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Travel Guide
Visiting Bhutan
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Top Attractions in Bhutan
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
Paro Taktsang clings to a sheer granite cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley floor at an altitude of 3,120 metres, making it one of the most dramatically sited religious buildings in the world. Built in 1692 around the cave where the Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in the 8th century, the complex comprises four linked temples adorned with frescoes, butter-lamp chambers, and gilded statues. The three-to-four-hour hike up through pine and rhododendron forest rewards visitors with close-up views of the white-and-gold facades pinned against the rockface.
Punakha Dzong
Punakha Dzong occupies a narrow tongue of land at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, a setting that makes it among the most photogenic fortresses in the Himalayas. At 180 metres long and with a central tower rising six storeys, it served as the seat of the Bhutanese government until 1955 and remains the winter residence of the central monastic body. Elaborate woodwork, colourful murals, and a courtyard of ancient Himalayan white poppies draw visitors from across the country.
Buddha Dordenma
The Buddha Dordenma is a 54-metre bronze and gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha seated on a hilltop above Thimphu's southern approach, making it one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world. Completed in 2015, it was built to fulfil an ancient prophecy and contains 125,000 smaller gilded Buddha figures within its interior. The surrounding parkland offers sweeping views across the capital and the valley below.
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Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 112 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Bhutan see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police113
Ambulance112
Fire110
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Bhutan
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Bhutan page at Yoogo.
Bhutan's official currency is the Ngultrum (BTN), which is pegged at parity to the Indian Rupee, and both are widely accepted throughout the country. Credit and debit cards are accepted at larger hotels and some restaurants in Thimphu and Paro, but cash is essential for smaller towns, rural areas, and monastery entrance fees. It is advisable to carry sufficient Ngultrum or Indian Rupees for day-to-day expenses outside the main tourist centres.
Bhutan consistently ranks as one of Asia's safest travel destinations, with violent crime being extremely rare and petty theft uncommon by regional standards. The country's mandatory guided-tour structure means visitors travel with a licensed guide at all times, which removes many of the navigational and scam-related concerns found elsewhere. The more significant risks for travellers are altitude sickness at higher elevations and mountain road conditions on narrow winding highways.
Most international visitors travel by private car or minibus arranged through their licensed tour operator, which is the standard mode of intercity transport under Bhutan's tourism model. Public buses connect major towns such as Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha, and taxis are available in urban centres, though fares are not always metered. Limited domestic flights operated by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines link Paro with Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yongphula, saving many hours of mountain driving.
The two most popular seasons are autumn (October to November) and spring (March to May), both offering clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and the best conditions for trekking and sightseeing. Autumn is generally considered the prime season, with crisp mountain air, excellent visibility of the high Himalayan peaks, and some of Bhutan's most vibrant festivals taking place. The monsoon months of June to August bring heavy rainfall that can affect road access and obscure mountain views, while winters are cold but clear and quieter.
Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan, and the country has more than nineteen spoken dialects across its various regions. English is widely understood throughout the tourism sector, as it is the medium of instruction in Bhutanese schools and all government-certified guides are required to speak it fluently. Visitors can expect smooth communication in English at hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites, though basic phrases in Dzongkha are warmly appreciated by locals.