Best Way to travel to Bhutan
We often come to a point in our lives where novelty becomes more than just a luxury; it becomes a necessity. At times like these, as you will find, most local activities will seem very insufficient and far from fulfilling. It is for that precise reason you will want to depart into the unknown, and discover what may lie abroad, beyond the confinements of home that is.
Bhutan, you have decided. It will act as the ultimate destination, where you may lavish yourself with all sorts of spontaneous acts. It does not matter if you are travelling alone or with company, what matters is what you will do when you get there. Maybe take pictures for your Instagram, or maybe just for saving the memory within a frame.
Whatever plans you have for Bhutan, you will first want to know the best way to get there.
About Bhutan
Bhutan, which is often regarded as the holy grail of all travel destinations, is situated in the south of Asia. It holds many cultural monuments, which will surely have you occupied during your visit. With everything from monasteries, fortresses and amazingly laid out, picturesque landscapes, you will become awestruck within an instance. Seeing as how it is found in the Himalayas, you will find a number of activities to engage in which go beyond just gazing and absorbing the beauty that surrounds you. Whether you go on this mesmerizing trek at the beginning of monsoon or post-monsoon, this Buddhist kingdom will have you spellbound with its great spiritual presence.
It would be best if you look to go during a festival, and then enjoy some trekking along with a cultural tour when in Bhutan. The travel wizards at Druk Asia explain how a Bhutan travel will gain you first-hand experience of Bhutan’s living history, masked dancers and ancient traditions. There are other festivals, such as the 7 days Paro Tshechu, which is one of the most famous festivals in Bhutan.
Get your visa
It comes as no surprise to find this listed as your very first step before delving into this great expedition. Bhutan does, just like many countries, require that you get a visa in advance before travelling. You will not be visiting an embassy, as it is the orthodox manner of obtaining a visa, and instead go to a registered tour operator which will sort out your visa. Expect to pay as little as $40, except if you are a passport holder from India, the Maldives or Bangladesh. For these passport holders the need to get a visa is removed. Though, if you are a member of the unlucky bunch, try to make these visa arrangements at least 90 days prior to your departure.
Bhutan only has one international airport
That is right. This country is host to only a single international airport. The one you will want to be looking for, if you are taking a plane, is the Paro International Airport. It is only 6 km away from Paro, located near a valley that is by the famous Bhutan River, Paro Chhu. Seeing as how there is only one international airport, you may find it difficult to book a ticket from your country that is without transits, if you are travelling by plane. I say transits as they could sum up to be a few layouts which will eventually get you to where you are going. Another aspect that may prove to be bothersome is the fact that you might not find a ticket that happens to coincide with your trip dates.
Travelling to Bhutan
Before you go ahead and pack your bags in a hurry, mistakenly thinking that going over to Bhutan does not need a considerate amount of preparations, just stop and think rationally for a moment. Planning an escapade to the lands of the Thunder Dragon will require that you do your research and understand that it is an especially unique country, with an especially unique set of rules which you will want to follow. So, if you are ready to plunge into the world of Bhutan, you must know that the best way to travel to Bhutan will be by airplane, seeing as how it is also the easiest.
Flights to Bhutan
Your flight to Bhutan is very specific, as there are only two airline companies that will have flights to the Paro International Airport. They are Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines, which will accommodate you for this trip. Though, fear not as they are connected to a number of cities around the region. However, these cities are in five different countries -- Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, Singapore and, of course, India. This will be ideal for those that want to make an all-round trip out of this one to Bhutan by visiting another, either on their way to or back from Bhutan.
In order to book your flight, you will have to go through a registered Bhutanese tour operator, or an international one. They will sort out where you go to, or from where you are, and everything else concerning the trip. What this basically means is that you are travelling on a pre-agreed itinerary, which you will be glad to know is customizable.
Things you must know
Now, after taking a layoff and making it to one of the five cities from which you will be catching your flight to Bhutan you will want to enjoy yourself. However, when on your way back home, wherever that is, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. You must inform the flight staff or crew of where you are going from the city you are getting into. This is so that they can connect your luggage with your other flight and have your trip go about without any trouble or problems.
When looking to go to Bhutan, you must make a few considerations that go past the flight and ‘how to get there?’ questions which are so frequently asked. However, remember to book through a registered tour operator and make sure your first flight connects with your one to Bhutan. Also, remember to travel in not just the easiest or quickest way, but also the safest.