Bhutan
Bhutan
The Land of the Dragon or Druk Yul, as it is traditionally called, is the land of Dzongs (fortress) and monasteries, land of one of the most hospitable and friendly people, land of the well preserved heritage, where traditions are not a thing of the past but are actively part of the daily life, the land of the endangered Black Necked Crane and the land of beautiful scenic Himalayan mountain ranges.
Nestled high in the Himalayan Mountains, this small monarchy represents one of the World’s most remote and least visited lands. Now travel is made very easy with Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines connecting Bhutan with the major cities and said to provide one of the most memorial flight over the Himalayan mountain ranges.
Untouched by the outside World, Bhutan offers an insight into the unique lifestyle, culture and customs of the people that has blended well with modernity, leaving the latter at its own place.
Where is Bhutan?
It lies east of Nepal and west of the India State of Arunachal Pradesh.
West Bengal and Assam touches the southern border and Tibet borders the Northern part of Country.
How to reach Bhutan?
DIRECT FLIGHT TO BHUTAN
Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines operate regular flights to Bhutan. Druk Air operates from Delhi, Kolkatta, Bagdogra, Guwahati and Kathmandu
Bhutan Airlines operates from Delhi, Kolkata, and Kathmandu.
FLIGHT VIA BAGDOGRA AIRPORT IN WAST BENGAL
Bagdora is well connected to the major cities of India by various airlines like jetairways, Air India, Indigo, Go Air, Vistara and Spicejet.
One can take the connecting flight to paro from Bagdogra or travel over land to the nearest Bhutan border town of Phuentsholing (04 hours drive) to enter Bhutan.
TRAIN
NJP ( New Jalpaiguri) is the most convenient railway station in the India State of West Bengal . The other smaller stations are Alipurduar, New Cooch Bihar and Hasimara though we recommend NJP as the convenient station for pick un/drop facilities and o4 hour’s drive to the nearest Bhutan border town of Phuentsholing.
Do we need a visa?
India tourist traveling Bhutan do not need a visa. However they need a travel Permit to visit Bhutan. But other citizen need visa.
Permits
There are 02 types of PERMIT.
- Entry Permit
- Route Permit
ENTRY PERMIT
When you enter Bhutan, you have to get the Entry Permit which can be procured at the entry point either in Paro either in airport (when travelling by flight) or in Phuentsholing Bhutan (when travelling overland either from Bagdogra or NJP).
Entry permit cannot be made in advance as physical appearance is required to take the photograph in original at the immigration office.
Entry permit is also a valid document to visit Thimphu and Paro. If you choose your itinerary to visit place beyond Paro and Thimphu, you need to have a Route Permit.
ROUTE PERMIT
Route Permit is made after your arrival in Bhutan in Thimphu on any working day and is valid for the travel beyond Paro and Thimphu.
Entering Bhutan by flight
If entering Bhutan by flight, you will need to fill up the Permit from, which will be handed over to you by the immigration officer at the Paros airport. After the completion of the from, a copy of the permit will be handed over to you. PLEASE RETAIN IT WITH YOU as you will have to surrender it to the immigration officials when you take the flight back from Paro.
Entering Bhutan Overland
Phuentsholing is the most convenient port of overland entry into Bhutan. You will have to visit the immigration office where you entry permit will be processed and your size photograph take. The process takes 02 03 hours.
What do we need for the permit?
Kindly carry o4 passport size photograph and the photocopy of either you passport the Election with you.
Driving License and Ration Card are not valid document for the permit
Accommodation & Meals
There are deluxe hotel approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan at all tourist destination. Toward Eastern Bhutan, accommodation establishments are simple but clean with attached bath. Kindly visit the image gallery for a sneak pictures.
Beside the deluxe hotels (which we use in our packages), we have Luxury Hotel (click on the luxury hotel link for information and details).
Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food are available at all the hotels serving Indian and Chines food.
In Thimphu, Paro and Punakha, Gujarati and jain food is available. All all place, Bhutanese delicacies are server rich with spicy chillies and cheese (worth a try…).
Best time to travel
Bhutan has four distinct season, spring, monsoon, autumn and winter. Spring and autumn is the best time to visit Bhutan. March, April, September and October are the best time to visit Bhutan. If you love flowers, you will get plenty of them in May, June and July, November, December, January and February will be blessed with breath taking mountain views, sunny days and the morning/ evening chills.
Mode of Transport
Within Bhutan we use transport follows:
Toyota Land Cruiser, Hyundai Tucson/SanteFe for individuals Toyota Hiace Busfor smaller groups Toyota Coaster/Kia coach for larger groups.
