I traveled to Bhutan with my parents in October 2019 for 9 days. Planning this trip was very exhilarating as I was finally ticking it off my bucket list. However, even after an extensive research for at least a month before the travel dates, I realised there are few things which the internet could not have had answered.
So based on my experience here are a few things you should know before planning your trip to Bhutan (specially if you are travelling from India).
1. Transport:
Bhutan is not very well connected by flight. There are only 2 carriers that fly to Paro and that too on certain days. So if you are an Indian then travelling by car is the most feasible option as well as it's cheaper compared to the flight tickets.
Given i stay in Mumbai, for me it was easier to fly to Bagdogra and travel to Phuentsholing by car. If you are following the same route then i suggest you rent a car through travel agent for the entire trip.
We booked an Ertiga for all the 9 days (i.e. from Bhagdogra and back to Bagdogra) and it costed us c.Rs 33000.
A few key things to note:
- For travelling within Bhutan standard car rate incl. driver expenses is c.Rs 3000 per day. So please be aware of what the travel agent is charging you.
- Before renting the car check till what time will the driver be available everyday. Normally the car is available from morning 9 to evening 6 pm. Post that if you wish to travel anywhere you can either take a taxi or pay something extra to the driver.
- Insist the travel agent to allot a Butanese driver for you trip in Bhutan. Bhutanese drivers drive very safely plus they are better guides and can explain in detail.
Note: I had booked the car through B.K travels in Jaigaon. You can contact him as he provided clean and well maintained cars.
2. Stay:
Most of the travel agents who provide car rentals will also provide hotel bookings and a complete itinerary for your travel. However, i suggest book your hotels through online portals as the hotels suggested by these travel agents are usually not up to the mark and they charge more than the actual tariff.
You can ask for a itinerary and book your hotels accordingly.
Key points to note:
1. Almost all the hotels in Bhutan have spacious rooms and are well maintained and clean.
2. Book your hotels in city center especially in Paro. The drawback of staying far from the center is that you will have to rely completely on the hotel's restaurant for food. Plus if you want to visit the center post 6 pm from your hotel then you will have to pay extra for taxi.
3. While booking rooms opt for EP plan (i.e. for lodging only). Many hotels have the option to book rooms incl. breakfast, how much ever affordable or cheaper that option may look please do not opt for it. Reason being breakfast in Bhutan is not as elaborate as Indian hotels or some International hotels. You may expect a buffet but in reality (specially in 2-3 star hotels) only one food item will be available along with tea/coffee.
3. Food: Bhutanese food is simple and may not necessarily appeal to our Indian taste buds. Their national dish 'Emma datshi' is simply chili with cheese and yes its not spicy! These Bhutanese chili's have a nice flavour and just an adequate amount of spice in them. While in Butan you must try Emma datshi at least once.
Momos also form a part of Bhutanese food but not all hotels will have them readily available.
You will find many restaurants serving Indian food and even though the Bhutanese predominantly prefer red rice, chapatis are easily available in restaurants located near tourist places. However, please do not expect Indian food to be exactly like what we get here in India; it's their version and i would say its not bad.
A word of caution for meat eaters (this is my personal opinion):
Stick to veg food as much as you can. Majority of the population of Bhutan enjoy meat and fish, but being a Bhuddist country butchery is illegal and fishing is also not allowed. So meat and fish, both are exported from India. Transporting this meat to places like Thimpu and Punakha take at least 2-4 days from Phuentsholing, resulting in it to lose its freshness.
4. Alcohol: Bhutanese beer and wine are very cheap and can be easily found in market places. Its a must-try for beer and wine lovers. Also, it makes for a good souvenir to take back home.
5. Sightseeing: I assume you must have done your research on must visit places in Bhutan so I am not going to list them down, instead here are a few tips on what can be skipped:
- You can skip the folk heritage museum in Thimpu and National Meuseum of Bhutan in Paro as the same things can be seen in the Simply Bhutan Meuseum.
- You can skip the Rinpung Dzong in Paro, instead go to the Punakha Dzong its bigger and beautiful!
6. Clothing & Footwear : Bhutan is mostly cold so warm clothes are a must have. But most importantly in many Dzongs, temples and religious places it's mandatory to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs, so please pack accordingly.
Given the hilly region it's advisable to wear sneakers or sports shoes. A lot of places require you to do a small hike or walk so heels might turn out uncomfortable.
7. Souvenirs/Shopping: I strongly suggest that you do all your shopping from Thimpu. There are small stalls just across Taj Tashi in Thimpu where local handicrafts are sold. You will find beautiful shawls, purses and handicrafts here. These shopkeepers are open to bargaining so the price actually depends on your bargaining skills. This market is definitely cheaper than the Paro market.
I loved Bhutan not only for its beauty but also for its cleanliness, discipline, courteous and friendly people. They are very proud of these things and as tourist we should respect that. Please do not littler while travelling or disrespect their culture or beliefs.
