Bhutan - The Lost Shangri-La

ks_bluechip

Hi, I am planning my first ever visit to Bhutan as follows:

12th Apr Sat - Kalimpong (bus/jeep) - Phuntsoling - Thimpu

13th Apr Sun - Bhutan first 1st day
...........

19th Apr Sat - Bhutan last 7th day

20th Apr Sun - Bhutan (bus/jeep) Siliguri/Bagdogra

21st Apr Mon - Bagdogra (fly) Kolkata

Would welcome any advise on how to travel from Kalimpong to Thimpu? Is that possible in one day? And return trip to Siliguri / Bagdogra??

Still to plan details of 7 days in Bhutan .... Any advise on what to see/do in Bhutan is welcome.

Thanks - KS

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Sadanand Kamath

I would suggest you to refer to the book Driving Holidays in the Himalaya - Bhutan by Koko Singh. You mays get some ideas about planning your 7 day schedule for Bhutan. If interested, I can pass on the book to you on Mar.14th at IM met up.

From the book, it appears that it is possible to reach Siliguri from Thimpu in one day if you start the journey at 6.00 a.m.

Sadanand

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ks_bluechip

SK,

Thanks for that info .... I will see if I can get that book here at a local book shop (I doubt it) .... so maybe I will ask you to bring that on 14th IM meet-up - KS

Sadanand Kamath

KS,

You can also take some guidance for planning your trip to Bhutan from the following website:

http://www.bhutanabbot.com/

One of the interesting information given in the website is that Druk Air plans to start a flight to and fro Mumbai to Paro via Kathmandu on Mondays and Thursdays from April 1, 2008.
However, this information is not on Druk Air website as the flight schedule given in the website is for the period upto March 24.

Sadanand

ks_bluechip

SK ...Thanks .... will check out your link .... wish I knew about druk flight Mumbai to Paro via KTM ... anyway now already booked flight to-&-fro Bagdogra .... As I was combining Sandakphu-Phalut trek with Bhutan trip. .... KS

abracax

There's a nice story on Bhutan in this month's National Geographic.

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ks_bluechip

abracax: Thanks, I too read that NG article. Its pretty good.

Also, I found the book "Driving Holidays in the Himalayas - Bhutan" *** by Koko Singh [Rupa Publication Rs 595] to be an excellent guide for Bhutan; containing lots of background information and important tips for Visitors on all aspects.

The Driving Travel Plan starting form Siliguri and entering Bhutan from Phunstsoling is very descriptive and with detailed descriptions and advise. Excellent Guide Book! Excellent Color Pictures!! Excellent Paper and Print Quality!!! Excellent Value for Money!!!!

I am going to buy the entire set of these Driving Holidays Series .... covering Himachal, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Zanskar, Sikkim

- KS

PS: *** this book was loaned to me by Sadanand Kamat at last IM Mumbai Meet-up (Thanks, SK)

miniesquimo

any advice to get to bhutan from nepal or india (darjeeling)?

questions:

flights from kathmandu to paro - how much is it one way?
from darjeeling how can I reach bhutan? how long those it take?
i am very confused with my trip. please help!

ks_bluechip

I know only by Road, using Share-Jeeps:

From Darjeeeling its about 6 hours to the Border town Jaigaon(IND)/Phuntsholing(BHUTAN).

From Bagdogra(airport)/Siliguri to Jaigaon, 150Kms, about 3-4 Hours.

In Bhutan, from Phuntsoling to Paro (160Kms) by Road about 6 hrs by Share-Jeeps.

BTW: My trip to Bhutan (originally, planned from 10th April) is now postponed.

- KS

miniesquimo

thank you so much!
that was really helpful!
I think im gonna take your advice!

miniesquimo

Hi again,

how do I go from kathmandu to darjeeling or siliguri?

ks_bluechip

I dont know the answer to that one myself ... but my copy of Lonely Planet says in the Darjeeling section:

"By far the easiest way to Kathamandu is to hire a taxi that has special permit to cross into Nepal to airport at Bhadrapur. As most nepalese carriers flt KTM to Bhadrapur (fare $109) around midday and return early afternoon, you can leave Darjeeeling mid-morning and be in KTM by afternoon. If travelling in the oppposite direction leava KTM around midday and be in darjeeling by afternoon"

Also it says there are several Buses to Kathmandu from Darjeeling (Rs 250) but you need to change bus at Kakarbitta on the border. Reverse must be also possible. No details of timings / duration etc.

suman

Natasha very informative writeup. Where are the pictures ??

DeepPavi

Hi Natasha,

I am planning a 5 days 4 nights trip to Bhutan. we will enter bhutan through Phuntsheling and plan to see Thimpu, Paro and punakhu. How to plan the trip i.e which spot on which day so that all major spots are thoroughly enjoyed.

My itinerary is:-
28th May:- Reach Phuntshelling by 1 PM.
29th May;- Morning drive to Paro
30th May:- Afternoon from Paro to Thimpu
31st May:- 1 day trip to Punakhu and back
1st June:- Back to Phuntshelling for return to Kolkata.


Expect your reply soon. Thanks in advance.

Deep.