Bhutan Tour from Ireland - discover Bhutan, the Land of Happiness, and its culture, natural beauty, and experience. This Bhutan travel guide tells Irish travellers what to expect when visiting the ancient monasteries, trekking pristine trails and the unique culture of Bhutan. There are no direct flights, and the bestroutes transited London, Doha or Abu Dhabi to Paro International Airport, passing through New Delhi or Kathmandu. Citizens of the Ireland require a visa which can be obtained through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator such as Orrog, which provides a seamless experience.Find best Bhutan tour packages from Ireland and come in spring or autumn for the best experience. Before you start planning your visit, check Bhutan visa requirements for Irish citizens .
Sarah and Emily always dreamed that one day they could go on an adventure away from the day-to-day. Each time they met their friends were the same never-ending tales of the beauty, the culture, and the pristine environment of Bhutan. They were fascinated & eventually they planned their Bhutan tour from Ireland. The thought of exploring Bhutan’s monasteries, trekking its pristine wilderness and absorbing the country’s deep traditions thrilled them. They would see, firsthand, the breathtaking Himalayan scenery and unique life that made Bhutan unlike any other place on earth.
Planning the Journey
Sarah and Emily researched what it would take to reach Bhutan and could hardly contain their excitement. And it dawned on them that there were no flights direct from Ireland to Bhutan. Instead, the only routes were connecting ones through hubs like London, Doha or Abu Dhabi that brought them to either New Delhi or Kathmandu, from where they could board a flight to Paro International Airport (PBH) in Bhutan.
To make their trip seamless, they turned to a Bhutan travel guide for essential tips and insights. They also had to consider their itinerary carefully, as Bhutan requires tourists to book their trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. They wanted a company that could provide a mix of adventure, cultural experiences, and comfortable accommodations.
After doing some research, they found Orrog; a Bhutanese local destination management company well known for combining a Western sense of comfort and convenience while still providing an authentic Bhutanese experience. With the assistance of Orrog, they fashioned a custom itinerary that took them to Thimphu, Punakha and Paro, and the breathtaking Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Flights to Bhutan from Ireland
The sisters researched various flight itineraries and settled on the best way to fly into Bhutan, through New Delhi (India) or Kathmandu (Nepal). When they studied the Flights to Bhutan from Ireland, they fixed up this route:
Dublin to London: An easy flight to a major center.
London to New Delhi: Long-haul with layover options in either Doha or Abu Dhabi.
New Delhi to Paro: A direct Flight on Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines, Bhutan’s national carriers.
Or they might select a Dublin-Kathmandu route, which also has international links to Bhutan through Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines. The sisters discovered that Paro International Airport is one of the world’s most scenic and demanding airports, requiring special training for pilots to land. They were looking forward to the stunning aerial views of the Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest, as they made their way toward Bhutan.
Visa Requirements for Irish Citizens
Before they could arrive in Bhutan, Sarah and Emily had to get their visas. Most destinations do not have this policy, but Bhutan requires that visitors have their visas arranged through a licensed Bhutanese touroperator. That’s when they turned to Orrog, who took care of all the paperwork on their behalf.
6 Easy Steps : Bhutan Visa Requirements for Irish Citizens
- Use a local tour operator to book your Bhutan trip like Orrog.
- Make the full-trip payment to the tour operator’s account.
- Provide a copy of the wire transfer receipt as proof of payment.
- Submit a scan of the photo page of the passport.
- Orrog then processes the visa, which can take 2-4 days.
- Approval is emailed to you as an e-visa, and when you arrive in Paro, the visa itself is stamped.
The visa process is set, and there's also a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of 100 USD per person per night to support Bhutan’s conservation and development. However, they were at peace with Orrog managing their visa process. Final things were coming together!
Best Time to Visit Bhutan
The sisters argued over when to go. After some research they found out the best time to visit Bhutan is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
Spring: The landscape comes alive with blooming rhododendrons, a paradise for nature lovers.
Autumn: The skies are clear and stunning views of the Himalayas are an added advantage for trekking.
They planned a spring trip since they wanted to see the famous Paro Tshechu festival.
Arriving in Bhutan
Sarah and Emily were transfixed as their flight made its descent towards Paro International Airport, with lush green valleys and tall mountains below them. Awaiting their arrival was their guide from Orrog, whose traditional silk scarf was a welcome blanket of good luck.
Their schedule was full of adventure. They got to know Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, where they toured Tashichho Dzong, a beautiful fortress accommodating the King’s offices. They also went to visit the Buddha Dordenma, a large golden Buddha statue looking over the valley.
Experiencing Bhutan’s Culture and Environment
Exploring the lively streets of Thimphu, they were charmed by the marriage of old and new. Apparently they never left their homes without dressing in this attire, the Bhutanese people in their Ghos and Kiras were very welcoming. Their travels brought them to Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful fort in Bhutan, and admired the unique Bhutanese architecture. They also trekked up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang), an astonishing temple perched on a cliffside.
They were impressed that Bhutan remained devoted to protecting its environment and cultural traditions. Bhutan was known for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), a country where nature and culture thrived together.
Why Orrog is Your Perfect Travel Partner for Bhutan?
Sarah and Emily were thankful for Orrog’s experience throughout the journey. With local expertise and a Western orientation toward comfort, Orrog facilitated everything for them, from decent accommodation to smooth transportation. The company arranged an itinerary tailored to me and designed visits to significant places of interest like Tashichho Dzong, Tiger’s Nest Monastery and the colorful markets of Thimphu.
Orrog’s team also made sure the sisters enjoyed authentic Bhutanese hospitality, whether they were trying traditional dishes or taking part in cultural activities. Our guide was knowledgeable, personable and eager to tell us fascinating facts about Bhutan’s history, environment and traditions.
Orrog's meticulous planning ensured that Sarah and Emily had a smooth and weaving journey without worrying about the logistics, so they could focus on the natural beauty and the unique culture of Bhutan. Having had the trip of a lifetime, they returned home to Ireland with indelible memories of the friendship they forged and the warm character of Bhutan.
Their Bhutanese adventure was one of many, but they were sure it was the right one. Hired a driver and guide and staycationed in Bhutan from Ireland! It was an experience of a lifetime — Bhutan was everything we dreamt it would be and more, and exactly what we did not know we needed!
Well the main takeaways if you’re an Irish traveller thinking about a trip to Bhutan are:
Flights to Bhutan from Ireland require transit through hubs like London, Doha, or Abu Dhabi, leading to Delhi or Kathmandu.
In fact, the Bhutan visa for Irish citizens is processed through a local tour operator such as Orrog.
When to go: Spring or autumn are the best time to visit Bhutan.
As they stepped onto the plane to fly back home, Sarah turned to Emily and said, “I can’t wait to tell our friends that everything they told us about Bhutan was true — and even better than we dreamed!”
So if you are an Irish traveler looking for an unforgettable adventure, Bhutan is calling your name!