Bhutan Trip FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Bhutan?
Yes — this is required for every traveler, and it's one of the few truly non-negotiable parts of the trip. I'll help you obtain it as part of the registration process, so there's nothing complicated on your end.
The visa fee is $100 a day — why?
Bhutan charges a Sustainable Development Fee to keep the visitor experience meaningful. It's a deliberate choice: low volume, high intention — the opposite of mass tourism.
The fee funds free healthcare, education, and forest preservation. In return, you get to visit a country with no traffic lights, 72% forest cover, and a pace of life that feels genuinely untouched. Bhutan measures its progress by Gross National Happiness, not GDP alone, and the fee is part of how they protect that. The fee is included in the trip price
What is included, and what do I pay out of pocket?
Almost everything is included in our tour: hotels, nearly every meal, private guides and drivers, entrance fees, and the visa fee. You'll want spending money for incidentals — alcohol, gifts/souvenirs, gratuities, and any meals outside our planned inclusions..
Do I need medications for Bhutan?
This is ultimately a conversation with you and your travel doctor. That said, you should be up to date on your routine vaccines, including tetanus and MMR. If you're prone to altitude issues, it's worth asking your doctor about altitude medication before we go.
Do I need travel insurance?
It's not required for our trip, but I recommend it strongly — especially given the terrain and elevation we'll be at. I partner with Allianz for comprehensive coverage and am happy to provide a quote. I personally never travel without it.
Remember, travel insurance covers two different things: travel-related issues (canceled flights, lost luggage) and comprehensive health coverage while abroad, including emergency evacuation to a quality hospital if it's ever needed. Given how remote parts of this trip are, I consider that second piece one of the most important things you can arrange before we leave.
What should I pack?
Layers are your best friend — mornings and evenings can be cool even when afternoons are mild, especially at elevation. Bring comfortable walking shoes you've already broken in, modest clothing for temples and the festival (more on that below), a light rain layer, and a reusable water bottle.
I'll send a complete packing list closer to departure, tailored to our specific dates and route.
Do I need local currency?
Bhutan's currency, the Ngultrum, is pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee, and both are freely accepted. You'll want local currency for tips and small purchases — credit cards aren't widely accepted outside of hotels.
You can exchange currency at the airport, but bring crisp, new bills — old or torn ones will be turned away at the exchange offices and hotels. There's also an ATM at the airport and a few in the larger towns but they might not work. I will provide more tipping etiquette as we approach the trip.
Will my cell phone work in Bhutan?
Not automatically — Bhutan isn't included on most international data plans (so it won’t work with any T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T plan). The easy fix is a local SIM or eSIM, which you can pick up at the airport on arrival for very little (my last one ran about $20 for ten days). Hotels will all provide wifi if you want to limit your data usage.
What kind of plug adapters do I need?
Bhutan uses three plug types — British, European, and Indian — so it's worth bringing an adapter that covers all three, or a small universal one. I'm happy to point you to the one I use if that's helpful.
Do they speak English?
Your guide, driver, and hotel staff will all speak sufficient English, as will many shops. English is now a required school subject, so most younger Bhutanese speak it well, though some elders may not. I always learn Hello, Goodbye, and Thank you wherever I travel — we'll teach you those as soon as we land.
Can I drink the water?
Tap water isn't safe to drink in Bhutan, but most of our hotels have dual filtration systems that make their water safe. We'll also provide water throughout the trip — I'd still recommend bringing a reusable bottle to cut down on plastic.
What about the food?
Bhutanese food is bold and often spicy, built around chilies, local cheese (datshi), and red rice. The national dish, ema datshi, is a fiery stew of chilies and cheese — chilies are treated as a vegetable here, not just a seasoning. Hearty stews, yak meat, pork, and dumplings are staples too, all built to fuel life at high altitude.
Don't worry — plenty of western and non-spicy options are available throughout our trip.
What is a Tsechu Festival?
Tsechus are Buddhist festivals, specifically rooted in Vajrayana (Tibetan-style) Buddhism, which is the dominant form practiced in Bhutan. Tshechus are vibrant, multi-day religious festivals held annually across Bhutan to honor Guru Rinpoche. They feature masked Cham dances performed by monks and laymen, and the unveiling of a giant sacred tapestry called a thongdrel.
What should I wear to the festival?
Modest, respectful clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Tourists aren't required to wear Bhutan's national dress, but doing so is warmly appreciated by locals and adds something special to the experience — We will arrange it locally for anyone that wants to participate.
What should I wear and how should I act when visiting temples and monasteries?
The same modesty rule applies — shoulders and knees covered. Shoes come off before entering, and while photography is generally fine in courtyards, it's not allowed inside inner temples.
What activity level is required for this trip?
Outside of Tiger's Nest, the pace is low to moderate. Keep in mind we'll be at high elevation throughout, so even easy walks can feel more demanding than they would at sea level.
How difficult is the Tiger's Nest hike, specifically?
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This is the most challenging day of the trip — about 4 to 5 hours round trip, reaching roughly 10,236 feet with a 1,700-foot elevation gain. There's a cafe about a third of the way up if you'd like to pause or turn back there.
If you'd rather skip the hike entirely, that's completely fine — you're welcome to stay behind and enjoy the resort instead.
Can I take a horse up to Tiger's Nest?
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You may read about horses that go partway up — they only travel as far as the cafe, roughly a third of the route. Riding in this terrain isn't particularly safe given the footing, so it's not something we arrange through Mando Travel.
Other questions
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If you have questions I haven’t answered, just let me know and I am happy to help walk you through it
What's illegal in Bhutan that I should know about?
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The sale and production of tobacco is banned nationwide, so leave it at home. Photography is generally welcome in courtyards but not inside inner temples, and it's worth asking your guide before photographing people directly, especially at the festival,