What Are the Options for Enter Bhutan?

By Flight:

Paro International Airport (PBH/VQPR) is the only point of entry into Bhutan by flight/air. This airport is located in the southwest of Bhutan. Paro Airport is served by Druk Air (a Bhutanese government-owned carrier) and Bhutan Airlines (a private airline). Druk Air has a fleet of four aircraft (3 Airbus and 1 ATR-42). Its routes are Kathmandu (Nepal), Bangkok (Thailand), New Delhi (India), Kolkata (India), Bodh Gaya/Gaya (India), Bagdogra (India), Guwahati (India) and Dhaka (Bangladesh). Bhutan Airlines operates two Airbus A319s. It also flies to Kathmandu, Dhaka, Bangkok and various cities in India. The routes and flight schedules of both airlines are constantly updated according to the season.

By Drive:

Bhutan has three land borders, with India being the only one on its southern border. There are Phuntsholing in the west, Gelephu in the central region, and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east. There is no open border on China’s northern border. Road permits are also required; however, these are processed by your local tour operator along with your visa.

Best Time to Visit Bhutan

Bhutan is a great place to visit all year round. Each season and period offers a different travel experience. However, in terms of pleasant weather, decent nature views and popular festival events, the best travel times to Bhutan are spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October, November).

Bhutan travel times can be categorized into three seasons based on the tourist flow during the respective seasons. They are as follows.

High Season (March-May, September-November)

March to May is the time when rhododendrons bloom. Most of the mountains are covered with colorful rhododendrons. The valleys come alive with a variety of flowers and plants in full bloom. The temperature is mild; the sky is clear, there is no rain and there are many festivals throughout Bhutan.

From mid-September to November, you also get clear blue skies and views of the Himalayas without rain. The climate is temperate and very pleasant for outdoor activities. The annual Thimphu Festival is a big attraction in autumn. Black-necked cranes migrate from the Tibetan Plateau to the Phobjikha Valley from the end of October. They stay there until early February. Every November, a fair is held in the courtyard of Gangte Gompa to welcome the arrival of these birds.

Both spring and autumn are excellent times for trekking in Bhutan. Trekking is a wonderful way to see the beautiful scenery of this small Himalayan country. These seasons offer the best weather for hiking in the mountains.

Since spring and autumn are the busiest tourist seasons, it is advisable to book and confirm in advance with a Bhutan tour operator like us so that we can reserve our seats on Bhutan Airlines to reach Bhutan and secure rooms in good hotels.

Shoulder Season (December-February)

This season usually lasts from the end of January to February, with snowfall in the upper Himalayas and to some extent in the lower valleys. Although the nights and mornings are a bit chilly, the daily weather is still pleasant. There is a lot of sunshine and clear blue skies during the days. Popular festivals are celebrated in winter at Dochula Dargah, Punakha and Bumthang. The cost of Bhutan tours is comparatively lower during winters than during the high season.

Low Season (June-August)

Unlike the Indian subcontinent, Bhutan does not experience heavy rainfall during the monsoon (June, July and August) and is marked by sporadic showers during the afternoon. The weather is pleasantly warm and the valleys are lush green. Although not the best time for some treks, you can indulge in cultural tours, white water rafting, and short hikes. Some festivals like the Echo’s Literary Festival and the Ha Summer Festival also take place during the monsoon. Flowering peaks at high altitudes during this season, but trekking is not recommended as you will have to deal with a lot of mosquitoes along with water while walking in the mountains. During the low season, you get the lowest tariff rates of the year for Bhutan tours.