Getting in to Bhutan

Bhutan was opened to the outsiders in the early 1960s. Earlier Bhutan was accessible only on foot. The two main entry points to the country was from Tibet and India. From Tibet one had to cross the high passes, whereas from India, tourists would enter mainly from Assam and west Bengal. But today, the country is also accessible by air as well. Tourists can have flight to Paro by Druk Air, the national airlines of Bhutan.

Travel by Air:

Bhutan has only an international airport at Paro, which is connected from Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bodh Gaya, Dacca, Kathmandu and Guwati in Assam. Building of another international at Gelephu is also underway near future tourists will have an option land at Gelephu airport as well. The Druk Air is only the national airline, which is operating the services to these points, whereas, the Buddha airlines of Nepal has permit to operate the airline services from Kathmandu.

Travel by land:

Phuntsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar in the eastern Bhutan are only the land border areas opened for international travelers. Phuntsholing is located to the eastern part of India. Whereas, Gelephu is situated central Bhutan, nearly 250 km from Thimphu. Similarly, Samdrup Jongkhar is one another entry point in eastern Bhutan which is bordered by Indian district of Darranga, Assam and some 150 km away from Guwahat, the capital city of Assam.