The Kingdom of Bhutan remained largely cut off from the rest of the world up until the early 1960’s. 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 Bhutan with the Indian state of Assam. Travel By Land Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are the only land border areas open to tourists. The town of Phuentsholing in south-west is located approximately 170 km east of the Indian national airport at Bagdogra. After crossing Phuentsholing, you begin your journey to Thimphu, the capital city with travel time of about six hours for the 170 km stretch. Gelephu, in south-central Bhutan ...
, is another entry point to Bhutan. It is approximately 250 kms from Thimphu and the journey will take you through the sub-tropical areas of Bhutan before entering the alpine zone and then finally into Thimphu.
One will have to traverse across three districts and the travel time will be about ten hours. The district of Samdrup Jongkhar in south-east Bhutan borders the Indian district of Darranga, Assam and is approximately 150 kms away from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. The journey from Guwahati is about three hours. Tourists entering Bhutan through Samdrup Jongkhar will take you to Trashigang, and from there over the lateral route to Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa, Wangdue Phodrang and then finally into the capital, Thimphu.
The distance is about 700 kms and will take you a minimum of three days to reach Thimphu. Travel By Air There are flights to destinations that include Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai. Paro is situated at a height of 2,225?m (7300?ft) above sea level and is surrounded by mountains as high as 4,876?m (16,000?ft). At present two carriers operate to Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. There are also domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan. Flying into Bhutan’s Paro International Aiport 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 and Kathmandu is one of the most exciting ones as the aircraft passes over four of the five highest mountains in the world. In fine weather, as you soar higher up, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga at their best.
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You can enter Bhutan by air through Paro International Airport or by land through border crossings at Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar from India. There are no direct international land routes except from India.
Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are the only two airlines that operate flights to Bhutan. They connect Bhutan with cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Bangkok, and Singapore.
Yes, all foreign tourists (except Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals) need a visa to enter Bhutan. The visa must be arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator before arrival.
Yes, Indian citizens do not need a visa but must carry a valid passport or voter ID card for entry. A special permit is required for travel beyond Phuentsholing.
Tourists must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per night. Indian tourists pay a reduced fee of INR 1200 per night. This fee contributes to Bhutan’s sustainable tourism efforts.
Yes, Bhutan can be accessed via land from India through Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar. Phuentsholing is the most commonly used entry point, connecting to West Bengal.
Yes, all foreign tourists (except Indians) must travel with a licensed tour guide as part of Bhutan’s tourism policy. Independent travel is not allowed.
Foreign tourists need a valid passport, an approved visa, and a confirmed tour booking. Indian travelers require a passport or voter ID and must obtain an entry permit upon arrival.
No, there are no direct flights from Europe or the US. Travelers must transit through cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Bangkok, or Singapore to reach Bhutan.
Indian travelers can enter Bhutan with their own vehicle but must obtain a permit at the Phuentsholing border. Foreigners from other countries must arrange transportation through a tour operator.