Last year before the lockdown I went to Bhutan. I had planned to spend a week in Bhutan.
My trip started from February 29 to March 7, 2020. I was very excited about the trip. I booked my flights from Mumbai to Bagdogra in advance. I planned to reach Bhutan by road. The flights are very few (I think 2 flights per week) and you have to take a connecting flight from Bagdogra to Paro, Bhutan.
I took an early morning flight from Mumbai to Bagdogra. At 10 AM I reached Bagdogra.
After the airport, I wanted to go to Bagdogra Railway Station. The station is 5 KM far from the Airport. So, I took a tuk-tuk and reached the railway station. I talked to 2-3 people and I came to know that the train frequency is very less. Hardly 1 or 2 trains in a day. They suggested I take tuk-tuk instead. So, I took a tuk-tuk from the main road to Siliguri Bus Station.
After reaching Siliguri Bus Station. I was looking for a bus to Jaigaon. But I couldn't find it so I asked a few people and came to know that I will get a bus to Jaigaon from PC Mittal Bus Terminus which is 5 KM far from the Central Bus Station where I was standing. Again I took a tuk-tuk to PC Mittal Bus Terminus.
I found the bus. I purchased a ticket and I was talking to the bus conductor. "This is the last bus to Jaigaon," he said.
The roads were in very bad condition. As this bus was the last bus of the day it was stopping at every station for like 15-20 minutes. The distance is around 146 KM and it took 8 hours to reach Jaigaon!
Some pictures I took from the bus;
Finally, I reached Jaigaon at 9 PM. The bus journey was super exhausting.
I was very tired when reached Jaigaon. I had to stay in Jaigaon for a night as you can't cross the border after 5 PM.
I must say this was an adventure. But let's be honest things are not always going to be as planned. Sometimes you have to find another way to reach your destination.
But in the end, it's all worth it. Have a look at my A Trip to Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon photo blog to get a glimpse of how beautiful Bhutan is.
If you are planning to visit Bhutan by road then make sure you take an early flight and reach Bagdogra before 12 PM. Directly go to PC Mittal Bus Terminus. Don't believe everything Google says. Trust me I wasted a lot of time on wrong bus stations and railway stations. Take a tuk-tuk and go directly to PC Mittal Bus Terminus. There is a bus to Jaigaon at 1:30 PM and this is the last bus of the day.