Travel in Bhutan

People decide to visit the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan for many reasons. Some are drawn by the mountains and pristine environment, others to the rich spiritual heritage of its Buddhist monasteries and temples, and some visitors by a simple curiosity to experience one of the world's least visited and most exclusive countries.

It’s inevitable: Every spring when we pull together the Hot List, our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships, a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech, or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List hotel winners for 2024.

When traveling abroad, it's a good idea to account for any tourism taxes you must pay during your stay.

As a travel writer constantly on the move, my adventures have taken me to the far corners of the globe, from the rugged terrains of Tanzania to the mountains of Bhutan. Yet amidst my travels, one constant remains: the search for that seamless trip to and from the airport.

Online travel agency MakeMyTrip has announced a new exclusive charter service between Mumbai and Bhutan. This service is a part of its holiday packages and the exclusive charter will depart once a week.

Having expanded the hotel brand to include residences and private jets, the Four Seasons is now looking to conquer the seas with its new yacht collection. Last week, Four Seasons Yachts unveiled renderings of its first vessel—built in collaboration with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd and the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri—which is set to launch in 2026. The first voyages will take passengers throughout the Caribbean and will soon expand to destinations along the Mediterranean. The 14-deck vessel (inspired by Aristotle Onassis’ Christina O) will feature 95 suites, a saltwater pool and al fresco dining.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) aimed for 300 hotels by 2025-26. But the parent company of Taj Hotels reached this goal two years early. The hotel group now has 309 hotels by the end of the 2023-24 financial year.

Spring break was approaching, and the plan was to head to Mumbai to see my husband’s family with our two daughters, Meenakshi, 16, and Amrita, 11. We hadn’t all visited together since before the pandemic and were long overdue to meet Mahir’s 86 year-old mother, who lived alone and was more like a mother to me than any “in-law,” and his recently widowed sister, along with her 16 year-old son.

While tourist taxes are not new—Bhutan has been charging visitors since it opened up to tourists in 1974—and many countries and cities around the world already charge visitors a nightly fee.

This year, 2024, the Kingdom of Bhutan, marks a significant milestone as it commemorates the 50th anniversary of opening its borders to international tourists. Since welcoming its first foreign visitors in 1974, Bhutan has focused on sustainable tourism, prioritizing cultural preservation and environmental conservation. This is done through Bhutan's policy of high-value, low-impact tourism. The government regulates tourism through a daily tariff, which includes accommodation, meals, transportation, and a contribution to Bhutan's development fund. This approach not only helps preserve Bhutan's fragile ecosystem but also ensures that tourism benefits local communities directly.

In the heart of the Himalayas lies a kingdom veiled in tradition and adorned with breathtaking landscapes of mountains and valleys. This is the Kingdom of Bhutan, often referred to as the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Nestled between India and China, this small yet extraordinary country captivates the hearts of travelers with its untouched beauty, vibrant culture, and deeply-rooted traditions. But perhaps what truly sets Bhutan apart are its festivals, where the country comes alive in a kaleidoscope of colors, dances, and ancient rituals.

Himalayan specialist Bradley Mayhew, who writes our guidebooks to Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, answers a question about trekking routes in Nepal.

Hawaii is the latest destination to consider taxing visitors to help address the effects of climate change and overtourism, two issues that are particularly front of mind in the Aloha State following the devastating Lahaina fire.

Many destinations around the world have become more expensive to visit in recent years as governments increasingly levy tourist taxes.

Bhutan's allure as a haven for luxury-seeking adventurers continues to grow, particularly in the picturesque region of Punakha. Positioned just three hours away from Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, Punakha attracts travelers due to its quaint charm and burgeoning array of upscale accommodations. Journeying through the scenic Dochula Pass, travelers are awarded with panoramic views of the Himalayas before descending into the valley below. Punakha boasts a temperate climate, making it an enticing year-round destination.

The civil aviation ministry is looking to integrate DigiYatra, the digital initiative for airport check-ins, for international travel. Jyotiraditya Scindia, the civil aviation minister, recently met airport operators to discuss it.

During the pandemic, many of us discovered that spending time in nature helped to boost our moods. That lift in spirits isn’t merely anecdotal. Research out of Stanford University reports that walking outside for 90 minutes in a natural setting produces a decrease in activity in the part of our brain that’s associated with depression.

In the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, a country that values happiness above everything else, children are welcomed with open arms.

Bhutan is one of the most fascinating and remote travel destinations in the world. And its tourism model and visa system are famously unlike any other in the world.

The perfect time to visit Bhutan depends on your reasons for coming. The best seasons weather-wise for general travel are spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November), but it will also depend on whether your main goal is trekking, avoiding the crowds or attending a specific festival.

A road trip through the remote, stunningly beautiful Himalayan valleys of Bhutan ranks as one of travel’s most exciting adventures.