Curries & Stories: what to pack for bhutan

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