Published 8 Oct 2026 · Updated 9 Oct 2026
A 6-day Bhutan trip from India costs roughly ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 per person for two people sharing, with flights. Indians need no visa, only an entry permit and a daily fee of ₹1,200 per adult, which makes Bhutan far cheaper for you than for most foreigners. This plan covers Paro, Thimphu and Punakha at an easy pace, with a rupee breakdown.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
There is no visa for Indian citizens, but you need an entry permit and must pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). These details come from Bhutan’s official tourism FAQ at bhutan.travel/faqs, checked on 8 October 2026.
- ID: an Indian passport or an Indian voter ID card. Indians under 18 can travel on a passport or birth certificate, accompanied by a legal guardian.
- Permit: apply online before you travel, through the visa page linked from the tourism site (the immigration portal is immi.gov.bt). You can also apply at the point of entry, but the official site warns of a possible long wait, so do it in advance. The FAQ states no permit fee for Indians, so ask whoever books your trip what, if anything, is added.
- SDF: Nu 1,200 (or the same in rupees) per adult per night. Children aged 6 to under 12 pay 600 a night, and children under 6 pay nothing.
- Length of stay: the FAQ gives 90 days for a visa and doesn’t give a separate limit for Indians, so confirm your permit dates.
- Phuentsholing: a border-town waiver, running from 2 June 2026 until August 2027, means no SDF if you stay in Phuentsholing up to 24 hours. It ends at the Rinchending checkpoint. Going further means paying SDF.
Use only the official sites above. Look-alike permit and “visa” sites charge extra for a free form, so check the web address before entering your details or paying.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, two adults sharing, mid-range, 6 days and 5 nights. The ngultrum is pegged to the rupee. Prices are estimates; check live fares and rates before booking.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flight to Paro (Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati) | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 |
| Hotels, 5 nights, twin share | ₹12,000 – ₹20,000 |
| SDF, 5 nights × ₹1,200 | ₹6,000 |
| Car and driver, shared between two | ₹6,000 – ₹9,000 |
| Food, about ₹1,200 – ₹1,800 a day | ₹6,000 – ₹9,000 |
| Entry tickets, tips, SIM | ₹1,500 – ₹2,000 |
| Total | ₹50,000 – ₹75,000 |
Flights are the largest and most variable line. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly into Paro, the country’s only international airport, and fares rise sharply in March to May and October to November. Entering by road through Phuentsholing, reached from Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri, lowers the fare but adds a long drive each way (about six hours from Phuentsholing to Thimphu), which eats into a 6-day plan. Tour operators advertise 6-day packages from roughly ₹40,000, but these usually leave out flights, so compare like with like.
6-day itinerary
Day 1: arrive in Paro
The flight into Paro is itself a sight, with the plane threading between mountains. Complete immigration, check in and keep the afternoon easy: the Rinpung Dzong, the nearby covered bridge and Paro town. Take it slowly on day one because Paro sits above 2,200 m.
Day 2: Tiger’s Nest
Start early for Paro Taktsang, the monastery on the cliff. Allow about four to six hours return on a marked trail, with a tea stop partway. Wear proper shoes, carry water and keep the afternoon free.
Day 3: Paro to Thimphu
Drive to the capital in roughly an hour and a half. See the Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Dordenma statue, a handicraft market and the weekend market if you arrive on a Saturday or Sunday. Dinner on Norzin Lam, the main street, is easy.
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha
Cross the Dochula Pass (about 3,100 m) for Himalayan views on clear days, then continue to Punakha, where the valley is warm and green. The Punakha Dzong, at the meeting of two rivers, is the highlight, and the suspension bridge nearby is among the longest in Bhutan.
Day 5: Punakha
Visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, via a walk through paddy fields, or add a gentle rafting trip on the river if the season allows. If you want a night in the Phobjikha valley, you need another day.
Day 6: back to Paro and fly home
Drive back to Paro, around four to five hours, and keep a buffer for your flight, as schedules can change with the weather.
Tips for Indian travellers
- Money: rupees are accepted widely, and the official site tells Indian travellers to bring cards enabled for India, Bhutan and Nepal, as USD cards don’t work for them. Withdraw cash in towns, as small shops may not take UPI.
- Phone: check roaming charges, or buy a Bhutanese SIM in Paro or Thimphu.
- Food: vegetarian dishes such as ema datshi (chillies and cheese) are everywhere, and Indian food is easy to find in towns.
- Altitude: drink water and don’t overexert on day one.
- Dress: layers, even in spring, and modest clothes for dzongs. Photos are often banned inside temples.
- Plugs: Bhutan uses 230 V sockets that commonly take Indian-style round pins, but carry a universal adapter to be safe.
Best time to go
March to May and September to November are the clearest and most popular months, and many tshechu festivals fall then. June to August is the monsoon, with road landslides possible. December to February is cold at night but sunny, with fewer visitors.
Plan it with the rest of your trips
Bhutan is one of the cheapest international trips for Indians because of the ₹1,200 SDF and the pegged currency. Other short-haul options include our Nepal 5-day plan, our Sri Lanka in 7 days guide, and for another cold mountain trip, see Iceland in 7 days. All trips for this destination are on the Bhutan hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
No visa, but you do need an entry permit. Bhutan's official tourism site says Indian nationals travel on an Indian passport or voter ID card (Aadhaar and PAN alone are not listed), apply online before travelling, or apply at the point of entry, which may mean a long wait.
How much is the Bhutan SDF for Indians?
Nu 1,200 (or the same amount in Indian rupees) per adult per night. Children aged 6 to under 12 pay 600 a night and children under 6 pay nothing, per the official Bhutan tourism FAQ.
How much does a 6-day Bhutan trip cost from India?
About ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 per person for two sharing, including flights to Paro, mid-range hotels, a car with driver, food and the fee. Going by road via Phuentsholing and staying in simpler hotels can bring it well below that.
Can I use Indian rupees in Bhutan?
Yes. The ngultrum is pegged one to one to the rupee and rupees are widely accepted in Bhutan, though Bhutan's tourism site warns that USD cards don't work for Indian travellers because of RBI rules. Carry cards enabled for India, Bhutan and Nepal, and some cash.
How many days are enough for Bhutan?
Five to six days covers Paro (with the Tiger's Nest hike), Thimphu and Punakha without rushing. Adding Phobjikha valley needs one more day.
What is the best time to visit Bhutan from India?
March to May and September to November, when skies are clearest and festivals (tshechu) are held. June to August is the monsoon, and December to February is cold, especially at night.
Do I need a guide to trek to Tiger's Nest?
The walk is a well-marked trail of roughly four to six hours return. Ask your hotel or the tourism office about current rules on guides and permits before you go.
