Bhutan is one of those incredible travel destinations that travellers have high on their bucket list. However, it is often the belief that Bhutan is so expensive that holds people back from finding out more.
Whilst a trip to Bhutan is certainly not cheap, when you add everything up for a similar holiday elsewhere, Bhutan is not as expensive as you think. When you travel elsewhere, you need to factor in not just the flights and accommodation but the meals, private transport, entrance fees and local guide. This can really add up and you find yourself running to the cash machine every couple of days to cover this.
With a trip to Bhutan, almost everything is included and paid up front. The only extra expenses would be incidentals such as coffee and cake, alcoholic drinks, massage or a hot stone bath.
Catching up with cafe culture, Bhutan has some great coffee shops these days with fresh bean coffee.
Coffee shops and cafes are springing up all over Bhutan. This one in Bumthang serves humus, bean coffee and chocolate brownies!
Looking at the total cost of a quality holiday elsewhere versus one in Bhutan, the difference is not so great.
So lets dispel some myths around travel to Bhutan:
1) The visa is very expensive. Wrong. The Bhutan visa is US$45 per person. This is included in the Bhutan package price and you don’t have to worry about processing your own visa. This is done for you and sent to you a few days prior to departure.
2) The government charges US$250 a day! Wrong. US$100 per day per adult visitor is charged as an SDF ( standard daily fee). This money is used to provide roads, power, education and health to the people of Bhutan (and does it actually go to this).
3) It is hard to get to Bhutan. Wrong. There are regular flights from Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Kolcutta. From 2025, there are also flights from Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh.
Landing at Paro International Airport
Arrivals at Paro International Airport. One of the world’s most beautiful luggage carousels!
4) The Bhutan government limits the number of people visiting Bhutan. Wrong. There is no limit to the number of visas issued. However, tourist numbers are still low compared to most other destinations in the region. Our team only met four tourists during a week in Eastern Bhutan!
5) You are stuck on a tour and restricted in what you can see on a Bhutan tour. Wrong. Whilst it is mandatory to travel with a guide, you are free to go anywhere. You can ask the guide to drop you at the shops or wonder around villages in the countryside. On Beyond The Clouds tours, clients develop a great rapport with the guide and driver and feels more like travelling with friends than being on a tour. There is great flexibility with the itinerary and you choose what you would like to do!
Bhutan’s gorgeous textiles are a feast for the eyes!
Free time in downtown Paro
6) The food in Bhutan is awful. Wrong. The traditional Bhutanese dishes are very tasty and these days less spicy versions are available. There are good places to eat along the way and coffee shops are springing up even in quite off the beaten track places. The Beyond The Clouds team have selected accommodation and restaurants for its tours with the best food!
Breakfast at Swiss Guest House in Bumthang
Home made bread at Swiss!
Traditional Bhutanese food does not have to be spicy and there is a large variety of delicious dishes.
Experience Bhutanese hospitality at a farmhouse lunch.
7) The roads are awful. Wrong. Whilst the roads are narrow ( especially in the east), they are pretty good and well maintained. Driving times are being reduced by better roads. At Beyond The Clouds, we use very comfortable vehicles.
Empty roads
Comfortable tour vehicles
8) You only need 5 or 6 days to see the main sights: Right and wrong. Whilst you can visit Punakha, Paro and Thimpu in a short visit, Bhutan has so much more to offer. The further east you travel, there will be less tourists and plenty to see. We recommend at least going as far as Bumthang in central Bhutan. In fact, 9-14 nights is the perfect length of time to visit Bhutan.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery near Paro is Bhutan’s most famous site and rightly so.
Venture further east and discover ancient monasteries, colourful festivals and stunning scenery.
9) The further away you get from Paro, the more basic it gets: Partly true but these days there are some good quality hotels in Eastern and Central Bhutan that are very comfortable with good food. Some of our favourite places to stay in Bhutan are away from the main tourists areas.
The iconic Swiss Guest House in Bumthang
View from the dining room at the Wangchuk Hotel in Mongar, Eastern Bhutan
10) Bhutan is a once in a lifetime trip! Whilst this is very true, you will love Bhutan so much you might just want to return again!
So don’t delay, Bhutan is wonderful and much more affordable than you would think!
For more information and inspiration visit www.beyondtheclouds.org.nz
