[wanderernomad]

Originally Posted by rahul4640

Any idea what time does the RSTA office open up in the morning, Sir? And what may be the usual time taken for this car document to be ready?
.

If you reach on a weekend or a holiday it would be from 1100 to 1300. Otherwise on normal weekdays it would be best to be there around 8. Ideally if every thing is in order should not take more than 30 mins.
Sir? ?

[rahul4640]

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

If you reach on a weekend or a holiday it would be from 1100 to 1300. Otherwise on normal weekdays it would be best to be there around 8. Ideally if every thing is in order should not take more than 30 mins.

I simply had no idea that this document might also be issued on weekends or holidays. I always thought that I had to reach Phuntsholling on a working day, to obtain this permit. BTW, Is it available from the same location on all days, irrespective of it being a full working day or a holiday? I am now thinking of reaching Phuntsholling one day in advance, so that I may reach their office at 8 O'clock sharp.

[black_panther]

Originally Posted by rahul4640

I simply had no idea that this document might also be issued on weekends or holidays. I always thought that I had to reach Phuntsholling on a working day, to obtain this permit. BTW, Is it available from the same location on all days, irrespective of it being a full working day or a holiday? I am now thinking of reaching Phuntsholling one day in advance, so that I may reach their office at 8 O'clock sharp.

In the off season, there should not be any rush to obtain the permits. It can be obtained on the same day and one can proceed to Thimpu. If you are delayed, staying back at Kuenga hotel (opposite to permit office) might be an option. You can also obtain the permits and stay back at one of hotels at upper phutsholing on the way to Thimpu.

Out of topic: Could any one update me on the condition of the kalyani highway?

[wanderernomad]

Originally Posted by rahul4640

I simply had no idea that this document might also be issued on weekends or holidays. I always thought that I had to reach Phuntsholling on a working day, to obtain this permit. BTW, Is it available from the same location on all days, irrespective of it being a full working day or a holiday? I am now thinking of reaching Phuntsholling one day in advance, so that I may reach their office at 8 O'clock sharp.

Most of the people are under this false impression. For more details go through my tlog here which has more such details. In fact you can even secure the individual entry permits as well on holidays and upto 2100 hrs BST.

[maheshramaling]

I am traveling to Bhutan this month end and just going through the entry permit application form and it asks for "Address in Bhutan" but we are not doing any advance booking but will decide to stay once we reach Thimpu. Moreover - we will not be staying in just Thimpu but moving from West to Central to East Bhutan in 3 to 4 days.

Is that an issue or the "Address in Bhutan" can be mentioned as TBD on arrival or any other suggestions from people who have traveled earlier without a prior stay arrangement?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

I am traveling to Bhutan this month end and just going through the entry permit application form and it asks for "Address in Bhutan" but we are not doing any advance booking but will decide to stay once we reach Thimpu. Moreover - we will not be staying in just Thimpu but moving from West to Central to East Bhutan in 3 to 4 days.

Is that an issue or the "Address in Bhutan" can be mentioned as TBD on arrival or any other suggestions from people who have traveled earlier without a prior stay arrangement?

Not an issue at all. You can say TBD or say "Hotel in THimphu". Immigration is not particular in the case of Indians.

[maheshramaling]

Hi all,

I am heading to Bhutan tomorrow morning from Bangalore via vizag, bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Siliguri - phuentsholing - Thimpu.

From Thimpu - we go to central bhutan, east bhutan and will exit out from Samdrup Jongkhar.

So - would anyone be able to share, if there are any issues or harthals/ road blocks along this route or condition of the road recently?

[saket77]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

Is that an issue or the "Address in Bhutan" can be mentioned as TBD on arrival or any other suggestions from people who have traveled earlier without a prior stay arrangement?

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Not an issue at all. You can say TBD or say "Hotel in THimphu". Immigration is not particular in the case of Indians.

+1 to HVK Sir. When we visited Bhutan, we had not booked any hotel in advance. I left the space blank in the permit application form.
The officials at the counter themselves wrote 'c/o any hotel' on our forms. So, you can use any of the jargon which suit your staying options.
The officials are not strict with immigration procedures for Indians.

[wanderernomad]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

Hi all,

I am heading to Bhutan tomorrow morning from Bangalore via vizag, bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Siliguri - phuentsholing - Thimpu.

From Thimpu - we go to central bhutan, east bhutan and will exit out from Samdrup Jongkhar.

So - would anyone be able to share, if there are any issues or harthals/ road blocks along this route or condition of the road recently?

The roads through central Bhutan are a mess. Unless you are doing it in a high GC vehicle please proceed with caution. Bhutan has seen a lot of snow this year.

[maheshramaling]

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

The roads through central Bhutan are a mess. Unless you are doing it in a high GC vehicle please proceed with caution. Bhutan has seen a lot of snow this year.

Thanks! We will be in a Pajero and Xylo - so I assume we should be ok.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by maheshramaling

Thanks! We will be in a Pajero and Xylo - so I assume we should be ok.

Drive safe bro! And on your return, post a nice travelogue with lots of pictures of the lovely place.
Good luck!

[rahul4640]

Originally Posted by black_panther

Could any one update me on the condition of the kalyani highway?

Just went and returned by the Kalyani Expressway today. A lot of construction activity is going on there. Although some stretches are still bad, yet I could see that the road is being reshaped as a divided four lane road.

[black_panther]

Originally Posted by rahul4640

Just went and returned by the Kalyani Expressway today. A lot of construction activity is going on there. Although some stretches are still bad, yet I could see that the road is being reshaped as a divided four lane road.

Great news! That would solve a lot of our problems. Where is the four landing taking place? Is it beyond Barrackpore or all through?

[Sutripta]

^^^
Kalyani end (around 10 Km) is newly laid and very smooth.
A second carriageway is being built, and the existing road in places is a real mess.

Made the mistake of taking the Nimta - Belghoria Expway (unofficial) connector. Don't. Stick to Birati.

Regards
Sutripta

[black_panther]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Made the mistake of taking the Nimta - Belghoria Expway (unofficial) connector. Don't. Stick to Birati.

Regards
Sutripta

Where did you get down from belghoria expressway? We usually take the metallic connector near durganagar. The road till kalyani highway has bad surface and speed breakers, but it is less than a kilometer.

I usually find the 3 km through birati difficult to drive because of the unruly autorickshaws and roadside markets.