Visiting Bhutan Will Be Cheaper—If You Stay Long Enough

Bhutan, a tiny Buddhist kingdom nestled in the Himalayas between India and China, is famed for its monasteries perched on cliffs, verdant lowland jungles, serene populace, and careful tourism policies.

Since 1974, foreigners have been permitted to visit Bhutan, which has always imposed a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) as part of its “High Value, Low Volume” tourism strategy. Before the pandemic, this fee was $65 per day. Just before reopening for tourism in September 2022, Bhutan’s Department of Tourism announced a tripling of this rate to $200 per day. However, the government has now adjusted its stance, stating that travelers can avoid certain daily fees by spending five nights or more in the country.

According to an announcement from the Department of Tourism, visitors who pay the SDF for their first four days can extend their stay for another four days without incurring the daily charge. Moreover, those who pay for a seven-night stay will not have to pay for the subsequent seven nights, while paying for 12 nights allows for the next 18 nights to be fee-free.

This policy adjustment aims to help “guests explore the many facets of this diverse kingdom and promote longer stays,” particularly given the time it takes to traverse even short distances in this mountainous region.

“This incentive allows nature enthusiasts to explore the most remote areas of Bhutan’s wilderness to see some of the rarest birds and mammals on the planet; passionate trekkers can traverse the newly restored Trans Bhutan trail or the renowned Snowman Trek; and those interested in culture can savor the diverse flavors, festivals, and tranquil lifestyle in Bhutan’s secluded villages—from east to west and north to south,” stated the Department of Tourism in a release.

Travelers who have already planned their trips to Bhutan can still benefit from the new program by canceling their current visa and applying for a new one.

With the launch of the new visa program, the Department of Tourism also announced that visitors can now plant a tree during their stay in Bhutan, contributing to the nation’s goal of planting 1 million new trees. According to the press release, any traveler interested in planting a tree will receive a sapling, though details on how to request one are not yet available.

Bhutan has long prioritized environmental protection—its constitution mandates that at least 60 percent of the country’s land must be designated as forest. As a result, Bhutan stands as the only carbon-negative country in the world. Nevertheless, the government stated that, due to the growing threat of climate change (with frequent flooding affecting the nation), Bhutan will enhance its efforts to maintain its carbon-negative status.

Bhutan remains one of the least-visited countries globally. In 2019, approximately 316,000 tourists traveled to Bhutan, with only around 72,199 coming from nations other than India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives (these countries previously did not have to pay the minimum daily rate but will now be subject to a reduced tourism fee, the amount of which is still to be announced). Despite this, tourism plays a significant economic role for most nations.

“Tourism is a strategic and valuable national resource that affects not only those employed in the industry but all Bhutanese citizens,” stated Dorji Dhradhul, director general of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, in a press release. “Ensuring its sustainability is essential for protecting future generations.”