All travels to Bhutan are required to go through a licensed tour operator. At MICE Bhutan, we will be able to handle your trip from end-to-end including visa applications.

All travellers except citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives are required to apply for a visa. Visa application fee to Bhutan costs USD40.

Your visa will typically only be released 10 to 3 days prior to your departure date to accomodate for any last minute changes. Depending on your booking confirmation, you’ll be able to get your visa within 1 week.

Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): 

When you choose Bhutan for your MICE event, your contribution extends far beyond the meeting room. The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily tarriff of US $100 per person, per night paid by all visitors to the Kingdom.

Rather than a simple tourist tax, the SDF supports "High Value, Low Volume" tourism model, ensuring that the pristine environment and rich culture your delegates experience remain intact for generations to come.

Where the Funds Go

Revenue from the SDF is channeled directly into projects that create long-term, sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people and the planet:

• Social Equity: Funding free healthcare and education, including training programs that upskill the tourism and hospitality industry.
• Infrastructure: Developing improved infrastructure that benefits both remote communities and the quality of visitor experiences.
• Environmental Conservation: Maintaining Bhutan’s status as the world’s first carbon-negative country by preserving its exceptional forest cover (minimum 60%), protecting wildlife corridors, and funding anti-poaching efforts.
• Cultural Preservation: Supporting the restoration of ancient monasteries (dzongs), funding living art schools, and sustaining the local businesses and economies that keep traditions alive.

By paying the SDF, your event directly sustains Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness, balancing economic development with cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.

The current Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for all tourists is at USD100 per adult per night.

USD50 for children aged 6 to below 12 years old. For children aged 5 and below, the SDF is waived.

Bhutan SDF for Regional Tourists from India
Regional tourists from India are required to apply for a permit and pay 1200 INR/night.

Bhutan SDF for Regional Tourists from Maldives
Tourists from Maldives are required to pay USD100 per adult per night but they are able to apply for a visa upon arrival.

Bhutan SDF Special Scheme for Bangladeshis
The Royal Government of Bhutan has announced that the first 15,000 Bangladeshi tourists visiting Bhutan each year can pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 15 per night starting June 2.

This special scheme will be valid until 2027.

This fee is designed to support sustainable tourism practices, preserve the country’s unique culture and environment, and ensure that tourism remains a positive and beneficial force for the local community and the nation as a whole.

The biggest hall that Bhutan can accommodate is at 300 pax in banquet style or 275 pax in theatre style.

Rooms are subject to availability. Advanced booking is highly recommended. If rooms are not available in the selected hotels, we’ll be able to arrange for other nearby accommodation for all the other group members.

No. There is no limit on the number of people who can visit Bhutan in a year.

Yes. Absolutely. We believe in working hard and playing hard. Our friendly travel consultants will be able to help your team plan for sightseeing in this exotic Kingdom in your schedule.

Yes. You can extend your stay in Bhutan after your business trip. Daily tariff costs will apply for your extended nights in Bhutan.

Yes. You’ll have a designated transport and guide with you throughout the trip.

To ensure your delegates receive the most profound and immersive experience possible, communication is key. While English is widely spoken in Bhutan and serves as the standard language for guiding, MICE Bhutan recognizes the diverse linguistic needs of international delegations.

Available Languages

We are pleased to offer the services of specialized guides fluent in the following languages:

• Chinese (Mandarin)
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Korean
• Japanese

These guides are not merely translators; they are certified cultural ambassadors trained to convey the nuances of Bhutanese history, spirituality, and ecology in your delegates' native tongue. This ensures that Q&A sessions during site visits, interactions with monks, and nature walks are rich, engaging, and fully understood.

Terms & Conditions

To secure a dedicated guide for a specific language, please note the following:

• Availability: Guides for these languages are highly specialized and limited in number. Advance booking is essential to secure availability, particularly during peak travel seasons (Spring and Autumn).
• Surcharge: Due to the specialized nature of their expertise and limited availability, bookings requiring a Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, or Japanese speaking guide will incur an additional charge of USD $150 per day (or part thereof).
• How to Request: Please indicate your language requirements at the time of your initial inquiry. Your dedicated travel consultant will confirm availability and include the applicable charges in your customized proposal.

Please note that the additional language guide fee is separate from the standard guide fees included in the daily package and covers the specialist's exclusive services for your group.

Mobile or internet connectivity is good in bigger towns like Thimphu, Paro, Trongsa and Bumthang. If you are travelling on the road between valleys, the network might not be as stable. Most hotels in Bhutan have free wifi but the connection might be unstable depending on the number of users. It is better to get a SIM card and purchase a data plan should you intend to use the internet extensively.

Yes, aside from the airport, you can also exchange for the Bhutanese currency (Ngultrum) at Bank of Bhutan in Thimphu and Paro. However, they only accept 10 major currencies: U.S. Dollar, Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Hong Kong Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Danish Kroner, Australian Dollar and Singapore Dollars.

The exchange rate varies according to your currency denomination. We will encourage you to bring larger denominations for the exchange.

Please check out https://www.drukasia.com/news/latest/all-you-need-to-know-about-bhutanese-currency/ for the daily exchange rate.

You may not be able to withdraw any money from the local ATMs. It is advisable for you to bring along cash for out of pocket expenses.

Altitude sickness is not common with visitors to Bhutan except for the very few cases. The first two days should get you acclimatised as most of the tour places have an altitude below 3000m.

If you are intending to go for trekking (which will be above 3000m), it is always good to set a reasonable pace, avoid overexertion, and keep yourself hydrated. Consult with your healthcare provider if taking acclimatisation medication is appropriate for you.

Southern Bhutan has a hot and humid subtropical climate that is fairly unchanging throughout the year. Temperatures can vary between 15-30 degrees Celsius (59- 86 degrees Fahrenheit). In the Central parts of the country which consists of temperate and deciduous forests, the climate is more seasonal with warm summers and cool and dry winters. In the far Northern reaches of the kingdom, the weather is much colder during winter. Mountain peaks are perpetually covered in snow and lower parts are still cool in summer owing to the high altitude terrain.

For more information on the temperature for the different month, check out https://www.bhutan.travel/page/climate-weather.

Simply get in touch with us and we’ll be able to facilitate the application process and guide you through the formalities required for the SDF waiver.

Participants may receive a waiver for the SDF for up to five nights per event (including arrival and departure days).