The way to Bhutan: travel by air and travel by land.
The Kingdom of Bhutan remained largely cut off from the rest of the world up until the early 1960s. Entering the country was difficult as it was only accessible by foot from two main entry points, one in the North and another from the South. The Northern route was through Tibet, crossing high mountain passes that were inaccessible throughout the winters. The second entry route from the South came through the plains of Assam and West Bengal. The high, frozen passes in the North and the dense jungles in the South made it extremely difficult to enter the country.
However, carefully planned economic development has made the country much more accessible and there are now a network of roads entering and traversing the country, as well as one international and multiple domestic airports.
Today the main roads entering the country are through Phuentsholing in the south, linking Bhutan with the Indian plains of West Bengal, through the border towns of Gelephu in the central region and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east, that link with the Indian state of Assam.
All visitors to Bhutan require a visa to enter the country. Visa clearance must be obtained before coming to Bhutan and travel must be booked through a Bhutanese tour operator or international partner. Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals can receive a visa on entry, and it is not necessary for them to book travel through a tour operator, however it is recommended. In the case of Indian nationals, a passport or voters' card are acceptable on entry.
The national airlines, Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines, fly from Bangkok (Thailand), Bodhgaya, Bagdogra, Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai (India), Kathmandu (Nepal), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Singapore and Dubai (UAE) to Bhutan's Paro International Airport, located in the west of the country.
Paro is situated at a height of 2,225 m (7,300 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by mountains as high as 4,876 m (16,000 ft). Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are the two airlines operating flights into and around the country with a fleet of Airbus A319s. There are also regular domestic services to Bumthang (central region) and flights available to Trashigang (eastern region) and Gelephu (southern region). A second international airport is currently under construction in Gelephu along the southern border to India.
Flying into Bhutan's Paro International Airport is typically an exciting experience as the descent into Paro valley brings you closer to the mountain tops than most other flights in the world. The flight between Paro, Kathmandu and Delhi is particularly rewarding as it offers spectacular views of 4 of the 5 highest mountains in the world. In clear weather, as you soar higher up, you'll be treated to amazing close-ups of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga at their best.
Phuntsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are all located along the southern border of India and are the only overland border entries open to international tourists.
Phuntsholing is located approximately 170 km east of the Indian national airport Bagdogra. After crossing Phuntsholing, you will begin a mountainous climb through hair-pin bends until you enter Thimphu, the capital city. The 176 km journey usually takes around 6 hours. Travel sickness tablets are recommended for young children and adults who may not be accustomed to the mountain roads.
Gelephu in South-Central Bhutan is another entry point to Bhutan. It is approximately 250 kms from Thimphu. The journey will take you through lush sub-tropical jungles and pristine alpine forests before finally bringing you into Thimphu. You will traverse across three districts with a travel time of approximately ten hours. The new Gelephu Mindfulness City, with its new international airport, will make Gelephu a premier gateway to Bhutan.
Samdrup Jongkhar is the only entry point in eastern Bhutan. The town borders the Indian district of Darranga, Assam and is approximately 150 kms from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. The journey from Guwahati is about three hours. Tourists entering Bhutan through Samdrup Jongkhar will have to travel through Trashigang, the largest district in the country, and from there east through Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa and Wangdue Phodrang to reach the capital city, Thimphu. The distance is about 700 kms and you should allow three days journey time.
In keeping with the Tourism Council of Bhutan's policy of "High Value. Low Impact" tourism, a fixed Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is required for tourists. Tour operators offer a fixed package that covers the following:
It also includes:
On the day of departure, the local agents' host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on usage basis.
Tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or roadblocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel.
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