Travel Information
You can reach to Bhutan either by plane or road. Within Bhutan, you will be mostly travelling by vehicle but there is domestic airlines too for the same purpose. Trekking will be mostly on foot though we can arrange horse ride.
Travelers can enter Bhutan via numerous international airports; Bangkok (Thailand) to Paro(Bhutan’s only international airport), Calcutta(India) to Paro, Delhi(India) to Paro, Gaya(India) to Paro, Siliguri(India) to Paro, Dhaka(Bangladesh) to Paro, Yangon(Myanmar) to Paro, and Kathmandu(Nepal) to Paro. Paro international airport is about 54 km away from capital city (Thimphu) of Bhutan and takes an hour and half to drive (Source: ABTO - Association of Bhutan Tour operators). For more information on flight schedules, rates and other flight information log in to website: www.drukair.com.bt
By Land
The town of Phuentsholing in the southwest has road access open for tourists. From the Indian domestic Airport (Bagdora), it is approximately 170km and from Phuentsholing to Thimphu distance is 179km and takes about six hours drive (Source: ABTO - Association of Bhutan Tour operators).
Domestic Airline
Travel within can be arranged through domestic airline service in few locations; Paro to Bumthang (central Bhutan), Paro to Yonphola (eastern Bhutan), Paro to Gelephu and vice versa. For further, please log in to www.drukair.com.bt
Travel Within Bhutan (By Road)
Mode of travel within Bhutan is mostly by motor vehicles. There are no trains to reach your destination. The main high way runs from west to east connecting all the major towns in the country. Driving distance and time taken to reach each destination is provided below (Source: ABTO - Association of Bhutan Tour operators);
| From | To | Distance (Kilometers) | Time (Approximate) | Thimphu | Paro | 54 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Thimphu | Phuentsholing | 179 | 6 hours | Phuentsholing | Bagdora (India) | 170 | 4 hours | Thimphu | Wangduephodrang | 77 | 3 hours | Punakha | Wangduephodrang | 13 | 25 minutes | Wangduephodrang | Trongsa | 129 | 4 hours 30 minutes | Trongsa | Bumthang | 68 | 2 hours 30 minutes | Bumthang | Mongar | 198 | 7 hours | Mongar | Lhuentse | 76 | 3 hours | Mongar | Trashigang | 90 | 4 hours | Trashigang | Trashiyangtse | 52 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Trashigang | Samdrupjongkhar | 180 | 6 hours | Samdrupjongkhar | Guwahati (India) | 110 | 3 hours | Samdrupjongkhar | Phuentsholing | 380 | 9 hours 30 minutes |
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Valid passport is required to enter Bhutan. Please ensure that your passport expiry date is not less than six months away. In the event you lose your passport, you must travel to India because it is the only country within the region to issue replacement passports. Make sure that you carry photocopy of your passport and additional identification forms.
VISA
Travelers to Bhutan requires visa except travelers from India, Bangladesh and Maldives. You should apply for your visa in advance through Bhutanese tour operators and obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bhutan. Travelers will not be able to board the air flight if don’t have approved visa. Issuance of air tickets to Bhutan is made only when the visa is confirmed. Visa is stamped at the entry port. Visa processing fee of USD $40 will be collected by the tour operator while making your tour payment. Visa applications must reach Bhutan at least seven days prior to intended arrival date. Issuance of visa to enter will not be made by Bhutanese Embassies and missions abroad. In case if you intend to stay in Bhutan longer than your planned itinerary, you should extend your visa. Extension cost of visa for a period not more than six months is USD $10 per person (Tourism Council of Bhutan).
Permits for Restricted Area
Many of the areas within Bhutan is categorized as restricted area for which you need special permits to visit. Tour operators will arrange permit for you to visit those areas based on your tour itinerary. Immigration personals will check and endorse the permit at the check gate located at strategic road points. At the end of your trip, tour operator should return the permit to the government (Tourism Council of Bhutan).
Import –customs
Tobacco is banned and forbidden in Bhutan. For personal consumption travelers are permitted to bring in 200 cigarettes (10 packets) on payment of 200% duty. Alcoholic beverages only up to one litre for personal consumption is allowed (Tourism Council of Bhutan).
Travelers are accommodated in government approved tourist hotels with good facilities. Bhutanese hotels are fairly good comparing to neighboring countries. Hotels are decorated in traditional style. Western and central Bhutan has standard star rated Asian and European hotels. The country has some luxury hotels and resorts available at additional cost. Eastern and Southern Bhutan have modest hotels.