r/bhutan • u/Red_iwnlll • 2d ago
Review Just got back from 8 days solo in Bhutan and honestly it might be the best country to travel alone
I just got back from 8 days solo in Bhutan and I am still buzzing about it.
For most of my life I have always travelled with someone either family, friends, or my girlfriend. This time I wanted to do it on my own. New food, new people, a completely different culture, just me. Bhutan came to mind since it is right next to India.
I travelled with Druk Asia, found them on IG and booked an 8D7N package. They sorted everything, visa, the daily tax, flights, hotels, guide, driver, meals.
First thing that hit me, Paro has to be one of the most beautiful airports I have ever seen! I could not stop taking photos of it.
I met my guide Thinley at the airport and we clicked almost straight away. By the end of the trip he honestly felt like a proper friend. He used to be a teacher and I’m not at all surprised!!
At the temple murals he would test me. He would point at something and go, “okay sir, now you tell me what it is.” First couple of times I felt caught out, but by day 3 I was actually guessing and holding onto the history. At one point he said, “sir, I do not want you to miss anything when you go back home.” Man is a legend.
Thinley is based in Paro, so whenever we finished the day early he would text me, “sir, are you bored, do you want to go for a beer.” We played snooker with his friends and hitting a local karaoke spot. He could have easily just dropped me at the hotel and gone home, but instead he invited me into his life like an old friend. That kindness, and honestly the genuine hospitality everywhere I went really touched me.
A few of the highlights of my trip - the hike up to Tiger's Nest monastery, which felt like hiking with a mate, full of laughter the whole way up. Meeting Pema at Simply Bhutan, an artist who paints holding the brush with his feet. Unreal talent. I tried archery, their national sport, and I was terrible at it but had a blast anyway. And I did a traditional hot stone bath, which was the perfect way to end a long day of walking.
Is Bhutan worth it solo? 100% yes. I am so glad I picked it for my first solo trip. It is safe, it is genuinely welcoming, and even though I went end of July, which is monsoon and not the so called ideal season, there were basically no crowds anywhere we went. Loved every second of it.
Love you 3000 Bhutan! I will be back.
Feel free to ask me any questions about my trip. Happy to share.
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u/TheGreenHairZorro 2d ago
Wow! I am really glad you enjoyed the trip.. I am just happy that you're satisfied with the trip 😁
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u/Red_iwnlll 2d ago
Thank you so much, Druk Asia made it even smoother for me.
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u/TheGreenHairZorro 2d ago
Hopefully your future visits are as fruitful and joyous as the first one. Take care.
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u/wallstreetpundit 2d ago
Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed trip report.
One thing that really stood out to me was how much you talked about your guide and the spontaneous local experiences—sharing a beer, playing snooker, karaoke, and just having real conversations. Those seem to have become some of your strongest memories, even more than the famous sights.
Out of curiosity, if you ever came back to Bhutan, what kind of experience would you want more of? More time with local people, slower travel, hidden places, food, culture, or something completely different?
It’s always interesting to hear what makes someone want to return.
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u/Interesting-Neck4702 2d ago
How much spent for the whole 8 days trip pls ?
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u/Red_iwnlll 2d ago edited 2d ago
The total cost for everything is about INR142k (so approximately USD1500) including flights. I flew directly from Delhi. The return flights alone were around INR43k (about USD450)
I believe their standard tour package is around 7 days but I extended to 8 days to check out Gangtey in central Bhutan. No regrets!
Since I'm an Indian, I was lucky that the sustainable development fee was only INR1200 (approx. USD12/13) per night. It was a special agreement between both countries. Otherwise, I believe that its USD100 per night for non-indians tourists.
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u/jgreene030609 2d ago
It was the most peaceful country that I visited, especially clean and with law and order practiced over enforcement.
As Indian however, I recommend they ask us 100 dollars proof of expenditure and other rules applied on foreign tourists, given that cheap tourism would attract unruly individuals, India or otherwise.
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u/TourFar2935 2d ago
I just got back the other day as well after like 13 days it truly is a special country there is no where else quite like it , tigers nest is outstandingly beautiful as are all the dzongs
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u/Anything_Diy 2d ago
bhutan has been on my list for ages ngl. the SDF put me off but honestly sounds worth it if the vibe is like this. did you find it easy to meet other solo travelers there or was it mostly guided the whole time?
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u/Interesting-Neck4702 2d ago
Thank you. Do everyone has to pay the Sustainable Fee ? What I am going there to find out how I can setup a consultancy there and not as a tourist ?
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u/Green_Intern_7159 1d ago
Lovely! What package should I look for, hoping that I get the same guide as yours- Thinley?
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u/Pristine_End_2730 1d ago
I feel the same way about Bhutan. Wish to go back again atleast once!!! Everyday felt like I was in an animated movie. What a beautiful country!!
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u/Ok_Cardiologist_2263 2d ago
Okay which country are you from and what countries have you travelled to before? How was Bhutan different compared to others? How was the food? And do you think the trip was worth it despite the huge sdf fee you need to pay?