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A visit to Bhutan offers snow-capped Himalayan peaks, sky-high trekking, traditional culture, and one of the most forward-thinking sustainability policies on Earth. This remote mountain kingdom boasts dzongs (fortified monasteries) that cling to cliffs set against a backdrop of rugged peaks, red-robed monks chanting prayers, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and yak bells tinkling in the valleys.

Here, you can wander from tropical forests over high mountain passes to villages where regular festivals see communities gather in celebration with masked dancers, singers, and traditional music and dress. The emphasis on low-impact tourism means many of the country’s traditions remain intact and you can explore local markets, and visit monasteries, shrines, and temples, national parks, and villages. And, of course, wherever you go, you can admire the breathless heights of the Himalaya.

In Bhutan, you can stay in luxurious hotels with indulgent spas, traditional Bhutanese buildings converted into guesthouses, and simple lodges overlooking the mountains. Development is strictly curbed in Bhutan and the number and size of hotels is limited.

West and central Bhutan have some of the best hotels, while elsewhere places to stay can be more basic. All our recommendations have en suite bathrooms and often have a bukhari (wood-burning stove) for colder evenings. Some of our preferred options include a luxurious retreat built in traditional style in the Phobjikha Valley, a modern, minimalist-style lodge in the Thimphu Valley, and a serene escape surrounded by pine forests close to Paro. Elsewhere, you’ll find simple local guesthouses and a former palace with traditional styling.

To get a better idea of what’s on offer, take a look at our collection of places to stay in Bhutan.

Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, and the Bumthang Valley are some of Bhutan’s key destinations. Most visitors arrive in Paro from where you can visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which sits on the edge of a sheer cliff. The capital Thimphu is home to the imposing Tashichoe Dzong, and a busy market but it’s also a great place to soak up life in Bhutan and discover some of the kingdom’s deep-seated traditions and religious customs.

You can see the 17th-century Gangtey Gompa monastery in the Phobjikha Valley where the arrival of black-necked cranes is celebrated each winter, while the Punakha dzong is set at the confluence of two rivers and is one of the country’s most striking.

You’ll find Bhutan’s oldest temples in the remote Bumthang Valley where the villages still flourish just as they have for hundreds of year. In the east of the kingdom, animist beliefs thrive in minority villages.

A visit to Bhutan offers snow-capped Himalayan peaks, sky-high trekking, traditional culture, and one of the most forward-thinking sustainability policies on Earth. This remote mountain kingdom boasts dzongs (fortified monasteries) that cling to cliffs set against a backdrop of rugged peaks, red-robed monks chanting prayers, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and yak bells tinkling in the valleys.

Here, you can wander from tropical forests over high mountain passes to villages where regular festivals see communities gather in celebration with masked dancers, singers, and traditional music and dress. The emphasis on low-impact tourism means many of the country’s traditions remain intact and you can explore local markets, and visit monasteries, shrines, and temples, national parks, and villages. And, of course, wherever you go, you can admire the breathless heights of the Himalaya.

It takes around 21 hours to fly from the East Coast of the US to Bhutan, and around 30 hours from the West Coast.

It’s not possible to fly direct from the US to Bhutan. Paro is the usual entry and exit point to Bhutan, and flights operate from Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, and Calcutta. Bhutan can also be reached overland from India, but it’s a long drive from the border to the main places of interest.

The time zone in Bhutan is UTC+6 hours. Bhutan doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time.

The best way to get around in Bhutan is by road and we’ll arrange a private vehicle with a driver and guide to take you between destinations. Journeys in Bhutan can be slow as the one main road weaves its way on and out of valleys over the Himalayan foothills and can occasionally be closed by landslides. Delays, however, are more than compensated for by the sweeping scenery around you.

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Bhutan. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

• Entry requirements travel tool

Bhutan’s sustainable development fee is a compulsory daily levy paid by all visitors. It ensures visitor numbers are sustainable and that all citizens benefit from international tourism with proceeds spent on education, infrastructure, and facilities and services.

Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Bhutan, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.