Bhutan at a Glance
- Location: Bhutan sits in the eastern Himalayas, sandwiched between India and China, covering about 46,500 square kilometres.
- Population: Around 780,000 people live in Bhutan, making it one of the least densely populated countries in Asia.
- Continent: Located in South Asia, Bhutan is a landlocked Himalayan country between India and China in Asia.
- Capital: Thimphu serves as Bhutan's capital and largest city.
- Currency: Bhutan uses the Ngultrum, which is pegged to the Indian Rupee.
- Language: Dzongkha is the national language, though English is widely spoken and taught in schools.
- Religion: Most Bhutanese follow the Drukpa Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism, introduced by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century.
- Government: Bhutan became a democracy in 2008 under a constitutional monarchy led by the Wangchuck dynasty.
- Highest peak: Gangkhar Puensum stands at 7,570 metres and is one of the highest unclimbed mountains in the world.
- Environment: Bhutan is the world's only carbon- negative country, with over 70% of its land under forest cover.
- Tourism policy: Bhutan follows a "High Value, Low Volume" model that limits tourist numbers to protect its culture and environment.
History of Tourism in Bhutan
Bhutan opened its borders to the outside world only in 1974, timed deliberately to coincide with the coronation of the Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
That very first year, just 287 tourists, a small group of Americans, Spaniards, and one Argentinian- travelled overland into the kingdom, because Bhutan had no airline yet.
From day one, the government committed to a "High Value, Low Volume" tourism policy rather than chasing mass numbers, a philosophy that still shapes every Bhutan tour today.
Drukair, the national carrier, began flying into Paro in 1983 and made travel easier, yet Bhutan has never abandoned its founding principle: fewer visitors, deeper experiences, and every tourism dollar reinvested in the country's health, education, and infrastructure.
What a Bhutan Tour Includes
A Bhutan tour moves through Paro, Thimphu (the capital), Punakha, and often Bumthang or Gangtey, visiting dzongs (fortress monasteries), Buddhist temples, and valleys still farmed the traditional way.
Our Bhutan tour options include:
Every Bhutan tour we run includes a hike to Taktsang Monastery, the cliffside "Tiger's Nest" above Paro, plus time with local festivals, artisans, and monks whenever your dates allow.
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Trekking in Bhutan
If you want more than a Bhutan tour on wheels, lace up your boots.
Our Trekking in Bhutan programs include:
Druk Path Trek: A multi-day route linking Paro and Thimphu past alpine lakes and ancient dzongs
Chomolhari Trek: A demanding route that circles the sacred 7,314 metre peak dominating Bhutan's northern skyline
Both routes work beautifully added onto a standard Bhutan tour, giving you culture and altitude in one trip. Since 70% of Bhutan is under forest cover and the country holds 19 Himalayan peaks above 7,000 metres, trekkers get a genuinely wild counterpart to the temple hopping of a classic Bhutan tour.
Travel Information for Bhutan
A few things to know before you book:
- Every Bhutan tour must run through a licensed local operator. Independent travel is not permitted
- Bhutan charges a Sustainable Development Fee on top of standard costs, which funds free healthcare, free education, and environmental protection nationwide
- Most Bhutan tour itineraries start from Kathmandu or India
- Global Adventure Trekking manages your Bhutan visa, Drukair flights, hotels, and guides as one package
Read more in our guides to the history of Bhutan and culture of Bhutan before you go.
Why Choose Global Adventure Trekking
We have organized Himalayan travel smoothly since 1998, and our close working relationships with trusted Bhutanese ground agents mean every Bhutan tour we sell runs exactly as promised, with no logistics left to chance.
We handle everything from your first visa document to your final departure flight, and we happily tailor any Bhutan tour into a private, family, or multi-country itinerary that includes Nepal or Tibet.
Ready to Experience Bhutan?
Talk to Global Adventure Trekking today and let our Himalayan travel team tailor your Bhutan tour, from the cultural highlights of Paro and Thimphu to the trails of Druk Path and Chomolhari.
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