Bhutan is a handlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas between the two most populated country India and China. It is ruled by the king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who had been the king since 2006.
Many people has a lot of questions before planning their trip to Bhutan about their passport, Visa, even about the permits and everything. Firstly, calm yourself it's much easier than you are stressing for.
WHAT IS ENTRY PERMIT?
Regional tourist entering Bhutan via Road are asked to obtain an Entry permit and are asked to produce it in every check post in Bhutan. Entry permit are obtained from the immigration office in Phuentsholing. It is open from 9A.M to 4P.M of weekdays and are closed on Sunday and public holidays. Also remember that from 1PM to 2PM, they have their lunch hours. Bhutan standard times is 30 minutes ahead of Indian standard times.
BHUTAN ENTRY POINTS-
1. Phuentsholing
2. Gelephu (central Bhutan)
3. Samdrup Jongkhar (Eastern Bhutan)
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO GET ENTRY PERMIT
1. Passport copy/ Voter I'd card + 2 photographs. (For children's birth certificate or school I'd is required)
2. Have to take a Hotel confirmation by booking a hotel before you plan to get your permits done. And take a photocopy of the same.
3. If you are travelling solo you have to give a undertaking letter about you taking guarantee about your safety and measures.
4. Once you get the permit done from the immigration office in Phuentsholing it is valid for travelling Thimphu and Paro only. Once you arrive in Thimphu you have to apply for special permit to visit other places. It takes almost 1hour to get your permit done.
5. If you are driving your own vehicles you need to avail the Extension permit from RSTA ( Road safety and transport authority).
6. Places like Bhumtang cannot be travelled solo else you have to take a group or a guide along with you if you need the permit for the same.
VALIDITY OF THE PERMIT-
Entry permit is valid only for 7days and if you want to spend time more than 7days, you have to extend your permit from Thimphu again.
(Important note Aadhar cards are not longer valid to enter Bhutan).
FEE FOR OBTAINING PERMITS -
According to Bhutan's new tourism policy, they are planning to levy charges from the travellers all over from India, Bangladesh and Maldives. They would be charged a sustainable Development fee, as well as a permit processing fee and may receive approval by the end of December 2020.
If you are planning to reach Bhutan then the easiest way for you is, you have to reach to nearby airport i.e Bagdogra, then reach Siliguri by bus, or take a train to NJP (siliguri station). Reach Siliguri, over night stay for one day and if you get late just in case to reach and from there you get a direct bus from the Siliguri bus stand to Jaigaoon or Phunsilong.
FROM PHUENTSHOLING TO THIMPHU:
Once you reach Phuentsholing and obtain all your permits, congratulations you are officially a tourist in Bhutan. From phuentsholing you have to take a bus which will cost you around 250rs to reach Thimphu and if by sharing taxi it will take 750rs but negotiable to 600rs if you can, and around 2500 for a four seater private taxi.
The distance from Phuentsholing to Thimphu is almost 164km or 5hours by road.
There will be check points on the way to Thimphu where you have to show your permit to enter Thimphu and they will put a seal in your permit to keep going. Remember to keep your permit very safe till your trip ends. Because while returning also you will need the permit to show to the check points.
SOME IMPORTANT MEASURES YOU SHOULD FOLLOW WHEN IN BHUTAN:
1. If you a person to smoke or just in case take tobacco or other things remember Bhutan is a country which is very strict in following rules and regulations. And thus smoking and other tobacco substances are not allowed in public places of Bhutan.
2. While crossing the roads always walk through the zebra crossings else they may charge you heavy penalties.
CURRENCY CHANGE FOR BHUTAN:
If you from India, you don't have to change the currencies but 2000 rupees note is not valid there so you have to take change of 500 or 100 rupees notes only.
LANGUAGES OF BHUTAN:
In Bhutan majority people understands English and Hindi both so probably it won't be any issue to communicate untill you are not good at both lol.
Hope this article will help you plan your trip in a more hassle free way.