The Kingdom of Bhutan remained largely secluded from the outside world until the early 1960s, accessible only by foot through two primary entry points – one in the North and another in the South. The Northern route traversed through Tibet, navigating high mountain passes impassable during winters. The second entry route from the South cut through the plains of Assam and West Bengal. The combination of frozen passes in the North and dense jungles in the South posed formidable barriers to entering the country.
Carefully orchestrated economic development has since rendered Bhutan more accessible, with a network of roads crisscrossing the nation, along with an international airport and multiple domestic airports.
Presently, the main entry points by road are through Phuentsholing in the south, connecting Bhutan with the Indian plains of West Bengal, and the border towns of Gelephu in the central region and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east, linking Bhutan with the Indian state of Assam.
Travel By Land:
- Phuentsholing: Located approximately 170 km east of the Indian national airport at Bagdogra, this southwestern town marks the starting point for a six-hour journey to Thimphu, the capital.
- Gelephu: Positioned in south-central Bhutan, this entry point is about 250 km from Thimphu. The journey takes you through sub-tropical areas, transitioning into the alpine zone before reaching Thimphu, spanning around ten hours.
- Samdrup Jongkhar: In southeast Bhutan, bordering the Indian district of Darranga, Assam, it is approximately 150 km from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. The journey from Guwahati takes about three hours, and tourists entering through Samdrup Jongkhar will proceed to Trashigang, covering a distance of about 700 km over a minimum of three days to reach Thimphu.
Travel By Air:
- Flights connect Bhutan to destinations including Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore, and Mumbai.
- Paro, situated at 2,225 m (7,300 ft) above sea level, is surrounded by mountains reaching as high as 4,876 m (16,000 ft). Two carriers, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, operate to Bhutan. Domestic airports are in Yonphula (eastern Bhutan), Bumthang (central Bhutan), and Gelephu (south-central Bhutan).
- Landing at Paro International Airport offers an exhilarating experience as the descent into the valley brings aircraft closer to the mountain tops than most flights worldwide. The flight between Paro and Kathmandu provides breathtaking views of four of the five highest mountains – Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga – in clear weather.