2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Bhutan to foreign travellers, indicating it has been one of the least visited corners of the world despite its magnificent landscapes.
This landlocked country has always been on the bucket list of niche travellers like romantics, spiritually inclined nature lovers, and more who have been to places other than Bhutan. Fortunately, the country can now be traversed with guided Bhutan tours as per the revamped tourism policies. In this regard, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian passport holders have been lucky as they can traverse the area on their own without a visa.
However, taking the Bhutan Tour Packages will help you access the logistically challenging destination easily while you can focus on marvelling at the pristine country.
So what are you waiting for? Book a holiday package today, but before that, take a look at what this beauty has in store for you.
The landlocked beauty of Bhutan was in isolation for a while until its fate changed in the 1970s. Although the country may have unlocked its gates for tourists, it remains a mystery to modern visitors.
Encrusted in a remote section of the Himalayas, the government guards the enigmatic aura of Bhutan, fearing tourism will spoil its pristine beauty. Hence, all visitors must go on pre-planned and prepaid guided Bhutan Tour Packages, barring Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian passport holders who can explore on their own. This regulation has forced all tourists to participate in pre-planned guided tours to Bhutan to reduce the influence of the tourism industry. It is an initiative taken by the government to reduce pressure on the culture and ecology of the country.
Therefore, having a tour guide is not an option when visiting Bhutan, especially if you are travelling from other countries than the mentioned three.
This is where Trip Planners India can be your trusted partner. We have paired up with locals to bring you the best of Bhutan with a hassle-free travel experience. From breaking the language barriers to obtaining permits and even assisting you in discovering lesser-known areas, we will help you have a unique experience when you take the Bhutan holiday packages.
Nothing is better than escaping to the Himalayas for a beautiful adventure. We recommend these mesmerizing places if you are planning a quick escape.
Paro International Airport is considered the gateway to Bhutan. This is where travellers hover around the steep mountain slopes before their aircraft touches down in the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” Less than 10 minutes down the airport lies the historic riverside town of Paro. It is popularly known for the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong Fortress, and iconic Taktshang Goemba.
Wander around the streets of Paro and take advantage of the Paro Weekend Market to walk into shops offering handmade souvenirs. When you’ve worked up an appetite, step into one of the neatly decorated restaurants to try out authentic Bhutanese cuisine.
The capital city oozes a beautiful blend of culture with a cosmopolitan vibe. Spend a day creating your own hand-printed stamps at the Bhutan Postal Museum or walk around the massive Thimphu Dzong. Spend a few minutes watching and appreciating police officers who manually direct traffic in the busy lanes.
When the sets for the day, head out to enjoy the nightlife at bars and clubs and interact with the locals over a bottle or two of Bhutanese ara.
Well sought after by tourists willing to explore rustic riverside farms, Punakha is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan. You can watch cows graze in the lush meadows surrounding the rice and chilly fields. Additionally, it is home to the most beautiful dzong, which sits majestically on the banks of the Punakha River.
If you take a short walk from Punakha Dzong, you will find yourself in one of the country’s largest suspension bridges wrapped with fluttering prayer flags. To witness the ethereal beauty of Punakha, be sure to include it in your Bhutan Tour Packages.
Peek behind the curtain and get ready to immerse in the beauty of Bhutan’s textile hub, Khoma. In the eastern district of Lhuentse lies the little hamlet of Khoma, which is home to roughly 100 residents – and zero cars. Most of the population spend their days weaving ornate patterns and motifs on traditional Bhutanese looms. The artisans use dyes made from the area's minerals and plants to make well-crafted ensembles. While taking the Bhutan holiday packages, be sure to honour their work and purchase some exquisite shawls from them.
Drive past the slow-moving mountainside yaks and into one of Bhutan’s most sacred places by taking the Bhutan holiday packages. Watch tranquillity and peace emanate from Gangtey Goemba, which is the main attraction of the area. This 17th-century monastery overlooks the valley’s farmland and offers a great panoramic view of the area.
Participate in the numerous hikes along the most traversed trails, many of them with relatively flat stretches. Apart from the hikes, archery, mountain biking, camping, birding, and picnics are other alluring pastimes possible throughout the valley.
While talking about tours Bhutan, the mesmerising Dochu La is sure to make an appearance on your itinerary. Known as one of the best lookouts in the area, this mountain pass is a great pit stop while travelling from Thimphu to Punakha.
The area is marked with 108 stupas to honour the Royal Bhutanese soldiers who died in the 2003 military battle against Indian insurgents. On the opposite side lies the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple. A nearby small eatery serves coffee, cakes, and momos to weary travellers.
Take the arduous seven-hour ride from Thimphu to Gasa to reach this remote northwestern village. Once here, strap on your hiking boots and trek for a few hours up to the highest village in the country- Laya. Although the trekking may be tiring, we bet the views of the Himalayan peaks will be worth it.
Home to the Indigenous Layap people, this car-free village is filled with yak herders, farmers of cordyceps, and locals honouring age-old traditions.
You can spread the Laya Gasa trek over 15 to 20 days, which takes you through this route:
Paro -> Shana -> Soi Thangthanka -> Jangothang -> Lingshi -> Chebisa -> Shomuthang -> Robulathang -> Limithang -> Laya -> Koena -> Gasa -> Punakha -> Thimphu
This landlocked mountainous district is also one of the country’s most spiritual areas, comprising four valleys. Some of the important sites include Jampey Lhakhang and the Jakar Dzong. After a long hike, rest your limbs and indulge in some fresh cheese, jams and local beer in the area.
While there’s no shortage of picture-perfect vistas in Bhutan, Haa Valley is in a league of its own. It offers some of the most spectacular hiking trails, leading you through lush green valleys and monastery-dotted villages. Travellers can take off on the Haa Panoramic Hiking Trail or the multi-day Sagala Trek to enjoy the pristine beauty of the area.
To catch a glimpse of the cultural beauty of Bhutan, we recommend you the following list of things to do. Scroll down to check out.
Brace yourself while taking the package trip to Bhutan to try out the national dish of Ema datshi, which proves that chillies in Bhutan are not only a condiment but can be an entire main course. You can try out the toned-down versions in the hotel buffet, or you are willing to brave the heat and then taste the original served in the local restaurants. It is served with a steaming bowl of nutty-flavoured local pink rice and washed down with a cup of sudja.
Enjoy the Bhutanese festivals while taking the package trip to Bhutan. Learn why they are an integral part of their cultural identity and social calendar. Witness the masked dance in the courtyard of the medieval dzongs that depict Buddhist parables or exorcism-like portrayals of death and rebirth. Many festivals pan out with the unveiling of a huge building-sized religious tapestry that is believed to offer spiritual liberation to anyone who sees it.
To catch a glimpse of the modern face of Bhutan, dedicate a day to wander around the city only. Watch the sidewalk surfers practice their skateboarding moves in Clocktower Square. Ot head to the Drunken Yeti Bar to chat with locals over a Bhutanese-brewed Red Panda weissbier. Alternatively, head out to a rock concert at Mojo Park on a Saturday night.
The beautiful country offers some of the most dramatic and least visited corners of the Himalayas that you can explore while taking the trip to Bhutan package. To witness this beauty, a visit to the popular crossroads of Jhomolhari Base Camp is a must. Soak in the mesmerising dawn views of the ranges as they turn from inky grey to blush pink and then glittery silver under the full sun.
One of the most eye-catching things you will find on your Bhutan trip is the use of their traditional dress in everyday life. Men dress in a colourful robe called Gho, which is worn with a woven belt and knee-high socks. Meanwhile, women wear a woven skirt called Kira and layer it with an embroidered silk jacket. You can own a fragment of their fashion identity by investing in a traditional set and wearing it to festivals.
On your luxury Bhutan tours, indulge in a luxurious medical treatment that blends Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian systems. You can approach the National Institute of Traditional Medicine to receive a free traditional diagnosis. The doctors, with their ancient understanding of medicinal herbs, will diagnose you by measuring your pulse and the appearance of your tongue.
Trekking and hiking are some of the ideal adventure activities that most tourists take part in when traversing the area with the Bhutan Tour Packages. Take a half-day hike up through pine forests to reach Taksthang Goemba, the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery. Alternatively, try out the day hiking sessions in one of the most scenic and accessible sections of the Paro Valley. Climb up to the eastern flanks to unravel the sublime views of Paro Dzong.
Wondering where to find some of the prettiest shawls and scarves of the Himalayan country? Check out the following places.
With the Bhutan Tour Packages, you can access one of Bhutan's main shopping malls, which imports items from neighbouring countries. One can find warm woollens, exquisitely embroidered boots and affordable apparel. Apart from the foreign goods, it is popular among locals for the delectable food outlets.
The economy of Bhutan largely rests upon tourism and the sale of traditional products. Hence, the government has opened many emporiums across the country, one of them being the famous Choki Handicrafts. They specialise in Bhutanese furniture, including lama tables called cheoktse, dappa, partitions, jewellery boxes, sculptures, and masks that serve as incredible decor items which you can collect on your travel Bhutan tours.
Head to Norzim Lam Street to find an array of textiles and beautiful Bhutanese national attire. The Kiras and Ghos are mostly hand-woven from raw cotton and silk. They are priced somewhere between BTN 1000 and BTN 650,000 and can be easily purchased from this market. Apart from this, you will find some of the prettiest shawls and scarves of the Himalayan country in this market. It is also one of the best places to buy statues and sculptures.
Located near Wangchu River, this is the biggest farmers market in Thimphu. Here, you will find all the items on your grocery shopping list if you are planning to try your hands preparing authentic Bhutanese cuisine. Items like chilli powder, tea leaves, noodles, and rice are the most sought-after. On your travel Bhutan tours you can also buy some local snacks and take them home.
Bhutan is known as the land of cuisine and culture. Be sure to try out these simple yet flavourful delicacy with the Bhutan Tour Packages.
Before you brush off the datshis as a regular meal, let us tell you that Ema Datshi is the national food of Bhutan and truly portrays the spicy palate of the locals. The chillies used can be freshly hand-plucked from the farms or can be red and sundried. They are stewed with delectable traditional Bhutanese cheese. Like Ema datshi, kewa datshi and shamu datshi are combinations of cheese with potatoes and mushrooms, respectively.
Momos are certainly one of the most well-loved and the most abundant street foods of all, even in Bhutan. Originally from China, these wheat-flour dumplings stuffed with minced pork or beef have won the hearts of people all over the globe. Momos are also made to suit the vegetarian palate and can contain finely chopped veggies with cheese. They are either steamed or fried and served with chilly sauce and momo soup. Be sure to try out this simple yet flavourful delicacy with the Bhutan Tour Packages.
This Bhutanese version of chicken stew packs a punch with chunks of chicken simmered in a broth of garlic, onions, and more. The finished stew is topped off with corianders or chilli sauce. Due to its strong gingery flavour, it pairs well with rice.
Try out the quintessential Phaksha paa with the travel Bhutan tours. It is made with pork cut into thick, big slices and cooked to perfection with dried whole red chillies. The meat is stir-fried first and then added to the mix of sauteed condiments, onions, and vegetables. It can either be simmered into a stew or brought down to gravy consistency. And like many Bhutanese dishes, it goes well with rice.
Puta, identical to Japanese Soba noodles and original to the Bumthang Valley, is essentially. The buckwheat noodle itself is made with the help of a traditional puta machine, hence the name. First, the noodles are boiled separately using a bamboo strainer and then stir-fried with veggies and eggs.
Original to Haa and Paro Valley, hoentays are prepared in large quantities during Lombas and shared with friends and neighbours. Although they look similar to momos, there lies a gaping difference in their filling and outer cover. Be sure to try them out with chilly sauce while taking the Bhutan tour packages for couples.
Thuep usually takes the front seat during Losar, Thruebab and other major events. It is generally eaten in small quantities before breakfast on the day of the festivities. In essence, thuep is a rice porridge simmered with beef bones, but when prepared for vegetarians, paneer is used.
There are numerous ways to reach Bhutan. Here is a quick glimpse.
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Bhutan is by air. The only international airport in Bhutan is in Paro, which is around 7 kms from the city. It has connecting flights from various metro cities in India. Landing in Paro is quite a spectacular and unforgettable experience as the area is surrounded by silvery, frosty peaks.
The best part about taking the Bhutan tour packages from India is that Indians do not require a visa to travel to Bhutan. Only a valid Indian passport or a Voter Identity Card and an Entry Permit from the Immigration Office of the Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing will do the job.
Travelling to Bhutan by car is a popular way to reach, especially for those who love long road trips. India has three border crossing points - Jaigaon – Phuentsholing Border, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. The former is the more preferred option as it is around 170 kms from Bagdogra in West Bengal. The area is easily accessible, and you can even have a pit stop here before heading towards Bhutan.
One can hire private taxis from various places, such as Bagdogra Airport or Siliguri Stand, while going on the best Bhutan tours. The fares are between 2000 to 3000 INR. Once you reach Phuentsholing, the journey to Thimpu can take around 5 to 6 hours. The drive is scenic as you cross various sub-tropical areas and alpine zones. A road trip can be quite an exhilarating way to reach Bhutan for those who love the idea of the journey being as vital as the destination.
Alternatively, you can travel to Bhutan from Kolkata by bus. Direct buses ply from Esplanade Station in Kolkata, which will take you directly to Phuentsholing. However, the bus journey is tiring and hectic and takes around 18 hours from Kolkata.
It is not possible to reach Bhutan by railway. However, visitors can reach stations like Siliguri, Hasimara, and New Alipurduar via trains and then take a taxi or bus to reach Bhutan.
You can expect some absolutely stunning views of the Himalayas and its surrounding hills on your guided tours Bhutan in most of the seasons. Here is a quick overview.
Spring in these parts is fairly short, lasting from early March to mid-April. Temperatures are mild, and the valleys are filled with gorgeous wildflowers. But what really beckons you to spend a few days in Bhutan is the clarity of the views during spring. You can expect some absolutely stunning views of the Himalayas and its surrounding hills on your guided tours Bhutan.
The long, sultry summers start in mid-April and continue through to mid-September. Rainfall is at its heaviest from late June, as frequent monsoons drench the southern parts of the country. The area is under the threat of flash floods during summer, which adversely affects the rural communities, sightseeing areas, and domestic flights. Although humidity is high, there can still be substantial drops in temperature after dusk, especially in northern areas.
Bhutan has four distinct seasons, with annual monsoons sweeping up from India. They typically run concurrently with summer and early autumn. Although the beauty of the area increases by folds due to flourishing vegetation, the fear of landslides and torrential downpours can be a hurdle in your tours Bhutan.
The rain stops around the onset of autumn, which starts in late September or early October. The days are predominantly crisp, bright and sunny, making it ideal for exploration. The views are sensational at this time of year, attracting tourists worldwide. One can even witness powdery snowfall in the higher elevations of the north as the autumn months progresses.
Winter begins in late November and continues to early March. Areas above 3,000 metres are affected by heavy snowfall, and traces of frost can be found across the whole country. Gale rockets through the highest mountain pass in winter, making a fearsome clamour. It is due to these intimidating gusts that the area derives its nickname, ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. Remote villages, temples, and monasteries may be cut off due to snowfall, and the eastern roads may be difficult to navigate. Due to the extreme climate, this may not be the ideal time to take the Bhutan Tour Packages.
Traversing around Bhutan can be difficult due to the language barriers or inaccessibility of street signs or GPS facilities in remote locations. This is where Trip Planners India offers you carefully crafted comprehensive packages that cover everything from local guides to obtaining necessary permits.
To traverse smoothly around this last Buddhist Kingdom in the world and understand its unique confluence of culture, take the packages from us today and let us make your experience memorable.
Contact us to learn about the intricacies of the package, like the Bhutan trip cost, our policies, and other details, and let us assist you in crafting a memorable holiday.
