Although I’d wanted to visit the country for a long time, my arrival in Bhutan nonetheless seemed anti-climactic. I’d be bound for Tibet (which excited me much more); I’d already been years earlier to Nepal, a country that has a lot in common with Bhutan.
My initial feeling, upon landing at Paro International Airport, was that Bhutan was like a watered-down version of Nepal for old people, and for younger travelers who simply weren’t adventurous. I know longer feel this way—well, not exactly. There was definitely some truth to my first impression.
But the Bhutan vs Nepal debate, like these countries themselves, requires much more than a one-sentence answer. It’s my hope that the next several paragraphs will comprise a satisfying appraisal.
Why Most People Visit Nepal Before Bhutan
Before I flew to Bhutan, most of my friends and colleagues who’d already been there warned me. “People on flights to Bhutan are old,” they said. “Like really old.” They weren’t being ageist, of course, but rather commenting on a fact. The high age of Bhutan travelers makes sense, of course, or at least it did back when an expensive, organized tour was required to visit Bhutan. Very few younger people have that kind of cash!
Conversely, Nepal is an extremely easy and affordable country to visit. While there are some regulations in place for trekking deep in the Himalaya, basically anyone from any country can pay ~50 USD upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, get a visa and explore the country at will. Indeed, the low price of travel in Nepal means that whereas most people stay in Bhutan for days, many people stay in Nepal for weeks or even months.
Ways to Compare Bhutan and Nepal
Cost
As I explained in another article, Bhutan is not actually that expensive. Still, between the cost of flights and the visa, as well as the prices of things on the ground, Nepal is a lot cheaper than Bhutan. If you’re a cost-conscious traveler, Nepal is almost certainly the better choice for you.
Scenery
When comparing Bhutan to Nepal in terms of scenery, there’s not much difference. You can get much closer to the mountains in Nepal, since Bhutan prohibits high mountain trekking; you can’t even see Everest in Nepal. But overall, both of these countries are gorgeous, and neither disappoints in the beauty department.
Things to do
Most days in Bhutan involve visiting dzong (monasteries), museums and a limited range of other attractions, all while taking in scenery from afar. In Nepal, on the other hand, you can not only trek to Everest Base Camp, but go on tiger safaris, explore cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara and even take sightseeing flights.
Food
When it comes to foot, there is no contest between Nepal and Bhutan. While Nepal offers a range of delicious foods, from Indian-style thali sets to Tibetan-style momo dumplings, Bhutanese food consists mostly of smelly, soul “dairy.” Had it not been for Nepalese and Indian food, I’d have starved in Bhutan!
Ease of getting there and around
Nepal enjoys dozens of daily nonstop flights from all around Asia and the Middle East, often at very cheap prices; once you get there, transportation is readily available, if not always reliable. In Bhutan, on the other hand, flights alone will run you 500-1000 USD per person round-trip, even from nearby Delhi or Bangkok.
Do You Need to Visit Both Bhutan and Nepal?
Is Nepal “the poor man’s Bhutan,” or is Bhutan just “Nepal for boring people”? While there’s an ounce of truth to both of these diagnoses, it’s not fair to reduce either country (they’re both fabulous in their own way) to a single sentence. On the other hand, I can’t lie: If my trip to Bhutan hadn’t allowed me to create so much content, I might’ve left feeling shortchanged.
Indeed, when choosing between Nepal or Bhutan, I do think the underlying realities beneath the two rhetorical questions I posed are worth considering. Do you value freedom and ease of exploration/entry, or do you value feelings of exclusivity, even is the come at the cost of excitement, or require more tedium in order to enter the country?
Other FAQ About Nepal vs Bhutan
Which is better to visit, Bhutan or Nepal?
In my opinion, Bhutan is a better option for travelers who want a more relaxed pace of travel and peaceful environment as they explore, while Nepal is best for adventurers who value freedom and flexibility over predictability or guarantees.
What makes Nepal and Bhutan different?
Nepal has an eclectic range of destinations and experiences, while the distinctions between places to visit and things to do in Bhutan is more subtle. Bhutan has a quiet and peaceful ambiance, and tends to invite travelers to explore at a slower pace, while Nepal is much more energetic and unpredictable. Practically speaking, Nepal is cheaper and has much fewer entry restrictions than Bhutan.
Is Nepal or Bhutan cheaper?
Nepal is one of the cheapest countries in the world, but make no mistake: Bhutan is not inherently expensive, either. Rather, the decades-long policy requiring pricey organized tours (and the former “Sustainable Development Fee” of $250 per day—it’s now $100) made people think that Bhutan was expensive (and rich, though that’s a topic for another post).
The Bottom Line
Although the two countries have a lot in common, comparing Bhutan vs Nepal isn’t a one-for-one exchange. For one, you can see Mt. Everest from Nepal; you can’t see it from Bhutan. This fact alone means it’s worthwhile to consider visiting both countries. On the other hand, I do feel like Nepal is a more exciting country, with fewer restrictions and a lower cost of travel. Bhutan is a bit safer, and feels more peaceful, although for some travelers (including myself, at times) this translated to it being boring. Need personalized help planning out a Himalayan itinerary? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
