Bhutan

Among the most secretive and isolated countries as well as smallest one’s with a land area below 40000 km². Bhutan’s highest peaks are above 7000 m tall. Elevation rises from 200 m in the southern foothills to more than 7,000 m. This great geographical diversity combined with equally diverse climate conditions contributes to Bhutan’s outstanding range of biodiversity and ecosystems. From visiting nearly 80 countries, have never seen any other country where traditions are so much enforced. Heritage sites bill insists on national dress in government meetings and in schools. Even building a regular private house requires a local architect and traditional architecture elements in it’s design.

How to get there?

This is the trickiest part, unless you are a citizen of India, Bangladesh or Maldives. Otherwise the cost of visa is 200 USD during low season and 250 USD during high season, the prices mentioned are per single day! Licensed tour guides accompany tourists during their trips and arrange accommodations – independent tourism by foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India, and Maldives) is prohibited!

In my case, we were in Kathmandu, Nepal already. There you can find different tour agencies who will sort out everything for you. The price was around 1300 EUR for 3.5 days and 3 nights with two guides, excursions and everything included. The country itself is very cheap, visa itself is the most painful part. Probably there are another ways how to save a hundred or two euros, but our time was limited and tourism agency seemed the most logical option.

Flight from Nepal to Bhutan

One of the most interesting and scenic flights in my life, even though duration was only around 45 minutes. It’s very likely to see mount Everest during this flight, choose seat accordingly! From what I heard it’s even better than separate 200 USD flight next to it. Paro airport, which is the main airport of Buthan has very unique geography. With surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 m, it is considered one of the world’s most challenging airports, fewer than two dozen pilots are certified to land at the airport. Flights to and from Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset.