Travel
Plan Your Travel
Everything you need to know about getting to Thimphu, Bhutan and making the most of your stay.
About Thimphu, Bhutan
Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan, nestled in a valley of the Himalayas at an altitude of approximately 2,300 metres. It is one of the few capital cities in the world without traffic lights — a charming reflection of Bhutan's unique pace and philosophy. Surrounded by forested hills, ancient monasteries, and dramatic mountain landscapes, Thimphu offers a truly extraordinary setting for the Congress.
Bhutan follows its own development philosophy — Gross National Happiness (GNH) — which places environmental conservation as one of its four core pillars. 69.71% of Bhutan's land area is forested, and 52% is designated as protected areas and biological corridors, making it one of the world's leading conservation nations.
Royal Institute of Management
Simtokha, Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan's premier institute for management and governance training. The venue features a main auditorium with seating for up to 200 participants and modern audio-visual facilities, plus more than 15 breakout rooms and training halls. RIM is located just outside Thimphu city, within 10–15 minutes' drive of major hotels.
Entry by Air
Paro International Airport (PBH)
Paro International Airport (PBH) is the nearest international airport to Thimphu, located approximately 54 km away (around 1 hour by road). It is served by Bhutan Airlines and Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines), with connections to major regional hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, and Dhaka.
Participants are strongly advised to book flights well in advance due to limited seat capacity and high demand.
Alternative Route via Gelephu
Alternatively, participants may consider travelling via Gelephu. International travellers can fly with Drukair from Kolkata (India) to Gelephu on scheduled flights, which typically operate on select days of the week. From Gelephu, participants can take a domestic flight to Paro, which also operates on limited days. This route may provide additional flexibility but requires careful coordination of international and domestic flight schedules. It is recommended to check current flight days and availability directly with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines when planning travel.
Getting from Paro Airport to Thimphu
The journey from Paro Airport to Thimphu takes approximately 1.5 hours by road through scenic mountain terrain. Shuttle transportation will be arranged for registered participants between Paro Airport and Thimphu. Details will be shared closer to the event.
Entry by Road
Bhutan can also be reached by road from India through three official land crossings:
West Bengal, India
Phuentsholing
Distance
~164 km from Thimphu
Travel Time
~4–5 hrs
Nearest Hub
Hasimara (~20 km from border); New Jalpaiguri (NJP) / Siliguri (~150 km from border)
The most popular and well-connected land entry point. Located adjacent to the Indian town of Jaigaon in West Bengal — the recommended route for most road travellers.
Assam, India
Gelephu
Distance
~230 km from Guwahati
Travel Time
~5–6 hrs from Guwahati
Nearest Hub
Guwahati (well-connected international airport)
A convenient entry point for participants travelling from Guwahati or northeast India. Well-suited for participants arriving via Guwahati.
Assam, India
Samdrup Jongkhar
Distance
~150 km from Guwahati
Travel Time
~4–5 hrs from Guwahati
Nearest Hub
Guwahati Airport (~150 km)
An eastern entry point approximately 150 km from Guwahati. This route passes through eastern Bhutan and involves a longer onward drive to Thimphu.
Please note: Entry permits are required at all land border crossings and must be arranged in advance. Indian nationals may enter with a valid passport or Voter ID card. All other nationalities require a Bhutan visa, which must be processed in advance through the Organising Committee. The Organising Committee will provide guidance on permit and visa arrangements for all registered participants.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Most international visitors to Bhutan require a visa. Visa processing will be facilitated by the Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Organising Committee. The Organising Committee will assist with efficient visa processing for all Congress participants. Further details and a link for visa applications will be provided upon registration.
| Category | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Fee | USD 40 | One-time payment |
| SDF Processing Fee | approx. USD 20–30 | Applies only to days outside the official Congress period |
| Monument Fee | USD 50–100 | One-time payment, depending on monuments visited (outside Congress period) |
| Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) | USD 100/night | Exempted for confirmed registered participants during the Congress |
Visa application link: Coming soon — will be provided upon confirmation of registration
Accommodation
Participants will be accommodated in hotels in Thimphu, conveniently located near the venue. Accommodation costs are covered by the registration fee. Shuttle buses will be provided for participants staying in hotels further from the venue.
Emergency Numbers in Bhutan
110
Fire & Rescue Services
111
Traffic Police
112
Ambulance & Medical Emergencies
113
Royal Bhutan Police
999
Disaster Communication Helpline