Bhutan in October

My husband and I plan on traveling to Bhutan in October between Sept 28th and 3rd October.

I have a few questions:

1. Do i need to extent my permit at Thimphu to see Dochula Pass and Chelela Pass?

2. We will be at Thimphu on Sunday so is the immigration office closed on sundays?

Also, a rough plan is mentioned below. Can you please let me know if it is do-able? :P

Day 1: Land at bagdogra at 12.30 PM and head to Jaigaon. Overnight stay at jaigaon / Phuentsholing since we maynot make it on time to the immigration office.

Day 2: Leave to Thimphu after getting the permit at Phuntshloing. Overnight stay at Thimphu.

Day 3ochula Pass. Overnight at Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu to Paro. Overnight at Paro.

Day 5: Trip to Tigers nest.

Day 6: Paro to Bagdogra. Our flight back is at 3.15 PM.

Hi Trip Trip!

At the outset I would request you to go through the relevant posts in the Crossing the border thread where you have posted your quarries. I suppose most of your questions would have been answered by studying various posts in the thread. However, let me take up your quarries:

1. The first permit which allows you enter Bhutan is called Entry Permit. This Permit is required for entering and departing purpose only. There is no question of extension of this Permit.
2. For visiting Dochula & Chelela Pass, what you need is another permit. I think it is called Restricted Area Permit or some such name, which you need to obtain afresh from the Immigration Office at Thimphu and this Permit has no relation with the Entry Permit.
3. Yes, Sunday is a holiday for Immigration Office at Thimphu.
4. On day-3 you can not proceed to Doculla Pass as you have to obtain the Permit (before proceeding to Dochull etc.) on this day only. Even if you submit your application for Permit very early, you may not get it before 2 PM or so and then you can not proceed to Doculla. And, one more question: why only Dochulla Pass? You should combine Dochulla, Punakha and also Wangdoo. Another point: you had not mentioned anything about Paro local sight seeing and/or Chelela Pass visit in your day-wise program. You have to provide time for these trips also.

I conclude by saying that your proposed program seems to be very hectic and I strongly suggest to add at least one more day, or still better if you can add 2 more days and then you can have a relaxed trip.

which will be nearest to Jaigaon....NJP or New Alipurduar ?

If you are talking about Railway Station, then the nearest Railway Station to Jaigaon is HASIMARA,where Kanachan Kanya Express stops. However, between NJP and New Alipurduar, obviously New Alipurduar is nearer to Jaigaon.

hello asishda,

i've been looking into the threads started by you & natasha for buutan for past couple of day, and they're very informative..i intend to travel to bhutan during the last week of Dec this year...please advise if the time is appropriate to visit Paro, Dochulla, Punakha and also Wangdoo at this time? will 5 days suffice for this trip?

regards
anirban

I have not traveled during December. Personally I have no idea about the weather and temperature during this time. But, I suppose there will be no problem in Paro & Thimpu. Also Punakha & Wangdoo should be okay during this time. But, may be, you will get snow at Dochulla Pass, but I don't think that will stop vehicular traffic.