The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has always levied a daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) on international tourists which goes directly to the government to support environmental projects. This focus on conservation, community and carbon-neutrality led to Bhutan becoming the world's first carbon negative country back in 2017.

However last autumn, as Bhutan emerged from Covid, the government announced they were going a step further with a radical overhaul of their tourism pricing policy alongside a major increase in the SDF from $65 a day to $200 to provide even more environmental funding. This led to a huge jump in holiday prices to the kingdom.

Mountain Kingdoms fully supports Bhutan's impressive eco ambitions, but the 2022 changes failed to recognise and reward the environmental benefits of longer stays. Last week Bhutan introduced a series of long stay Sustainable Development Fee discounts for international visitors. Mountain Kingdoms welcomed these and customers are now benefiting from some incredible savings on 2023 holidays.

14 holidays to Bhutan have just been heavily discounted, with three examples given below:

Definitive Cultural Tour of Bhutan (with the Thimphu or Black-necked Crane Festivals)

13 day hotel-based small group guided tour. November departure led by Michael Rutland OBE. Both departures spend time at a Bhutanese festival. All meals included in Bhutan, B&B in Kathmandu.

Save £640 on autumn 2023 departures.

20th September – 2nd October 2023 – flight inclusive from price was £5,050 now £4,410

4th – 17th November 2023 - flight inclusive from price was £5,805 now £5,165

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Hidden Valleys of Bhutan (with the Black-necked Crane Festival)

16 day gentle/moderate guided walking holiday. Mainly hotel accommodation but the holiday includes three nights in farmhouse homestays experiencing life with local families, plus a night camping on the Bumdra Trek to Tiger's Nest Monastery. All meals included in Bhutan, B&B in Kathmandu.

Save £640 on the November 2023 departure.

4th – 19th November 2023 - flight inclusive from price was £5,840 now £5,200

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Lingshi Laya Trek (with the Chomolhari Mountain Festival)

20 day small group trekking holiday into the remote Himalaya pioneered by Mountain Kingdoms in 1988. Full service camping on trek, hotels in Kathmandu and Paro. All meals included in Bhutan, B&B in Kathmandu.

Save £1,120 on the October 2023 departure.

9th – 28th October 2023 - flight inclusive from price was £7,630 now £6,510

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Specialist independent tour operator, Mountain Kingdoms, has a wealth of experience in Bhutan accrued over the last 36 years. The trekking and walking holiday expert offers 15 different small group holidays to Bhutan – from cultural tours to month long treks - in addition to a tailor made holiday service.

www.mountainkingdoms.com / info@mountainkingdoms.com / 01453 844400

Mountain Kingdoms holidays are ATOL 2973 / ABTOT 5238 protected

-ENDS-

For media enquiries & images contact:

Jude Limburn Turner | jude@mountainkingdoms.com |Tel: +44 (0)1453 844400 or

Kirsty Parsons | kirsty@mountainkingdoms.com | Tel: +44 (0)1453 844400