Planning Your Journey
How To Visit Bhutan
Visiting Bhutan is not like visiting any other country. The kingdom has deliberately designed its tourism to be thoughtful, sustainable, and deeply personal — ensuring that every traveler who arrives is met not with crowds, but with care.
A Kingdom That Chooses Quality Over Quantity
Bhutan's approach to tourism is unique in the world. Rather than opening its doors to mass tourism, the kingdom has chosen a "High Value, Low Volume" policy that prioritizes meaningful experiences over visitor numbers. This philosophy is expressed through the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) — a daily levy of USD 100 per person per night (discounted from USD 200 until August 2027) — which funds free healthcare, free education, and environmental conservation across the country. Indian tourists pay a reduced SDF of 1,200 Ngultrums per night.
All international tourists (except Indian nationals) must obtain a visa in advance and are required to book their trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. This does not mean your experience will be rigid or impersonal — far from it. At Pelyab Tours, we craft every itinerary around your interests, your pace, and your curiosity. You will have a dedicated guide, a private vehicle, and the freedom to explore Bhutan on your own terms.
Getting There By Air
The most common way to reach Bhutan is by flying into Paro International Airport (PBH) — the kingdom's sole international airport, set dramatically in the Paro Valley at 2,250 meters. Two airlines serve Bhutan: Druk Air (the national carrier) and Bhutan Airlines (the private carrier). Between them, they offer daily flights from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, and Singapore, with additional services from Mumbai, Bangalore, Dhaka, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Guwahati, Bagdogra, and Gaya (winter only).
The approach to Paro is legendary — a winding descent between towering Himalayan peaks that pilots train specifically to navigate. Request a window seat on the left side of the aircraft for the best views of Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, and the Bhutanese peaks.
Getting There By Road
Bhutan can also be reached overland from India — the only option, as the border with Tibet (China) is completely closed to tourists. There are four land border crossings open to tourists:
Phuentsholing (Chukha district, western Bhutan) — the most popular overland entry point, adjoining Jaigaon in West Bengal. A dramatic 6-hour drive from Phuentsholing climbs from the subtropical plains to the temperate valleys of Thimphu and Paro.
Gelephu (Sarpang district, central Bhutan) — adjoining Dadgiri in Assam.
Samtse (Samtse district, western Bhutan) — adjoining Chamurchi in West Bengal.
Samdrup Jongkhar (eastern Bhutan) — adjoining Mella Bazaar in Assam, the gateway to Bhutan's wild eastern regions.
As of now, only Indian tourists can enter Bhutan via these land border points (Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Samtse). International tourists arriving overland must enter through Phuentsholing.
What Pelyab Tours Arranges For You
When you book with Pelyab Tours, we take care of everything — visa processing, flight booking (at no extra charge), airport transfers, accommodation, meals, guided experiences, and all permits. From the moment you arrive at Paro Airport to the moment you depart, every detail is handled so you can focus on what matters: experiencing Bhutan with an open heart.
The hardest part of visiting Bhutan is deciding to go.
Everything after that, we make effortless.