Bhutan - The Lost Shangri-La

@bhattanav

I have sent PM on the issue and I gave my phone No. Please phone me up on 10th night. I shall apprise you with latest update.

@Abzzie

You are visiting Bhutan mid-Oct, whereas we shall be going there early Nov. Please keep us informed with latest update on Bhutan. I would be happy if I can talk to you on your return. If you do not mind, can you please send me your ph. no. through PM?

Thanks & regards

Asish Das

http://www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays2011/bhutan.htm

Got this link for Bhutan Holiday list, hope this will help all travelers till end of this year.

Sure.

what is situation in Bhutan now after the earthquake, the last news i got was there were landslides on the Thimpu road but it was cleared.

Any latest info?

Yes, I am also eager to know the status of the road, infrastructure etc. after the earthquake. We plan to visit Bhutan early November. However, I have got some unconfirmed report that not much damage is reported in Bhutan though it is quite close to epicenter! However, it would be great help if someone from Bhutan throws some light on the issue. Thanks & regards


Asish Das

i checked some Bhutan news website and came to know that one person died in HA valley and the above information.

But if the King is getting married in October as it is still in showing in all diplomatic calendar then things will be fine post Oct 13th.

HELLO!
can any body suggest me what would be weather like in thimpu and paro during last week of may or first week of june.
i suppose it is not too hot like other valleys in himalayas.

It will be wet/raining and humid. Temperature in Thimphu will be around 25-30 during day and low around 15.

i think thats a wonderful travelogue by Natasha...i inted to travel to Bhutan this summer ( end May)...Is it really so that accomodation wud not be a problem ???

Plus what about the highway to Thimpu..Is the road any good ???

Hi Debraj!

I could not get you properly in regard to the first part of your query. Are you inquiring about availability of accommodation at Thimphu during end-May? If it is so, I think it will not be difficult and you will have many choices. As regards the 2nd and last part of your query, the highway connecting Phuentsolling and Thimphu is reasonably okay. Some part of the highway, where road widening work is going on, is little bumpy though!At least that was the condition when we visited last winter.

hello
Tats a fantastic travelogue by natasha.Esp when i was lookin for
some travel itinerary to bhutan.

Me and four of my friends are planning on travel ling to bhutan
from aug 5th-15th .Id be happy if anyone could suggest me an itnerary.Although i have made my pointers from natasha's traveglogue..lookin fwd to more.

looking at a economical yet fun trip.

any travel agents /adventure clubs suggested.??
we will be taking the trip ex kolkata.

looking fwd to hearing for the experts.

reagrds
Nitina

Hi @asishdas

We are planning for Trip to Bhutan during July 7th to 15th....I need some suggestion and information regarding this...

1. Any idea what is the private car/Toyota Coster rate per day?

We are a group of 15-18 people and want to hire private car or toyota Coster(19 seat). I have contacted many travel agents of Jaigaon and Coochbehar. They are saying it will be around 6.5K per day(inclusive of drivers accommodation and fooding) for Toyota Coster. And 2.5K for Tata Sumo/MAhindra Bolero types car. As we need two cars.

1. No idea for hiring charges for full and exclusive Toyota Coaster Bus.
2. Tata Sumo/Boloro type Vehicle (during the time we visited Bhutan) hiring charges were
Rs.2000-2200/- per day basis, which included fuel, parking fee(if any), driver food, accommodation etc.

My suggestion:
1. Avoid Agents, specially Jaigaon-based Agents;
2. Don't hire India registered vehicle with Indian Driver;
3. Visit Fuentsolling Taxi Stand personaally on reaching there, bargain hard with the drivers, check the condition of vehicle, explain and re-explain the conditions of hiring and then close the deal.
4. There will be plenty of vehicle at the Taxi Stand, so there is no need of pre-booking.

Hope this helps.

Thanks @asishdas

It will help me a lot plan..Also here is my itinerary for Bhutan. Comments are welcome


Day 1 (Phuentsholing - Thimphu): Hasimara to Phuentsholing.
• Will try to get the permits from Kolkata.
• Instant booking of cars at Phuentsholing.
If above two executed by 12/1 pm then will proceed to Thimphu.Night stay at Thimphu.
If not then will stay at Phuentsholing and next day will start for Thimpu.
Day 2 (Thimphu Sightseeing); Thimphu Sightseeing and night stay at Thimpu
Day 3 (Thimphu Sightseeing); Thimphu Sightseeing and night stay at Thimpu
Thimphu Sightseeing Place: Tashichho Dzong, National Memorial Chorten, Simtokha Dzong, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Changangkha Lhakhang, Dechen-phodrang, Wangdi-tse & Folk Heritage Museum & the Textile Museum.
Day 4 (Thimpu to Paro): Relaxing and sight seeing except Taksang MOnastry(Tigers nest). Night stay at PAro
Paro Sightseeing Place: Rinpung Dzong, Nya-mey Zam, Dungtse Lhakhang, Drukgyal Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Kila Gompa, Druk Choeding & Paro Airpor
Day 5 (Paro Excursion to Taktsang Monastery - Thimpu): Taktsang Monastery and proceed to Thimpu after lunch. night stay at Thimpu.
Day 6 (Thimphu - Punakha); proceed to punakha through Dochula pass and night stay at Punakha
Day 7 (Punakha ) Sightseeing and night stay at Punakha.
Punakha & Wangdue Sightseeing Place: Dochula, Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang.
Day 8 (Punakha - Phuentsholing - Hasimara) Return back to Hasimara.

1. In my opinion the route should be Fuentsolling -> Thimphu -> Punakha -> Wangdou -> Back to Thimphu or can directly proceed -> Paro -> Fuentsolling. We followed this route. You can go through my trip report for more details at Our Bhutan Trip – a senior citizen's effort to backpack!
2. Getting Entry Permit from Kolkata is very easy. We did just that and we did not waste any time at Fuentsolling. Since you are Kolkata-based, please get your permit made from Kolkata. Details procedures are explained in my trip report.
3. I suggest you proceed to Thimphu by public bus. These are Toyota Coaster Bus, very comfortable. We were 9-member team, most of them were senior citizens, yet we had no problem. You can hire exclusive vehicle from Thimphu Taxi Stand. It will be economical.