Bhutan - The Lost Shangri-La

gypsy_king · Nov 10th, 2008, 02:53

Hello All,

I'm planning my trip to Bhutan, being an Indian national I would have no restrictions of VISA, nor I would have to pay 200$/ day. My girl friend is German, so definitely I think, she will not be able to avail the advantages that I have.

Is there any provision, by which I can take her along with me, without these hassles me being an Indian?

Any help would be appreciated

lavina · Dec 5th, 2008, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy_king

Hello All,

I'm planning my trip to Bhutan, being an Indian national I would have no restrictions of VISA, nor I would have to pay 200$/ day. My girl friend is German, so definitely I think, she will not be able to avail the advantages that I have.

Is there any provision, by which I can take her along with me, without these hassles me being an Indian?

Any help would be appreciated

Hey this situation is similar to mine. i had been there last winter with my boyfriend who is british. However i managed to get things sorted with a Co. based in mumbai called Wild Escapes.

fabulous experience. Perfect holiday

gypsy_king · Dec 5th, 2008, 14:02

Lavina,

Thank you very much for the hint, would be nice if you could elaborate it.

I tried my best to make it this year, but we will restrain ourselves to Rajasthan. We will go to Bhutan for sure next year. So it would be very nice if you can tell how you managed to go to Bhutan without heavy levies for your boyfriend.

Regards

lb.valueres · Feb 10th, 2009, 18:02

Hello

Hope you're all well

If this topic has been posted in the forums before, kindly to point me to the thread before deleting this! Thanks!

A bunch of my Indian friends from Kolkata are planning a trip to Bhutan in the coming week...

a. Is it too short to plan starting now?

b. The best route....is it by car?

c. Do the Indian travellers need to makea pre-booking at hotels/monastries/ for Thimpu?

d. The budget an average couple should be looking at?

e. Any other formalities they should be aware of?

Thanks and do look forward to hearing from you guys!

Cheers,

LB

Swapnil · Feb 10th, 2009, 18:45

Welcome to IM LB ,
It will be helpful to answer if you can provide some more info :
1) How long your trip will be ?
2) which places do you want to visit ?
3) What will be the mode of transport ?
4) What kinda accommodation/food you looking for ?
Depending on answers of these questions only one can advice about your itinerary .

lavina · Feb 11th, 2009, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by lb.valueres

Hello

Hope you're all well

If this topic has been posted in the forums before, kindly to point me to the thread before deleting this! Thanks!

A bunch of my Indian friends from Kolkata are planning a trip to Bhutan in the coming week...

a. Is it too short to plan starting now?

b. The best route....is it by car?

c. Do the Indian travellers need to makea pre-booking at hotels/monastries/ for Thimpu?

d. The budget an average couple should be looking at?

e. Any other formalities they should be aware of?

Thanks and do look forward to hearing from you guys!

Cheers,

LB

No its not short to plan now..

About going by car.... not a bad idea. but dont how long the journey will be from kolkatta. But depends if you all love driving and long journies

Indian travellers need not pre book hotels etc.

For 3 to 4 star should be looking at INR 3000 to 4000 per day including breakfast maximum at this time of the year.

Advisable to carry passport as identity for permits compared to driving licence.

Believe you will have to get separate permits to visit places like Punakha/wangdi at his time of the year

lb.valueres · Feb 11th, 2009, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swapnil

Welcome to IM LB ,
It will be helpful to answer if you can provide some more info :
1) How long your trip will be ?
2) which places do you want to visit ?
3) What will be the mode of transport ?
4) What kinda accommodation/food you looking for ?
Depending on answers of these questions only one can advice about your itinerary .

Thanks Lavina and Swapnil! Appreciate your help!

a. the trip would be 5-6 days long...
b. we want to visit thimu, paro..and dont know where else! we are nature lovers, like adventures, culture- everything! so fairly flexible and open to suggestions!
c. we were looking at taking the train to New Jalpaiguru and taking a cab from there.... any suggestions on mode & prices then?
d. food is not a problem! accommodation: 3-4 star comfy properties are fine by us. we look at the hotel as a place to sleep and shower...so a little comfort, cleanliness and warmth more important than golf courses and gyms!

also, I read Natasha's post... may I asume that even now, we could manage a 6-day trip for about 15,000 INR per head per Indian?

look forward to your responses!

also, any other short trip recommendations from Kolkata welcome! I am here on project for 2 months, and dont mind scooting off for the weekends..

cheers!

Swapnil · Feb 11th, 2009, 16:53

ok...
1) Get onboard any Guwahati bound overnight train & instead of New Jalpaiguri alight at New Alipur Duar (Bhutan border - Jaigaon is only 59 Km from there ..compared to 160 km from New Jalpaiguri)
2)It'll be advisable to reach Jaigaon by 8:30 am ...as permit office in Bhutan(phuntsholing)opens at 9:00 am (remember +30 min timezone difference between India & Bhutan)
3)You need to submit form along with photocopy of photo-ID proof to apply for the permit. You might be asked to show original documents for verification .After this your picture will be taken(using webcam) for permit purpose.Then you'll be asked to collect permit after 3-4 hours.
4)Permit will be issued for visiting Thimpu & Paro only.
5)Once you got permit then you can hire vehicle (which already having Bhutan permit) for traveling in Bhutan.
6)If you want to visit other places than Thimpu & Paro then you need to extend your permit in Thimpu.
7)If you want to drive across whole Bhutan then main route will be Phuntsholing - Paro -Thimpu -Punakaha -Wangdue -Trongsa - Bumthang(Jakar) - Mongar -Trashigang -Samdrup Jonghkar (this is other Bhutan border near Assam - 110 km from Guwahati) This whole route will be of around 1100 km & passing through 7 snowy Himalayan passes.
8)For distances & temperature in Bhutan around this time of year please refer pics in my photo gallery :
For Distances :
http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...6/ppuser/28754

For Temperature :
http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/28754
9) You can easily find nice accommodation in 2-3 K range with all facilities in Thimpu & Paro ...but as you travel further eastwards accommodation will get more basic... nevertheless you'll be still able to find nice place to sleep with heated room ,TV,attached bathroom with geyser & shower.

Saulteaux_woman · Jun 16th, 2009, 14:48

Is there a difference between being an Indian entering Bhutan and PIO? Is there a different fare structure? When entering by land, (Assam).

theyyamdancer · Jun 16th, 2009, 14:54

Hi Saulteaux woman,

The subject was discussed in the following thread but unfortunately no definitive answer was given:

Legal & cheap way into Bhutan?

traveldog · Jul 21st, 2009, 10:14

Hi

Have some questions still. If Swapnil or any other who has done Bhutan extensively can answer:
a. Can you enter Bhutan thru Tashigang as we plan to do Tawang in Dec/Jan?
b. In case option a. is not possible: We are reaching Guwahati in the afternoon at 2.00 pm by flight: Therefore, can we enter Bhutan thru Samdrup Jongkhar by evening?
c. Can we hire car at Guwahati for entire Bhutan trip? Is Indian vehicles allowed to ply in Bhutan?
d. Given if we have 6 days for BHutan, what places shud we definitely cover?

Thanks for any help on the above questions.

ks_bluechip · Jul 22nd, 2009, 21:01

My Bhutan Road Tour of April-2009 blog page is here.

It may be of help to people visiting Bhutan by Road from West to East. We took this route: Phuntsoling (entry), Paro, Thimpu, Dochula, Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang, Pele-La, Trongsa, Yotangla, Jakar-Bumthang, Trashigang and exit via Sandrup-Jhonkar.

- KS
.

Jun 16th, 2009, 14:54	#70
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Hi Saulteaux woman, The subject was discussed in the following thread but unfortunately no definitive answer was given: Legal & cheap way into Bhutan? __________________ "Wandering seemed no more than the happiness of an anxious man." - Albert Camus

Jul 22nd, 2009, 21:01	#72
ks_bluechip Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,324	My Bhutan Road Tour of April-2009 blog page is here. It may be of help to people visiting Bhutan by Road from West to East. We took this route: Phuntsoling (entry), Paro, Thimpu, Dochula, Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang, Pele-La, Trongsa, Yotangla, Jakar-Bumthang, Trashigang and exit via Sandrup-Jhonkar. - KS . __________________ ks_bluechip [My Travel Blog] [My Flickr Photo Sets]

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Nov 10th, 2008, 02:53	#61
gypsy_king Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 2	Hello All, I'm planning my trip to Bhutan, being an Indian national I would have no restrictions of VISA, nor I would have to pay 200$/ day. My girl friend is German, so definitely I think, she will not be able to avail the advantages that I have. Is there any provision, by which I can take her along with me, without these hassles me being an Indian? Any help would be appreciated

Dec 5th, 2008, 14:02	#63
gypsy_king Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 2	Lavina, Thank you very much for the hint, would be nice if you could elaborate it. I tried my best to make it this year, but we will restrain ourselves to Rajasthan. We will go to Bhutan for sure next year. So it would be very nice if you can tell how you managed to go to Bhutan without heavy levies for your boyfriend. Regards

Feb 10th, 2009, 18:02	#64
lb.valueres Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2	Hello Hope you're all well If this topic has been posted in the forums before, kindly to point me to the thread before deleting this! Thanks! A bunch of my Indian friends from Kolkata are planning a trip to Bhutan in the coming week... a. Is it too short to plan starting now? b. The best route....is it by car? c. Do the Indian travellers need to makea pre-booking at hotels/monastries/ for Thimpu? d. The budget an average couple should be looking at? e. Any other formalities they should be aware of? Thanks and do look forward to hearing from you guys! Cheers, LB

Feb 10th, 2009, 18:45	#65
Swapnil Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pune ,Maharashtra , INDIA Posts: 1,258	Welcome to IM LB , It will be helpful to answer if you can provide some more info : 1) How long your trip will be ? 2) which places do you want to visit ? 3) What will be the mode of transport ? 4) What kinda accommodation/food you looking for ? Depending on answers of these questions only one can advice about your itinerary .

Feb 11th, 2009, 16:53	#68
Swapnil Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pune ,Maharashtra , INDIA Posts: 1,258	ok... 1) Get onboard any Guwahati bound overnight train & instead of New Jalpaiguri alight at New Alipur Duar (Bhutan border - Jaigaon is only 59 Km from there ..compared to 160 km from New Jalpaiguri) 2)It'll be advisable to reach Jaigaon by 8:30 am ...as permit office in Bhutan(phuntsholing)opens at 9:00 am (remember +30 min timezone difference between India & Bhutan) 3)You need to submit form along with photocopy of photo-ID proof to apply for the permit. You might be asked to show original documents for verification .After this your picture will be taken(using webcam) for permit purpose.Then you'll be asked to collect permit after 3-4 hours. 4)Permit will be issued for visiting Thimpu & Paro only. 5)Once you got permit then you can hire vehicle (which already having Bhutan permit) for traveling in Bhutan. 6)If you want to visit other places than Thimpu & Paro then you need to extend your permit in Thimpu. 7)If you want to drive across whole Bhutan then main route will be Phuntsholing - Paro -Thimpu -Punakaha -Wangdue -Trongsa - Bumthang(Jakar) - Mongar -Trashigang -Samdrup Jonghkar (this is other Bhutan border near Assam - 110 km from Guwahati) This whole route will be of around 1100 km & passing through 7 snowy Himalayan passes. 8)For distances & temperature in Bhutan around this time of year please refer pics in my photo gallery : For Distances : http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...6/ppuser/28754 For Temperature : http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/28754 9) You can easily find nice accommodation in 2-3 K range with all facilities in Thimpu & Paro ...but as you travel further eastwards accommodation will get more basic... nevertheless you'll be still able to find nice place to sleep with heated room ,TV,attached bathroom with geyser & shower.

Jun 16th, 2009, 14:48	#69
Saulteaux_woman Canadian Living in Delhi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 155	Is there a difference between being an Indian entering Bhutan and PIO? Is there a different fare structure? When entering by land, (Assam).

Jul 21st, 2009, 10:14	#71
traveldog Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 8	Hi Have some questions still. If Swapnil or any other who has done Bhutan extensively can answer: a. Can you enter Bhutan thru Tashigang as we plan to do Tawang in Dec/Jan? b. In case option a. is not possible: We are reaching Guwahati in the afternoon at 2.00 pm by flight: Therefore, can we enter Bhutan thru Samdrup Jongkhar by evening? c. Can we hire car at Guwahati for entire Bhutan trip? Is Indian vehicles allowed to ply in Bhutan? d. Given if we have 6 days for BHutan, what places shud we definitely cover? Thanks for any help on the above questions.