- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan tour from India 2027
Bhutan tours from India
Bhutan trips for Indian travellers in 2027: no visa needed, the INR 1,200 SDF, road entry at Phuentsholing, flights to Paro and Gelephu, costs and itineraries.
- No visa, just a permit
- SDF INR 1,200 a night
- By road or by air
130,299
Indian visitors in 2025
INR 1,200
SDF per adult per night
30 min
Bhutan ahead of IST
4 nights
Average Indian stay, 2025
Indian travellers in Bhutan
Our biggest group of guests, and the easiest trip to plan
Indians made up about 62 per cent of all visitors to Bhutan in 2025, with 130,299 arrivals. There is no visa, the SDF is a fraction of the international rate, and you can arrive by road through Phuentsholing or fly into Paro from several Indian cities.
Many of our Indian guests fly into Bagdogra and drive to the border, while others fly straight to Paro from Delhi or Kolkata. We arrange the entry permit, a Bhutanese car and licensed guide from the border or airport, hotels and the SDF, so you travel without paperwork worries.
- Entry permit and SDF arranged for you
- Pick-up at Phuentsholing, Paro, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar
- Vegetarian and Indian food easy to find
Getting there
How to get from India to Bhutan
Indians can reach Bhutan by road or air. These are the most common ways in.
| Route | How it works | Typical journey | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| By road via Phuentsholing | Fly or take the train to Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri, then drive about 4 to 5 hours to Jaigaon and cross into Phuentsholing. | One day from Bagdogra | The most popular route. We meet you at the Phuentsholing gate. |
| Fly to Paro | Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly to Paro from Delhi and Kolkata, and Drukair also from Bagdogra, Guwahati and seasonally Gaya. | About 1 to 2.5 hours flying | The fastest way, with mountain views on a clear day. |
| Fly to Gelephu | Drukair has flown Kolkata to Gelephu twice a week since 8 December 2025. | About 1.5 hours | Convenient for southern and central Bhutan. |
| By road via Samdrup Jongkhar | Drive about 3.5 to 4 hours from Guwahati airport to the border. | One day from Guwahati | Good for eastern Bhutan trips. |
Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly into Bhutan. Schedules change by season, so we confirm them for your dates.
Permit and entry
Entry rules for Indian travellers
Indian nationals do not need a visa for Bhutan. You need an entry permit and must pay the SDF.
Documents
A valid Indian passport or an Election Commission voter ID card. Bring the original. Carry a birth certificate or passport for children.
Entry permit
Issued online through the Department of Immigration or at the port of entry. We apply in advance so you avoid queues at the gate.
SDF INR 1,200
Indian adults pay INR 1,200 per night. Children pay a reduced rate and young children pay nothing. We confirm the age bands when you book.
Licensed guide
A Department of Tourism notice issued on 8 April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide beyond the first checkpoint. Your guide is included in every Deya trip.
Indian vehicles
Indian-registered cars need a separate vehicle permit and a licensed guide on board. Most guests use our Bhutanese car and driver from the border.
Embassy
The Embassy of India in Thimphu helps Indian citizens in an emergency.
Budget
What a Bhutan trip from India costs in 2027
The SDF for Indians is low, so most of your budget goes on hotels, transport and guide.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SDF, 6 nights | INR 7,200 per adult | INR 1,200 per night. Children pay less. |
| Entry permit | Free | We apply for it with your booking. |
| Guide, car and driver | Per day, quoted | Required for travel beyond the first checkpoint. |
| Hotels | Depends on category | From good 3-star hotels to luxury lodges. |
| Flights to Paro | Varies by season | Delhi and Kolkata are the busiest routes. Book early for summer and Puja holidays. |
| Road transfer from Bagdogra | Quoted | We can arrange a car on the Indian side to Phuentsholing. |
We send an itemised quote in rupees before you pay anything.
Sample itinerary
A 7-day Bhutan trip from India by road
The classic route for guests entering at Phuentsholing. If you fly to Paro, we simply reverse it.
Day 1: Phuentsholing
Drive from Bagdogra to Jaigaon and cross into Phuentsholing. We complete the permit and you stay the night.
Day 2: To Thimphu
A winding drive of about 5 to 6 hours up into the mountains, with tea stops along the way.
Day 3: Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong, the Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten and the craft market.
Day 4: Punakha
Over Dochula pass at about 3,100 metres to Punakha Dzong and Chhimi Lhakhang.
Day 5: Paro
Drive to Paro. Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang.
Day 6: Tiger's Nest
The half-day hike to Taktsang monastery. Ponies can take you part of the way up.
Day 7: Back to India
Drive back to Phuentsholing, or fly from Paro to Delhi or Kolkata.
When to go
Best time to visit Bhutan from India
Summer holidays
May and early June are a cool escape from the plains, before the monsoon sets in.
Monsoon
July and August bring rain and some landslides on the roads. Fine for short trips with flexible plans.
Puja and Diwali
October and November are clear and festive, and the busiest time for Indian visitors. Book early.
Winter
December and January are cold and sunny. Snow on Dochula and Chele La some days.
Good to know
Practical tips for Indian visitors
Money
Indian rupees are accepted across Bhutan at par with the ngultrum. Carry smaller notes for shops and markets.
Phone and data
Buy a B-Mobile or TashiCell SIM at Paro airport or in Phuentsholing. Coverage is good in towns and along main roads.
Food
Vegetarian food is easy to find and many restaurants serve Indian dishes. One of our guests wrote that most of the restaurants serve Indian food.
What to wear
Long sleeves and long trousers or skirts for dzongs and temples. Layers for cold mornings and a light rain jacket in any season.
Tobacco
Smoking in public places is banned. You may carry a limited amount for personal use and must declare it.
Time
Bhutan is 30 minutes ahead of India.
Choose your trip
Bhutan tours you can book from abroad
Every trip is private and can be changed. Pick a style and we will adjust the route to your flights.
Cultural tours
5 to 15 day itineraries through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang, with the Tiger’s Nest hike.
Festival tours
Time your trip for Paro, Thimphu, Punakha or Jakar Tshechu, with the expected 2027 dates.
Trekking tours
Bumdra, the Druk Path, Jomolhari and the Snowman trek, with a full camping crew.
Luxury tours
Amankora, COMO Uma and Six Senses lodges, with helicopter flights if you want them.
Adventure tours
Tour of the Dragon, the Bhutan marathon, rafting, motorbike routes and birding.
Photography tours
Festivals, birds, wildlife and landscapes, timed for the light.
What guests say after travelling with us
“I am a solo traveler most of the time and prefer planning on my own. But for a change this time used Deya for my trip to Bhutan and absolutely loved the idea of doing it.”
Suma K
Solo traveller
“Mr. Omanth did a fantastic job overall. He took care of all the cancellations of hotels due to government holidays, and booking it again on our previously planned dates, that too without charge.”
Munendra
Trip via Phuentsholing
“I visited Bhutan this October with my parents who are elderly and I was concerned about their well-being, but Mr. Omnath from Deya Tours and Travels made sure that they were well taken care of.”
Yadenla
Family trip with elderly parents
Bhutan tour from India: questions
No. Indian citizens need an entry permit, issued online or at the port of entry, with a valid passport or voter ID.
INR 1,200 per adult per night. Children pay a reduced rate and young children are exempt.
Yes, at Phuentsholing (from Jaigaon, near Bagdogra), Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. Phuentsholing is the most common crossing.
Yes. The Department of Tourism notice of 8 April 2026 applies to all guests: a licensed guide is required beyond the first checkpoint.
Indian-registered vehicles need a separate permit and must travel with a licensed guide. Most visitors find it easier to use a Bhutanese car and driver.
Five to seven nights covers Phuentsholing or Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and the Tiger’s Nest hike. The 2025 average for Indian visitors was four nights.
Children without a voter ID need a passport or birth certificate. Bring originals for everyone in the group.
Free trip planning
Plan your Bhutan trip from India
Tell us your city, dates and whether you prefer to fly or drive. We will send a plan with the permit, SDF and car arranged.
- Free personalised consultation
- No booking fees, ever
- A reply within 24 hours
- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- +975 17533776
- +975 77495028
- info@deyabhutantours.com
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Let's plan your Bhutan journey
Tell us a little about your trip. Our team in Thimphu will reply with ideas, a day-by-day plan and a full price.
We’ll reply within 24 hours. No booking fees, and no obligation to book.
