Nepal vs Bhutan, Which is Better for Tourists?

If you want to travel by land, you can enter Nepal via India. The main border crossings are Sonauli/Belahiya for tourists from Delhi, Gorakhpur for tourists from North India, Patna for tourists from Kolkata, Raxaul/Birgunj from Bodhgaya Varanasi and Kakarbhitta, Siliguri from Darjeeling and Kolkata, etc.

Also, you can enter Nepal via Tibet, China. The major border crossing is Gyirong Port. This travel route is highly recommended because you will have the opportunity to experience the breathtaking views along the Sino-Nepal highway from Lhasa to Kathmandu, as well as the stunning spots of interest of the world-class such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Everest Base Camp, etc.

All visitors, except those from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives, need to apply for a Bhutan visa in advance because Bhutan does not have a visa-on-arrival policy. Applying for a visa to Bhutan is neither done by the embassy nor online. The only way to get a visa to visit Bhutan is to book a tour package with a licensed tour operator, submit your passport color scan, and pay the deposit. After receiving your payment, your visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan(TCB) through the Department of Immigration. Traveling around Bhutan requires different permits, all of which will be handled by your tour operator on your behalf. When you enter Bhutan, you only need to show your visa clearance letter, then the visa will be stamped on your passport.

Nepal has a typical monsoon climate, and the weather here is very agreeable all year round. But there is a difference between the dry season and the rainy season. In the dry season, it is more suitable to travel to Nepal.

The rainy season in Nepal is from June to September each year. The annual precipitation is almost concentrated in these months. Traveling to Nepal during this period, you may not be able to travel due to heavy rain, and the roads are relatively muddy. Even natural disasters such as landslides may occur. And visibility is not high in the rainy season, so there are certain restrictions on travel.

The dry season is from October to May of the following year, also the best time to travel to Nepal. At this time, there's relatively little precipitation and the road conditions are ideal. So tourism is rarely restricted by the weather. Especially in October and November, the climate is warm like spring, and the scenery is picturesque everywhere. There is also the most important and lively festival in Nepal in October every year - the Dashain. In winter, it's not very cold but you can see the Himalayas with dazzling clarity. 
Spring is the most beautiful season in the Himalayas. Besides the snow-capped mountains, you can see alpine rhododendrons all over the mountains. >> See more about the best time to visit Nepal

Bhutan is located in the subtropical zone, at the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Due to its unique geographical and geological characteristics, the altitude changes drastically and the climate varies greatly. However, the main tourist areas are basically at low altitudes, so Bhutan is suitable to travel all year round. You can see different natural scenery if you go there in different seasons.

The best time to travel to Bhutan is spring and autumn. Autumn (September to November) is the best season to travel, with good visibility for photography and trekking. Spring (March to May) shares the same good weather when you can also see a variety of plants and birds. Also, you can witness the Tsechu festival in Bhutan during this period, which is definitely a highlight of your Bhutan tour. In winter (December to February), the central and eastern parts of the country are temporarily closed to visitors because of the snow but this is a great time to visit Paro and Thimphu in the west. The weather is warm and sunny during the day whereas it can be cold at night. The good thing is that the cars and hotels generally have heating. Just bring a warm jacket when you go out during the day. Summer (June to August) is the rainy season in Bhutan. If you choose to travel during this period, it is recommended to bring rain gear with you. Nevertheless, the lush green farmland and forests at this time are also great scenery.

Nepal Travel Costs

Nepal is a well-known cheap travel destination in the world. Not only is the domestic transportation and food cost low in Nepal, but you can also choose accommodation at different prices through your budget, ranging from guesthouses to five-star luxury hotels. Most of the famous sites in Nepal are free of charge and the most expensive expense is probably the air tickets. Excluded the air tickets, in general, the travel cost in Nepal is about USD$100 per day. If you want to trek, you have to get a trekking permit in Pokhara or Kathmandu, which costs about NPR 4000 (about USD$35).

Bhutan Travel Costs

Compared to Nepal, Bhutan travel is much more expensive. The government stipulates that tourists who travel to Bhutan, including accommodation, transportation, and tour guides, should spend between US$200 and US$250 per day. After the payment is completed, the travel agency will help you apply for the visa. From March to May and September to November each year, the travel cost in Bhutan is USD$250 per day. From June to August and December to February each year, the travel cost in Bhutan is USD $ 200 per day. Except for shopping, all expenses are included.

Bhutan is also an ideal destination for trekking in the Himalayas. Compared with trekking in Nepal, the mountain views along the trekking in Bhutan may not be as magnificent as Nepal, but its scenery is relatively more primitive and natural. The Bhutan Tourism Bureau has planned more than 20 formal trekking routes across the country. These routes connect remote villages scattered all over Bhutan or take some ancient commercial roads as trekking routes. During trekking, tourists usually eat and live in tents. There will be a feeling of isolation from the world, completely exposed to the embrace of nature. The snowman trekking route is the most well-known and one of the ten most difficult trekking routes in the world. For most tourists, Druk Path Trek is a classic trail.

Nepal is also a religious country and there're many religions. Unlike Bhutan, the official religion of Nepal is Hinduism. 90% of Nepalese believe in Hinduism. In addition to Hinduism, Buddhism is also popular in Nepal. In the birthplace of Buddha Sakyamuni, 8% of Nepalese believe in Buddhism. Here Hinduism and Buddhism blend well and are difficult to separate. You can see Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus in Kathmandu often worship at the same temple. The Kathmandu Valley is full of fascinating ancient temples, and places of interest of Hinduism, which is worth the effort to visit.