Bhutan’s National Airline – “Druk Air” is the only airline
operating in Bhutan. All Flights to Bhutan fly into Paro
which is the Kingdom’s only Airport. Flights to and from
Kathmandu and Delhi take place thrice a week. There are
weekly five flights to and from Kolkata and Bangkok
(Thailand).
During monsoon unpredictable weather forces can delay
flights & travelers are advised to include an extra day in
their itinerary.
AS PER GOVERNMENT RULE IT IS MANDATORY TO TRAVEL ATLEAST
ONE WAY BY DRUK AIR, IT CAN BE EITHER ENTRY OR EXIT OR BOTH.
TRAIN
New Jalpaiguri is the closest Indian Railway Station to
Bhutan. From NJP Station one enters Bhutan through
Phuntsoling - the gateway to Bhutan - by Road. It takes
about 4 hours drives.
ROAD
Bagdogra is the closest Indian airport to Bhutan. Flights
from Kolkata or Delhi to Bagdogra are available. From
Bagdogra one enters Bhutan through Phuntsoling. It is a 4
hrs drive. From Gangtok to Phuntsoling it takes about 7 hrs
by surface. Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup
Jonghkar also. This frontier Bhutanese town is approximately
3 hrs drive from Guwahati, the capital town of Indian north
eastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar is the authorize
exit point only and an important link for visiting further
Indian north eastern states.
ACCOMMODATION
There are comfortable hotels and lodges at all tourist
destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in
Central and Eastern part of the country, accommodation
establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities.
There is no star categorization of hotels here and five star
luxuries are not available.
Eco Tours & Treks have carefully selected the accommodation
units with the best of location, service and ambience.
Away from the towns and villages there are purpose-built
huts on some of the principle trekking routes.
Otherwise, there is nothing like camping out under the
clearest night skies that you have ever seen. Wherever you
spend the night, the warm Bhutanese hospitality will make
you feel welcome.
FOOD & DRINKS
Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chillies and
cheese. Even on trek, Eco Tours & Treks trained cooks
prepare dishes suitable to western taste ranging from
Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.
WHAT TO PACK
Tours
Practical clothing including a warm jacket
flashlight with spare batteries
sturdy sneakers
hat
Swiss knife
sunglasses
folding umbrella
extra passport size photographs
sun screen, moisturising cream and lip gel
personal toiletries and medicine
Treks
In addition to the above:
day pack
good sleeping bag
torch light
