Major city · Bhutan
Damphu
Half a day is enough: see Tsirang Dzong, walk the plant-lined main street, eat, then move on. Sleep one night only if you are breaking the Thimphu–Gelephu drive.
Damphu is the administrative capital of Tsirang District, at about 1,800 m on the north–south highway between Wangdue Phodrang and Gelephu. The town is small enough to cover on foot, with plants on most windowsills and shrubs in the public spaces. Its one real sight is Tsirang Dzong, inaugurated in 2008 and a good example of modern dzong architecture. Thimphu–Gelephu buses pass through, so most travellers see it as a meal-and-walk stop rather than a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BTN
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (monsoon), Dec–Feb (cold nights)
- Airports
- Paro (PBH) · Gelephu (GLU)
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Bhutan ↗Sustainable Development Fee: USD 100 per adult per night for international visitors until 31 Aug 2027 (children 6–11 half rate, under 6 free); Indian nationals pay in rupees at a lower rate. Confirm the current rate on the official tourism site before booking.
- Bhutan ↗Visa: apply through the official Bhutan tourism visa system, cleared before you board; plan the trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.
- Bhutan ↗Paro is Bhutan's only international airport: approaches are visual, flights run in daylight only, and cloud or wind cancels them; keep a spare day at both ends.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Damphu113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Damphu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkNgultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; rupees are widely accepted but check which notes.Bhutan-wide
- SIM or eSIMB-Mobile (Bhutan Telecom) and TashiCell sell tourist SIMs in Paro and Thimphu with your passport; your guide can help.Bhutan-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; hotels provide bottled or filtered water.Bhutan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected; round up.Bhutan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/F/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Bhutan-wide
- SafetyDamphu is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in certified hotels and restaurants; squat toilets at some roadside stops.Bhutan-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 112 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany dzongs close their shrine rooms during festivals and some ceremonies; government offices close on Saturday afternoons and Sunday…Bhutan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPBH Paro International Airport (Bhutan's only international airport; Damphu has none.
- Getting aroundOn foot: the town is small enough to cover walking.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (instant, at Olaf's Kitchen Cafe)Nu 50–80
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Damphu town to Damphu ResortNu 250–350
- Metro or bus rideBus Thimphu–Damphu, one wayNu 400–600
- Budget bedDamphu Resort double room, a night, per roomBTN 2,500
- Mid-range bedDamphu Resort double room, a night, per roomBTN 3,500
- High-end bedDamphu Resort double room, a night, per roomBTN 5,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BTN 1,500 · Mid BTN 3,000 · High BTN 5,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PBH Paro International Airport (Bhutan's only international airport; Damphu has none. Road via Thimphu and Wangdue Phodrang, roughly a full day.) · GLU Gelephu Airport (About 1 h south by road; services are irregular, so confirm before planning around it.)
Map of Damphu
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Dec (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Damphu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
20 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot: the town is small enough to cover walking. Buses on the Thimphu–Gelephu route stop in Damphu, and taxis cover the 2 km to Damphu Resort.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus or taxi south on the highway, about 1 h
Border town with India; useful for onward connections.
Door to door: About 5 h
Bus or taxi north via Wangdue Phodrang, about 4–5 h
Too long to return the same day; sleep in Bumthang.
Door to door: About 4 h
Bus or taxi north, about 3–4 h
Possible as a long day out; the dzong is the reason to go.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Damphu town centre
Small and walkable, but the only listed hotel, Damphu Resort, is 2 km (1.2 mi) out of town on the Thimphu road.Small and walkable, but the only listed hotel, Damphu Resort, is 1.2 mi (2 km) out of town on the Thimphu road.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Nu 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- Nu 2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- High
- Nu 4,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Damphu Resort double room1 × 1 night × BTN 3,500 | BTN 3,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BTN 3,000 | BTN 6,000 |
| Bus Thimphu–Damphu, one way2 × BTN 500 | BTN 1,000 |
| Taxi Damphu town to Damphu Resort1 × BTN 300 | BTN 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BTN 1,080 |
| Trip total≈ BTN 5,940 per person per day, bed included | BTN 11,880 |
19-room, three-star resort 2 km from town; rates on request.
2026 estimate in ngultrum; flights and the Sustainable Development Fee excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (instant, at Olaf's Kitchen Cafe) | Nu 50–80 |
| Pizza or fast food at Olaf's Kitchen Cafe | Nu 200–400 |
| Bus Thimphu–Damphu, one way | Nu 400–600 |
| Taxi Damphu town to Damphu Resort | Nu 250–350 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses on the north–south highway may not stop unless you signal the driver; confirm with your guide or at the bus stop.
- Damphu Resort is 2 km (1.2 mi) from the town centre, not walkable with luggage; arrange a taxi or ask the bus driver to drop you at the resort turn-off.Damphu Resort is 1.2 mi (2 km) from the town centre, not walkable with luggage; arrange a taxi or ask the bus driver to drop you at the resort turn-off.
- Do not count on an ATM that takes foreign cards; bring enough ngultrum from Thimphu or Gelephu.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Ambulance
- 112
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DamphuDamphu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Dhi gi sa cha la, nangTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Ambulance112
- Fire110
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Thimphu–Damphu: about Nu 500, about 3–4 h
- Taxi Damphu town → Damphu Resort: Nu 250–350
Say or show
- Kuzuzangpo — Hello (koo-zoo-zang-po)
- Kadinchey — Thank you (ka-din-chay)
- Gadem chi mo? — How much? (ga-dem chee mo)
- Chhabsang ga tey mo? — Where is the toilet? (chab-sang ga tay mo)
Dzongkha is the local language; English is widely understood in shops and restaurants.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Damphu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (monsoon), Dec–Feb (cold nights) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Damphu
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