Planning Your Journey to Bhutan

Most international visitors need an approved visa before travelling to Bhutan. Indian nationals follow a permit process instead. Once your journey is confirmed, Raven will guide you through the documents and arrange the applicable visa or permit formalities. Entry requirements can change, so we reconfirm them for your nationality and travel dates rather than relying on general advice.

The Sustainable Development Fee, or SDF, is a nightly government levy paid by visitors to Bhutan. It is separate from the services included in your journey and may vary according to nationality and current policy. Raven will show the applicable SDF clearly in your proposal and arrange its payment with the required travel formalities.

Most guests arrive by air at Paro, usually connecting through a regional gateway in India, Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh or Singapore. Overland entry may also suit journeys beginning in southern or eastern Bhutan. Flight schedules can change seasonally, so Raven helps you compare workable connections before the rest of the itinerary is fixed. Read our Bhutan flight and arrival guide for more detail.

Raven creates complete private journeys, with the route, pace, stays and experiences thoughtfully shaped around you. Our guides, chauffeurs and vehicles are provided as part of a complete Raven journey. We do not offer standalone guide or transport hire.

A week allows a rewarding first journey through Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Nine to twelve nights creates a gentler rhythm and can include Phobjikha or another valley without making each day feel like a transfer. Central and eastern Bhutan deserve longer. Raven will recommend a realistic duration after considering your flights, interests and comfort with mountain roads.

There is no single best season. Spring brings blossoms and fresh landscapes; autumn is valued for festivals and generally settled weather; winter can be crisp, clear and beautifully quiet; summer reveals Bhutan at its greenest. The right time depends on what you hope to experience, which valleys you wish to visit and how you feel about weather and visitor numbers.

We choose stays around the journey rather than asking you to compare a long hotel directory. Depending on the valley, that may mean a locally run boutique hotel, a character property, a restorative retreat or an exceptional upgrade. We explain why each recommendation suits the route and show meaningful alternatives when a different level of comfort would improve your experience.

As active as feels right for you. A cultural journey can include short village walks and gentle monastery paths, while a walking holiday can build towards longer days or a supported trek. Tell us honestly about your experience, mobility and preferred pace. We will design around that information and suggest alternatives when a particular visit involves steep steps or sustained climbing.

Many guests travel comfortably when the route rises gradually and the first days remain sensibly paced. Raven plans time for acclimatisation, rest and hydration, and usually places more demanding walks later in the journey. Anyone with a medical condition should seek advice from a qualified clinician before travelling; your guide will also monitor how you feel on the ground.

Usually, yes. Vegetarian food is widely available, and we coordinate allergies, intolerances and other dietary needs in advance. Raven also prefers thoughtfully chosen local restaurants, cafés and family tables where suitable, rather than relying on hotel buffets throughout the journey. Please share essential requirements early so we can brief every property and host carefully.

Your proposal will clearly identify every inclusion. A fully arranged Raven journey commonly brings together private guiding, a dedicated chauffeur and vehicle, accommodation, agreed meals, sightseeing, monument fees and the required visa or permit support. International flights, travel insurance and personal expenses are generally separate unless specifically stated. We avoid hiding important costs inside vague package language.

Absolutely. The journeys on our website are considered starting points, not fixed packages. We can adjust the route, pace, walking level, accommodation and balance of culture, nature, spirituality or rest. We will also say when adding too much would weaken the experience; thoughtful tailoring sometimes means leaving space rather than filling every day.

Begin by sharing your approximate dates, number of travellers, interests, preferred comfort level and anything that would help us understand your rhythm. Raven will respond personally, recommend a sensible starting route and refine it with you. You do not need to arrive with a complete itinerary—that is the part we are here to shape.