The Last Shangri-La: Bhutan

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, sandwiched between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, is a bewitching country full of quirky surprises.

This is a country where the absolute monarch voluntarily and peacefully ceded power to the people, where well-being and happiness trump income and wealth, where forests can never cover less than 60% of the country by law, where buying cigarettes is illegal, where the national dress is compulsory at work and in school, and proudly so, and where the ultimate ambition is not to be the world’s top exporter in this or that, but to be the first nation to become 100% organic.

This deeply Buddhist land opened its doors to limited tourism only in 1974, and continues to keep everybody (except, happily, Indians) at arm’s length or more. Which is why it is still commonly referred to by jealous Westerners as the ‘Last Shangri-La’.

Bhutan – with its tree-covered hills and snow-bedecked mountains, its verdant valleys dotted with whitewashed wood and stone cottages, its cliff-hugging monasteries manned by lamas of all ages and sizes, and its charming towns filled with friendly, mirchhi-eating people – is a bucket-list topper and will remain so for years to come.

If you love the mountains as much as we do, come and experience Bhutan with us in March 2019, and take back a little bit of its happiness with you.

WeGoBondhelps like-minded women to see the world in ways they can never dream of with husbands, or kids, or parents in tow. We keep our group sizes small so that you can make new friends and yet find your own space. So that when you get to the serene destinations, the dictates, dynamics, and timetables of a large group don’t dent your enjoyment.

We have been to Bhutan a few times now and it is one of our most successful trips.

Here is why you should join us:

March is a great time to visit Bhutan. The weather is great – the winter is on its way out it is not too hot. Skies are clear and the vistas of the Greater Himalayas will blow your mind away.

The standard of the 3-star hotels in Bhutan is a mixed bag.

I have personally picked some of the better hotels available and I can assure you the standard is superior to those being used by some of the other travel outfits.

Our itinerary includes a trip to Gangtey in Phobjika Valley, a beautiful, quiet valley, not included in most itineraries to Bhutan. A must do.

Additional Note:

If you are booking connecting flights, the flight timings are as below:

DEL – PBH – DEL:
3^rd March: Delhi – Paro: Dep. 7:40 am; Arr. 11:15 am
10^th March: Paro – Delhi: Dep. 11:10 am; Arr. 14:05 pm

CCU – PBH – CCU:
3^rd March: Kolkata – Paro: Dep. 8:15 am; Arr. 9:55 am
10^th March: Paro – Kolkata: Dep. 10:35 am; Arr. 11:55 am