Thinking of holidaying in the Land of the Thunder Dragon? Bhutan Tour Packages from Siliguri can be a good choice for holiday makers who wish to see the Himalayan terrain, ancient monasteries, serene valleys and Bhutanese culture. Given the road connectivity through Jaigaon and Phuentsholing, Siliguri can be considered as a feasible base point for a Bhutan Holiday.
Irrespective of whether you are planning a family trip, honeymoon or cultural vacation, selecting the right itinerary will be helpful in ensuring that you have a memorable holiday. From colorful markets of Thimphu to monasteries in Paro and valleys in Punakha, Bhutan has something to offer for various kinds of travelers.
This guide from SCS Journeys will help you understand how you can plan your Bhutan holiday from Siliguri.
Why Choose Bhutan Tour Packages from Siliguri?
Siliguri is a well-known transit town of North Bengal, making it a perfect origin point for travel to Bhutan. One can travel via road to Jaigaon for the immigration between India and Bhutan and travel to Phuentsholing for traveling to different places in Bhutan.
There are many tour packages complete with travel plans and lodging to make the trip and tour easy and organized.
- Some of the reasons why you should travel to Bhutan through Siliguri are as follows:
- Roadways- Reach Jaigaon and then enter Bhutan through Phuentsholing.
- Travel plans- You can select a short or long tour according to your preference.
- Culture- You shall be able to visit monasteries, dzongs, museums, and other traditional places.Â
- Nature- You can enjoy the beauty of Himalayan valleys, rivers, and forests.
- Travel forms- Plan family trips, honeymoon vacations, and group trips.Â
You can book a Bhutan tour package through SCS journeys from Siliguri.
How to Reach Bhutan from Siliguri
Before booking your package, decide how you want to reach Bhutan. Road travel is a common choice for travellers departing from Siliguri.
1. By Road via Jaigaon and Phuentsholing
This route commences at Siliguri and proceeds to Jaigaon of West Bengal, where Phuentsholing, which is the border town of Bhutan, is situated right opposite.
This travel requires travelling from Siliguri to Jaigaon, undergoing the necessary immigration formalities, and proceeding further to places like Thimphu and Paro.
The duration of the travel will depend upon the road condition, traffic, immigration process, and destination. Travel by road from Phuentsholing to Thimphu requires you to pass through some winding roads in the mountains.
2. By Air
Flights into Paro International Airport, which is Bhutan’s largest international airport, are an option for tourists as well. Depending upon availability and timetables, you might have to change your flight at some other airport.
Make sure you know about flight schedules, baggage restrictions, and prices. You should also check the entry requirements according to your nationality.
Best Places to Visit in Bhutan
A well-planned itinerary allows you to experience Bhutan’s cultural heritage, mountain scenery, and traditional way of life without rushing between destinations.
1. Thimphu
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is a city that is a blend of modern comforts and traditional architecture. This makes Thimphu a perfect place to begin your visit to Bhutan.
Some of the places of interest that one can visit here are Buddha Dordenma, Tashichho Dzong, National Memorial Chorten, and local crafts shops.
2. Paro
This town is widely known for the beautiful valley, religious buildings, and Bhutanese architecture.
The most famous landmark of Paro is the Ta Dzong or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Visitors who are keen on climbing up to this monastery need to be physically fit as it takes several hours to hike there.
Other sites worth visiting in the area include the Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan. Take your time to explore the valley’s beauty rather than simply making a quick visit.
3. Punakha
Punakha is famous for the beautiful scenery of the surroundings, rivers, and historical architecture. Punakha Dzong is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.
Punakha Suspension Bridge, too, is something that visitors love to photograph. Since it will take some time to travel to Punakha from Thimphu, you should include this site in your itinerary if you have enough free time.
4. Phuentsholing
Usually, Phuentsholing is the first place that tourists see upon arriving in Bhutan by road from India. This is because of its location.
Depending on the time you have, you may visit the city and the local markets or try its cuisine and go sightseeing.
Suggested 6-Day Bhutan Tour Itinerary from Siliguri
A tour that takes six days is a convenient one considering the travel by road, sightseeing, and culture visits. The following is just an example that may need to be modified depending on the traffic situation, permits, and packages.
- Day 1: From Siliguri to Jaigaon and then to Phuentsholing and finish up with crossing formalities
- Day 2: Head to Thimphu and then visit the selected locations in the area
- Day 3: More sightseeing at Thimphu and travel to Paro
- Day 4: Sightseeing at Paro and then visit to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery if feasible
- Day 5: Visit other sites in Paro or head towards Punakha
- Day 6: Travel towards Phuentsholing and Jaigaon and then towards Siliguri
This plan may require modifications to accommodate Punakha, trekking, and sightseeing. You may extend your holidays to seven or eight days for a more relaxed holiday experience.
For those who wish to have a longer holiday in the Himalayas, contact SCS Journeys for Bhutan packages.
Bhutan Entry Permit and Travel Documents
Indians do not need a visa to come to Bhutan, but they have to ensure that they get the appropriate entry permit. The process and requirements may be different for others, hence, it is important to ascertain what the rules are for everyone in the traveling party.
As mentioned in the Embassy of India in Thimphu, Indians need to bring one of the accepted travel documents like the Indian passport or the original Voter ID card.
Things to check before departure include:
- Bring along the original accepted identification document.
- Ascertain the latest document requirements for the children traveling with you.
- Have passport size photos if required.
- See whether you need additional permits for specific routes.
- Find out about the latest SDF rules and rates.
The current rate of SDF for Indian tourists is Nu. 1,200 per night per person for all other adults. There are some reductions on this amount depending on eligible children. Find out about the amount and the exemptions applicable to your case.
More details about this can be found on the Bhutan Department of Immigration or the Bhutan tourism website.
Best Time to Book Bhutan Tour Packages from Siliguri
There are different experiences available in Bhutan depending on when you choose to travel.
March to May: March to May is ideal for pleasant sightseeing and flowers in many places.
June to September: Rainy season can cause rains, bad roads, and problems with travel plans. Make sure to check the weather forecast.
October to November: This period is considered by many as the best for sightseeing and cultural exploration due to favorable weather conditions.
December to February: This time might be cold, especially in the highlands, so make sure to pack accordingly and check the local weather forecast.
Make sure to book early if you plan to travel during any school holiday or major festival.
How to Choose the Right Bhutan Tour Package
Before you make your final reservation, never just think about the cost stated. The package needs to suit the duration of your trip, the destination, the comfort level and your budget.
The package should cover transportation, accommodation, food, sightseeing, permit assistance and other costs. Make sure to inquire about the extra costs involved, the policy on cancellations and an alternate plan in case the roads are closed.
For families with children, a slower pace of trip and fewer hotel stops might be required. For couples, more time at scenic spots would be needed. If you like culture, you would like to find dzongs, monasteries, museums and markets.
Contact SCS Journeys and enquire about the Bhutan tour packages.
Plan Your Bhutan Holiday with SCS Journeys
Bhutan presents a great opportunity to experience the beauty of the Himalayas, Buddhism, architecture, and tranquil hill towns. With good planning, Bhutan Tour Packages from Siliguri could be useful in coordinating your travel, accommodation, tours, and entry formalities.
Pick an appropriate itinerary according to your time availability and get yourself updated on the current permit regulations.
Check out our website SCS Journeys to inquire about the packages and plan your Himalayan holiday now.
