Travel. You all look after us so well and now that we are no longer young chippies we feel quite secure with you making our holiday arrangements, you are totally reliable making us feel quite secure in our travel. Sincerely, George.

GS & RT - Bhutan - May 2019

Accommodation in Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan has limited hotel accommodation but as the country increasingly opens to the world this situation is improving. Most visitors to Bhutan will stay in standard hotels which are locally owned and run. In general these properties are small and simple but clean and comfortable and you will be sure of a warm Bhutanese welcome. Some of these hotels have a modern touch with others more akin to a heritage property but all will have a distinct Bhutanese feel and style. Bhutan is also home to a small number of luxurious hotels, the best known of which are the exceptional Amankora properties in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang and the Uma resorts that can be found in Paro and Punakha. Overnight treks use tented accommodation.

Common Bhutan Travel Questions

A1 - The small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is best visited during either the spring or autumn months. Between March and May the country is awash with spring flowers whilst October and November herald clear skies and fabulous mountain views. Temperatures can drop considerably during winter months with snowfall likely at higher elevations and in more remote valleys whilst the summer months see the arrival of heavy monsoon rains.
A2 - Visitors to Bhutan must have their travel pre-approved before they arrive in Bhutan. This is confirmed by receipt of a ‘visa approval letter’. Once in Bhutan this letter is presented to the authorities and a tourist visa issued.
A3 - There are no direct flights between Bhutan and the UK. Flights to Paro operate from a number of Asian cities including Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore and have a duration of around 1 to 3 hours depending on your departure airport.
A4 - It is possible to travel to Bhutan by road with three land border crossings shared with India. The most commonly used border crossings are Phuentsholing and Samdrup Jongkhar. Phuentsholing is located in the west of the country and ideal for accessing Paro and capital Thimphu. Samdrup Jongkhar is in the remote east of Bhutan with Guwahati the nearest Indian city.
A5 - If visiting during spring or autumn you should expect days to be warm and evenings to be cool. Therefore, we would recommend bringing layers of clothing including a fleece and light rain jacket. Casual clothing is acceptable throughout Bhutan and comfortable shoes with ankle support recommended, especially for day walks and treks.
A6 - The currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum which has the same value as the Indian Rupee. Ngultrum should be used for all purchases in Bhutan although Indian Rupees are also widely accepted. With the exception of eastern Bhutan, most larger hotels and shops accept payment by credit card whilst ATMs can now be found throughout the country but are most prevalent in the larger tourist centres of Paro and Thimphu.
A7 - The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, however, English is widely spoken throughout the country.
A8 - Yes. The majority of hotels offer WiFi, there are developing 3G and 4G networks and internet cafes can be found in most of the larger towns.
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