BHUTAN - Into the natures lap

It was after a long break, we had planned for Bhutan trip. Our previous trip was like atleast 1 year prior to this. So, we were so desperate and excited to get out of our normal schedule into natures lap and come back relaxed. As expected, we enjoyed this trip thoroughly.

The planning phase:

This phase was not so straight forward for us due to various reasons. We had elders joining us, we had to plan for leaves, most importantly this time the presence of baby made it more complicated.
Here are the factors we considered for planning.

• Weather - to decide best time to visit without compromising on convenience
• Time required - to plan for leaves
• Convenience - to see if the place is easy to access, and has basic medical facilities easily
• Baby friendliness - no need to explain why
• Airport to reach out to - to see how much of travel is needed.
• Package tours of locals - to decide on best itinerary
• Cost - because at some point flight charge was around 8k, and at some other time it was 18k.

The execution phase

Considering all the above facts we got few data. 

• We realised that October to December is the best time to visit. Rainy season would have ended, and winter would not have started at full swing.
• It requires at-least 7days to cover good amount of ground in Bhutan - Reasons being the terrain in this country is not meant for vrooming due to hilly regions. Also there are plenty of nice places around. 
• Bhutan is accessible from many ways. 
• One way was to catch flight from Delhi to Paro (Druk air).
•  Second option is to take a flight from Baghdogra to Paro - These two options are not easy, expensive as well.
• Third is to take a cab from Baghdogra to Phuentshelling which is the entry point to Bhutan.
•  Fourth option is to take a train from Kolkata to Hasimara and reach Phuentshelling from Hasimara. 
• We took the 3rd option to enter Bhutan. We checked that there are some basic facilities available in most of the places we were visiting.Also we had bought travel insurance for us, to secure ourselves from surprises in foreign land. 
• Indians can enter Bhutan without Passport as well. However if we have got passport already, E-Permit can be obtained in advance, and only biometric has to be made during entry.
• Indian food is available in most of the places, but veg food is not so easy. We had carried MTR also along with us.
• Since we had baby on board, we had planned well to include all the baby food, clothing, medicines etc etc, so that we are not pressed with much of problems during the trip. 
• We had to see all the near by airports so that our travel can be comfortable with the baby. Though flight to Paro is the most convenient one, with Baghdogra also we did not have to struggle much.
• We had a look at most of the tour operators itinerary. Later we finalised the one with the operator with whom my friend had been before. 
• Since the cost involved for flight was higher, had to plan smartly to optimise travel time, convenience, ease of use etc.

The itinerary

Here is the link for the itinerary we followed.

Highlights of what we enjoyed

• The journey from Baghdogra to Phuentshelling, in middle of tea gardens. 
• The Bhuatan entry gate at Indias last town Jalagaon.
• Nature, Nature & Nature
• Thimphu City, landscapes, clouds in middle of hills.
• Local game Archery
• The fresh apples on the way.
• View around Dachula pass
• The drive all through the trip.
• Tigers nest.
• Hanging bridge at Punakha
• Butter tea
• Dzong in Punakha
• Local dress
• National animal Takin

Important landmarks for food/snacks

• Stayed at hotel Palm and Phuentshelling at Phuentshelling. Food was nice at the Palm hotel, would recommend chosing this hotel.
• Stayed at hotel Namseling at Thimphu. It was a decent stay, Food was also nice. On the way to Thimphu from Phuentshelling, had stopped at hotel Damview for refreshment. It was decent.
• At Thimphu had lunch at hotel Orchid. It was fine.
• At Punakha, stayed at hotel Punakha residence, i did not like this hotel at all. 
• At Paro stayed at Sangyaling hotel, the hotel was very nice.

Notes if you are carrying baby/infant

We had a baby who was just 1.5years old. We were actually worried with the weather there. As expected, after 2days in Bhutan baby got cold, but we could manage with the medicine and also the room heaters helped to sail through. 

Special tips if visiting Tigers Nest

If you are planning to visit this place, practice for long inclined walks for some days before going here. Be fit, you will enjoy. Otherwise you will feel like going back without completing the hike. Though horses can take you half way through, if you are not fit enough, you may feel tough to complete the hike and visit the nest. If you have kids below 6-8 years, better to train them both mentally and physically before you take them there. Better to avoid babies until 3years unless you are too fit to carry them both ways.