How to go Bhutan
Everybody except citizens of India and Bangladesh must apply for a
visa at least 30 days in advance of their proposed date of entry
into Bhutan. There is no issuing of Visa on arrival. The local
travel operator processes the visa on behalf of the guests. While
the visa itself costs a reasonable US$20 for 14 days (extendable
once), the visa will not be issued without pre-paid bookings for a
tour, which costs from US$200 per person per night. These fees
include room, board, guide, and transportation within Bhutan. The
Airfare is not included. This policy is influenced by the Gross
National Happiness (GNH) policy, whereby the country intentionally
develops slowly and learns from mistakes made by other countries.
This is a sustainable tourism policy whereby price controls the
number of arrivals. Bhutan cannot afford to have too many tourists
as it will dilute the rich and ancient tradition & culture. The very
asset that attracts tourists will be soon destroyed. Although the
tours are organized by private local tour operators, the cost is set
& monitored by the government and so not negotiable. It is illegal
to under cut prices for the tours. However, a rule of thumb is that
tours are slightly cheaper during off-season (January, June, & July)
and more expensive for groups of three or less. There is surcharge
of $40 per night for solo travelers and $30 pp/per night for groups
of two people. There is also a surcharge for luxury hotels and
certain treks. The only other options for visiting the country are
to receive an invitation by "a citizen of some standing" or a
volunteer organization. Once the tour or invitation has received
government approval, visas will be issued either by immigration at
Paro airport or in Phuentsholing - basically all the work for a visa
application is completed within Bhutan. There is no need to visit a
Bhutanese embassy or consulate.
As travel to Bhutan almost invariably requires at least one flight
change in India, Nepal, or Thailand, ensure that you can meet the
visa requirements of those countries before departing on your
journey. Nepal and Thailand offer visa on arrival or visa waiver for
many nationalities. India generally requires visa procedures to be
completed before arrival, and this can take up to two weeks.
Bhutan has a number of embassies and consulates, including those
listed below.
* India: Royal Bhutanese Embassy - Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110 021. Tel: 609217/ 609218, Fax:6876710
* U.S.: Consulate General of Bhutan - 2 UN Plaza, 27th Floor, New
York NY 10017. Tel:(212) 826-1919, Fax:(212) 826-2998.
* Canada: Honorary Consul of Bhutan - 150 Isabella Street, Ottawa,
Ontario K1S 1V7. Tel:(613) 232-1222 Fax:(613)569-4667
* Hong Kong: Honorary Consul of Bhutan - 32/F, New World Tower,
16-18 Queen's Road, Central, HongKong, China. Tel: (852) 28443117,
2844-3111, Fax: (852) 25247652 Email: joycecheung@nwd.com.hk
* Thailand: The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok - Jewelry Trade
Center Building, Rm. 1907, 19th Floor, 919/1 Silom Road, Bangkok
10500. Tel:2671722, 630119 - Fax:6301193.
There are only two legal entry points into Bhutan: Paro's airport,
and the land border with India at Phuentsholing. A third border
crossing from Samdrup Jongkhar in southeastern Bhutan into India's
Assam state is open, but for exit only - see Samdrup Jongkhar - 'get
out' section for more detailed information.
By plane
* Paro Airport (PBH) is the country's sole international airport. It
is in the south west of the country and served only by the country's
flag carrier Druk Air . Druk operates 2 planes (two airbuses) which
fly routes to Bangkok, Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Gaya, Kathmandu,
Siliguri (Bagdora) and Yangon. Note that Druk Air will not issue
tickets without a visa clearance number. E-tickets have been in use
since April 1st 2008.
* Bagdogra Airport (IXB) . Serving the city of Siliguri in the
neighboring Indian state of West Bengal, Bagdogra is a four hour
drive from the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing. Bagdogra
receives frequent flights from major cities within India, and Druk
Air operates flights from Bangkok on Sundays and Wednesdays (with
out going flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays).
By bus
* From Kolkata: The Royal Bhutanese Government runs a service to
Phuentsholing. These buses depart from Kolkata's Esplanade bus
station at 7PM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and from the
Phuentsholing Bhutan Post office at 3PM on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday. The journey takes around 18 hours and costs 300Rps/Nu. The
buses are comfortable, but because much of the highway to Kolkata is
like the surface of the moon, don't bank on getting much sleep on
the way.
* From Siliguri: There is frequent service between Siliguri and
Phuentsholing/Jaigaon. It is roughly a four hour journey. Buses
operated by Royal Bhutan Government depart from across the main
highway from the bus station, near Heritage Hotel, at 7:30AM and
1:30PM daily. Tickets cost Rs 62 and are available on entering the
bus.
By train
There are no railways in Bhutan, but a link to Phuentsholing from
India is under the final stages of construction and may open in
2010. Until then, the nearest options (both in India) are:
* Hasimara on the main Kolkata/Siliguri line to Assam is the nearest
railway station to Phuentsholing, 17 km away.
* New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) in Siliguri is a popular choice for
travellers heading to Bhutan by land. There are direct shared taxis
from NJP to Jaigaon or there is the option of buses from Siliguri
bus station. A taxi between the station and the bus station costs
around 80rs max. Trains from NJP should be booked ahead, as it is a
popular stations amongst locals. There are not any trains leaving
from this station with a tourist quota. |
