Major city · Bhutan
Mongar
One night covers the dzong and the bazaar; two nights only if you add a day trip toward Trashigang or Lhuentse.
Mongar is the administrative head of Mongar district in eastern Bhutan and one of the region's largest settlements, built on a hill with an expanded bazaar below the old core. It has a working dzong, shops selling lemon grass oil and Mongar-style woven cloth, and a tshechu held 28–30 Nov 2025. Most travellers stop one night on the road between Bumthang and Trashigang.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BTN
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon), Dec–Feb (cold)
- Airports
- Paro International (PBH) · Gelephu (GLU)
- Nights
- 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
Emergency numbers for Mongar113 ▾
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 Mongar, 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
- SafetyMongar 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 (Bhutan's only international airport; to Mongar by road is a two-day drive with a night stop in Bumthang.).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact and covered on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Sherab CafecheckNu 80–150
- Budget bedBudget hotel room (Hotel Drukyul), a night, per roomBTN 1,500
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room (Hotel Drukyul), a night, per roomBTN 2,000
- High-end bedBudget hotel room (Hotel Drukyul), a night, per roomBTN 2,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BTN 2,500 · Mid BTN 4,000 · High BTN 6,000
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 (Bhutan's only international airport; to Mongar by road is a two-day drive with a night stop in Bumthang.) · GLU Gelephu Airport (Domestic airport in southern Bhutan; the road from Gelephu to Mongar is a long mountain drive — confirm schedules and road time with your operator.)
Map of Mongar
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Mongar
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Khoma · 20 km straight line
- Trashigang · 32 km straight line
- Wamrong · 40 km straight line
- Ura · 40 km straight line
- Lhuentse · 43 km straight line
- Tashiyangtse · 47 km straight line
- Dewathang · 50 km straight line
- Jakar · 59 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Dec (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mongar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
16 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
20 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°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
The town is compact and covered on foot. Day trips need a private vehicle with a driver, arranged through your tour operator.
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 2 h
Private vehicle, about 1.5 h
Largest town in eastern Bhutan; dzong and weekend market.
Door to door: About 3.5 h
Private vehicle, about 3 h
Close to a wildlife sanctuary; known for its dzong and paper-making.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Private vehicle, about 2 h
Remote dzong and the weaving village of Khoma.
Wamrong
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Private vehicle, about 1 h
Small town with a dzong and a viewpoint.
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.
Town centre
Main street area; walking distance to the dzong and bazaar.
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 2,000–3,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Nu 3,500–5,000 excl. bed
- High
- Nu 5,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room (Hotel Wangchuk)1 × 1 night × BTN 3,000 | BTN 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BTN 4,000 | BTN 8,000 |
| Private vehicle and driver for a day trip (per group, up to 4)1 × BTN 4,000 · check | BTN 4,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BTN 800 · check | BTN 1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BTN 1,660 |
| Trip total≈ BTN 9,130 per person per day, bed included | BTN 18,260 |
2026 estimate in ngultrum; flights, tour operator fees and SDF excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Sherab Cafecheck | Nu 80–150 |
| Meal at a hotel restaurant | Nu 300–600 |
| Lemon grass essential oil (small bottle)check | Nu 200–400 |
| Mongar-style woven cloth (small piece)check | Nu 500–1,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mongar sits at about 1,600 m; altitude is not a problem but the hill is steep.
- The tshechu needs a ticket from the dzong office; confirm dates with your operator.
- ATMs are limited; carry enough ngultrum cash.
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.
MongarMongar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Dhi gi atha laTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Ambulance112
- Fire110
Embassy
Most embassies are in Thimphu; the US does not have a consulate in Bhutan.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Thimphu → Mongar: about Nu 1,000–1,500, two days with a night in Bumthang (check)
- Private vehicle Mongar → Trashigang: about Nu 2,000–3,000, about 1.5 h (check)
Say or show
- Kuzu zangpo — Hello (KOO-zoo ZANG-poh)
- Kadinchey — Thank you (KAH-din-chay)
- Gadem chi mo? — How much? (GAH-dem chee moh)
- In — Yes (in)
- Men — No (men)
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 Mongar. 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–Sep (monsoon), Dec–Feb (cold) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Mongar Dzong, the tshechu and the bazaar.
- Eat pages with last orders for Sherab Cafe and the Druk Zhonggar Hotel restaurant.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the bus stop and the main street.
Sources
Ask about Mongar
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