Truth be told, Bhutan was not a country that either of us knew much about, nor could we really place it with accuracy on a map before our trip! But in researching travel destinations, it featured repeatedly in a few family travel blogs we tuned into. We did our own research and were smitten; we immediately tagged it as a “must visit” on our country wish list.
Bhutan Tourism & Prep
Last Spring when I started researching Bhutan in earnest, it quickly became apparent that we needed to book sooner rather than later as we'd be visiting during peak-ish season. Bhutan’s government requires you visit the country with a guide. There is a set $250 per person/per day fee that you must pay (children are discounted). This fee includes a Bhutanese guide, all meals, transportation and (3-star) lodging throughout your stay. Seems like a decent deal, but when you consider that's per person, and you're staring down a week's visit, it quickly adds up!
Two guide companies caught my eye, and I ultimately decided to work with Breathe Bhutan. Kinley & Jigme at Breathe Bhutan were always response and thoroughly answered my questions as we prepared to book our trip. We opted to do a modified version of their Blissful West itinerary; with our extra days we were able to include an extension trip further East to Phobjika Valley. All the details secure, we paid our deposit towards the end of May and were all set! Tent-pole flights aside, this Bhutan trip was the first big commitment of our year-long travel!
Through all my research & planning, I felt fully vested in our trip to Bhutan. More than any other destination, I was thrilled at the idea of seeing & experiencing a place so different than any other we knew.
Goodbye Delhi
The day finally arrived for our flight to Bhutan! We hoped into a taxi from our Delhi hotel to the airport; bags perched precariously on top :)
Arrival Flight
If you read anything about Bhutan, you're bound to come across info about the fairly harrowing flight into the main Paro airport. Nestled amidst the Himalayan Mountains, it's considered one of the most dangerous landing strips in the world. Apparently only 17 pilots are qualified to make the landing, and to qualify as a co-pilot they have to first log over 10,000 flight hours. Talk about a specialized flight path!
I'd be lying if I said I felt comfortable when the captain announced that we'd shortly be landing in Bhutan :) At first I wasn't going to look out the window, but then I quickly changed my mind; too unique to miss. Thankfully we had a beautiful, clear/calm day and our landing was 100% smooth. Happy to report it was far less scary than I'd built up in my mind :)
Paige giving a play-by-play just before the pilot announces we'll soon be landing:
Two snippets of Sadie's impressions as she looks out the window:
This final video in particular is fun to watch as it shows our actual landing:
We're Here!
Feet solidly on the ground in Bhutan, I was overwhelmed with an emotionally-charged happiness & excitement to be there that I haven't felt to date in any country.
We were not alone in our feeling of excitement & relief of a safe landing into this special place. No kidding, almost every single person that dismounted the flight took a selfie/picture! The sky & sun were smiling on us; it felt magical. Even the airport - both its exterior & interior - was charming & unlike anything we've seen.
Paige's take on how beautiful the airport interior is:
Cannot wait for us to explore this beautiful country in the days to come!!
What an adventure. I loved the reports of the landing!