Travel Insurance for Bhutan from India

Bhutan Fast Facts

Bhutan is famous for its rich culture and diverse topography. Here are some important facts to know before you start planning your Bhutan trip:

Key Benefits of Travel Insurance for Bhutan

Until April 2024, buying travel insurance for Bhutan was necessary to get entry to this country. However, it is still advised to buy trip insurance as it covers several financial emergencies during a trip. Here are some primary benefits provided by Bhutan travel insurance:

• Coverage for medical emergencies, including accidents, illness, hospitalisation
• Covers trip cancellation or interruption due to mentioned emergencies
• Coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Covers lost or stolen baggage
• Some plans also cover COVID-19-related emergencies
• Coverage for flight delays, flight cancellations and missed connecting flights
• Coverage for personal liability in case of damage to a third party
• Offers 24/7 emergency assistance

Why Do You Need Travel Insurance for Bhutan?

Bhutan offers a unique cultural experience coupled with breathtaking landscapes. However, the country's distinct climate, rugged terrain and other unforeseen situations may affect any person. Be it a slight mishap during a trek or loss of important documents, it is enough to cause considerable inconvenience to any traveller. With travel insurance for Bhutan, you will be protected from many financial burdens caused by these situations and more. Your Bhutan travel insurance covers several major expenses, from trip cancellation to emergency hospitalisation.

Earlier, Bhutan's Department of Tourism had made it mandatory for all visitors to have a travel insurance plan. This was to ensure that no visitors faced unaccounted financial distress while they were in Bhutan. However, this mandate was lifted in April 2024, and buying Bhutan travel insurance is no longer necessary for the visa. However, they strongly recommend that all visitors have suitable travel health insurance coverage to avoid any unexpected financial emergencies.

Visa Information for Bhutan

Thanks to strong diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan, Indians can easily visit Bhutan by meeting some basic requirements. Bhutan allows visa-free entry to Indian passport holders. All they need to do is to obtain an entry permit from Bhutan's Immigration Office in Phuentsholing. This permit is valid for 7 days from the date of entry and can be extended.

Documents Needed for Bhutan Entry Permit

Indian tourists who wish to visit Bhutan must have the following documents for Bhutan entry permit:

• A voter ID card or an Indian passport with minimum 6 months validity
• Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by legal guardians or provide birth certificate/passport
• 2 photos (passport size)
• Proof of accommodation that has been certified by the Department of Tourism
• Indians planning their own trips should have a tour guide

As it shares borders with India, a road trip to Bhutan is among the most common international road trips from India. If visiting Bhutan on their own vehicle (car/bike), an entry fee and document inspection are required.

Earlier, it was mandatory to have travel insurance for Bhutan, but it is no longer mandatory for an entry permit. However, it is still strongly recommended that you don't need to bear any out-of-pocket expenses while exploring the country.

Bhutan Tourist Places

One of the happiest countries in the world, there are plenty of things to do & places to visit in Bhutan. Here are some landmark attractions you must add to your Bhutan itinerary:

• Tiger's Nest Monastery
• Dochula Pass
• Thimphu
• Paro Valley
• Punakha Dzong
• Haa Valley

No matter what things you plan for your Bhutan itinerary, don't forget to secure your trip with international travel insurance for Bhutan.

Indian Embassy in Bhutan

If you are stuck in an emergency in Bhutan, you should immediately contact the Indian Embassy. Following are some officers that can be contacted during working hours:

Airports in Bhutan

Bhutan is a remote destination connected by roads and well-functioning airports. It has one international airport and three domestic airports for easy commuting across Bhutan. Here are some of the most popular airports in Bhutan to plan your trip better:

No matter how well-maintained an airport is, flight delays or baggage losses are common scenarios that can affect your trip. With travel insurance for Bhutan, you can get benefits like flight delay/cancellation under covered reasons. Your Bhutan trip insurance will also cover other financial expenses caused because of travel and stay-related emergencies.

Currency and Foreign Exchange 

The currency used in Bhutan used to be the Bhutanese Ngultrum. Here is the latest exchange rate to get an estimate:

Make sure to have sufficient cash if you plan to shop in Bhutan. You can easily use cash along with a good travel credit card in places wherever possible. Make sure you buy comprehensive travel insurance for Bhutan to protect your vacation.