Though open to foreigners, the Bhutanese government is acutely aware of the environmental impact tourists can have on Bhutan's unique and virtually unspoiled landscape and culture. Accordingly, they have restricted the level of tourist activity from the start, preferring higher-quality tourism. Initially, this policy was known as "high value, low volume" tourism. It was renamed in 1999 as "high value, low impact", "a subtle but significant shift" indicating that the government was prepared to welcome more tourists, although "cultural and environmental" values should be preserved. In 2005 a document called "Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy" "placed greater emphasis on increasing tourist numbers by using the country's culture and environment to promote Bhutan as an exotic niche destination attractive to wealthy tourists".
Until 1991 the Bhutan Tourism Corporation (BTC), a quasi-autonomous and self-financing body, implemented the government's tourism policy. The Bhutanese government, however, privatised the Corporation in October 1991, facilitating private-sector investment and activity. As a result, as of 2018 over 75 licensed tourist companies operate in the country. All tourists (group or individual) must travel on a planned, prepaid, guided package-tour or according to a custom-designed travel-program. Most foreigners cannot travel independently in the kingdom. Potential tourists must make arrangements through an officially approved tour operator, either directly or through an overseas agent.
The most important centres for tourism are in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, and in the western city of Paro, near India. Taktshang, a cliff-side monastery (called the "Tiger's Nest" in English) overlooking the Paro Valley, is one of the country's attractions. This temple is incredibly[quantify] sacred to Buddhists. Housed inside the temple is a cave in which the Buddhist Deity who brought Buddhism to Bhutan mated for 90 days, battling the demons that inhabited this valley, in order to spread Buddhism. The temple has been standing for well over a thousand years; it has suffered two fires, but the damage has been repaired. Druk Air used to be[when?] the only airline operating flights in Bhutan, however as of 2012 the country is serviced by Bhutan Airlines as well.[failed verification]
Potential visitors to Bhutan obtain visas through a Bhutanese embassy or consulate in their home country.
The main attractions
The most important centers of tourism are in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan and the western city of Baro, India. A cliff-side monastery overlooking the Baro Valley (known as the "tiger nest" in English) is one of the attractions of the Taxtang country. The temple is incredibly sacred to the Buddhists
A cave located inside the temple, where a Buddhist deity brought Buddhism to Bhutan, mated for 90 days as he fought with demons in the valley to spread Buddhism. The temple has been standing for more than a thousand years, but two fires have occurred and the damage has been repaired. Duruk Air is the only airline in Bhutan, although as of 2012 Bhutan Airline has served the country since.
The majority of tourists do "cultural tours" where they visit important destinations. Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, and Jakar are popular destinations. Further afield, the unexplored region of Zhemgang (birders paradise, excellent wildlife viewing) and Eastern Bhutan have just been opened up to tourism. If you are an adventurist and want to explore the unexplored the east of Bhutan is the place for you. This unique and yet untouched part of the country offers the ultimate experience.
Monasteries
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), Paro. This is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world, and Guru Rinpoche visited here in the 8th century on his second visit to Bhutan. It is the most recognized and visited monument in Bhutan. It is believed that he arrived on the back of a winged tigress, hence the name, Tigers Nest. The temple is built on a 1,200-metre cliff and was built in 1692.
Hundreds of monasteries dot the landscape in some of the most pristine and remote areas.
Kurje Lhakhang, Jakar. A temple built around a cave with a body print of Guru Rinpoche embedded in the wall. Guru Rinpoche practiced mation here on his first visit to Bhutan and as such it is the earliest Buddhist relic in the country.
Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue under construction in the mountains of Bhutan. The statue will house over one hundred thousand (one hundred thousand) smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Buddha Dordenma itself, will be made of bronze and gilded in gold. The Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Upon completion, it will be one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 m). Although its completion was planned for October 2010, construction was ongoing as of February 2014.
Dzongs (fortresses)
The dzongs are ancient fortresses that now serve as the civil and monastic administration headquarters of each district. Apart from the architecture, which in itself makes a dzong worth visiting, they also hold many art treasures.
Dzongs dot the countryside and were built without the use of cement, nails or plans. Dzongs which you can visit are:
Punakha Dzong
Trongsa Dzong
Jakar Dzong
Lhuentse Dzong
Simtokha Dzong
Gasa Dzong
Rinpung Dzong
Tashichho Dzong - Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of Thimpu; traditional seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government (synonymous with the king since 1907) and summer capital
Kagyu-Dzong
Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong
Drukgyal Dzong
Changchukha Dzong
Tsechen Monastery and Dzong
Shongar Dzong
Singye Dzong
Trekking
Trekking is also extremely popular. The Druk path is the most commonly trekked from Paro, to the capital Thimphu. However, many other more impressive treks are available, see the complete list below. The Jomolhari, and Laya Gasa trek are also very popular and the Snowman Trek is reported to be one of the toughest treks in the world, taking an approximately 30 days. The recommended season for this trek is mid-June to mid-October.
Other treks include:
Bumthang Cultural Trek.
Bumthang Owl Trek.
Chelela Trek
Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek.
Dongla Trek
Druk Path Trek.
Dur Hot Spring Trek.
Gangjula Trek
Gangkar Puensum
Gantey Trek.
Jomolhari Trek.
Laya Gasa Trek.
Lingmithang – Zhemgang Trek
Merak-Sakteng
Nabji Korphu Community Based Trek.
Nubtsona Pata Trek
Punakha Winter Trek.
Rigsum Goenpa Trek
Royal Heritage Trek
Sagala Trek
Samtengang Trek.
Sinchula Trek.
Gantey Trek.
Snowman Trek.
Wild East Rodungla Trek.
Scenery
Bhutan's pristine environment offers ecosystem which are rich and diverse, due to its location and great geographical and climatic variations, Bhutan’s high, rugged mountains and valleys boast spectacular biodiversity, earning it a name as one of the world’s ten most important biodiversity hotspots.
Recognizing the importance of environment, conservation of its rich biodiversity is one of its development paradigms. The government has decreed that 60% of its forest resources will be maintained for all time by law. Today, 72% of the total land area is under forest cover and 26% is protected in four parks.
35% of Bhutan is made up of protected national parks. Namely, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (1,300 km2), TrumshingLa National Park (768 km2), Royal Manas National Park (9,938.54 km2), Jigme Dorji National Park (4,349 km2), Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (1,545 km2) and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (650 km2).
Festivals
Festivals or Tshechu (“tenth day”) are another major draw card to Bhutan and are held every year in various temples monasteries and dzongs across the country. The Tshechu is mainly a religious event celebrated on tenth day of a month of lunar calendar corresponding to the birth day of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). However the month of Tshechu depends place to place and temple to temple.
Tshechus are large social gatherings where people from various villages come together to witness the religious mask dances which are based on incidents from as long as 8th century from the life of Guru Padmasambhava and to receive blessings from lamas. The event also consists of colourful Bhutanese dances and other entertainments.
It is said that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to receive the blessings and wash away the sins. Every mask dances performed during Tshechu has a meaning or a story behind. In monasteries the mask dances are performed by monks and in remote villages they are performed jointly by monks and village men. Among many Tshechus in the country most popular are Paro and Thimphu Tshechus in terms of participation and audience. Besides the locals many tourists from around the world are attracted to this unique, colourful and exciting culture.
Traditionally, the Paro and Thimphu have been the most popular but tourists are fast realizing that the smaller more rural festivals are much more intimate.
Other festivals which happen throughout the year are:
Black Necked Crane Festival.
Chorten Kora Festival.
Gomphu Kora Festival.
Haa Summer Festival.
Jampa Lhakhang festival.
Kurjey Festival.
Lhuentse Festival.
Merak Tshechu.
Mongar Festival.
Nimalung Festival.
Nomad Festival.
Paro Tsechu.
Pema Gatshel Festival.
Punakha Festival.
Sakten Tshechu.
Takin Festival.
Thimphu Festival.
Trashigang Festival.
Trongsa Festival.
Ura yakchoe.
Wangdue Phodrang Festival.
Bhutan Birds Festival 2019: The second Bhutan Birds Festival (BBF) will be held in Tingtibi, Zhemgang from November 11-13, 2019. The BBF intends to encourage local community of Zhemgang to protect their rich forest and conserve high diversity of wildlife. Zhemgang is a popular birding destination.
UNESCO Tentative List of Bhutan
In 2012, Bhutan formally listed its tentative sites to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. It was the first time Bhutan listed its sites to the organization for future inclusion. Eights sites were listed, located in various properties throughout the country.
| Site | Image | Location | Proposed criteria | Year Listed as Tentative Site | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Ruin of Drukgyel Dzong |  | Paro District | Cultural | 2012 | The site includes the ruins of a fortress-Buddhist monastery built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649. In 2016, the Bhutanese government announced that the monastery will be rebuilt to its former glory.[10] | |
| Dzongs: the centre of temporal and religious authorities (Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong) |      | Multiple | Cultural | 2012 | The site includes five dzongs significant to Bhutanese history, namely, Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong. | |
| Sacred Sites associated with Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his descendants |  | Multiple | Cultural | 2012 | The site includes Tsedong Phug, Gawa Phug, Langthang Phug, Sengye Phug, Gom Drak, Thukje Drak, Tsechu Drak, Dechen Drak, Taktsang Sengye Samdrub Dzong, Tago Choying Dzong, Lingzhi Jagoe Dzong and Yangtse Thubo Dzong. | |
| Tamzhing Monastery |  | Bumthang District | Cultural | 2012 | The site is the most important Nyingma gompa in Bhutan. | |
| Royal Manas National Park (RMNP) |  | Multiple districts | Natural | 2012 | The site is the oldest national park in Bhutan. | |
| Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) |  | Multiple districts | Natural | 2012 | The site is the second largest national park in Bhutan. | |
| Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary |  | Trashiyangtse District | Cultural | 2012 | The site is an important bird area in the Himalayas. | |
| Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) |  | Multiple districts | Cultural | 2012 | The site was established to protect a mythical race known as migoi, as well as the wildlife within the site. |
Route permits are required to travel around Bhutan, and there are check posts in most districts east and north of Thimphu where you are required to produce these documents in order to proceed. Route permits are processed by your local tour operator on applying for your visa. These permits are issued by the immigration office in Thimphu (Northern end of Norzin Lam).
By plane
Plane travel is a fast and relatively safe alternative to tackling Bhutan's twisty roads, but schedules are sparse and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat. Druk Air and Bhutan Airways (aka Tashi Air) fly from Paro (Thimphu) to Yongphula Airport near Trashigang and Bathpalathang Airport in Jakar, Bumthang region, and to Gelephu close to the Indian border, in the southern central region.
By bus or car
The roads that cross the country are characterized by their twists, turns, and steep inclines, but despite the difficult topography, they are generally very well-maintained and safe. Local and inter-district bus services are not so comfortable and stop frequently. Your local tour operator will provide a vehicle and driver for the duration of your stay. This cost is included in the daily tariff. However, traveling by local or inter-district bus or taxi can also be organized. It is recommended that you drive in Bhutan only if you have experience driving in mountainous regions. The quality of road surface is variable with endless mountainous hairpin bends. It is recommended that you pack travel sickness tablets.
Hitchhiking
As the public transport running between towns in Bhutan is infrequent, hitching is a very common way to get around. The thumb in the air symbol, however, is not recognized, and you will need to flag down a passing vehicle in order to get one to stop. As some drivers pick up passengers as a means of supplementing their incomes, it is customary to offer payment when getting out of the vehicle (the amount depends roughly on the distance, but it will be comparable to the cost of traveling by bus). However, most drivers require nothing, and are more than happy just to have some company and the opportunity to make a new friend. If you plan to hitch a lot (and in some rural areas there is no other way to get around), it is a good idea to take a few small gifts to offer the drivers as an expression of your appreciation.
Roads
Due to the mountainous terrain, roads are frequently blocked by rock falls during the summer season. Therefore, it is best to avoid traveling long distances from the beginning of June to the end of August. However, if you must travel at this time, carry ample bottled water and snacks as if the landslide occurs it could take some time to clear the road.
At an altitude of 3750 m, the section of road that runs through the Thrumshingla Pass connecting Bumthang and Mongar is the highest in the country and offers some spectacular scenery. However, due to the steep sides of the valley it is especially susceptible to rock falls, so be prepared for long waits during the wet periods in particular.
Activity
Trekking: Bhutan is a popular place for trekking, though the walks are generally quite tough as there are no places to stay or eat in the higher regions, and so all food and camping equipment must be carried in. Autumn and spring are the best seasons for undertaking a trek. In the summer, the paths are too muddy, while in winter they are snow covered. However, despite the difficulties of the treks, all efforts and discomforts are more than compensated for by the stunning scenery and extremely friendly, gentle and hospitable people that are met along the way. See: Wilderness backpacking.
Festivals: Tshechu is the largest religious festival in Bhutan and is celebrated in the late summer and autumn throughout the country (see city articles for local information), though Thimphu Tshechu is the most famous and attracts around 30,000 people. The highlight of the tshechu ceremonies is the masked dances by monks, which were developed according to precise instructions given by past Buddhist masters. According to Buddhist philosophy, all experiences leave an imprint in the mind stream that produces a corresponding result in the future, and so viewing these dances, which are imbued with sacred symbolism, is considered to be a very auspicious and sanctifying experience. While the event is not held in a solemn atmosphere and there is much merriment, visitors are reminded that it is still a religious festival that is of great importance to Bhutanese people, and so appropriate behavior is expected.
Archery: This is the national sport of Bhutan and competitions are held throughout the country at most weekends. Visitors are very welcome to watch and also to add voice to the boisterous cheering that accompanies these events.
Hot Stone Bath: The hot stone bath is a ritual in itself, riverside rocks are heated till red hot and gradually dropped into a wooden tub filled with water and scattered with Artemisia leaves. The burning rocks heat the water gradually and thus release minerals in to the water. Traditionally these bath are done near a river bed with plenty supplies of stones and water and preferably after dark in the open air.
Tourist Association
Until 1991, the Bhutan Roundabout Corporation was a semi-autonomous and self-financed organization, implementing the government's tourism policy. However, the Bhutanese government privatized it in October 1991 to facilitate private sector investment and operations. As a result, as of 2018, there are over 75 licensed tourism companies operating in the country. All tourists (group or individual) must travel on a planned, pre-paid, guided package-tour or tailored travel plan.
Visitors to Bhutan receive visas through the Bhutanese embassy or consulate. Most foreigners cannot travel freely in the Kingdom. Arrangements must be made through officially approved tour operators or directly or through foreign agencies.
Arrivals by Country
Most visitors arriving to Bhutan on a short term basis were from the following countries of nationality: In 2017, the country saw its highest tourist arrival yet at more than 250,000 people. The growth was boosted by the Asia-Pacific market, notably from India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, Japan, China, Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, and South Korea. Western markets also increased, notably from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
| Rank | Country | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  India | 11,550 | 25,380 | 56,210 |
| 2 |  Bangladesh | 7,997 | 12,100 | 15,202 |
| 3 |  Maldives | 4,000 | 7,000 | 10,000 |
| 4 |  China | 4,000 | 7,399 | 7,298 |
| 5 |  United States | 6,997 | 7,137 | 7,292 |
| 6 |  Japan | 4,035 | 2,437 | 4,833 |
| 7 |  Thailand | 3,527 | 3,778 | 4,177 |
| 8 |  United Kingdom | 2,309 | 2,958 | 3,124 |
| 9 |  Singapore | 2,051 | 2,587 | 3,015 |
| 10 |  Germany | 2,770 | 2,498 | 2,297 |
| 11 |  Malaysia | 2,054 | 1,546 | 1,967 |
| 12 |  Australia | 2,062 | 1,833 | 1,818 |
| 13 |  France | 1,572 | 1,563 | 1,501 |
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