Begin Your Journey to Bhutan
Everything you may want to know before traveling with Founders Retreat Bhutan — from planning and customization to culture, accommodation, and the experience itself.
FAQ
Yes. All international visitors (except Indian nationals) need a Bhutan e-visa. It costs $40 and we handle the application once your place is confirmed.
Up to five working days. Apply early — we factor this into your pre-retreat timeline automatically.
Yes. Bhutan visas allow up to 90 days. Extensions can be applied for online before your original visa expires.
A $100 per night government levy paid by all international visitors to Bhutan. It directly funds free healthcare, education, and environmental conservation. For 6 nights, that’s $600 — included in your $1,900 retreat cost.
The Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN), pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee. USD is widely accepted. ATMs are available in Thimphu. Bring some cash for personal spending.
Very. Bhutan consistently ranks among the safest countries in Asia with extremely low crime rates. Solo travellers, including women, report feeling completely comfortable.
Covered shoulders and knees. One modest outfit in your bag is all you need — you won’t be visiting monasteries every day.
Strong WiFi and mobile data in Thimphu and Paro. Limited connectivity in Punakha. All retreat hotels have WiFi. Fair warning — the retreat includes intentional offline time. Plan for it.
Very. Bhutan consistently ranks among the safest countries in Asia with extremely low crime rates. Solo travellers, including women, report feeling completely comfortable.
Strong WiFi and mobile data in Thimphu and Paro. Limited connectivity in Punakha. All retreat hotels have WiFi. Fair warning — the retreat includes intentional offline time. Plan for it.
Covered shoulders and knees. One modest outfit in your bag is all you need — you won’t be visiting monasteries every day.
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and Bhutan at its most beautiful. All Founders Retreat cohorts run within these windows.
A 7-day immersive leadership retreat in Bhutan that uses Gross National Happiness as a practical framework for founders. Operated by Impact Hub Thimphu across three cities — Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro.
Founders who are past survival mode and asking harder questions — about what they are building, how they are leading, and whether it will last. Past cohorts have included founders of tech, social enterprise, and impact-driven businesses from across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Maximum 12. Kept deliberately small — honest conversations don’t happen in large groups.
Maximum 12. Kept deliberately small — honest conversations don’t happen in large groups.
Early morning yoga or meditation. A facilitated session or field experience. Lunch with the cohort. An afternoon experience — a monastery visit, school session, or landscape walk. An evening conversation that continues well past dinner.
The core programme is fixed for open cohorts. For private retreats of 6 to 12, we design a fully customised itinerary around your team’s specific questions and goals.
A retreat. The distinction matters. You are not sightseeing — you are working. Bhutan is the classroom, not the attraction.
6 nights accommodation, all meals (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners), all ground transport within Bhutan, airport transfers, English-speaking guide, all retreat sessions and experiences, entry fees, Bhutan e-visa ($40), and the Sustainable Development Fee ($600).
International flights to and from Paro International Airport, and personal expenses such as shopping, beverages, and laundry.
Two options — comfortable 3-star hotels or an authentic Bhutanese homestay where you stay with a local family. Both are full-board. Indicate your preference when you apply.
We pick you up. Airport transfers from Paro International Airport are included in the retreat cost. Land, and we handle everything from there.
Complete the short application form on our Book Now page — under 10 minutes. Shortlisted applicants are invited to a 20-minute conversation. Rolling admissions, cohorts fill fast.
We are not looking for the most impressive founder. We are looking for the most curious one. If you are genuinely asking hard questions about how you build, you belong here.
Yes. Private retreats for teams of 6 to 12. Fully customised programme, dedicated cohort dates. Contact us directly to start the conversation.
Yes. Most participants are first-time visitors. We manage every logistic — visa, transport, accommodation, meals, and experiences. You show up. We handle the rest.
No. Curiosity is the only prerequisite. We send a pre-reading pack after your place is confirmed.
Layers for shifting mountain temperatures, comfortable walking shoes, one modest outfit for monastery visits, and a journal. You will generate more material worth keeping than you expect.