Military area

Bhutan restricted and prohibited areas (northern frontier — approved treks with army permit only)

Military area · Bhutan

Other zones: Bhutan Check a route

In short

For visitors: entry prohibited.

No boundary — routes will not see this zone
Checked against the act on 21 October 2026

Who may enter, and with what

Rules by group of people, as the source states them, with dates. We give no assessments of our own.

Foreign nationals — entry prohibited. Areas the Government classifies as restricted or prohibited are closed to tourists; restricted areas on approved trekking routes may be visited only with a licensed trekking guide and the required army and park permits arranged by the tour operator. The list of areas is not published.Issued by: Royal Government of Bhutan; for treks — Department of Tourism (approved routes) plus army and park permits through the tour operatorExceptions: Restricted areas designated as trekking routes are open to tourists with a licensed trekking guide and the required permits (army permit / park permit — per the approved treks list).
Original wording
A tourist with a visa or permit shall be allowed to visit any areas, except those which fall within the restricted and prohibited areas.
Apply · Tourism Rules and Regulations 2024, rule 13 (bhutan.travel) · as of 26 August 2024 · checked 21 October 2026

Legal basis

Open the text

Questions

Permits and restricted zones — FAQ

Do you need a permit: Bhutan restricted and prohibited areas (northern frontier — approved treks with army permit only)?

For visitors: entry prohibited. Areas the Government classifies as restricted or prohibited are closed to tourists; restricted areas on approved trekking routes may be visited only with a licensed trekking guide and the required army and park permits arranged by the tour operator. The list of areas is not published.

Where do I get the permit?

Issued by: Royal Government of Bhutan; for treks — Department of Tourism (approved routes) plus army and park permits through the tour operator. The link to the official application page is in the rule above.

Will the planner see this zone on my route?

No: we have no boundary for this zone, so the planner cannot see it. Check your route against the rule above.

Other zones: Bhutan

Bhutan beyond the border-town designated points — licensed guide required Bhutan protected areas — permit for foreign nationals

Visas by passportWhere you can go without a visa, and for how long.AI plannerA day-by-day route, with permits and zones along the way.Zones mapZones and military areas on the world map.