TRAVEL SPECIAL..... BHUTAN

TRAVEL BHUTAN





The Royal Kingdom of Bhutan is a forgotten country that has only recently come to the notice of travellers seeking a different experiential holiday. Thimphu is Bhutan's capital and the country is rich in natural beauty and lovely architecture.
It has a lot of monasteries, dzongs (fortress structures) and chortens (stupas).

Bhutan is an extremely affordable country. “Research on your own and you could bag a better deal than a package picked off the shelf,“ says Expedia's Ahluwalia. However, both DIY and package option work well. If you are travelling in peak season, it's advisable to book flights and accommodation well in advance because occupancy can be a problem.

Flight

“The best way to get to Bhutan is to take a flight from Delhi to Bagdogra and then travel by road,“ says Himanshu Periwal, V-P, Growth, Ixigo. It is good advice as direct Del hi-Paro flights are difficult to get and will prove more expensive.You will typically have to book through Druk Air, the national carrier of Bhutan. “The DelhiBagdogra return fare is for `7,000-8,000 if you book 1-2 months in advance. You can take a bus or taxi to Phuentsholing and another one to Thimpu,“ adds Periwal. The road trip will cost about `3,500. If you take a flight from Paro to Bagdogra, it will cost you about `7,000. If you want to avoid the cab and bus, take a direct flight from Delhi to Paro, and the return trip may cost around `20,000. Flight duration: Direct (non-stop) Delhi-Paro one-way flight takes about 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Accommodation

“A wide variety of accommodation is availa ble, ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to cozy hotels and homestays in traditional Bhutanese homes and settings. A stay at 2or 3-star hotel can cost `800-1,500,“ says Neelu Singh of Ezeego1. However, if your budget permits, you can easily spend on more expensive 3or 4-star hotels.

“Even a basic 3-star hotel maintains high standard in terms of hygiene, room size and location. In a budget of `1 lakh, one can afford good 4-star hotels, especially if you are travelling from Kolkata,“ says Oak of MakeMyTrip.com.

Food

For less than `1,000 a day, a person can indulge in the Bhutanese cuisine, which includes the national dish of ema datshi, a mix of chillies and cheese. This is a staple of nearly every meal and can be found throughout the country. Others include phaksha paa, jasha maru and goep.

Internal commute

“If you are travelling from Delhi or Mumbai, about 55-60% of the package cost would be for air and internal travel. The best option for internal travel is to hire a private vehicle,“ says Oak. Buses are very cheap and even cabs are inexpensive. For instance, the bus ticket from Phuentsholing to Thimpu can be as low as `250-300 per person. The cabs usually have a fixed price, but sometimes you can negotiate. The cab fare between Phuentsholing and Bagdogra can be around `2500-3,000.

Sightseeing shopping

The two highlights of Bhutan are monastaries and treks. In Thimphu, don't miss the Buddha viewpoint, Tashi Cho dzong and Memorial chorten. In Punakha, you could visit the Dochu La pass, Lamperi botanical garden, fertility temple and Punakha dzong.You could also go river rafting on the Mochhu river. In Paro, trek to Taktsang monastery, Paro dzong, visit a farmhouse, enjoy a Bhutanese meal, and take a hot stone bath.

If you take a package, most sightseeing costs are included, but activities like hot stone bath and visit to a farmhouse may cost around `2,000.

Packages

Bhutan is a country that can be easily packaged for tourism under `1 lakh. However, as it's yet to scale the popularity charts, not all operators have a wide variety of offerings. The common inclusions are economy class air fare, breakfast and dinner, sightseeing and transfers, and professional guides.These packages usually cover three cities.

The Royal Government of Bhutan also sets minimum prices for tour packages to Bhutan, which have to be paid before arrival in Bhutan. The tariffs are listed on the Tourism Council of Bhutan's website (http:www.tourism.gov.bt).

COX & KINGS: BHUTAN HIMALAYAN KINGDOM @ `80,000 per couple (5 nights 6 days).

SOTC: HIGHLIGHTS OF BHUTAN @ `35,479 per person (7 nights 8 days).

MMT: BHUTAN SUMMER SPECIAL @ `35,999 per person onwards (5 nights 6 days).

THOMAS COOK: BHUTAN PACKAGE @ `41,000 per person (5 nights 6 days).

ETW18APR16