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| INFO ABOUT THIS ITINERARY As per Bhutan government’s policy, citizens of all countries, except from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, have to book their tour through a registered travel agent and pay US$250 per person, per day to be able to secure a permit or visa. This is mandatory! Having said that, all expenses in this itinerary are for individual travel and does not apply to the mandated travel agency’s or tour operator’s costs. However, you can get an idea of costs, along with tips and details of places you’d like to visit. |
Here’s a complete breakdown of costs per person for all the eight days of our trip to Bhutan.
Where: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha (Khuruthang, Lobesa), Haa
Transport: Airlines, Taxi
When: November 2018
Who: One backpacker
Currency: Bhutan Ngultrum (BTN)
Note: International flights in and out of Bhutan are NOT included in the costs.
All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. The exchange rate at the time of visiting is assumed to be USD 1 = BTN 71.
Accommodation
| City | Accommodation | Cost/night | Notes |
| Thimphu | Hotel New Grand | $45.60 | Two nights. Double bed with ensuite bathroom. |
| Khuruthang | Punakha Residency | INR 4,320 | Approx $60.84 for two nights. Double bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
| Paro | Hotel Phunsum | $72.10 | Four nights. Two single beds. Ensuite bathroom. |
Planning & Information
| What | Cost | Notes | Accommodation for all days | $178.54 | Per person. See the list and costs above. |
| Total Costs | $178.54 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $178.54 | Per person |
Day 1 – Thimphu
| What | Cost | Notes |
| SIM card | $10.10 | BTN 230 for SIM card & BTN 500 for 5GB data only, valid for 30 days. |
| Taxi from airport to Thimphu | $22.53 | BTN 1,600. One way. |
| Dinner day before | $2.82 | BTN 200 at ‘Wine n Dine’ restaurant |
| Lunch | $3.24 | BTN 230 at ‘Ghasel’ restaurant |
| Flag & Postcards | $10.91 | BTN 500 and BTN 275. |
| Taxi to Buddha statue | $4.22 | BTN 300 one-way |
| Memorial Chorten entrance fees | $4.22 | BTN 300 per person for SAARC countries’ citizens |
| Dinner | $1.12 | BTN 180 at ‘Hotel New Grand’ restaurant |
| Total Daily Costs | $59.16 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $237.70 | Per person |
Day 2 – Thimphu to Punakha (Lobesa)
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Postcards & stamps | $5.50 | BTN 390 for stamps for 12 postcards. |
| Coffee | $0.56 | BTN 40. |
| Lunch at roadside restaurant | $2.53 | BTN 180. |
| Taxi | $28.17 | BTN 2,000 one-way from Thimphu to Lobesa to Khuruthang. |
| Dinner | $2.70 | BTN 192 at Punakha Residency hotel. |
| Total Daily Costs | $39.46 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $277.16 | Per person |
Day 3 – Punakha (Khuruthang)
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Brunch | $1.34 | BTN 95 at local restaurant. |
| Taxi | $0.56 | BTN 40 one-way from Khuruthang to Punakha Dzong. |
| Taxi | $0.56 | BTN 40 one-way from Punakha Dzong to Khuruthang. |
| Punakha Dzong | $4.22 | BTN 300 entrance fee. |
| Snacks | $2.25 | BTN 160 for coffee, juice & snacks. |
| Dinner | $2.25 | BTN 160 at local restaurant opposite Yak Herder Camp. |
| Total Daily Costs | $11.18 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $288.34 | Per person |
Day 4 – Punakha to Paro
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Coffee | $0.35 | BTN 25 at local restaurant. |
| Taxi (Shared) | $4.93 | BTN 350 one-way from Khuruthang to Thimphu. |
| Taxi (Shared) | $3.52 | BTN 250 one-way from Thimphu to Paro. |
| Lunch at Thimphu | $3.24 | BTN 230. |
| Dinner | $4.50 | BTN 320 at Mountain Cafe, Paro. |
| Total Daily Costs | $16.54 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $304.88 | Per person |
Day 5 – Paro
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Traditional Dress | $2.82 | BTN 200 for one hour rental. |
| National Museum Paro | $0.35 | BTN 25 entrance fees. |
| Snacks & water | $3.10 | BTN 220 for coffee, snacks & water |
| Lunch | $2.25 | BTN 160 at “Our Place” restaurant. |
| Total Daily Costs | $8.52 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $313.40 | Per person |
Day 6 – Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Taxi (Shared) | $2.82 | BTN 200 one-way from Paro center to monastery base point. |
| Taxi (Shared) | $0.70 | BTN 50 one-way from main road to Paro center. |
| Lunch | $5.11 | BTN 363 at Mountain Cafe. |
| Dinner | $2.32 | BTN 165 at Hotel Phunsum. |
| Total Daily Costs | $10.95 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $324.35 | Per person |
Day 7 – Haa
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Taxi | $28.16 | BTN 2,000 return from Paro to Chele La pass. |
| Lunch | $1.70 | BTN 120 at mountain-side cafe. |
| Post Office Stamp | $1.13 | BTN 80. |
| Dinner | $2.53 | BTN 180 at Hotel Phunsum. |
| Total Daily Costs | $33.52 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $357.87 | Per person |
Day 8 – Paro & out
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Coffee | $0.35 | BTN 25 at local restaurant. |
| Taxi | $4.22 | BTN 300 one-way from Paro city to airport. |
| Total Daily Costs | $4.57 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $362.44 | Per person |