Health, Altitude & Safety

How high you will be, how to feel your best at altitude, and staying healthy and safe on the road.

How high you will be

Place	Approximate altitude
Punakha	1,200–1,300 m
Paro	about 2,200 m
Thimphu	2,300–2,600 m
Bumthang	2,600–3,000 m
Phobjikha	about 3,000 m
Road passes (Dochula, Pele La, Thrumshing La)	3,100–3,750 m
Tiger’s Nest	about 3,120 m
High treks	4,000–5,000 m

Most visitors on cultural tours feel the altitude only as shortness of breath on stairs. We start gently, keep the first day light and put the Tiger’s Nest later in the trip.

Altitude sickness

On treks above about 3,500 m, altitude sickness is possible for anyone, however fit. Warning signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual tiredness and poor sleep. Tell your guide straight away — the cure is to rest and, if symptoms do not improve, to go down.

Health before you go

There are no compulsory vaccinations for most travellers, but please see your doctor or a travel clinic several weeks before departure for advice based on your health and itinerary. Bring enough of any regular medicines for the whole trip, with prescriptions, as specific brands may not be available.

Thimphu has the national referral hospital, and the larger towns have hospitals or health centres. In remote valleys care is basic, which is another reason to carry good insurance.

Food and water

Drink bottled or filtered water — we keep it in the vehicle. Hotel food is freshly cooked and generally safe; Bhutanese dishes can be very spicy, and your guide will ask the kitchen to go gently if you prefer.

On the road and at night

Mountain roads are winding. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your usual remedy and sit in the front. Bhutan has very little crime, but village dogs can bark through the night in towns — light sleepers may appreciate earplugs.

Tips for your first days

Take the first afternoon easy — a stroll rather than a hike
Climb stairs slowly; temple steps are steep and high
Keep drinking water through the day, even when it is cool
Go easy on alcohol until you feel settled
Use sunscreen: the ultraviolet light is strong at altitude

Travelling with health conditions

Many travellers with heart, lung or mobility conditions visit Bhutan comfortably with the right plan. Talk to your doctor about altitude and long drives, and tell us what you need: lower-altitude overnight stops, shorter walks, ground-floor rooms, rest days, or a vehicle with more space. Our guides are used to adapting the day.

Staying safe on the road and trail

Roads in Bhutan are narrow and winding but driven slowly and carefully; our drivers are experienced on mountain routes and stop whenever you need a break. Landslides can close roads for a few hours in the monsoon, and your guide will adjust the day if they do.

On treks, your guide carries a first-aid kit and a means of calling for help, and the crew knows the evacuation routes. Stay with the group, keep to the trail, and give pack animals room to pass on the uphill side.

Travel info

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