Bhutan Travel Forum

Hi. I'm so glad to come across this forum. I love to visit Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan for years. I'm 28, from Vietnam, been to a few places. My only one solo back-packer experience was in Java- Indonesia, which didn't turn out to be very fulfilling. So I really want to make this ultimate 3-4-week trip something to keep dearly in memory forever. I appreciate if you can share me some advises.

1. Travel guide book: Is there any good guide book covering 3 destinations (Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet)? I found 3 separate Lonely Planet "THICK" books in the bookstore. I once spent most of my travel time reading a guide book :( and don't think it's a good idea to do something similar again.

2. Timing: I plan on October. From what i read, monsoon is over by then, and it doesn't get too cold yet. good eh? :)

3. Destinations: I know each of these places deserves more than 3 weeks, but my time is limited. Is it too greedy for a trip to enjoy it, you think? I love Bhutan the most (except its $200 fine per day policy), and I can drop Nepal from the list if need be because it seems Nepal is very much like India. No offending, just that I've been to India (and loved it), i want to be soaked in a different culture and people and scenes in this trip.

4. Routing: which is the most efficient routing? Bhutan- Nepal-Tibet? Or Nepal-Bhutan-Tibet? I like ground transport in between these locations. I'll enter from India, and planing for a bullet train from Lhasa to Beijing on the way back to Vietnam.

Thanks for reading guys. I know its long, and also not particularly on Bhutan only. But i don't know where else to post this question in VirtualTourist. Happy Travel and sharing. :)

Defiantly think Bhutan will be a good experience, I love to see the country myself but what has held me back from going is that Bhutan won't give Indepentdent travellers a visa you can only visit country by tour group which is expensive from my view. Unless things have changed, you have to check it out.

As for the timing of your trip, it is perfect you will have good weather.

If you can't get to Bhutan then Nepal and overland trip to Tibet will still be worth a visit.


Best of luck

Hi there. As for visiting Bhutan, October is a great time of year. The monsoons are over, and it gets chilly at night, but is usually beautiful during the day. I know it can be a bit cost-prohibitive, but if you want to really see Bhutan I would suggest at least a 9 day trip, although 6-7 is good if you want a brief overview. Bhutan really is a country of short distances but long trips, so if you want to see the country, you have to allow a lot of travel time between places. As for routing, you can only enter Bhutan via road at Phuentsholing (border town of India..West Bengal area... and Bhutan or via air into Paro from Bangkok, Kathmandu, Kolkata, or Delhi, so you should keep that in mind when making other travel arrangements. Honestly, no matter what you decide to do, I would save Bhutan as your last destination, as it's always better to save the best for last! :) If you have more specific questions about Bhutan, please feel free to contact me at jamie@zirkel.us. I'm an American living here and would be happy to help you however I can. Take care and Tashi Delek! Jamie

Are they offering Visa's to Independent travellers yet or do you still need to join a tour to visit the country.

Thanks guys. It's been hectic the last few days, and even more so ahead. :(

Some updates. I've had a check with a local agent. He doesn't have trips to Bhutan, and advise that it's not really worth it. The best way to appreciate the Bhutan is by trekking, he said, which Nepal has cheaper and better options to offer. I still yet to find out what is best of Bhutan, but i think i'll enjoy the serenity and "air" in some monasteries or local quiet town, or say an early morning sipping hot tea watching people going about doing their business.

@earthflyer: I have no solution for Visa yet. But i think i can handle that later. If I come with one or 2 friends, would they consider it a tour group?

@thevaughan: Tashi Delek! Kaadinchey La! (hope i get that right). I'd definitely write when the plan is getting more defined and my questions more specific. 9 days are too much for my budget. I think 3-4 days would be manageable. Any more than that i'm afraid will add acidity to my memory of the kingdom later on. hehe. And you LIVE there. That's so amazing. If you had 4 days left in Bhutan, what would be your must-go's and must-visits?

hi there,
Funny You travel agent says Bhutan is no worth to be visit - and than telling he has no arrangement. But perhaps that is on the prices they call for a visit. Well, thats the reason so less people going there.
Can't say anything about Your route, but as a foreigner You can only do one way overland, the second You have to take the airplane.
I guess You already know that You need to travel as a "group", but You can also be a group of one. The fact is that the price gets a little bit up. Depends also on the season, if I'm right, that will be about 220 US $ a day.
have fun
Gar