Our Bhutan Trip – a senior citizen's effort to backpack!

Hi Ashishdas....Thank You so very much.... your excellent post and your patient replies to questions have been very helpful...

Thanks a lot Samya.... will contact them...

Hello Asishda,

Below is my revised itinerary for Bhutan.



I intend to spend 2 days at Paro (One day for local sightseeing and a drive to Chelala Pass and Haa Valley if possible) and the next day early morning trek to Taktsang Monastery (half day excursion) and return by 3pm and thereafter on the same day (say by 5pm) leave for Thimphu (2 hours drive). Reach Thimphu by evening and check in at hotel. Next day, I can submit my papers for entry permit for Punakaha at 9.00am, leave for local sightseeing of Thimphu and return by 3pm to collect the permit.

How much did they charge you for the car Thimphu to Punakha? We are 3 of us so a small car will do. The trip to Punakha is via Dochula Pass. Does it cover Wangdue also?

Regards

Anirban

Perfect (within the time frame, a little hectic though!!). I have already commented on your thread. Now, I have three following inputs:

1. 3rd day morning at Paro (day earmarked for tiger's nest), check out from the hotel in the morning itself and put your luggage at the vehicle hired by you for going to Tiger's Nest. You save a day's rent at Paro.
2. Negotiate with the same Vehicle Driver, who is taking you to Tiger's Nest for getting dropped at Thimphu after you come back from the Tiger's Nest. Usually, these cars wait for Tourist to come back from the Tiger's Nest trek and then drop them at the Hotel at Paro. In your case, instead of Paro Hotel, the driver would drop you to Thimphu Hotel. I think this package would be economical for you.
3. I think we paid Rs.800/- for small car and Rs.1200/- for larger vehicle.

I just spoke with Mr.Rinzing at the Bhutan Consulate Office at Nagerbazar and asked him for an alternative way for those who do not have VOTER I-CARD & PASSPORT; how do they visit Bhutan?
He bluntly replied: 'We do not allow them to visit Bhutan'!!

PAN - Not accepted
Ration Card - Not accepted

My friend do not posses a Passport & Voter I card!! I am dejected and confused as to how to get him to Bhutan.
I will visit the Consulate this Friday and talk if a Bank Pass Book or attestation on Stamp Paper will do. There must be some way out!!

I guess getting a TATKAAL PASSPORT would be my last resort..

Sorry to hear your problem. But, I'm not sure, there may be a way out. Somebody told me that when Voter ID was not introduced or when not everyone was having the ID Card, the intending visitors would have to approach Indian Consulate or Liaison Office at Fuentsolling and this Office used to issue some kind of Identity Slip or some such documents upon getting adequate proof of Indian Citizenship and Bhutan Immigration Office at Fuentsolling used to issue Entry Permit on the basis of this Slip. I have no direct knowledge about this system and I'm also not sure as to whether this system is still in vogue or not, but you can try this.

Mr Das,

A big thanks for such a detailed & honest review. I am the new guy in IM - and believe me I had no any idea how useful this forum could be. I am a budding traveler and such accounts are very helpful & inspiring for people like us.

I will be visiting Bhutan this July. I know that is not the best time to visit, but I have not much of openings this year. Plus I love rains in the mountains. Hopefully, I will be able to get better discounts on account of off season.

By the way, could you tell me for what duration the Bhutanese Consulate issue the Thimphu/ Paro permits? I heard it is for seven days - is it true?

Went to the Bhutan Consulate at Nagerbazar recently. There was this notice for the visitors. I photographed it, composed it and uploading it here for everyone's information, if it helps.
On asking for a way out for those who do not posses a Voter Icard & Passport, how do they visit Bhutan?
The officer at the consulate informed that the Consulate does not have permission to give permit to those who do not possess a Voter Icard & Passport. In that case, one needs to get a endorsement done at the Indian Embassy - Phuentsholing where he/she needs to carry other relevant docs (PAN, Ration Card, any other Icard) and show it at the Indian Consulate. After verification, the Indian Embassy shall endorse stating that 'person X is a Indian National'. One needs to take this endorsement to the Bhutan Immigration and can get the Entry Permit.

[QUOTE=Adriv;1374385]
On asking for a way out for those who do not posses a Voter Icard & Passport, how do they visit Bhutan?
The officer at the consulate informed that the Consulate does not have permission to give permit to those who do not possess a Voter Icard & Passport. In that case, one needs to get a endorsement done at the Indian Embassy - Phuentsholing where he/she needs to carry other relevant docs (PAN, Ration Card, any other Icard) and show it at the Indian Consulate. After verification, the Indian Embassy shall endorse stating that 'person X is a Indian National'. One needs to take this endorsement to the Bhutan Immigration and can get the Entry Permit.

My info is proved to be correct. I told you (in my earlier post) exactly the similar method as a way out for your friend's problem i.e. not having Voter ID Card or Passport. But this procedure might cost you a day at Phuetsolling.
Anyway, the reproduction of Notice is a great job. It is very informative and would help quite a lot for the future travelers. Great going, Anirban! Similarly, you may think of reproducing the blank Permit Application Form. I did that though in my thread, but it was not fully legible. What I mean is the way you did it for the Notice, you can try to reproduce the blank application form in similar way with same bold font, size etc. If you do so, people would be able to cut down at least one visit to the Consulate. Thanks!

Hi aurgho!

Thanks.

No, the Bhutan Consulate accepts Application for Permit from Monday to Friday only. Time: 9 AM to 1 PM. Hope, this helps.

Around June I am willing to go to Bhutan for a 7-8 day trip for 2 people.
I am at a dilemma about the approximate cost to be incurred for this trip.

While googling on this matter, I came across this thread of "Asish da", went through all the page, but still didn't got a concrete answer. And I have loved "Asish da"'s Backpack Trip. This travel agents are sharks, I have contacted many of them but I think I can't afford to go with any travel agent from kolkata whosoever.

My Plan:-
Trip = Day 1st start from kolkata to Day 8th back to kolkata.
Pax = 2 (including 1 female)
Trip Budget = Low to Medium (approx 15,000/- for 2,i.e. 7,500 each)

So, with all due respect to everybody here, Somebody Please give me a good Bhutan Trip plan which suffice my budget and can also provided a nice,cute (not luxurious) trip .

We have no fascination for luxury but only necessity such of a "sadharon bangali".

Thanks to all of you for such good contribution of information. Will be waiting for a plan.

As you are new to IM, I would suggest (as a first step) you go to Forum -> Crossing the border -> look for many threads on Bhutan trip and then come to a conclusion. I am sure on going through various threads on Bhutan, you will get all the answers to your quarries. I can specially mention of a thread introduced by Soumya, a fellow IMers and his trip account would almost match your requirements. They were 2 persons as you are and they completed the trip withing a total cost of Rs.13,000/ (@6,500/ per head) excluding rail fare. The duration of trip would also match your plan and cost is well below your budgeted amount.
I am providing the link to Soumya's thread here under:
BHUTAN - Travelogue
(I hope Soumya wouldn't mind!)
On going through the threads in the referred Forum, I am sure you will be able to plan your trip quite easily. In case, however, you still have any specific quarry, please let know. I will surely try to help out. Thanks.

Thanks Asish da I will get beck to you. Let me go through Soumya's thread.

very valuable information gathered while going through the various posts.
can some body guide me about the weather during may end and june beginning.
does it get very hot and uncomfortable during june first week?

Hot? Phuentsolling, may be; but higher up at Thimphu, Paro etc. you will get pleasant weather. You will need light woolen during night.