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Bhutan

The world's only carbon-negative country — Tiger's Nest Monastery, pristine Himalayan forests and Gross National Happiness.

South Asia
🏔️ Tiger's Nest Monastery🧘 Gross National Happiness🎭 Tshechu Festivals🌲 Pristine Forests

Backpacking Bhutan

Bhutan is unique among travel destinations in the world. It charges a Sustainable Development Fee (currently $100/day) which guarantees that every visitor contributes to conservation and community. The result is pristine forests (72% forest cover), no plastic bags, no fast food chains and a genuinely functioning Buddhist kingdom that measures success by Gross National Happiness rather than GDP.

£150–£250/day avg daily budget
Key Info
Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) / Indian RupeeDzongkha (English widely spoken in tourism)Type D/F/GDrive Left
Tips expected for guides and drivers — included in package or add 10–15%
Weather
Best: Mar–May & Sep–Nov
Spring (Mar–May) — rhododendrons in bloom, clearest mountain views
March–May and September–November are ideal. June–August is monsoon. December–February is cold.
Health
⚠️Bottled water recommended — tap water not reliable for travellers
Hepatitis Arecommended
Typhoidrecommended
Transport
Druk Air flightPackage tour vehicleTrekking
✈️ PBH Paro International — one of the world's most dramatic airport approaches
All travel must be arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Independent travel is not permitted.
Emergency
👮 Police113
🚑 Ambulance112
🔥 Fire110
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in Bhutan

01
Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) — the clifftop monastery is the single most iconic image in Bhutan
02
Punakha Dzong — the most beautiful fortress monastery in Bhutan at the confluence of two rivers
03
Trek the Snowman Trek or Jomolhari Trek — some of the most remote high-altitude trekking in Asia
04
Attend a Tshechu festival — the masked dance religious festivals held at every dzong annually
05
Dochula Pass on a clear day — 108 chortens and views of the 7,000m Himalayan peaks
06
The Bumthang Valley — the cultural heartland of Bhutan with the oldest temples and traditional farmhouses
07
Archery competition — the national sport of Bhutan, played with traditional bows and considerable ceremony
08
Black-necked crane viewing at Phobjikha Valley — the sacred cranes migrate here October–March
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Insider Knowledge

What Most Guides Don't Tell You About Bhutan