Flying drones in Bhutan

Some of the inspiration shots you see in this guide were captured via drone to showcase the grand scale of the Himalayan architecture. Please remember that drone use in Bhutan is strictly regulated and usually requires special government permits; these images are here to provide a unique sense of scale for your trip planning.

* Enforcement: Authorities are extremely vigilant. Even if you manage to bring a drone through customs, your authorization documents will be checked immediately if you attempt to fly, especially near cities or temples.

• The Permit Process: Drone licenses are only obtainable through direct collaboration with the Bhutanese Ministry of Tourism.

• My Experience: Although we collaborated with the Ministry in 2025, it required a full year of negotiations to secure the necessary permissions. Especially in cities, our permits were checked by police every time we started to fly.

• Import of drones: I strongly advise against bringing a drone, as it might be confiscated at customs and could result in significant fines.