Bhutan Tipping Guide
With the exception of your guide, driver and, more recently hotel porters where you feel the need, please avoid tipping. It is generally accepted that accompanied children do not need to be included in the tipping formula.
The tips for your guide and driver should be paid to them directly on the last afternoon of your stay in Bhutan. You can pay in either USD or local Ngultrum (Nu). Tips for hotel porters, often young ladies, should be paid direct at the time.
Tipping Guide When Cultural Touring
These are suggested tips for your guide & driver and are at your discretion, however tipping is expected!
1-2 adults travelling: US$8-10 per person per day for your guide & US$5-7 per person per day for your driver.
3-8 adults travelling: US$6-8 per person per day for your guide & US$3-5 per person per day for your driver.
8-16 adults travelling: US$4-6 per person per day for your guide & US$3-5 per person per day for your driver.
For travellers visiting Bhutan for more than 8 nights we recommend a slightly lower daily rate is paid for your guide and driver tips and again at your discretion.
- Porters: US$.50c per bag. This equates to approx 35 Indian rupees or Bhutanese Ngultrum @ FEB 20.
- Temple Donations: Each time you enter a temple it is customary to leave a small donation. Nu100 is sufficient.
Tipping Guide When Trekking
At the end of each structured trek component of your stay in Bhutan (not applicable to day hikes) you will also need to tip your trekking cook, helpers and horsemen. Your trekking guide will normally be your guide throughout your entire journey so wait and tip guide and driver at the end of your stay in Bhutan using the formula in the previous page. These tipping recommendations have been agreed after a long period of consultation with all parties in late 2019.
Recommendations for tipping trekking crew: These figures below are the total tips to be offered to the trek crew and not per person. You can arrange to pay these tips via your trekking guide who will assist with this process. Your trek crew, in addition to your guide, will consist of a cook/trek organiser; 2 helpers and 1-2 horsemen.
Private treks of 1-2 trekkers:
Overnight Treks – 2 days: Total US$125.00
Short Treks of 4-5 days: Total US$190.00
Longer Treks of 6 days plus: Total US$240.00
Private treks of 3-5 trekkers:
Overnight Treks – 2 days: Total US$200.00
Short Treks of 4-5 days: Total US$310.00
Longer Treks of 6 days plus: Total US$380.00
Group Treks of 6 trekkers or more:
Overnight Treks – 2 days: Total US$300.00
Short Treks of 4-5 day: Total US$440.00
Longer Treks of 6 days plus: Total US$590.00
Premium Trek Tips: Please add 15% on to above suggested tipping regimes if you are taking our ‘Premium Trek Equipment’ option. This is due there is more work for the crew to set up and pack up the campsites.
