Questions & answers

Every journey is designed for you, so the price depends on the length, the season, where you stay and how many of you travel together. Our sample journeys show typical prices. Your proposal itemises everything, including the government Sustainable Development Fee and your visa.

Bhutan asks every visitor to pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for each night in the country. It is currently US$100 per adult per night. Children aged 6 to 12 pay half, and children under 6 pay nothing. The fee funds free healthcare, education and conservation in Bhutan. We pay it on your behalf and show it in your proposal.

Tell us about your plans and we’ll send a proposal with a day-by-day plan. When it feels right, a deposit of US$1,000 confirms your journey. The rest of the payment schedule is agreed with you and set out in your proposal. You can pay by bank transfer or by Wise. See our booking terms.

Yes. Many of our guests travel solo, and a private journey means your own guide and driver throughout. There is no single supplement on the guiding itself; the only extra cost is a room to yourself.

Yes, every visitor except citizens of India, Bangladesh and the Maldives needs a visa. We apply for it on your behalf once your journey is confirmed; the fee is US$40. You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months from your arrival.

Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines fly into Paro from Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore and a few other cities. We can book these flights for you. You can also enter overland from India, which we can arrange.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) bring the clearest skies and many of the great festivals. Winter is crisp and quiet, with superb views and fewer visitors. The summer monsoon is green and full of flowers – and it is the season for wild mushrooms. Our festival calendar can help you choose.

We strongly recommend insurance that covers medical treatment, evacuation and cancellation. Bhutan’s hospitals are good, but serious cases may need to be flown out of the country.

Most of our journeys stay between 1,200 and 3,100 metres, with passes a little higher, and the activity level is easy to moderate. We plan the route so that you climb gradually, and your guide watches for signs of altitude sickness. If you are trekking higher, we build in days to acclimatise. Do tell us about any health concerns when you enquire.

Mostly in comfortable, characterful three-star hotels and family homestays, often run by people we’ve known for years. If you’d like more luxury, we can include Bhutan’s finest resorts for some or all of your journey.

Layers, and good walking shoes. To visit dzongs and temples, cover your shoulders and legs and remove your hat. If you’d like to wear a kira or gho for a festival, we’ll help you find one.

Tipping is a personal choice and never expected. If you’d like to thank your guide and driver at the end of your journey, an envelope is the usual way, and we’re happy to suggest an amount.