This post is for the Indian solo traveler to Bhutan, to ease the discomfiture and apprehension that come with being on your own. Please read the following points carefully for better clarity.
Are Indian Solo Travelers Allowed To Visit Bhutan?
Yes, Indian solo traveler to Bhutan are allowed and welcome, but please bear in mind that tourism in Bhutan is designed for group travel. You would need to be fairly ingenious to keep it within a budget, in case you plan to do it alone, and on a shoestring budget.
Bhutan and budget travel don’t exactly go hand in hand.
If travelling in a group is an option for you, then remember, four is the magic number. Local taxis, hotel-rooms, food, travel between cities, everything works out cheaper if there are four of you. From the fifth person onward, you need another taxi everywhere. No if(s) and but(s) here. With this, the whole budget-math goes for a toss.
Also, read this post right till absolutely the last word; it has edits and updates.
Bhutan: Bhutan has two parts. The touristy Thimphu Bhutan, and the non-touristy Samdrup Jongkhar Bhutan. At places, you might be expected to clarify which of the two you intended to visit.
Is Bhutan safe for female solo travellers?
Bhutan is very safe for female solo travellers— I can confirm this as a woman myself. \
You could be a single, slightly tipsy girl, loafing around on the dead streets of Paro at 11:00 pm, and no one would bat an eyelid. We have a lot to learn from this pea-sized nation in that respect.
“Solo traveller”: Travellers from no other country except for India, Bangladesh and Maldives can travel to Bhutan ‘solo’ in the true sense of the word.
Why?
Because if a traveller does not belong to any of the three aforementioned countries, he or she has to hire a local guide from Bhutan and follow a pre-planned itinerary, with a compulsory daily expenditure of $250. No solo, open-ended loafing around within Bhutan, unless you are invited by a local organization for an assignment.
Also, if you’ve heard that solo travellers are not permitted in Bhutan, here is the clarification on it: Solo male travelers from India used to be not allowed (however, I know quite a few who have been to Bhutan by themselves).
Bhutan has no problem, whatsoever, with solo female travellers from India. The only thing the officials try to assess is if the lady/girl in question would be able to keep herself safe.
A word about the solo male travellers: Please read the post-script at the bottom of the article. It is titled Édit 3′.
Bhutan Entry-permit Offices for Indians: How-so-ever you plan to go, please remember that absolutely no fee is charged by Royal Government of Bhutan for issuing the permit. Let no one con you stating otherwise.
You have two options to enter Bhutan:
a) By air: You can take Druk Airways and Bhutan Airlines flights for Paro (the ONLY international airport Bhutan has, is in Paro) from Delhi, Gaya, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Bagdogra (Siliguri). NO OTHER airline lands in Bhutan. Why? Because Paro airport is world’s one of the top ten toughest airports to land a flight on. You MUST take up this experience, in case you can afford and love adventure, now that you know. I did not know of this precious fact when I was planning my trip.
Please remember to mention your nationality as SAARC while filling the form, if you are an Indian traveling to Bhutan.
You can apply for the permit on arrival, or from Consulate in Kolkata.
It is TOTALLY safe to take a flight to Bhutan.
Also Read: Why Is Paro Airport (Bhutan) One Of The Toughest To Land On?
b) Over lands: At the Phuentsholing office, permits are issued for Paro and Thimphu. Anything beyond that (Haa valley, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar Bhutan etc) will need a permit from the Thimphu office.
To enter Bhutan, a permit can be requested from any of these offices:
1) In India, it is in Kolkata. The permit is issued by the office of Royal Bhutan Consulate. The office operates from 9:00am-5:00pm 6:00am- 8:00pm (as per the new timings of the office on the Bhutan government website), but the documents are accepted till 12:00 noon.
2) In Bhutan, on Indo-Bhutan border: First things first, if you are looking to enter Bhutan over-lands, try to reach the permit office at Phuentsholling at 6:00am. To roam around in Phuentsholing, you do not need any permit for the first 5kilometers from the entry-point.
The office is roughly at a distance of 200mtrs from the main gate, on the right hand side (please keep the half-an-hour time difference in mind when you plan your day; Bhutan is ahead of India by half-an-hour).
The Border: India and Bhutan are divided by a friendly and permeable border. Phuentsholling is the Bhutan side of the border-town, while Jaigaon is the Indian side. The stark difference in both towns makes it worth the experience.
What are the documents needed by Indian travellers for entry permit to Bhutan?
The Permit: These are the documents needed:
a) 1 passport size photograph
b) One of these documents, listed in the order of preference:
Indian Passport (with at least 6 month of validity remaining) OR
Indian voter identification card. [Please check the edits at the bottom of the post. This rule will be updated w.e.f 1st January 2019.]
The process is breezy, more so if you have all the documents ready.
What is the process for a Indian solo traveller to obtain an entry permit to Bhutan?
Process:
The following process takes place, once you are at the permit office:
1) You are handed out a form to fill with your details, and some information about your intended travel plans.
2) The form has a column where you will be asked to state which hotels do you intend to be staying at during the course of your trip. Since I had not planned my stay-option in Paro and had a host in Thimphu, I had left it blank. The official accepting the form suggested that I write ‘any hotel‘ instead of leaving it blank.
3) After going through my form, and figuring out that I am going to be on my own, the officer in question pondered over my form a great deal. He had another official sitting with him, who observed me while I answered questions by main officer.
Key-tip? Whatever they ask, answer with honesty. You might be doing this five times a year, but they do it for their living, and day in and day out. Lying will only delay the process, or, you might be denied entry too.
4) The main aspect that the officials want to understand (more so, if you are a lady) is, why are you travelling unaccompanied (a dilemma I often encounter). Don’t get them wrong; they want you safe. In my case, being a travel-blogger helped. (In case you need details, I have posted the conversation between me and the officer, as a post-script at the bottom.)
Pro-tip: Try and be the first one they deal with when they begin their day. This way, you are less likely to bear the brunt of someone else’s mistakes.
5) After your form is stamped, you are asked to go to another room, where they electronically take your photograph and thumb/finger impressions. After which, you are requested to wait for ten minutes.
6) Ten minutes later, you are handed a permit with all your details and terms and conditions for the trip, on a single piece of paper. You have to go back to the main office (mentioned in point no 3), and get it signed.
I entered the permit office at 9:00 am and was out of it by 9:35 am. It is a very breezy process.
Permit: Keep this permit with you at all times; it is valid for 7 days. You would not need it within city-limits, but inter-city, you will have to get down at several check-posts and get this stamped. Pack it in your day-pack, instead of the main luggage. On the last day, on your way back, you will be expected to surrender this permit at the last checkpost in your trip (in my case, it was before entering Phuentsholing).
Telecommunication: Switch off your Indian phone as soon as you step on the Bhutan side of the gate. It costs exorbitant international roaming rates (Rs.70/min) to say “hello baby, guess where am I??!” to your Significant Other back home. Be wiser, take Tashi sim card once you get through the permit process.
Getting a Tashi sim card is very easy and works out really inexpensive; costs about Rs.100 for the sim card, and an additional Rs.100 for recharge. (call charges to India: Rs.5/min).
Documents needed for Tashi sim card: A photograph, a copy of your passport/voter-id card. It takes less than 15 mins and you have a local number, which comes very handy (giving it to taxi drivers, co-ordinating with your hotel).
Also Read: Tiger’s Nest Trek: All You Need You Need To Know
Stay: In case you have to spend the night at the border, my advice would be that you stay on the Bhutan side of the border. It is relatively cleaner and safer, but it is slightly expensive as compared to Jaigaon, which has very limited options.
On my way back, I stayed at Hotel Sinchula; it is basic, safe and clean, but slightly over-priced. If you are a budget-traveller, then book Hotel Thuenpa Puenzhi or Legphel Hotel right away. Hotel Druk is another option, but before you enter Bhutan, you MUST have a booking as getting stranded in Phoentsholling is the worst!
Also, whichever property you book, don’t forget to check out the pricing for this one. What do the folks at OYO smoke on, is beyond me!
Pro-tip: Have a morning breakfast of home-like ‘paranthas’ at Hotel Sinchula, if you are fond of them. Also, post-dinner, hop across to the India side and have a sweet called ‘malai chaap’ at Sheetal Sweets; came as a recommendation from my local hosts, and I couldn’t thank them enough. 🙂
Currency: While India has Rupee, Bhutan has Ngultrum. Both the border towns, Phuentsholing and Jaigaon, accept both the currencies and both are pegged equal to each other.
It is perfectly acceptable when you do not have one of them and are paying in the other, but the moment you will look forward to converting all your currency back to Rupee post your trip, it suddenly won’t be equal anymore.
This happened to me. I was left with Nu.2000, which, in theory was equal to Rs.2000, but no one was willing to give more than Rs.1600-1700 in exchange. (pro-tip: convert rationally)
I ended up buying Bhutanese liquor for the amount, instead of losing money in exchange.
About The Border-Towns And Entry-Exit: Overlands, entry is possible only from Phuentsholing-Jaigaon border. However, you can exit Bhutan from Samdrup Jongkhar Bhutan border (you cannot enter from the latter though).
No Smoking: Not more than 200 cigarettes can be carried into the country. It is illegal to sell/buy cigarettes in Bhutan, but you can smoke some, thanks to the ‘the curious case of buddhism’.
Travel & Hitchhiking: Bhutan is one of the best countries to share rides and hitchhike, in case you know how to do it. I shared my ride to almost everywhere, thereby keeping myself within budget.
ATM and Cash withdrawal: India side of the border has quite a few ATMs and I suggest that you withdraw the money you need, from the Indian side itself.
Inform your bank about your ‘international’ trip, and that you will be using your account from foreign locations. Check with your bank if your ATM debit/credit card would work in Bhutan.
State Bank of India card does not work in Bhutan.Read the last line here:
Self-drive: You can drive your Indian vehicle with your Indian driving-licence, the permit for which is easily obtainable in Phuentsholing, against all the documents pertaining to the vehicle.
Please bear in mind, you can NOT drive a Bhutanese vehicle with the Indian driving licence. You might also want to start practicing honking-less driving, as in my seven days of stay in Bhutan, I heard only one vehicle honking in Paro.
How long can an Indian Traveller stay in Bhutan?
Validity of Permit: Phuentsholing office issues a permit for 7 days, for Thimphu and Paro. In case you wish to extend your permit time-wise (more than 7 days), or geographically (add more places), both can be done from the permit office at Norzim Lam, in Thimphu.
Also Read: Paro: Bhutan’s Docile Progeny
Must Read: Nightlife In Thimphu: Karaoking Monks Of Bhutan
Photography in Bhutan: The general rule of thumb is:
a) if you have to remove your footwear to enter a place, it is safe to assume that photography is not permitted. There might be a few exceptions here and there, but it is better to be on the right side of the cultural practice than err and be sorry a pest.
b) Take permission before you click anyone.
c) Do NOT click the members of the royal family.
Happy travels to the ‘land of thunder dragons’!
Tip: In case you have Tiger’s Nest, or Taktsang Monastery in your itinerary, you must read this post.
Edit 1:
As per the latest update from Jaigaon- Phuentsholling border, the office issues permits from Monday -Friday only. The entry–permit office remains closed over the weekends now. Please plan your trip accordingly. It is suggested that Mondays are to be avoided because of excessive rush.
Edit 2:
As per the latest rule, you MUST have a hotel reservation to obtain an entry permit.
Edit 3:
Solo Indian male travellers to Bhutan DO NOT face any difficulty in obtaining the permit. It’s a myth.
Edit 4:
From 1st January 2019, it will be mandatory for Indians to carry either their voter id card, or their passport to be able to enter Bhutan. Here is the link verifying this information. Bhutan govt will no longer issue identification certificates in case you don’t have the relevant papers. Also, minors need an original birth certificate for the issuance of a permit.
Here is one pro-tip regarding hotels:
In case you are not sure about your stay, book a hotel through Booking.com. When you reach the destination and find a better deal, you can cancel like I have done a few times. The site does not charge any cancellation fee.
Here are budget hotels in Paro and Thimphu that you can consider booking right away:
Thimphu:
Khamsum Inn (sometimes there are good deals on this.)
Paro:
Hotel Dragon
Ama’s Village Lodge (Very good property, and worth the money!)
Related Posts:
Tiger’s Nest Trek: All You Need You Need To Know
Why Is Paro Airport (Bhutan) One Of The Toughest To Land On?
Paro: Bhutan’s Docile Progeny
Nightlife In Thimphu: Karaoking Monks Of Bhutan
Books:
The History Of Bhutan
Bhutan: A Trekker’s Guide
Married to Bhutan: How One Woman Got Lost, Said “I Do”, And Found Bliss
P.S. This is how my conversation with the permit officer went:
Permit Officer (after skimming over the details on the form): “You are travelling alone??!”
Me: “Yes.”
Looks at the other officer sitting next to him, then stares at the form long and hard.
Officer (in a very matter-of-grave-concern tone): “Why are you traveling alone?”
Me: “I travel alone everywhere.”
Officer: “Why?”
Me: *What ‘why?’ He can’t be for real!!* “because I want to see the world.”
Officer: “Alone?”
Me: *Can’t believe this is happening to me; already rethinking the whole deal* “Yes.”
Officer: “Are you married?” (Did not get the intent behind this question.)
Me: “No.”
Dead, horrid silence for 30 seconds where we all are looking at each other in disbelief.
Officer: “See, the thing is, we want you to be safe”
Me: *Is he kidding me? If I can’t be safe in Bhutan, where else would I be so?* “I understand.”
Total silence
Me: “I know how to stay safe; I am a travel blogger.”
Officer: “Ohh you are??!!”
Me: “Yes.”
Signs immediately, but looks on with fatherly concern as I leave his office. It is a kind of look that I am not going to forget for a long, long time to come.
){kind=link}
informative post!
but like u have mentioned, i have read travelogues of guys wo have traveled to Bhutan solo! Never did i come across the “no-solo-indian-male” stuff!!!! just curious!
Hi Sudarsansrini,
There is this directive issued by the consulate in September 2014, apparently; can;t seem to find it on the web. I had confirmed this from Bhutanese friends before planning my trip, and have mentioned this precisely for the same reason you have stated; that no other travelogue has mentioned anything about this.
Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
ah! okay! thanks for posting that information!! might be of use some day!!! cheers!
You are welcome.
😀
cheers! 🙂
Im sitting here in a hotel in Jaigaon, alone and reading this. This is horrible! I don’t know what to do!
Hi Ankan,
I am so sorry if that is the case.
Have you been denied the permit? Or did you chance upon the article before trying even?
Please give it a shot before you decide to turn back.
All the best.
🙂
Did you made it solo into Bhutan? Was it a successful trip?
Quite an informative post!
Thank you, Arun.
Excellently detailed. Thanks. Have been thinking of driving to Bhutan. Looking forward to any other posts on the food and culture 🙂
Thank you, Untourists.
Will write others soon.
🙂
Hi,
Loved the detailed write up. I was perplexed on reading in many blogs that solo Indian ladies are discouraged in Bhutan.
I am planning to book my stay at hotel in Thimpu and fly from Bangalore. The travel arrangements will be organised by me on arrival. Do you think i will face questions like you at the immigration desk in Paro? Have you heard such instances?
Alternatively, i see make my trip has organised trips…i am not keen on that.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Please go ahead, Shilpa. If they ask, just convince them that you will be safe, and will not go out looking for trouble.
Thank you for the compliment.
hey,shilpa,i am sure by now your trip must have come to an end.i am also planning to travel solo to paro .did you face any problems as such at immigrations.any poinetrs to keep in mindthanks
Love reading this, your tips and comments are great. I have not travelled alone before and going to do so for the first time this year – trekking in Armenia. Scared but excited, keep on sharing please.
https://divorcedsingleseeks.wordpress.com/
Sure! Thanks.
How wonderfully written, well explained, love the way you included every minute details here. Thank you so much.
Very kind of you to say that, Joy bro! Shukriya ji.
Awesome blog, I will be travelling to bhutan in March, Can you please suggest some budget hotes/guest house in Paro and thimphu? say under 1500rs per day.
Thank you!
Sure! You have a fancy budget; you will get accommodation easily. If you still want me to suggest, please shoot an email at raidivya@hotmail.com ; will check and let you know.
Really well written post! This has motivated me to take a solo trip to Bhutan this March 🙂
Want to know what all bookings should me made in advance. I think March is the tourist season, so will it be easy to get hotel rooms on arrival?
Thank you 🙂
Thank you, Harshita.
I made no prior bookings, and took each day as it came. You can, if it helps you sleeps better. Make your hotel reservations to be on the safer side, if you wish.
🙂
hi..absolutely loved it and thansk a ton for writing.i have planned my travel at the end of feb.i will be travelling solo to bhutan from delhi.i am flying to paro.just yesterday i read about solo female indian travellers being discouraged from entering and that has freaked me out coz i am like 20 days away from my travel.do you think it can be of any issue at paro airport.any kind of help in this will really clam my nerves.thanks a ton in advance and i really await your response.:-))
Hey Richa,
Calm down; your spellings are saying so. 😀
Do not worry one bit, just tell them you travel alone a lot. They have no problem with single women-travellers.
Don’t litter your plans with doubts. Have faith, and take off. That is what I do.
Happy and safe tripping!
Hello,
I am planning a trip to Bhutan towards the end of march. To be precise, I shall start on 25th March and finish by 1st April,2016. I have a fee questions I hope you can answer. These are eating me from the within.
Okay, here I go:-
1. I shall reach Jaigaon on 25th March, 2016 by 16:00 hrs – 17:00 hrs. Will I be able to get my travel permit papers starting from 26th March, 2016 on 25th itself??? Or should I wait for 26th March, 2016???
The second part of the question is that 26th March,2016 shall be Fourth Saturday. Like India, shall Government Offices of Bhutan too shall be closed on that day??? If yes, then I have to wait another two days for my travel permit. If this be the case, then I am practically done for!!! I would better return back. So help regarding this matter.
2. Any idea of travel options from New Alipur Duar Station to Jaigaon??? I mean Bus/Cab/Shared Taxi/Auto etc. Also, if you can provide, it would be helpful if you give me the bus timings or cab/taxi fares from New Alipur Duar to Jaigaon.
3. It would be helpful if you can give me details of Sharing Cab/Taxi for hire for the trip.
Thanks in advance.
🙂
Hello Bikash,
“…eating me from the within.” Since when did travel become about so much of stress? 😀
Here you go:
1) You will get your travel permit papers from 26th, and on 26th.
No. The remote office in Jaigaon is open as far as I know.
2) You can take a bus from Alipur Duar to Jaigaon. Charges are nominal. Some Rs.70. There are Taxi plying on the route, but I don’t know the charges. Buses go frequently during the work-hours.
3) Bhutan has shared taxi to and from Phoentsholing. Between two towns, other than Phoentsholing, you either use coaster bus, or hire a full taxi. I shared the taxi with another couple by requesting them for it. Dig around, and you will find.
Fabulous info !!
A defining question though , which would mar our itinerary a bit
1. Is the thimpu immigration/permit office open on saturdays and sundays ?
If yes , Great .. and if no, do they make permits on friday even after 4 and before 6 pm
2.Is permit given for Phobjikha ?
3. Any hotel options in thimphu ( majorly ) and paro for really thrifty travellers (like us )
Thank you
1.I can tell that Thimphu permit office is closed for the weekend, for sure. I am not sure about the timings for Friday.
2. Which part of Bhutan does Phobjikha come under?
3. Your budget please?
Fabulous info !!
A defining question though , which would mar our itinerary a bit
1. Is the thimpu immigration/permit office open on saturdays and sundays ?
If yes , Great .. and if no, do they make permits on friday even after 4 and before 6 pm
2.Is permit given for Phobjikha ?
3. Any hotel options in thimpu and paro for thrifty travellers (like us )
Thank you
1) in Thimphu the immigration permit office is closed on weekends.
2) no clue.
3) I had a host in Thimphu. For Paro, I stayed in a hotel on the main Street. The name, unfortunately, escapes me.
Hi borrowed backpack, thanks a tonne for the guide but a few questions linger in my mind.
1. if i am able to get done my permits and stuffs from the consulate at kolkata itself, should i have to face more of the likes in Bhutan too, to travel to different places in the Himalayan kingdom?
2. you said male solo travellers are not allowed. but i am planning to reach thimpu all alone. so?
anyway, i have a host in thimpu. so till then, should i be concerned about the authorities for travelling alone?
3. where should i exchange my INRs with Nus? in phuentsholling itself?
4. i am about to stay in some corporate guest house in thimpu. apart from that i have nearly fixed the budget to 10,000 bucks for three-four days of my sojourn. is this amount sufficient or i should loosen my wallet a bit more?
Hi Praveer,
1) As far as I know, remote offices can issue permits only for Thimphu and Paro. For everywhere else, you will have to apply the office in Thimphu.
2) since you’ll be getting your permit done from Kolkata, see if they let you in or not, maybe? I too had a host in Thimphu, but I think that is irrelevant to them, but like I said, I know quite a few men who have travelled to Bhutan solo. So just give it a shot like you have no clue any such rule exists at all. 😛
3) Yes.
4) this amount is more than enough as long as you would be travelling in shared cabs and keep your expenses low, generally. If luxury is your way, then your budget is low.
🙂
Hi, Borrowed Backpack Hope u r doing fine.
Plz let me
1. What are the timings of Immigration office at Norzin Lam Thimphu?
2. How much time does it take to get special permission Immigration office at Norzin Lam Thimphu, say if the process starts at 9am?
Plz reply
Hi @travelduniasite,
1. Starts at 9:00am is all I know.
2. Not possible to acertain that. Ought to take an hour or so.
🙂
Nice article. I went there again a few months ago. Self-Ride as always.
Just wanted to point out two things. They stopped accepting Driving License as Indentification document for the permit. Only Passport or Voter’s ID. So far as I know. Luckily I had passport with me.
SBI ATM Cards will work in Bhutan, but only with Bank of Bhutan ATMs & Swiping Machines at a charge of Nu 20.00/-
Hope this helps the fellow travellers 🙂
Tip to riders :
1. If the bike is moving, helmet should be on. Even if u r moving it with ur feet 🙂
2. No overtaking through the left.
3. Keep to the speed assigned.
4. If a vehicle puts the left indicator on a straight road, it means he/she is allowing you to overtake. If right indicator is on, means not to overtake, vehicle approaching.
5. Keep the tank full, u never know when u will get another petrol station. It is advisable to fill the tank in Bhutan. Petrol is cheaper by Rs 10.
Happy riding.
Hi Vinod,
1) They do accept DL, but that is totally the officer’s discretion, which is why I have mentioned it in the order of preference.
2) SBI ATM card will NOT work.in Bhutan. I am SURE of it. Confirmed it after coming back to India too. Read the fine print behind the card.
Thank you for the tips for riders. This should be handy for a lot of people. I will add this bit as an edit tot he post, with credits to you.
🙂
Thanks for replying.
But I travelled with a single SBI card. I did face issue regarding the same in Thimphu. The hotel wasnt accepting my card. N the nearby ATMs (all 3 of them) were showing transaction failed. Then I had to ride into the city to find another ATM, which was Bank of Bhutan and voila it worked. I didnt knew of this cuz i withdrew money in P/ling & Paro through Bank of Bhutan ATMs.
During my travel I used my SBI card 6 times in ATMs and it only worked with Bank of Bhutan only.
But in any case, its better to have a backup account.
Thank you for the information, Vinod. Mine didn’t work in Bank of Bhutan too. I will post this reply of yours, and leave it for he readers to:
1) confirm
2) take chance/ plan accordingly.
I was so taken by surprise at non-withdrawal of cash, that I called the SBI helpline and they told me to read the finer print on the back side of my ATM card. It COULD be also dependent on the kind of account one has, but I am not sure.
🙂
Very helpful…
Thank you so much.._/_
Thank you, Vasundhara. 😀
Rarely does anyone post a comment just to say ‘thank you’. You are a wonderful exception.
Hi,
I am planning a trip to Bhutan in June end-July start (7-8 days) with my friends.
As far as I know, June-July is the monsoon season so could you let me know whether this is a good time to visit Bhutan or not ?
If yes, what are the possible problems, being monsoon season, which we could face and also the must visit places?
Whether using a travel agent is a good option to plan the itinerary or we should plan on our own?
Thanks in advance
—
Arpit
Hey Arpit,
As a traveller, one perspective that I have is there is no wrong season to visit a place, unless it threatens life and/or ecology of the place. Bhutan is known to be ‘land of Thunder Dragons’, but I don’t know how many tourists have seen that aspect to it, all because they want to travel to the country during the ‘right season’. In June and July, you MIGHT get to experience the very feature the nation is known for, apart from getting rooms etc at lower prices. So, just go!
The only things that you would need to keep in mind is:
1) keep extra days at hand.
2) be careful when you take up treks.
3) check sites like AccuWeather to plan your days.
Plan it on your own, and I will explain you why. I travelled to Bhutan for 7 days in ₹7k, while my friends who went with tour operators paid 22k for the same or lesser experiential things. Why would you want to pay extra so much?
Please keep checking the blog. Posts on Thimphu and Paro are on their way. Should be up by end of the month.
🙂
Hi Divya! It’s an amazing write up and super useful considering I’m planning a trip from Mumbai in Aug. I totally agree that self planned travel is way better than going through agents. Could you share your detailed itinerary? I’m traveling solo (for the first time) and super excited to select Bhutan as the destination. Thanks!
Thank you, Dimple.
You can do it like this- Paro 2 days & Thimphu 2 days. You might want to add Punakha (1) and a few other places.
Good to go through your experience in Bhutan.
I am planning a trip in June 2016 with wife and 8 months baby. My plan is to catch a cab from Bagdogra airport to Phuentsholing, stay there for a night and take cab for Paro next day morning.
Any idea how easy I can get cab from both places and how much will it cost? Do I need to book in advance? Thank you
Hi Sandesh,
Approx ₹2000 for cab from Bagdogra to Phuentsholing. Approx ₹2200-2500 for cab from Phuentsholing to Paro.
Both are easy to get.
Bon voyage!
Hello,
I am planning a solo (male) birthday trip for 5 days in July 1st week (July 2 – July 6).
1. What places would you suggest for visits? (I love architecture, nature, `religion & shopping)
2. How expensive is it gong to be because I will be a solo male vegetarian traveler?
3. Are there additional processes I should/ would go through?
TIA.
Hi Sharath,
Where are you based?
Bangalore.
Have you considered Pondicherry, Kochi, Mangalore (if near by) or Rajasthan, Kutch, Konkan railway stretch of far off.
Expense is an individual factor. All these places can be done at shoestring budget.
🙂
Done them all. But Rajasthan, yes, I’m considering though not in July for it’s weather. Been wanting to visit Bhutan but got no company.
I didn’t suggest Bhutan simply because four days can’t do any justice to it. 🙂
‘Company’?? Isn’t your query for solo-tripping?
Hello, How are you. This is a great blog that you have penned. So me and my friend are planning to travel to Bhutan on 2nd week of June. Our itinerary was to to visit Paro then trek to Thimphu via DRUK PATH TREK and then to Punakha. I love to plan my treks and do them on my own. I have some experience is trekking. Can we trek without a guide. Also are there any accommodation options during trek (I’ve my own tent and bag, can i pitch it).
Also how are accommodation options in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha . What is normal cost of hotel room in these places.
Waiting for your blogs on Paro and Thimphu.