An unplanned trip to Bhutan

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Last year, during Durga Puja, we went out for Bhutan. It was totally an unplanned trip. The trip was for five days and there were many places to visit. I got off at Siliguri and took a local bus straight to Fuentsling Border, where I got all the permissions and reached Thimphu by shared cab. I reached the capital after a journey of about 8 hours. Beautiful weather, great scenery and some Bhutanese songs made our journey more enjoyable.

Since there was no booking, after searching for a while, we found a nice place to stay, ate some Indian and Bhutanese food, and had dinner that night. We went to Thimphu the very next day after visiting Buddhapoint, We returned to the hotel at night.
The next day I went to Punakha Jung by crossing Dochala pass, a beautiful monastery, where I witnessed the Blessing Giving ceremony.
The beautiful scenery kept amazing us at every moment.

The next day we set off for Paro, We first drove from Thimphu to a beautiful valley in the Chele-la-pass, which we would have missed if we hadn’t gone. After spending some time, we reached Paro, the driver took us to a beautiful hotel, in the evening we visited Paro Town a bit, surrounded by rows of hills. This beautiful city has a different charm.

The next day we went out to see Tiger Nest Monastery, this beautiful scenic spot located at an altitude of 10,000 feet is worth walking across. We reached there, after walking for about a couple of hours. But what I saw is not to be forgotten. That beautiful place is never to be forgotten.

The Bhutannese people are very welcoming.
Here are some things you need to know before you visit Bhutan.
1) Indians do not need visa; you can take a bus from NJP to Jaigaon or Fuentsling and get permission. Permission can be obtained in exchange for voter card or passport. You will need 5 copies of the picture. It is done free. But if you hire an agent, it will be quick.
2) Saturday-Sunday immigration office is closed.
3) After reaching, buy a Bhutanese SIM, you will get it for 200 rupees.
4) Hindi or English is spoken widely
5) Indian rupee is accepted as legal tender, it is better to take cash
6) How do I get permission if the hotel is not booked?
First of all, we went without any hotel booking. If you go there and book it will be cost effective. However, if you are an elderly person or going along with family then book in advance. Permission is available even if you don’t book; there is an agent on the opposite side of the taxi stand near the Fuentsling immigration office who helps you get permission for very little money. He took 1000 rupees for the three of us. Now the rules have changed a bit, now the Bhutanese government is charging travellers.

-Saptarshi Chowdhury:

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