Breaking down Bhutan: How to find the best tours

What a great question, Michelle! Bhutan is a firm must-see for so many adventurous travelers, so we're delighted that you're able to get planning despite those setbacks.

For those of you who don’t know, the Himalayan kingdom is home to the iconic cliff-hugging Tiger’s Nest monastery and is almost as elusive as its resident, the snow leopard.

Its terraced rice paddies, lush valleys, and iconic Buddhist sites mostly remain inaccessible to travelers due to a lack of flight options and the idea that it's simply unaffordable to reach. 

Photo from Jack's Traveler Karen in our Facebook Community

In fact, the country only started welcoming international tourism in 1974, with a mere 274 people visiting that year. Compare that to 209,376 tourists in 2025—wow! 

We won’t fib; the mandatory guide requirement and daily sustainable development fee (more on that later) don’t exactly make this the cheapest or most flexible of trips. But with a bit of planning, it’s no pricier than visiting other expensive destinations or places with similar sustainable practices, like the Galapagos. 

One of Bhutan's 4 pillars of GNH (Gross National Happiness), the Sustainable Development Fee is meant to promote high-value tourism with a commitment to carbon neutrality and cultural preservation. Simply put, your money directly supports free healthcare and education for its citizens and environmental conservation.

Thanks to a COVID-era discount, the fee currently stands at $100 per night, paid before your travel permit is issued. If you’re planning a trip for next year, note that the cost is jumping back up to $200 a night after August 31st, 2027. Keep in mind, this payment does not cover accommodation, food, or guide fees, although some agencies include it as part of their package. 

I’ve done a bit of digging in our community Facebook group and the deep recesses of the internet to find out which tour agencies come most recommended. Here's what the people are saying...

Photo from Jack's Traveler Shuo in our Facebook Community

Excursion to Himalaya

Excursion to Himalaya’s team consists of licensed guides, drivers, and local staff who know their country like the back of their hand. Tours last anywhere from 7 to 14 days, depending on the itinerary. 

You’ll find iconic cultural and festival tours on offer as well as trekking tours and even bespoke tours for luxury travelers. Their 7-day private tour costs $1840 for solo travelers, $1540 per person in a group of 2, and 3+ persons pay $1420 each. Costs include entire room and board and the SDF fee.

Thunder Dragon Tours

This tour agency wasn’t recommended by our members, but a handful of Reddit threads like this one sing their praises for both affordability and flexibility. 

Their website offers a few examples of popular itineraries, but like many smaller tour companies, they’ll only quote a price upon inquiry. 

I reached out to their coordinator, Biswa, to find out more:

“Our small team has been in business since 2019 and offers guided tours with customized itineraries. While we cater to all types of travelers, we specialize in solo travelers, female travelers, and senior citizens. Since all of the tours are customized according to preference, we don’t have a fixed cost as it depends on the number of individuals and the type of accommodation and activities they’d prefer.”

When pressed a bit more, I asked if they could use their 7-day tour without modifications as a base for pricing. They told me they charge $150 per day for solo travelers ($100 each for groups of 2, $80 for 3-4). This includes accommodation in 3-star hotels and homestays, breakfast each day, all transport (including pickup), immigration assistance, and the guide’s food and lodging. It doesn't, however, include lunch or dinner, as they emphasized flexibility for their guests in choosing their meal locations. It also doesn’t include the SDF fee (an additional $100 per day) or entry fees to attractions.

“We don’t include entry fees as we try to give the flexibility for the guest to change places in the itinerary last minute or to add new places along the way,” wrote Biswa. 

A rough estimate including the daily SDF fee and a budget of $30 per day for food and $100 for all attractions brings the total to $1960 for a solo traveler, $1610 per person for two, and $1470 for a group of 3-4. 

Luxury Holiday Nepal

This tour company came recommended by member Kristen: 

“We went in 2022 with a tour company called Luxury Holidays Nepal and were very happy with them. One of the things that we appreciated with this tour company is that they negotiated with the Bhutanese officials to respect the rate that the tourist tax was at the time we booked it. 

We bought the package when the (SDF) rate was $60 per day, and post-pandemic it jumped up to $200 per day, which would've been a significant expense had our tour operator not gotten them to accept the original rate.”

Many of their group tours include excellent options for trekking and camping among a broader itinerary. You’ve also got the option to start your tour in Nepal and end in Bhutan or to choose a more typical itinerary, such as Bhutan’s Golden Triangle.

For a 7-day tour, prices start at $1899 for solo travelers, $1399 per person for 2, or $1325 for a group of 3-5. This includes the SDF fee as well as full room and board. Keep in mind that since this is a group tour, you’ll be joining an average group size of 15-20 people. 

Bhutan Green Travel 

At the Destinations Holiday & Travel Show in Manchester, I just so happened to meet the BGT team in person. They welcomed me into their booth and handed me a very detailed brochure of over 34 different itineraries, including festivals, cultural tours, trekking, birdwatching, and photography.

They’ve been in business since 2011 and cater to both independent and group travelers. While many of their dates are fixed, they’re still happy to craft bespoke travel packages. 

Prices vary between low and high season. A 7-day tour in high season costs $2770 for solo travelers (single supplement applies starting at $50/night) $2540 per person for two, or $2130 for 3-6 people. This includes all room and board, transport, and excursions, as well as the SDF fee. 

Exodus

A firm favorite among our community, Exodus is well-known in the travel industry for their immersive, small group tours that work with a network of expert local guides. 

With a “nature first” ethos and B Corp stamp of approval, it’s clear that their tours in Bhutan are a great choice for ethically conscious travelers. They offer a mix of festival-focused tours, including colorful Thimphu Tsechu (October) and Paro (March), as well as traditional itineraries outside the busy festival season. Their shortest group tours to Bhutan are 10 days, with prices depending on activities. 

Starting at $8325 (for solo travelers) for 11 days, their tours aren’t exactly cheap. This is the lowest price we could find and includes the SDF tax, 3-star accommodations, listed activities, transportation, food, and a visa. Single room supplements are an extra $1170.

Photo from Jack's Traveler Karen in our Facebook Community

Getting There

There are only two options to enter the Land of the Thunder Dragon: flying in or crossing a land border. Paro is the country’s sole international hub and just so happens to be one of the most beautiful (and thrilling) airport landings in the world. 

By Air: Only Drukair (the state-owned airline) and Bhutan Airlines (a private carrier) operate flights to and from Paro. For the most cost-effective route, consider flying from regional Indian cities, Nepal, or Thailand. Fares typically fluctuate between $300 and $600 round trip.

The following cities all offer flights to Paro: Bangkok, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Singapore, New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra, and Dubai. 

Bhutan also has three domestic airports linked to Paro (Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphulu), and depending on your itinerary, you might pass through them. Most tour groups include the cost of a regional flight in their prices, but it’s always worth double-checking.  

Overland: While the country shares 16 borders with India, tourists can only enter Bhutan through two land borders: one in the west at Phuntsholing and the other in the East at Samdrup Jongkhar. If you’re planning a combined tour of Bhutan and India, traveling overland is a great way to tie your journey together.

When to Visit

It’s totally possible to travel to Bhutan year-round, but the weather is most favorable from March to May and September to November.

Lots of festivals take place during these periods, and flights, hotels and tours can sell out pretty quickly, so we'd recommend booking well in advance.

Hopefully this helps you wade through the options, Michelle. Regardless of which company you choose, here are a few questions to ask before you book.

• Is this a group or private tour? 
• Is there a single-room supplement? 
• How many meals are provided? 
• Is the SDF fee included or separate in the quoted price? 
• What category of hotels are used? Can I see the names of hotels in the itinerary?
• Can I customize the itinerary to add hikes, festivals, or more time in specific areas?
• What is your refund policy if my trip is cancelled due to travel restrictions or emergencies?

Keep us posted about your trip, and of course we’d be delighted to hear all about it in our Facebook Community—we can’t get enough of Bhutan’s prayer flags and peaks!