Trip Summary
- Trip Grade: Demanding
- Duration: 14 Days
- Activity: Fishing (Fly Fishing & Spin Fishing, Catch & Release)
- Route: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Sunkosh, Gelephu, Tingtibi, Panbang, Damphu, Thimphu, Paro
- Departure: Paro International Airport
- Return: Paro International Airport
- Trip Cost: $9,478 per person
- Last Updated: March 2026
Overview
Bhutan is one of the least explored fishing destinations on earth, with 91 documented freshwater native fish species and rivers that run unpressured through national parks and protected valleys. Truly Bhutan Travel runs this 14-day expedition across western and central Bhutan, targeting Golden Mahseer, Chocolate Mahseer, brown trout, and snow trout along some of the most remote angling water in the Himalayas. All fishing is catch and release. The government mandates this under Bhutan’s forestry regulations, and Truly Bhutan Travel enforces it on every guided day.
Experience Snapshot
I have fished the Mangdechu at Tingtibi in October when the water drops to a clear amber and the Chocolate Mahseer become aggressive in the runs below the bridge. At Panbang inside Royal Manas, the mornings are quiet before the birds start. You are fishing water that almost no international angler has ever stood in. That remoteness is the product, not the scenery.
Fishing in Bhutan: What You Need to Know
Bhutan permits recreational fishing under strict government regulation. All non-Bhutanese anglers must hold a valid fishing permit, fish with a licensed Bhutanese guide, and follow catch-and-release rules in all designated waters. Permits are arranged by Truly Bhutan Travel. You do not obtain them independently.
What Fish Will You Catch in Bhutan?
Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is the primary target in southern and central rivers. Chocolate Mahseer is found in the Mangdechu at Tingtibi. Brown trout (Salmo trutta), introduced in the 1930s from Kashmir Valley hatcheries, populate the northern rivers including the Haa Chhu, Paro Chhu, and Punatsangchhu headwaters. Snow trout (Schizothorax progastus) are common across the higher reaches. Bhutan has 91 documented freshwater native species in total.
When Is Fishing Open in Bhutan?
The open seasons for this itinerary are March to May and September to October. Trout waters close during November and December for spawning. Mahseer waters close during June, July, and August. Fishing is also prohibited on the 8th, 15th, and 30th day of each Bhutanese lunar calendar month, and on named Buddhist holidays including Zhadrung Kuechoe, Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana, Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche, the First Sermon of Lord Buddha, Descending Day of Lord Buddha, Chhogthhruel Dawa, and Saga Dawa. Truly Bhutan Travel builds these dates into the trip calendar before confirming your departure.
What Are the Fishing Rules in Bhutan?
All fishing is catch and immediate release. You fish with a single barbless hook attached to an artificial fly or artificial lure only. Snagging with treble hooks is illegal. Fishing is prohibited within 500 metres of a monastery, dzong, airport, school, or stadium, and within any municipal boundary. Lakes are closed entirely. Possession of Golden Mahseer is prohibited. Introduction of non-native species into any waterbody is prohibited. Truly Bhutan Travel holds the required permits and guides every day on the water.
Where Are the Best Fishing Locations in Bhutan?
- Haa Chhu: Alpine river fishing at 2,700m altitude. Brown trout are abundant in April, May, and September. The river runs fast with good pocket water and long glides.
- Punatsangchhu River: A large river system with accessible wading. Targeted on Day 3 en route south from Punakha to Sunkosh.
- Sunkosh River: A full day of angling on Day 4. The river receives minimal pressure. Expect Golden Mahseer in the deeper pools.
- Mangdechu River at Tingtibi: Day 7. The primary water for Chocolate Mahseer and Golden Mahseer on this itinerary. Altitude around 600m. October produces clear water and active fish.
- Drangme Chhu and Royal Manas National Park at Panbang: Days 8 and 9. The lowest and warmest water on the trip. Golden Mahseer in a protected national park with no public access.
Arrive at Paro International Airport and transfer to Thimphu (60 km, approximately 1.5 hours).
Fly into Paro International Airport via Bhutan Airlines (Druk Air/Tashi Air). Upon arrival, meet our fishing guide, who will assist with your transfer to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. The journey from Paro to Thimphu takes about 90 minutes.
In Thimphu, explore the city’s key attractions:
- Giant Buddha (Buddha Dordenma): A magnificent statue overlooking the valley.
- Memorial Chorten: A revered stupa honoring Bhutan’s third king.
- Takin Zoo: Home to Bhutan’s unique national animal, the Takin.
- Tashichho Dzong: The impressive main secretariat building and a site of historic significance.
Accommodation: Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.
Distance: 71 km | Time: 2-3 hours
Today, we will depart early for Punakha Valley. En route, stop at Dochu La Pass (108 Stupas) for a panoramic view of the Himalayan range. Later, descend towards Punakha Valley, crossing Mitsina and Lobesa. Visit Chimi Lhakhang Temple (dedicated to the Divine Madman) and Punakha Dzong, located between the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers. After lunch, hike through the village of Nyengergang and visit the stunning Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten with a splendid view of the valley below.
Accommodation: Overnight stay at a hotel in Punakha.
Distance: 135 km | Time: 4 hours
Following an early breakfast, we will drive south, following the Punatsangchhu River. We will stop at feasible spots to try our hand at angling. Camp tonight around Chachey or Sunkosh Bridge.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a tent/camp.
Start early for a full day of angling along the Sunkosh River.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a tent/camp.
Distance: 103 km | Time: 4 hours
After breakfast, we depart for Gelephu, a border town near the Indian state of Assam. En route, visit Damphu Town and the town temple. The drive from Damphu to Sarpang is scenic, with beautiful landscapes, roadside stalls selling local produce, and stretches of temperate and sub-tropical forests. After crossing Sarpang, the road runs parallel to the Indian plains all the way to Gelephu. In the evening, stroll through the town, visit shops, and meet locals.
Accommodation: Camp near Lodrai or stay in a hotel in Gelephu.
Distance: 115 km | Time: 4 hours
After breakfast, we drive to Tingtibi Village. The road ascends through Surey and Samkhara, reaching Tama Dara, and then descends to Tingtibi. In the evening, take a walk along the road, visit roadside shops, and chat with locals.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a tent/camp.
Spend the day along the Mangdechu River, fishing for Golden Mahseer and Chocolate Mahseer. Tingtibi is particularly known for its Chocolate Mahseer.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a tent/camp.
Distance: 85 km | Time: 3 hours
After breakfast, depart for Panbang in the Royal Manas National Park. Spend half of the day fishing for Golden Mahseer.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a tent/camp/lodge.
Spend a full day angling in Panbang, located within the Royal Manas National Park.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a tent/camp/lodge.
Distance: 195 km | Time: 6-7 hours
After breakfast, drive back to Gelephu for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a hotel in Gelephu.
Distance: 90 km | Time: 3 hours
Drive to Damphu past Sarpang Town, ascending through temperate forests and scenic villages. Buy local produce from roadside vendors and enjoy freshly prepared organic meals at your accommodation.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Damphu.
Distance: 160 km | Time: 4 hours
Drive back to Thimphu via Tsirang Toe Village. Enjoy the scenic drive through local villages, meeting farmers, and purchasing organic produce. Pass the Punatsangchhu Hydro Projects and Wangdue Town before arriving in Thimphu.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Thimphu.
After an early breakfast, drive to Paro Valley. Begin your hike to Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Temple, taking about 2-3 hours uphill and 1 hour downhill. In the afternoon, visit the National Museum (Watchtower), which has been fully restored, and Rinpung Dzong.
Accommodation: Overnight stay in a hotel in Paro.
Following breakfast, proceed to Paro Airport for your onward journey. our guide will assist you with your luggage and bid you farewell, extending their best wishes for a safe trip.
TASHI DELEK!
Please note that if this itinerary does not align with your preferences, Truly Bhutan Travel is available to customize it for you. Kindly send us an email with your suggestions, and we will diligently address your concerns.
Bhutan holds 91 documented native freshwater fish species in rivers that carry almost no international angling pressure. The government protects these waters through strict permitting, mandatory catch and release, and closed seasons for spawning. Mahseer water in places like Royal Manas National Park and Tingtibi on the Mangdechu River remains accessible only through licensed operators like Truly Bhutan Travel.
All fishing permits for non-Bhutanese anglers are arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Truly Bhutan Travel handles every permit on this itinerary, including access to Royal Manas National Park at Panbang. You do not apply independently. Your guide carries the permits for each day on the water.
Bring your own rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippet, and artificial flies or lures. Bhutanese law requires a single barbless hook on all artificial flies and lures. For Golden Mahseer, a medium-to-heavy single-hand or two-hand fly rod rated for 7 to 10 weight works well. For brown trout in the northern rivers, a 4 to 6 weight rod is appropriate. Truly Bhutan Travel does not supply gear.
The best windows are March to May (spring) and September to October (autumn). Water levels stabilise, fish become active, and visibility is good. Mahseer waters close June through August. Trout waters close November and December. Truly Bhutan Travel schedules all departures within the legal open seasons for each river system on this route.
Email [email protected] or send a WhatsApp message to +975 77111115. State your preferred departure window, group size, and any customisation requests. Truly Bhutan Travel confirms availability, provides a final cost based on group size, and sends the booking agreement with deposit terms.
Contact Truly Bhutan Travel directly for current deposit and payment schedule terms. Pricing starts from $9,478 per person. Group size affects the per-person rate. Truly Bhutan Travel confirms final pricing once group size is fixed and departure dates are agreed.
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
- 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium update).
- Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
- Route Permit
- Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Monuments entrance fees where applicable
- Drinking water
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable development fee of $200. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
- Trip duration: 14 days departing and returning to Paro.
- Primary species: Golden Mahseer, Chocolate Mahseer, brown trout, snow trout.
- Fishing technique: fly fishing and spin fishing with artificial lures only. Single barbless hook required at all times.
- Permits: arranged entirely by Truly Bhutan Travel. No independent permit applications.
- Gear: self-supplied. A gear checklist is provided on booking.
- Trip grade: Demanding. Full days standing and wading in rivers at altitudes from 600m to 2,700m.
- Physical preparation: Build leg strength and cardiovascular fitness before departure. Walking on uneven riverbanks and wading across current is part of every fishing day.
- Customisation: Truly Bhutan Travel adjusts the route, duration, and target species on request. Email your preferences.
What Fishing in Bhutan Actually Means
Bhutan has not built a fishing tourism industry. The rivers here are not managed for angler convenience. The Golden Mahseer in Royal Manas has never seen a guided catch-and-release programme at scale. Fishing in Bhutan is still an expedition in the original sense. You go in with a guide, permits, and a tent, and you access water that produces world-class fish because almost no one else has been there.
What This 14-Day Itinerary Delivers
This route covers four distinct river systems across 14 days, from the alpine brown trout water of the northern valleys to the warm mahseer rivers of the south at 600m altitude. You stay in hotels at the start and end of the trip and in riverside camps across the fishing days. The culture, dzongs, and Tiger’s Nest Temple on Day 13 are not filler. They are why Bhutan operates under a high-value, low-impact tourism policy that keeps these rivers in the condition they are in.
Book Your 2026 or 2027 Fishing Expedition
Both 2026 and 2027 departure windows are open for March to May and September to October. Group sizes are small. Truly Bhutan Travel holds a government licence (No: 1045750) and coordinates every permit, camp, transfer, and guide. Contact us at [email protected] or WhatsApp +975 77111115 to confirm your dates.
Alternative Tours from Truly Bhutan Travel
Bhutan Travel Info
Travel Essentials
- Travel/Medical Insurance: Ensure a worry-free journey with Bhutan's dedicated travel and medical insurance plans offered by the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan. Visit RICB for more information.
- Banking: Modern banking facilities are available in urban areas of Bhutan, with banks like Bank of Bhutan Limited, Druk PNB, and Bhutan National Bank. ATMs are common in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, but scarce in rural areas. Complete your banking in major cities.
- Money Matters: Bhutan's currency is the Ngultrum (Nu), which is equivalent in value to the Indian Rupee. Foreign travelers should bring traveler’s cheques or cash, especially USD. Credit cards like Visa and American Express are accepted in most areas.
- Communication: Bhutan's telecommunications are well-developed with internet cafes, mobile phone coverage, and international roaming available in most towns.
- Electricity: Bhutan operates on 230 volts and 50 Hertz. Ensure your devices are compatible with the three types of plugs commonly used.
- Time Zone: Bhutan's time is six hours ahead of GMT.
Health, Safety, and Customs
- Health and Inoculations: Recommended vaccinations include tetanus, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Avoid untreated water and ice cubes; instead, opt for bottled water, which is readily available.
- Safety Precautions: Bhutan is generally safe, but avoid walking alone or staying out late, especially after 9 PM. Secure your belongings, particularly in the capital, Thimphu.
- Customs Regulations: Personal belongings, 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and professional equipment are exempt from customs duty. Importing restricted items, such as wildlife products, antiques, and drugs, is prohibited.
Accommodation, Food, and Shopping
- Accommodation: Bhutan offers a range of accommodations, from quality 3-star to luxury 5-star hotels in places like Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha. Travelers can also opt for camping when venturing beyond urban areas.
- Food: Bhutanese cuisine is rich and spicy, featuring dishes like ema datshi. International cuisine such as Indian, Continental, and Chinese is available in most restaurants, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
- Shopping: Bhutan offers unique handicrafts, including hand-woven textiles, wooden bowls (Dapas), silver statues, Thangkas, and local postage stamps. Note that the buying and selling of antiques is strictly prohibited.
Travel Kits and Clothing
- Clothing and Essentials: Bhutan's climate is diverse, so dress in layers and pack accordingly. Respectful clothing is required when visiting monasteries and religious sites, and hats should be removed in sacred areas.
- Travel Kits: Pack items like sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, antihistamine cream, anti-diarrhea pills, a flashlight, warm clothes, and a hat. The diverse climate means temperatures range from 20-25°C in summer to below 15°C in winter.
Experiences and Activities
- Photography: Capture Bhutan's stunning landscapes, rural life, and architecture. Indoor photography in sacred sites requires special permission.
- Guides and Interpreters: Bhutan offers certified guides fluent in various languages, ensuring you get the best experience when visiting sacred sites and cultural landmarks.
- Festivals and Holidays: Each district in Bhutan celebrates its unique annual tshechu. Check local schedules to plan your visit around these vibrant festivals.
- Weights and Measures: Bhutan uses metric measurements for weight, with advanced electronic scales commonly found in major cities.
- Best Price Guaranteed
- Book Now, Pay Later
- Local Expertise
- Hand-Picked Hotels
- Value for money
- Quality Service
- Responsible Tourism
- Tailor-Made Holidays
- No Booking Fee
- 100% Visa Approval
- 24/7 Customer Service
- No Hidden Costs
