Travel Tips
Health and Insurance:
Currently there are no vaccination requirements but it would be advisable to ensure that visitors coming from an area infected with yellow fever or cholera are required to get required vaccination, ten days before arrival in Bhutan
Insurance
We recommend that all travelers obtain a short-term traveler’s insurance policy, which covers everything from life and emergency medical care to lost baggage.
Direction to Bhutan: (arrow to Bhutan)
All visitors to Bhutan require a visa to enter the country (put Druk air filght schedule). Visa clearance must be obtained before coming to Bhutan and travel must be booked through a Bhutanese tour operator or international partner. Indians, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals will receive a visa on arrival and it is not necessary for them to book travel through a tour operator, however it is recommended. In the case of Indian nationals a passport or voters card are acceptable on entry.
Please note visa fee is US $40 per person.
Money
Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.) It is at par with the Indian rupee(INR) which is accepted as legal tender in the country.
Note: INR (Indian Rupees) denominations of 500 and 1000 are not accepted in Bhutan.
ATMs are located throughout the main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. For concerned travelers a list of ATM locations throughout Bhutan is found here: http://www.bob.bt/contact-us/atm-locator/.
In addition, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at most hotels and handicrafts stores.
Bhutan Road Distances
From | To | Approx. Distance (Km) | Approx. Driving Time |
Paro | Thimphu
|
65 kms | 01 hour |
Paro | Haa | 65 kms | 1.5 – 02 hours |
Thmphu | Haa | 115 kms | 03 – 04 hours |
Thimphu | Phuentsholing | 176 kms | 07 – 08 hours |
Thimphu | Wangduephodrang | 70 kms | 03 hours |
Thimphu | Punakha | 77 kms | 03 hours |
Thimphu | Phobjhika (Gangtey) | 135 kms | 5.5 – 06 hours |
Punakha | Wangduephodrang | 13 kms | 45 minutes |
Punakha | Gangtey (Phobjikha) | 78 kms | 03 hours |
Punakha | Bumthang | 212 kms | 08 hours |
Bumthang | Gangtey (Phobjikha) | 188 kms | 05 – 06 hours |
Gangtey (Phobjikha) | Trongsa | 120 kms | 4.1/2 – 05 hours |
Gangtey | Wangduephodrang | 65 kms | 2.5 – 03 hours |
Trongsa | Wangduephodrang | 129 kms | 4.5 – 05 hours |
Trongsa | Punakha | 142 kms | 06 hours |
Trongsa | Bumthang | 68 kms | 02 hours |
Bumthang | Mongar | 198 kms | 07 – 08 hours |
Mongar | Lhuentse | 76 kms | 03 hours |
Mongar | Trashigang | 91 kms | 03 – 04 hours |
Trashigang | Chorten Kora | 52 kms | 02 hours |
Trashigang | Samdrup Jongkhar | 180 kms | 07 hours |
Trashigang | Trashiyangtshe | 55 kms | 02 hours |
Samdrup Jongkhar | Guwahati (Assam, India) | 110 kms | 03 hours |
Samdrup Jongkhar | Phuentsholing | 400 kms | 10 hours |
Phuentsholing | Bagdogra (West Benal, India) | 165 kms | 4.1/2 hours |
Phuentsholing | Siliguri (West Bengal, India) | 155 kms | 04 hours |
Phuentsholing | Darjeeling (West Bengal, India) | 200 kms | 06 hours |
Phuentsholing | Kalimpong (West Bangal, India) | 185 kms | 05 hours |
Phuentsholing | Gangtok (Sikkim, India) | 220 kms | 07 hours |
Phuentsholing | Dooars (Chalsa) (West Bengal, India) | 110 kms | 2.1/2 hours |