Pix by Deepak Bhatt

So you always wanted to visit Bhutan but have yet to plan a holiday? There’s much that goes in this neighbouring country’s favour. It’s very close to home — just an hour’s flight away — and there’s little paperwork required (means no visa needed, just permits to enter certain cities).

And if you love playing the diehard tourist, this Buddhist nation will take your breath away with its countless sites, stunning landscapes and rich culture. And you can’t miss the dzong architecture, which is distinctive fortress architecture integral to Bhutan. The places in Bhutan to target are Paro, Thimpu, Phuentsholing and Bumthang.

You can enter Bhutan either by air to Paro, which is a major city with an international airport, or by road to Phuent-sholing. The point of entry is the border town of Jaigaon in West Bengal.

There’s no dearth of hotels to choose from in The Land of the Thunder Dragon. For a luxurious holiday you can always seek out the hotels from The Taj Group and Amanresorts with their luxurious properties in Thimpu, Paro, Punakha and Gangtey. At the other end of the spectrum there are mid-rung to low budget hotels too.

Paro

Known for its scenic charm and beautiful landscapes, the Paro Valley in the southwest of Bhutan is a historic town with many interesting sites and buildings scattered all around. Regular flights operate between Paro and Delhi and Calcutta.

A must visit is the Paro dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese architecture with its inward sloping walls that rise to an impressive height. Your visit to Paro is incomplete if you do not visit the ruins of Drukgyel dzong, which was converted into the National Museum in 1968 and boasts of a diverse collection of ancient artifacts.

Hot ticket!

A single suite at Amankora Paro will cost Rs 52,239 while a double suite will cost Rs 56, 988 per day. The package includes all meals and beverages, laundry, airport transfers, visa processing and 15 per cent taxes. Some other hotels that are lighter on the pocket include Zhiwa Ling, Uma Paro, Olathang Hotel and Hotel Druk.

Thimpu

Thimpu, the capital city, is just a two-hour drive from Paro International Airport. Thimpu spreads across the western slopes of the Wang Chhu river valley and has a number of government offices located around Tashichoe dzong — a beautiful pink roofed fortress. Another captivating building is the Dechencholing — the palace where the royal family resides. You can indulge in a bit of shopping in local shops that offer a wide range of handicrafts.

Hot ticket!

The winter package for a two nights stay at Taj Tashi in a deluxe room will cost Rs 42,740 while a luxury room is priced at Rs 49,864. The package includes accommodation and breakfast for two adults. The package is available till March 31. Other hotels here are Amankora Thimpu (the same package as Amankora Paro applies), Hotel Druk and Jumolhari Hotel.

Phuentsholing

Clinging to the Indian border next to the town of Jaigaon (Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal), Phuentsholing is the second largest town in Bhutan. It’s also the entry point for travellers arriving by bus. While Phuentsholing doesn’t have any dzongs, you can visit its Crocodile Breeding Centre located on the banks of the Torsa River, behind the bus depot where travellers alight. The Karbandi monastery is also a popular tourist haunt. It’s a small town so you can reach most areas by walking to them.

Hot ticket!

At Hotel Druk, an overnight stay per person for a standard single room will cost Rs 3,000. The price for an executive suite is Rs 8,000 per person, per day. This includes 15 per cent taxes and excludes meals. Some other hotels here are Hotel Lhaki Yangchak, Central Hotel, Hotel Sinchula and Namgey Hotel.

Bumthang

Bumthang is one of the most fascinating valleys in Bhutan and a nine-hour drive from Thimpu. Known as the religious heartland of Bhutan, it has Bhutan’s largest dzong with a circumference of more than 1.5km. You can take excursions and hikes around Bumthang and to the ancient temple of Thangbi Lhakhang as well as the Ura Village. Thangbi Lhakhang, located in the middle of the valley, is a short walk from Bumthang, while Ura Village is about one-and-a-half hour’s drive from there.

Hot ticket!

At the Swiss Guest House a double room costs Rs 1,700 per person, per day and a single room costs Rs 1,500. It includes 20 per cent taxes and excludes meals. Some other hotels here are Jakar Village Lodge, Amankora Bumthang (the same package as Amankora Paro applies) and Kaila Choenzem Guest House.