What to Pack for Bhutan | Summer Trip - June | Thimpu - Punakha - Phobjika - Paro

Before traveling to any country, it’s essential to be aware of some key cultural aspects. I always do extensive preparation before visiting a new place. Those who follow my blogs know I constantly emphasize the importance of thorough research for planning a hassle-free vacation. The more effort you put into researching and planning before your trip, the smoother and more worry-free your journey will be.

Even though Bhutan is a neighboring country and doesn’t feel entirely foreign to us Indians, it was still crucial for me to understand the basic do’s and don’ts of the country. While most information is available online, some details aren’t as easily accessible. For instance, what is the weather like in Bhutan if you’re traveling in June? Will it be too rainy to go outside? What kind of clothes should you pack? Will it be too cold? Are there any dress restrictions in Bhutan? I had to search through various forums and Google to get a comprehensive understanding.

Having visited Bhutan, I’m now putting together some self-help guides for anyone planning a summer trip there. A detailed version with all such answers is already up on my blog.

Link :  Bhutan Diaries 2024 - A preamble | Tips & Recommendation | Helpful Information 

If you feel you still have further doubts/ questions feel free to comment below or mail me, I will try to incorporate them as well.

However I thought to put out one more guide outlining what you need to pack for Bhutan to give a gist. Also please check the temperature/ weather predictions in any of the weather app before you travel. It largely helps you to understand the kind of clothes you need to carry. Overall I didn't get any extreme temperatures in June in any of the places. Thimpu was a little chilly in the evening but its not something a windcheater or light jacket cannot manage. Below are the temperature ranges we experienced throughout out trip:

• Jaldapara ( extremely humid and hot) 
• Day : 26°C- 27°C
• Night : 28 °C
• Phuentsholing ( pretty pleasant, no jackets needed during the day)
• Day : 15°C- 18°C
• Thimpu ( Chilly at night, jacket/windcheater needed)
• Day : 15°C -16°C
• Night : 7°C - 8 °C
• Punakha ( Nights were cool, jacket needed if you are sitting in open area)
• Day : 15°C
• Night: 7°C - 8°C
• Phobjika ( Day temperature was pleasant, we didn't stay in phobjika overnight)
• Day : 18°C -20°C
• Paro ( It was pretty cold at Chelela Pass, jacket is needed, windcheater also did fine. Haa valley was pleasant)
• Day : 13°C - 14°C
• Night : 7°C - 8°C

The comprehensive list:

Documents -

• Passport - Mandatory if coming by Air
• Voter Card 
• Birth Certificate ( English) - for children below 18 years
• Print outs of Passport / Voter Card / Birth certificate
• Soft copies of Passport / Voter Card / Birth certificate
• Health Insurance ( Made optional now by Bhutan, but 100% recommended)
• Hotel bookings / Hotel numbers
• Flight Tickets
• Guide & Driver Contact Number ( if you are booking prior to your visit with the help of any agency)
• Tour agency alternate contact numbers 
• SOS numbers 
• If you like to read carry some light weight books, you can also get magazines from the hotel lobbies

Currency

• Indian Currency is widely accepted all over Bhutan, so no need for money exchange
• Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes will be accepted everywhere
• Lower denominations might have some problems in remote areas
• ATMs will most of the times not work for getting cash, so advisable to carry hard cash with you
• Carry enough Cash factoring in the following
• Sim Card - Approx. Rs 200- 300
• Entry fees for parks/ monuments/ museums ( Fee Details - Link )
• Lunch Cost - average Rs 400-500 / per person
• Water Bottle - 500 Ml bottle costs Rs 20 ( grocery store)
• Guide & Driver Tips - as per your preference ( Rs 400-500 per person per day basis is recommended which comes to roughly Rs 3K-4K. Obviously you can tip more or less based on your individual experience)
• Rafting ( if applicable) - they charge around Rs 10K per raft
• Shopping - Thimpu is cheaper compared to Paro
• Emergency funds - Recommended minimum Rs 4000-5000 per person ( as its a foreign country)

Sim Card

• Indian SIM cards will not work in Bhutan
• You need to purchase local tourist sim valid for 7/14 days
• Recommended to buy from Phuentsholing or Paro ( place of entry into Bhutan)

Clothes - 

• Light summer tee shirts/ tops/ blouses ( try not to carry revealing clothes as Bhutan follows a conservative dressing code in all Dzongs & monasteries)
• Jeans / Jeggings/ Leggings
• Kurta/ kurti
• Long dress
• Dupatta
• Underwear
• Sleep wear
• Light Shawls / Stoles
• Light Jacket / Windcheater ( when entering Dzongs/Monasteries you need to have your hands and legs fully covered. So the jacket helps in doing that)
• Shrug ( for ladies - same functionality as jacket)
• Scarf
• Socks

Toiletries - All hotels will provide basic toiletries, but if you still want to carry your own you can

• Sunscreen ( Must)
• Moisturizer
• Aloe vera (for sun burn/ general)
• Shampoo Sachet
• Body wash / facewash
• Sanitary needs
• Tooth brush
• Tooth paste
• Combs
• Makeup (as needed)
• Hair oil / hair serum

Medical -

• Sanitizer
• Masks ( optional)
• Tissue paper
• Prescription medicines 
• SOS Medicines (I have given my usual list below)
• Anti Vomiting/ Motion sickness ( Ondem)
• Stomach upsets (O2, ORS, metrogyl etc.)
• Gas/ Acidity (Pan 40, Omee, Histac, Roasted ajwain etc)
• Fever (Calpol/ Paracetamol)
• Headache/ Body ache (Dispirin)
• Vitamin B (Becosule)
• Allergy (Cetrizine)
• Cough drops (honitus)
• Band aid
• Prescription medicine ( BP etc.)
• Spare Prescription glasses & cleaning cloth
• Spare Contact lenses

Edibles -

• Biscuits
• Small packaged cakes/ pastries
• Snacks/ chips
• Toffee/ Chocolate
• Local seasonal fruits (purchase them on way from any vegetable market to experience organic fresh seasonal fruits)

Shoes

• Sports shoes / waterproof shoes
• Walking shoes / flats
• Bathroom slippers
• Formal shoes (if needed)

Gadgets/ Electronics

• Phone
• Camera
• Charger
• Additional camera battery
• Power banks
• Memory cards
• Data transfer cables
• Mini tripods
• Camera remote
• Laptop ( optional)

Rain/ Sun gear

• Umbrella/ raincoat 
• Sunglass

Others

• Travel Towel
• Foldable bag
• Luggage Straps/ belts
• Luggage tags

Product links for some of the very useful products I used during this trip

1. Luggage belts/straps : shorturl.at/cmsDU
2. BIOTIQUE Bio Sandalwood Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 50 PA+ - shorturl.at/fuLW0
3. Wildcraft 40 L Duffle bag - shorturl.at/knC24
4. Mini Tripod for mobile : https://amzn.to/3OmTSyJ 
5. Lavie Pitaraa Women's Backpack (spacious and light) - https://amzn.to/3HQErwx

Other Blogs in the Bhutan Series:

1.  Bhutan Diaries 2024 - A preamble | Tips & Recommendation | Helpful Information 
2. Things you didn't know about Bhutan
3. What to Pack for Bhutan | Summer Trip  - June | Thimpu - Punakha - Phobjika - Paro
4. Bhutan Travel Diary - Day 0 - Kolkata to Jaldapara | Aranya Tourism Property Jaldapara