Getting into Bhutan
Up until the early 1960s, the Kingdom of Bhutan was essentially sealed off from the rest of the world. It was challenging to enter the nation since there were only two primary entrance points—one in the north and one in the south—that could be reached on foot. The northern route passed via Tibet and involved steep mountain passes that were impassable all winter long. The plains of Assam and West Bengal were the second entrance point from the south. It was quite challenging to access the nation because to the high ice passes in the North and the deep forests in the South.
The country is now much more accessible because to well planned economic growth, which has also led to the construction of a network of roadways that enter and traverse the nation as well as one international and several domestic airports.
Currently, the primary routes into the nation are through Phuentsholing in the south, which connects Bhutan with the Indian plains of West Bengal, and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east, which connects Bhutan with the Indian state of Assam.
Travel By Air
Flights are available to Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore, and Mumbai, among other cities.
At 2,225 meters (7300 feet) above sea level, Paro is surrounded by mountains that reach heights of up to 4,876 meters (16,000 feet). Drukair and Bhutan Airlines are the two airlines that currently fly to Bhutan. Additionally, domestic airports are located in the eastern Bhutanese cities of Yonphula, Bumthang, and Gelephu.
The descent into Paro valley, which is closer to the mountain summits than most other aircraft in the globe, makes flying into Bhutan’s Paro International Airport a thrilling experience. One of the most thrilling flights is between Paro and Kathmandu since the plane goes over four of the world’s five tallest mountains. In good weather, you may take in the breathtaking vista of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga as you soar further up.
Travel By Land
Only three land border regions, Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar, are accessible to visitors.
The southwest Indian town of Phuentsholing is around 170 kilometers (km) east of Bagdogra, the country’s main airport. You start your journey to Thimphu, the capital city, after passing Phuentsholing, and it takes roughly six hours to complete the 170 km distance.
Another entrance to Bhutan is at Gelephu in the south-central part of the country. It is around 250 kilometers from Thimphu, and the route passes through subtropical and alpine regions of Bhutan before arriving at Thimphu. The journey will take roughly 10 hours and need transit through three regions.
The Indian district of Darranga, Assam, is bordered by the south-eastern Bhutan district of Samdrup Jongkhar, which is around 150 kilometers from Guwahati, the capital of Assam. It takes almost three hours to get there from Guwahati. When visiting Bhutan, enter by Samdrup Jongkhar. From there, travel the lateral route through Trashigang, Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa, Wangdue Phodrang, and ultimately the capital, Thimphu. You would need at least three days to travel the approximately 700 miles to reach Thimphu.
