[DriveTrain]

The last two days - Day 7 was Thimpu to Siliguri and Day 8 was Siliguri to Kolkata.(It seems that I have mixed up the day numbering in some of the earlier posts, not sure how to fix it post facto)

Prayer Flags near Geddu



Royal University of Bhutan , Gaeddu College of Business Studies



Gedu Clock Tower



On the long haul towards Siliguri



Nearing Chalsa in the afternoon , we thought of sipping some piping hot tea at the Sinclair's Retreat - Chalsa. We turned in and found the place to be completely raided - it was Dashami (Dusshera) and the Dashami Mahabhoj Buffet was on at full swing !. Denied the brew, we though of raiding it's source instead and meandered further up into the quaint tea gardens around Meteli and Samsing.

The source of the daily cuppa all around - near Meteli and Samsing







The last leg of our driving holiday - somewhere in Bihar - headed home.



We were mesmerized by what our neighbour had to offer and surely we shall be back one day , a lot has been left unexplored on this trip and the unseen - keeps calling us back. We will sorely miss the serene tranquility of "Druk Yul".

[ampere]

Beautiful and Pristine. And the best part is one can drive to the place!
Adds to my long list of places to see.

This is definitely one of the last existing Shangri-La.
If James Hilton ever had dreamed of a Shangri-La before writing the famed book, it surely would have been Bhutan.

[roamingrao]

An enthralling travelogue ! Complete with captivating photographs, very useful details and lively narration. Thank you for introducing Bhutan through your eyes.

Originally Posted by DriveTrain

We were mesmerized by what our neighbour had to offer and surely we shall be back one day , a lot has been left unexplored on this trip and the unseen - keeps calling us back

We wish you make that trip soon and treat us to some more !

Rating this travelogue a well deserved 5 stars !

[laluks]

Wonderful treat Drive Train. Thanks for your travelogue.
Bhutan had always remained in my dream list, but never been able to do it till now. At least through your eyes I was able to see some of it. Thanks once again.

And a 5 star from me too. The log deserves it.

[B103]

Nothing but mesmerizing. 5 star rating from me too.

[DriveTrain]

TaureanBull , ampere , roamingrao , laluks & B103 really appreciate your comments and encouragement - Thank You.

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

What are the options for travelling on a hired vehicle? How much would be the cost trip?

Any hints on the accommodation and rates if possible!

There are many otions of travelling on a hired vehicle , most tourists from India seem to hire WB registered vehicles from Hashimara / Jaigaon , Siliguri & Jalpaiguri. I saw almost no Indians on Bhutanese registered SUVs , some groups were travelling on Bhutanese registered WagonR Taxis that are readily available. Unfortunately no idea on the charges , did not try to find out!.

If you keep out the fancy resorts and bank on good clean accomodation serving food and with running hot water, the average ball park would be INR 1000-1200 for a double room. This depends on the season , and whether you bargain directly after you reach there - it would be below 1000 in low season and will go upto 1500-2000 range in high season. I had provided a link to the hotel listing in my second post , do check that out , you will find all locations and price categories. You may PM me for more information.

[himavanth_m]

Originally Posted by DriveTrain

A Druk Air Taxies for Take Off at Paro - the only airport in Bhutan

Great travelogue. This reminds me of my own Bhutan trip. However, we entered through Phuntsholing and exited through the east at Samdrup.

Paro is the only airport in Bhutan with international flights (Primarily from Delhi and Kolkata). However there are other airports as well. There is one in Bumthang. But these airports see only domestic flights within Bhutan.

[me_sid]

Great travelogue, wonderful pictures, but the icing is the details provided in the form of latitude and longitude and off course the downloadable pdfs. Thanks a ton for sharing.

Regards
Sid

[Zappo]

Originally Posted by DriveTrain

The Essentials
The details can be found here http://www.rbckolkata.bt/ , the entry form itself is found here

http://www.rbckolkata.bt/wp-content/...ermit-Form.pdf

Baah! The site has been hacked into? Now what. A little lazy to put all that latitude longitudes into a map. Can someone tell me where in kolkata is the consulate?

[Sutripta]

^^^
Bhutan House. Near Ordnance Factory Dum Dum. On Mall Road.

Regards
Sutripta

[Sheel]

I came across your this thread now. Don't know how I escaped this. Wonderful pictures & logs.

Thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by DriveTrain

Day 7 was Thimpu to Siliguri and Day 8 was Siliguri to Kolkata.(It seems that I have mixed up the day numbering in some of the earlier posts, not sure how to fix it post facto)

Click on the report post button of the post, which you wish to be edited. And mention what needs to be edited.

[manmohanmaan]

Simply fantastic Drive Train, rating it a 5 star. Opens up new frontiers of travel by road, your photographs are great.

Can you tell me the month you travelled in ? I think Dusherra last year was rather late and fell in October end, is that when you travelled? And one more, any idea how will the weather be in May - June ? will it be hot and dry or will one get to see the green that you have so wonderfully captured in your photographs ?

Regards,

Manmohan.

[Renjith_Mani]

Excellent travelogue.
We are also planning a Trip to Bhutan and Tawang in couple of months and some of the info in the post is going to help us in a big way.

Do anyone have any info on entry formalities from Samdrup Jonkhar?
I have seen from few posts that if you enter through Phuentsholing, we will be required to apply for an extension of permits at Thimphu for travel further east.

What if we enter from Samdrup Jankhar? Do we get a single permit that allow us to travel freely through Bhutan?

Please advice
Renjith