Visiting Bhutan is unlike travelling to most other destinations. Bhutan has a unique tourism policy— “High Value, Low Impact”—which means travellers must arrange their trip through an authorised tour operator. The right tour company won’t just handle permits and logistics; it will also shape how deeply you experience Bhutan’s culture, landscapes, and way of life.
Size of Tour Operator
In Bhutan, there is a saying that translates to ‘Everyone who can breathe has a tour agency’. There are several hundred tour agencies in Bhutan. Due to tight control by the Bhutanese Government, the guides and drivers in Bhutan are excellent regardless of the size you opt for.
The biggest and most popular agencies, such as Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited, Etho Metho Tours, and Windhorse Tours, charge higher prices. The money goes towards their internal bureaucracies. The companies are already doing well. If you want to support small businesses, this isn’t the best idea to spend your money.
Some popular companies also have offices abroad; a huge chunk of your money won’t support the people of Bhutan (if that matters to you).
The third type of tour operators is local companies. You support small Bhutanese companies. Since the tourists can only stay in government-approved accommodations, you don’t have to worry about the quality of your rooms and services. The standards of services, guides, and drivers are still excellent. The companies are small, hence you will be communicating with the owner, and you will get an immediate answer to what special requests are possible to accommodate.
I went with the company, 8 Century Tours and Travel, and would recommend them. You can contact them on Instagram and let them know that you came from this blog. They may offer you a discount and the same guide. I customised my tour and provided my own plans and wishes. They took care of everything. They were also able to arrange three personal sessions with monks on Buddhism, which no company had included in their itinerary.
Types of Tours
It is a good starting point when talking to a tour agency to know what activities you want to do or what the purpose of your trip is. You could do a cultural, spiritual, or luxury tour. Trekking is another common type of tour that tourists opt for. If you want to be more adventurous, ride a motorcycle across Bhutan with Bhutan TUSK Motorcycle Tours.
Most people usually spend 6-7 days in Bhutan. I spent 12 days in Bhutan and travelled from West to East. I got to see the main tourist attractions and also explore the offbeat locations, remote villages in the East. The focus of my trip was on culture and Buddhism, but I was also able to squeeze in a few hikes.
All-Inclusive or Not
Another thing to consider is whether you want an all-inclusive tour or not. The all-inclusive tour includes accommodation, driver, guide, all meals, and sightseeing tickets. Or you could choose to pay for sightseeing tickets, lunch and dinner on your own.
If you are looking for comfort, go for an all-inclusive package. You would have to have your lunches where your guides take you, and your dinners will be in hotels. You will be served Indian food or a toned-down version of Bhutanese food. These dishes could also get repetitive.
If you are looking for authentic Bhutanese food, pay for your lunches and dinners. Look for local restaurants or eat where your guide would eat. You can eat at the hotel, which costs Nu 300 for each meal (expect to pay the same amount at a mid-range restaurant). Eating at homestays, where you get authentic Bhutanese food, would cost around Nu 600 (I was the only guest both times I stayed in homestays; maybe it is cheaper if there are more guests).
Booking Process
The big companies would probably send you a payment link. If they have offices abroad, it will be easier to make the payment. They are likely to ask for the whole payment in advance.
The local companies usually only ask for a small amount in advance (mostly SDF + Visa Fee), you can pay the rest on arrival or towards the end of the tour. They may also have some arrangements in other countries to make the payment easier. Any specific cancellation policies can be negotiated with these companies.
Practical Questions to Ask Before Booking
Before you confirm the tour operator, you may want to clear up the following points:
- If the SDF and Visa fee is included
- If you or your tour operator applies for the visa and permit
- If the entry price for the sights is included
- Ask for a hotel close to the town in Paro and Thimphu so you can go on a stroll on your own after dinner. This isn’t too relevant in other places, as the towns are pretty much dead at night
- Share if you want to stay in hotels or homestays