Has anyone fished in Bhutan?
- Thread starter Brute
- Start date
I was under the impression it was hard to just travel there?
You need a pre approved visa that is not all that expensive, but during the tourist season there is a 250.00 a day fee, 200.00 a day during the off season.
So it is kind of expensive to go there, some plant geek friends of mine went there...cool plants.
Daaaamn. They either don't want much tourism, or only want rich tourists.
It's been like that for a very long time. They protect the culture, and the environment from being trampled and overrun by tourists. You can't travel independently to Bhutan, you'll need to book with a registered tour company or directly through an affiliated travel agent abroad. Bhutan has long maintained a policy of strict isolationism, both culturally and economically, with the goal of preserving its cultural heritage and independence.
All of the folks I know who have been there loved it, and but for the expense would go back in a heartbeat. This means the Last Shangri-La (as it's often called) limits how many tourists can visit annually — and it only opened to foreign tourists in 1974.
boonie_play
Freshly Spawned
That's absolutely right. We went there last year, the plan was to go in October but had to shift our plan to a bit later due to it aligning with our Nepal trip, did in the very first week of November, not cold either for fishing or rafting, must be climate change effect. I was once again digging the trip I did and wanting to go there again, and found this thread, great to meet ya.
We spent a pretty well money on this trip itself. The fly fishing destinations are accessible by roads, but very remote, so the best suggestion is to use helicopters if you really need a seamless plan. We first planned in Manas River near Punakha, but later changed to the Sankosh River, more south. It was really great angling in there, and camping, too. But the matter is of preservation for the country to the extent I know from my guide. Bhutan, being a Buddhist country, does not allow killing fish; thus, catch and release is the only safest practice anyone is legally allowed to do with a fly-fishing guide, strictly, and a permit associated with a tour operator. But tbh, I could only get 2 smaller ones, the biggest Golden Mahseer I caught is on my DP.
We also had a WWF guide alongside, who was in one of the Mahseer protection campaigns, so he told us that it hasn't been easy for them to protect the species. The unethical practise like flowing currents in the river and more hydropower has killed these river tigers massively.
But yes, you gotta pay a pretty hefty price for this trip, even if not helicopters, 1 person roughly pays around 10 grand easy, but this might include meals, transfers, visas, and the SDF, their government charges as well. I don't have a particular breakdown on how much I paid to the company, as it included even rest trips in the country, but it was around 15.5 grand for one person.
We spent a pretty well money on this trip itself. The fly fishing destinations are accessible by roads, but very remote, so the best suggestion is to use helicopters if you really need a seamless plan. We first planned in Manas River near Punakha, but later changed to the Sankosh River, more south. It was really great angling in there, and camping, too. But the matter is of preservation for the country to the extent I know from my guide. Bhutan, being a Buddhist country, does not allow killing fish; thus, catch and release is the only safest practice anyone is legally allowed to do with a fly-fishing guide, strictly, and a permit associated with a tour operator. But tbh, I could only get 2 smaller ones, the biggest Golden Mahseer I caught is on my DP.
We also had a WWF guide alongside, who was in one of the Mahseer protection campaigns, so he told us that it hasn't been easy for them to protect the species. The unethical practise like flowing currents in the river and more hydropower has killed these river tigers massively.
But yes, you gotta pay a pretty hefty price for this trip, even if not helicopters, 1 person roughly pays around 10 grand easy, but this might include meals, transfers, visas, and the SDF, their government charges as well. I don't have a particular breakdown on how much I paid to the company, as it included even rest trips in the country, but it was around 15.5 grand for one person.
JimTravers¤£a!!Travers
Steelhead
No but I GARUNTEEE id have no problem ripping em out of the water there!!!!!! Garaunteed!!!!!
Atta boy Jimmy T
