Bhutan Holidays

The best months to visit Bhutan are March to May and late September to November. Spring brings flowering rhododendrons and warm days, while autumn has the clearest Himalayan views and many of the biggest festivals. December to February is cold but clear and quiet, though some high passes can close with snow. June to August is monsoon season, with lush green valleys, fewer visitors and more rain.

There are no direct flights from the UK, so you’ll connect through Delhi, Kathmandu or Bangkok onto Drukair or Bhutan Airlines into Paro, Bhutan’s only international airport. Flying from Kathmandu, ask for a left-hand window seat for a chance to see Everest. We recommend a night or two in your connecting city, so a delayed flight doesn’t affect your Bhutan arrival. We can book all your flights as part of an ATOL-protected package.

Our tailor-made Bhutan holidays start from £3,903 per person for 14 days in homely 3* hotels, or from £5,357 per person for 11 days in luxury lodges such as COMO Uma Punakha and Gangtey Lodge. Prices include your private guide and driver, accommodation, visa and the Sustainable Development Fee of $100 per person per night, which funds Bhutan’s free healthcare, education and conservation. International flights are extra.

Yes, all UK and overseas visitors need a visa, applied for online before you travel check. We arrange it for you, and the visa fee is included in your holiday price. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your travel dates check.

Yes. Visitors to Bhutan must be accompanied by a licensed Bhutanese guide on every day of the trip, so travelling independently isn’t possible. All our Bhutan holidays include a private guide and driver, chosen to suit your interests, whether that’s culture, festivals or hiking.

We recommend at least 10 days. A week covers the western valleys of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha; 14 days adds Gangtey and the quieter central valleys of Bumthang; three weeks lets you slow down in remote areas like Haa. See our Luxury Bhutan Holiday (11 days), Classic Bhutan Holiday (14 days) and Slow Travel Bhutan (21 days).

The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery takes around 4–5 hours return and climbs steadily to about 3,100 metres. It’s steep in places but manageable for most people with reasonable fitness, and ponies can carry you part of the way up. We always plan it near the end of your trip, once you’ve acclimatised.

Yes, and it’s easy, because most flights to Bhutan go through Kathmandu or Delhi. Popular combinations include Nepal & Bhutan in 15 days, North India & Bhutan in 23 days, or Nepal, Bhutan and Rajasthan in a month. Comparing destinations? See how Bhutan compares with Nepal.

Bhutan’s tsechu (meaning festivals), with masked dances and traditional music, take place in different valleys throughout the year. The most well known are Paro Tsechu in spring and Thimphu Tsechu in autumn. Dates follow the lunar calendar and hotels fill quickly, so ask us early. Our Bhutan Trekking and Festival Holiday is built around including a festival.

Yes. We design tailor-made Bhutan holidays for travellers from the US, Canada and beyond, with the same private guide, hand-picked hotels, visa and Sustainable Development Fee included. There are no direct flights to Bhutan from North America, so most guests connect through Bangkok, Delhi or Singapore onto Drukair or Bhutan Airlines into Paro, and we can arrange those connecting flights and buffer nights for you. We’re happy to plan by email or schedule calls to suit your time zone, and we can quote in US dollars if that’s easier.