Travel information
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. Flights to Paro, an hour’s drive away take around 3 hours from Bangkok, which is approximately 11 and a half hours from London. Time is six hours ahead of GMT. Currency is the ngultrum. Entry to Bhutan can only be arranged with the help of a local tour operator. Experts at Bhutan Scenic Tours bhutanscenictours.com will organise your visa and book all your accommodation, meals and travel as well as acting as your guides. A portion of your daily travel budget is put directly into an education fund for young Bhutanese. Autumn and winter offer temperate day temperatures and dry weather. December and January are rich in blue skies. September and October offer warmer weather with occasional rain but midsummer is very wet.
GETTING THERE
British Airways flies several times a week from London Heathrow to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi from £780 return. ba.com Drukair flies from Bangkok to Paro every day. drukair.com.bt
Thai Airways also operates daily services from London to Bangkok from £850 return. thaiairways.com
RESOURCES
Tourism Council of Bhutan is the country’s official travel and tourism board. Its website is full of advice to help plan your trip. tourism.gov.bt
FURTHER READING
Buttertea at Sunrise by Britta Das (Summersdale, £7.99) is a memoir about hardships and happiness in a land almost untouched by the West.
CARBON COUNTING
To offset your carbon emissions make a donation at climatecare.org and support environmental projects. Return flights from London to Paro via Bangkok produce 3.26 tonnes CO2, meaning a cost to offset of £24.47.