What to Pack for Bhutan
Pack in layers, because mornings and nights are cool and days are often sunny. Cover your shoulders and knees at temples, bring comfortable walking shoes, and drink only bottled or filtered water. Laundry is done at hotels and is not in your tour cost.
- Clothing Layers Cool mornings and nights, sunny middays.
- Temples Covered Long sleeves and long trousers, or shoulders and knees covered. Hats off.
- Water Bottled or filtered Never tap water.
- Checked bag 30 kg Economy on Drukair international flights.
Pack in layers, cover your shoulders and knees at temples, and drink only bottled or filtered water. Tell us your dates and your route, and we will tell you exactly what to bring.
What should I wear in Bhutan?
Wear comfortable layers and walking shoes. At temples and dzongs, cover your shoulders and knees and take your hat off.
- Sightseeing and walkingComfortable layersShirt or T shirt, a fleece, easy trousers and walking shoes.
- Temples and dzongsCoveredLong sleeves and long trousers, or shoulders and knees covered. Hats off.
- EveningsA warm layerNights are cool in every season.
You do not need a Gho or Kira. If you would like to try one, we can provide it. Season and month details are in the next question.
What should I wear in each season?
Dress in layers in every season. Paro and Thimphu sit at about 2,200 to 2,300 metres, so nights are cold even in spring and autumn. Above 3,500 metres, on treks and in the high valleys, it is cold all year.
- Spring, March to May12 to 17°C by day, 0 to 7°C at nightLight layers and a warm jacket for nights. Showers grow from April. Read the March, April and May notes.
- Monsoon, June to AugustAbout 18°C by day, 9 to 11°C at nightA rain jacket and umbrella. Rain falls on 17 to 20 days a month. Read the June, July and August notes.
- Autumn, September to November12 to 17°C by day, 8°C falling to minus 2°C at nightLayers and a warm jacket. Read the September, October and November notes.
- Winter, December to February7 to 10°C by day, minus 7 to minus 4°C at nightThermal layers, a down jacket, hat and gloves. Read the December, January and February notes.
These are typical daytime temperatures in Paro and Thimphu, from long term averages, and not a forecast. Tell us your dates and route and we tell you what to bring. Read our guide to when to visit for what each season is like.
What do I wear at temples and dzongs?
Cover your arms and legs. Wear long sleeves and long trousers, or at least keep your shoulders and knees covered. Take your hat off before you go in.
What shoes should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes. You walk a lot, on steps and uneven paths. Shoes you can take off and put on easily help, because you remove them to enter temple halls.
What medicines should I bring?
Bring any medicine you take, enough for the whole trip, and ask your doctor about altitude sickness medicine before you travel. Pack insect repellent and hand sanitiser too.
- Your own medicineFull supplyIn your hand luggage, in its original packaging.
- AltitudeAsk your doctorBefore you travel, not on arrival.
- Small itemsRepellent and sanitiserEasy to forget.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
No. Drink only bottled or filtered water. On our cultural tours and treks, we supply bottled water throughout.
What do I need for a trek?
It depends on the route and the season. On a trek we provide the tents, the trekking crew, meals, snacks and water. Sleeping bags are available at an extra cost. Read our Bhutan hiking guide for the trails and seasons, and ask us for the packing list for your trek.
What can I bring into Bhutan?
Tourists may bring one bottle of alcohol of up to 1 litre duty free. You may also bring 200 cigarettes, which carry 100 percent duty. If you carry more than USD 10,000, declare it at customs. Antiques cannot be brought in, and important antiques and artefacts cannot be taken out. Tourists are generally not allowed to bring a drone. A permit is needed in advance, and requests are reviewed case by case by the Department of Tourism.
What are the baggage limits on flights?
On Drukair international flights, economy passengers carry 30 kg and business passengers 40 kg, and no single bag may weigh more than 32 kg. Hand baggage is 5 kg in economy and 7 kg in business, at 45 x 35 x 20 cm. Excess baggage costs a set rate per kilo, and it is cheaper if you buy it online at least 4 hours before departure. Bhutan Airlines has the same limits.
Read our guide to flights to Bhutan.
What plug and voltage does Bhutan use?
Bhutan uses 230 volts at 50 Hz. Three plug types are in use: Type D (three thick round pins), Type C (two round pins) and Type G (three square pins). Many hotels have universal sockets. Bring an adapter that covers all three.
Can I do laundry on my trip?
Yes, at your hotel. The tour cost does not cover it, so you pay the hotel directly.
What documents and cash do I carry?
Your passport, your approved visa or permit, and your flight details. Travel insurance is not required, but it is strongly recommended. Read our Bhutan currency guide for how much cash to bring. To stay connected, see our Bhutan SIM card and eSIM guide.
Official source: Drukair baggage allowance. Also the Department of Air Transport customs page (alcohol, tobacco, cash) and the Department of Tourism FAQ (cash limit, drones, plug types, temple dress). Temperatures are long term averages. Shoes, water and medicine tips come from our own guides.
Where to go next
Still wondering about something?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and where you want to go. We will answer clearly and, if you wish, plan a private journey around it.
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