The 108 memorial chortens at Dochula Pass

Know Before You Go

Everything to sort out before you leave for Bhutan.

Entry rules, fees, and practical logistics change from time to time — this page reflects the current rules as of this update, cross-checked against Tourism Council of Bhutan sources. Your AMJ travel designer will confirm anything specific to your dates before you fly.

A note on accuracy: Bhutan's tourism policy has changed several times in recent years — the Sustainable Development Fee alone has moved from $65, to $200, to its current $100 per night since 2022. Rules on guide requirements were also relaxed in September 2023. AMJ keeps this page updated, but always confirm SDF rates, visa rules, and permit requirements with your travel designer at the time of booking, since government policy can change with limited notice.

Pre-departure checklist

Sort these out before you leave home.

Passport valid 6+ months beyond your travel dates. Required for every nationality, including Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian travellers who don't need a full visa.
Visa clearance or entry permit confirmed in writing. AMJ processes this on your behalf once your trip is booked — you'll receive a clearance letter or e-permit before you fly, not on arrival.
SDF and tour costs paid in advance. See the nationality-specific rates below — this is a separate government fee, not part of your AMJ package price.
Travel insurance covering high-altitude activity if your itinerary includes trekking above 3,500m — standard travel insurance sometimes excludes this.
Drone registration cleared in advance, if you're bringing one. Unauthorised drone use in Bhutan is a real, enforced offence — see the drone note below.
Modest dress packed for dzongs and monasteries. Shoulders and knees covered is the general rule; your guide will brief you on site-specific expectations.
Cash in USD or INR for small personal spending. Card acceptance outside Thimphu and Paro is limited; your guide can advise on currency exchange.

Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

The one fee every visitor pays — but not the same amount.

The SDF is a nightly government levy, separate from your AMJ tour cost, that funds healthcare, education, and environmental protection in Bhutan. The rate depends entirely on your nationality.

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International tourists

$100per person, per night

All nationalities except India, Bangladesh and Maldives. Reduced from $200 in 2023; confirmed through 31 August 2027. Children aged 6–12: 50% off. Under 6: exempt.

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Indian nationals

₹1,200per person, per night

Payable in Indian Rupees or Ngultrum (at parity). No visa required — an entry permit is used instead. No SDF for stays of 24 hours or less in the border towns of Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar.

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Bangladeshi nationals

$15per person, per night

A concessional rate for the first 15,000 Bangladeshi visitors each year (introduced 2024). Once that annual quota is reached, the standard $100/night rate applies — AMJ will confirm your status when booking.

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Maldivian nationals

$100per person, per night

Maldivian nationals are SAARC-eligible in principle, but current practice charges the standard international rate unless a specific government concession is issued. AMJ verifies the applicable rate at time of booking.

A 5% GST applies to tour services (hotels, guides, transport, meals) as of January 2026. The SDF itself is exempt from GST.

Tour Guides

Where you need one, and where you don't.

Since September 2023, Bhutan no longer requires a guide for informal exploration within the Paro–Thimphu–Punakha corridor — you can walk the streets, browse markets, and eat where you like on your own.

A licensed Bhutanese guide is still legally required for:

Entry to any dzong, monastery, or cultural/religious site — including within Paro, Thimphu and Punakha
The hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
Any travel beyond the Paro–Thimphu–Punakha corridor (Bumthang, Phobjikha, Trongsa, and all trekking routes)

Every AMJ itinerary includes a Department of Tourism-registered guide as standard — this isn't an upsell, it's the baseline for how we operate.

What your guide is required to do

Display their TCB-issued guide licence visibly while on duty
Never withhold your passport, money, or personal documents
Never pressure you into shopping or accepting an itinerary change
Communicate in a language you understand, competently
Prioritise your safety above all else, including arranging medical care if needed

Hotels & Accommodation

All tourist accommodation must be TCB-registered and certified
Minimum standard is 3-star for standard packages; 4- and 5-star available at extra cost
Homestays and farmhouse stays are TCB-registrable as an alternative category
Every certified property displays a TCB registration certificate on request

Vehicle Rental & Ground Transport

Tourists do not self-drive in Bhutan — all tourist vehicles use a licensed Bhutanese driver
Foreign-registered vehicles may enter under specific permit and fee conditions AMJ can arrange
Vehicles must be insured and roadworthy-certified; AMJ's fleet is inspected accordingly
One guide is required per tourist vehicle by regulation

Helicopter Services

Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services (RBHSL), based at Paro, operates scenic and charter flights
Popular options: Tiger's Nest overflight, Mt. Jomolhari scenic run, valley-to-valley transfers
The same service also provides medical evacuation and search-and-rescue — a genuine safety net for high-altitude treks
AMJ can add a helicopter segment to any itinerary on request, subject to weather and availability

Air Ticketing

Two airlines fly into Bhutan. AMJ books both.

Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines operate the only flights into Paro International Airport — among the most technically demanding airports in the world, with a limited number of pilots certified to land there.

Connections available via Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Singapore and Dubai
Seats book out early in peak season (spring festivals, autumn clear skies) — AMJ recommends confirming flights before finalising other bookings
Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals travelling by road cross at Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, or Gelephu instead

See the Flight Desk →

Drones & photography

Operating a drone without prior Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) approval is prohibited nationwide
Fines range from Nu. 20,000–50,000 for the operator, with an equal fine for a tour operator who failed to inform a guest of the rule
AMJ informs every guest of this rule before departure, as required — if you're bringing a drone, tell your travel designer early so BCAA clearance can be sought in advance
Photography inside most dzongs and monasteries is restricted or prohibited in specific inner chapels; your guide will indicate where

Still have a question specific to your trip?

Rules vary by exact itinerary, nationality, and travel dates — a travel designer will confirm everything relevant to you personally before you book.

Ask a Travel Designer