Before you travel
Travel info & cancellation policy
Money and payments, tailoring your journey, our cancellation and refund policy, and a practical packing checklist for Bhutan.
Before you travel
Prepare for Your Bhutan Journey
Preparing for a journey to Bhutan requires a little more planning than a standard vacation. Bhutan’s varied geography, changing climates, cultural traditions and remote mountain regions make thoughtful preparation essential.
This travel guide brings together the practical information you need before departure, including money and banking, journey planning, accreditation, cancellation and refund policies, rescheduling, and a comprehensive packing checklist.
Take a moment to review each section before travelling so that your documents, finances, clothing, equipment and travel arrangements are properly prepared.
Payments & finance
Money, Banking & Travel Payments
Understanding Bhutan’s currency and payment environment will help you manage everyday expenses comfortably throughout your journey. While cards are accepted in many established tourist businesses, cash remains useful when travelling outside major towns.
We recommend carrying a reasonable amount of physical cash as a backup, particularly when your itinerary includes rural communities, remote valleys or smaller local businesses.
What is the local currency in Bhutan?
Bhutan’s local currency is the Ngultrum (Nu). It is pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee (INR).
The Ngultrum is used throughout Bhutan for everyday purchases, including food, shopping, local services and other travel expenses.
Can I use Indian Rupees in Bhutan?
Indian currency may be accepted in Bhutan, particularly in locations where cross-border trade and travel are common.
Travellers should carry suitable denominations and confirm current acceptance restrictions before travelling, as individual businesses may have different policies.
Can I use international credit or debit cards?
Visa and Mastercard may be accepted at selected hotels, resorts, shops and businesses, particularly in major tourist areas.
Smaller businesses, local markets and some establishments in rural areas may require cash.
For this reason, we recommend travelling with both a suitable international payment card and physical cash.
Are ATMs available in Bhutan?
ATMs are available in major towns and can provide access to local currency depending on the participating bank and your card network.
Network availability can occasionally be affected by connectivity issues. Travellers should therefore avoid relying entirely on ATM access.
Travel tip
Carry a reasonable amount of physical cash as a backup, particularly when travelling to remote valleys and rural areas.
Your journey
Access & Tailor Your Journey
We believe travel should be visually intuitive, flexible and designed around your interests. A well-structured itinerary allows you to understand the rhythm of your journey before you arrive.
Depending on the experience you select, your itinerary can incorporate cultural discovery, photography, birdwatching, wellness and other interests while maintaining a practical day-by-day structure.
What information is included in a day-by-day itinerary?
Every tour package can be presented through a clear day-by-day itinerary that helps you understand your journey at a glance.
Depending on the itinerary, the daily plan may include:
- Daily sightseeing and activity milestones
- Estimated driving times
- Altitude information
- Accommodation arrangements
- Meal arrangements
- Major cultural and natural attractions
- Special experiences and optional activities
This structure gives travellers a clearer understanding of how each day will unfold while allowing appropriate flexibility where circumstances require adjustments.
Can I arrange a photography-focused Bhutan journey?
Yes. Photography-focused routes can be incorporated into a Bhutan journey for travellers interested in landscape, architecture, culture and Himalayan scenery.
Depending on the itinerary, additional time can be allocated to viewpoints, cultural locations, landscapes and locations suitable for sunrise or sunset photography.
Are birdwatching experiences available?
Bhutan offers opportunities for Himalayan birdwatching and ecological experiences across different elevations and habitats.
Birdwatching-focused itineraries can be developed around suitable regions and seasons, depending on the species and experience you wish to pursue.
Can I include wellness activities in my itinerary?
Wellness-focused journeys can incorporate experiences such as meditation, yoga and relaxation retreats.
These experiences can be combined with cultural sightseeing and nature-based travel to create a slower and more restorative Bhutan itinerary.
Proof & trust
Verified Local Accreditations
Transparency and trust are essential when planning an international journey. Travellers should be able to understand who is providing their travel services and where applicable, how relevant credentials can be verified.
Orion Bhutan Travel & Treks presents its relevant registration and accreditation information so guests can make informed arrangements before travelling.
What accreditations and credentials can travellers verify?
Where applicable, guests can review our verified credentials and relevant registration information.
Tourism-related licensing and registration information can also be checked through the appropriate Bhutanese tourism authorities and industry organisations.
Where can Bhutan tourism credentials be verified?
Where applicable, guests can verify licensing information through the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) and the official Department of Tourism (DOT) registers.
If you would like to verify a specific credential before booking, our team can provide the relevant registration information applicable to your journey.
Booking terms
Cancellation & Refund Policy
We understand that travel plans can change unexpectedly. Because organising a Bhutan journey involves coordinating accommodation, transportation, government requirements and other travel services, cancellations are subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
To remain transparent, the following cancellation framework explains the standard arrangements for land tours, government fees and international inbound flight tickets.
Land Tour Packages — Standard Cancellation
All cancellation or date-change requests must be submitted to us in writing by email. The date our office acknowledges receipt of your request will be treated as the official cancellation date.
| Cancellation Before Tour | Cancellation Charge | Eligible Refund |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Days or More | 0% | 100% of land tour cost |
| 15–29 Days | 50% | 50% of land tour cost |
| Less Than 15 Days | 100% | No refund |
| No-Show / Early Departure | 100% | No refund for unused portions |
Special programmes
Itineraries involving boutique or luxury properties, or bookings during high-demand festival periods such as Tshechus, may be subject to stricter property-specific cancellation policies. Any applicable variations will be communicated during booking.
Sustainable Development Fee & Government Fees
Is the Sustainable Development Fee refundable?
Pre-paid SDF amounts may be refundable for unused dates when cancellation occurs before entry into Bhutan, subject to applicable government rules at the time of cancellation.
Are visa processing fees refundable?
Visa processing and applicable immigration administrative fees may be non-refundable once documentation has been submitted, subject to the applicable government regulations.
International Inbound Flight Tickets
Air tickets purchased through our office are subject to the fare conditions and refund rules of the applicable airline.
30+ Days
Up to 90% refund*
10–29 Days
Up to 75% refund*
2–9 Days
Up to 50% refund*
Less Than 48 Hours
Non-refundable*
*Actual refund eligibility depends on the airline’s fare rules, ticket conditions and applicable charges. Promotional and seat-sale fares may have different restrictions.
Flexibility
Postponements & Trip Rescheduling
Whenever possible, travellers may consider changing their travel dates rather than cancelling their journey completely.
Early communication gives us more opportunity to coordinate with hotels, airlines, transport providers and other suppliers involved in your itinerary.
Can I change my travel dates?
Date-change requests made sufficiently in advance may be accommodated without an agency amendment fee, subject to availability and applicable supplier conditions.
Changes may depend on hotel availability, airline conditions, seasonal pricing and the availability of other services included in your itinerary.
Can I keep my payment as booking credit?
Where applicable, paid booking credit may be retained for a rescheduled journey, subject to hotel, airline and supplier availability.
The specific conditions of the credit will depend on the services already booked and the terms of the relevant suppliers.
Refund Processing
Once a refund has been formally approved and calculated, international payment processing may require additional time depending on the originating bank, correspondent banks and applicable financial procedures.
Typical Processing
2–4 weeks*
Possible Deductions
Bank & currency charges*
*Processing times and deductions may vary depending on the payment method, banking institutions, exchange rates and applicable charges.
Prepare smart
Pre-Departure Packing Checklist
Bhutan’s diverse topography and changing microclimates mean that thoughtful packing can make your journey considerably more comfortable.
Temperatures can vary substantially according to elevation, season and time of day. A practical layering strategy is therefore more useful than relying on a single type of clothing.
Essential Documents & Financials
Keep important travel documents accessible throughout your journey rather than placing everything in checked luggage.
- Printed copy of your approved visa/e-Visa documentation.
- Valid original passport.
- Inbound and outbound flight details.
- Travel insurance documentation, where required.
- Suitable cash for currency exchange and travel expenses.
- Copies or digital backups of important documents.
Cultural Dress Code
Bhutan has a strong cultural and religious heritage. When visiting Dzongs, monasteries, temples and other religious or administrative sites, visitors should dress respectfully and follow local site requirements.
- Choose clothing that provides appropriate coverage.
- Avoid shorts and revealing clothing at sacred sites.
- Carry layers suitable for cooler indoor spaces.
- Comfortable slip-on footwear can be useful where shoes must be removed.
- Warm socks are recommended for cold stone floors.
Clothing & Layering Strategy
Temperatures can vary significantly with altitude and throughout the day. Layering is the most practical approach.
Base Layer
Lightweight moisture-wicking clothing.
Insulating Layer
Fleece, down jacket or wool sweater.
Outer Layer
Windproof and waterproof jacket.
Headwear
Sun hat and warm beanie.
Footwear & Outdoor Gear
Comfortable footwear is particularly important if your itinerary includes temple visits, sightseeing walks or Himalayan hikes.
- Broken-in walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots.
- Footwear with good grip for mountain trails.
- Trekking poles for longer or steeper hikes.
- 20–30 litre daypack.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Sunscreen and sun protection.
- Umbrella.
- Personal camera equipment, if required.
Health, Wellness & Pharmaceuticals
Prepare a small personal travel-health kit before departure, particularly if you are travelling to remote areas where access to pharmacies may be limited.
- Motion-sickness medication if you are prone to car sickness.
- Personal prescription medications.
- Basic first-aid supplies.
- Rehydration salts and common travel medicines.
- Blister protection for hiking.
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
- Insect repellent for lower-altitude valleys.
Important
If travelling to high-altitude areas or undertaking a high-altitude trek, discuss altitude-related precautions and medication with a qualified healthcare professional before your trip.
Electronics & Power Compatibility
Remote travel days can be long, so keeping your essential electronics charged and protected is useful.
- Universal travel adapter.
- Power bank for long travel days.
- Phone and camera charging cables.
- Extra memory cards for photography.
Voltage
230V
Common Plug Types
Type C, D & G
Tailor-made, at no extra cost
Tailor your Bhutan journey
We can shape your Bhutan experience around your preferences, interests, travel style and schedule at no additional cost. Want more time for culture, nature, adventure or wellness, or simply a slower pace? Tell us, and we will plan the journey around you.