Bhutan Tour Packages from Kolkata
Kolkata is Bhutan's nearest big city: a 75-minute flight to Paro or an overnight train to the Dooars and a short drive to the Phuentsholing gate. Private trips with the SDF, permit, guide and certified hotels in one quote.
For most of India, Bhutan is a long way round. For Kolkata it is close to home. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is one of the few Indian airports with non-stop flights to Paro, and the overland gateway at Jaigaon and Phuentsholing is a single night's train ride from Sealdah. Bengali families have been crossing that gate for generations, often combining Bhutan with the Dooars or Darjeeling, and the trip still suits the Puja holidays and the cold, clear winter months.
The rules have changed, though. Since 2022 Indian visitors pay a Sustainable Development Fee for every night, travel with a licensed Bhutanese guide, and stay only in government-certified hotels. This page explains how those rules play out when you start from Kolkata: the flight and train options with timings, a road table from Bagdogra, NJP, Hasimara and Alipurduar, what the permit needs, three day-wise plans (by air, by train and a slow winter trip), Puja and winter timing, Bengali food in Bhutan, and pacing for elders. Our team in Ahmedabad plans every trip; there is no Kolkata office, and you book with us on WhatsApp or phone. Every trip is private, with your own vehicle, driver and guide.
Updated November 2026 by the Vibrant Holidays team, Ahmedabad.
Bhutan packages you can book now
All 12 Bhutan packages on Vibrant Holidays — 3 to 7 nights. Every package can be customised for departure from Kolkata.
Bhutan package cost from Kolkata (2026–27)
Bhutan packages on our site start at ₹24,000 per person. The ranges below are per person, two to a room, and include certified hotels with breakfast and dinner, a private vehicle and driver, a licensed guide throughout, permit handling and the SDF at the Indian rate. Flights and trains from Kolkata are extra.
| Trip | Standard (3★ certified) | Deluxe (4★) | Premium (5★ / boutique lodge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 nights overland: Phuentsholing 1, Thimphu 2, Paro 2 | ₹30,000 – 38,000 | ₹40,000 – 53,000 | ₹82,000 – 1,35,000 |
| 6 nights by air: Paro 2, Thimphu 2, Punakha 2 | ₹38,000 – 49,000 | ₹51,000 – 66,000 | ₹1,02,000 – 1,70,000 |
| 7 nights: Jaldapara 1 in the Dooars, then Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro | ₹41,000 – 52,000 | ₹55,000 – 71,000 | ₹1,08,000 – 1,80,000 |
| 8 nights in winter: Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha for the cranes, Paro | ₹48,000 – 61,000 | ₹64,000 – 82,000 | ₹1,30,000 – 2,20,000 |
Travel from Kolkata, as of November 2026: a return economy ticket Kolkata–Paro usually costs about ₹36,000 – 50,000 per person, because only Bhutan Airlines and Drukair fly the route and seats are limited. Kolkata–Bagdogra returns are far cheaper, typically ₹7,000 – 14,000. On the train, the Kanchankanya Express to Hasimara costs roughly ₹900 – 1,600 each way in 3AC and ₹1,400 – 2,500 in 2AC.
The SDF in your quote: ₹1,200 per adult per night as of November 2026; children from 6 up to 12 pay half, and under-6s pay nothing. Two adults and a ten-year-old on six nights pay ₹18,000 in total. We show it as its own line.
Usually extra: monument entry fees, a pony on the Tiger's Nest trail, a hot-stone bath, the Jaldapara jeep safari, lunches, and tips for the guide and driver.
Flying from Kolkata to Paro: Bhutan Airlines and Drukair
| Airline (as of November 2026) | Pattern | Typical timing from CCU | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhutan Airlines (B3 701) | Most days; the flight starts in Bangkok and stops at Kolkata | Leaves about 8:25 am, reaches Paro about 9:55 am Bhutan time | Arrival by mid-morning gives a full first afternoon |
| Drukair (KB 211) | A few days a week | Midday departure, reaching Paro mid-afternoon | Days vary month to month; Drukair publishes a monthly timetable |
- Frequency: between the two airlines there are roughly eight to ten departures a week from Kolkata to Paro in the current schedule. Because the Bhutan Airlines flight continues from Bangkok, seats from CCU can sell out in festival weeks; book as soon as dates are fixed.
- The flight itself takes about 75 to 90 minutes. On clear mornings, ask at check-in which side has the mountain view on that day's routing.
- Paro landings happen in daylight only, and afternoon wind can delay the later flights, which is one more reason the morning Bhutan Airlines departure is popular with Kolkata families.
- Bhutan is 30 minutes ahead of Indian time.
- Bagdogra–Paro: Drukair also flies from Bagdogra to Paro about twice a week. It rarely helps Kolkata travellers, since flying direct from CCU is simpler.
Overland from Kolkata: trains, roads and the Phuentsholing gate
The overland route is cheaper, and it lets you add the Dooars on the way. The nearest railhead to Bhutan is Hasimara, about 18 km from the Phuentsholing border.
Trains
- Kanchankanya Express (13149): daily from Sealdah at about 8:30 pm, reaching Hasimara around 11 am the next day. It is the most convenient train for Bhutan, because you skip the four-hour drive from Siliguri.
- Weekly trains from Howrah and Santragachi side also reach Hasimara in the early morning on certain days; we check them when the Kanchankanya is full.
- To New Jalpaiguri: the Darjeeling Mail and Padatik Express overnight from Sealdah, or the daytime Vande Bharat from Howrah, followed by about four hours by road to Phuentsholing.
- Reservations open 60 days ahead, and October trains to north Bengal sell out in minutes. If the Kanchankanya is waitlisted, flying to Bagdogra one way is the usual fallback.
Road distances and times
| From | To | Distance (approx.) | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hasimara station | Jaigaon / Phuentsholing | 18 km | 30–40 min |
| Alipurduar Junction | Phuentsholing | about 60 km | 1½ h |
| New Jalpaiguri (NJP) | Phuentsholing | about 155 km | 4–4½ h |
| Bagdogra airport | Phuentsholing | about 165 km | 4–5 h |
| Kolkata (by car) | Phuentsholing | about 700–730 km | 15–18 h, best split over two days |
| Phuentsholing | Thimphu | about 165 km | 5–5½ h on mountain roads |
| Thimphu | Paro | about 50 km | 1–1½ h |
| Thimphu | Punakha via Dochula | about 75 km | 2½–3 h |
At the border, Jaigaon on the Indian side and Phuentsholing on the Bhutanese side are separated only by the ornate gate. Indian-registered cars can enter Bhutan only with a separate vehicle permit and still need a licensed guide on board, so in practice your driver from Hasimara or NJP hands over at Phuentsholing to our Bhutanese driver and guide.
Permit, SDF and guide rules for Indians (as of November 2026)
- Documents: the Embassy of India in Thimphu lists a valid Indian passport (at least six months' validity) or an original Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission, with recent passport-size photographs. Children under 18 without a passport carry their original birth certificate. Aadhaar is not accepted as an entry document.
- Entry permit: issued at Paro airport for air arrivals and at the immigration office in Phuentsholing for road arrivals. We apply online in advance through our Bhutan partner, so you are not waiting at the counter after an overnight train.
- Beyond Thimphu and Paro: Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthang and other districts need an extra travel authorisation, which our Bhutan partner arranges for the dates in your plan.
- SDF: ₹1,200 (Nu. 1,200) per person per night for Indian nationals, paid with the permit; half for children aged 6 up to 12; nothing for under-6s.
- Guide and hotels: a licensed guide accompanies Indian tourists for sightseeing and inter-district travel, and stays must be in Department of Tourism certified hotels. Both are in our package prices.
Keep originals of every ID in hand luggage rather than in checked bags. Rules change; we check them again before you travel.
Three Bhutan itineraries from Kolkata
6 nights by air – Paro, Thimphu and Punakha
- Day 1: Morning flight from CCU, landing in Paro mid-morning. Kyichu Lhakhang and an easy walk in Paro town; early night to adjust to 2,200 m.
- Day 2: Drive to Thimphu. Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten, and Tashichho Dzong at dusk.
- Day 3: Over Dochula pass to Punakha. Punakha Dzong where two rivers meet, then the long suspension bridge.
- Day 4: Walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang; afternoon by the river.
- Day 5: Back to Paro; Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum.
- Day 6: Tiger's Nest, at your own pace.
- Day 7: Morning flight back to Kolkata.
7 nights overland – Dooars and Bhutan on the Kanchankanya
- Night 0: Board the Kanchankanya at Sealdah around 8:30 pm.
- Day 1: Reach Hasimara late morning; a short drive to a lodge at Jaldapara and an afternoon jeep safari for one-horned rhinos (the park closes in the monsoon, roughly mid-June to mid-September).
- Day 2: To Jaigaon and Phuentsholing (under an hour); permit check, Zangtho Pelri temple and the crocodile breeding centre. Night in Phuentsholing.
- Day 3: The climb to Thimphu, with tea stops at Gedu and Chukha viewpoints.
- Days 4–5: Thimphu sights, then Punakha via Dochula.
- Days 6–7: Paro and Tiger's Nest.
- Day 8: Fly Paro to Kolkata, or drive back to Phuentsholing for the train if budget matters more than time.
8 nights in winter – slow Bhutan for elders
Fly in on the morning flight in December, January or February. Two nights in Thimphu, two in Punakha, which at about 1,200 m is the warmest valley, and two in Phobjikha to see the black-necked cranes that winter there from about November to February. Finish with two nights in Paro, keeping Tiger's Nest optional. Drives stay under five hours, and we book rooms with proper heating.
Every plan is private and customised. Joint families and friends travel as a private group on their own dates, in a coaster or two vehicles with one guide.
Puja holidays, winter and other Kolkata windows
| Window | Dates | Bhutan conditions | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas and New Year | Late December 2026 | Cold, clear, occasional snow on Dochula | Good views; carry heavy woollens |
| Punakha festival | Punakha Tshechu, tentatively 16–18 February 2027 | Mild in Punakha | Combine with Saraswati Puja holidays if they line up |
| Spring | Paro Tshechu, tentatively 18–22 March 2027 | Rhododendrons on the passes | Paro hotels fill early in festival week |
| Poila Baisakh and summer vacation | Mid-April; schools usually off in May | Warm days, cool nights | Escape from Kolkata heat; book by February |
| Monsoon | June – August | Landslides on the Phuentsholing–Thimphu road | Fly to Paro rather than going overland |
| Durga Puja 2027 | Vijaya Dashami on Sunday 10 October 2027 | Clear skies; Thimphu Tshechu tentatively 10–12 October 2027 | Thimphu will be full; book by June or stay in Paro and visit for a day |
| Kali Puja to November | Late October – November | Dry, the clearest mountain views | Black-necked crane festival at Phobjikha on 11 November |
The Puja overlap matters. In 2027 the Thimphu Tshechu is expected to coincide with Dashami, which means families leaving Kolkata right after Dashami will reach Thimphu as the festival ends. If you want to see the masked dances, travel during the Puja days themselves; if you want quieter roads and better hotel rates, leave four or five days after Dashami. Festival dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and are confirmed only a few months ahead.
Bengali food in Bhutan, pacing and practical tips
Food
- Rice with every meal: Bhutanese red rice, dal and vegetables come with lunch and dinner, so a bhaat-dal meal is never far away. Certified hotels also cook an Indian buffet for Indian guests.
- Fish is the gap. River fish is rarely on menus inside Bhutan, and hotels mostly serve chicken and pork dishes. Jaigaon and Phuentsholing have Bengali-run eateries where maach-bhaat is easy, so enjoy it there; further in, ask the hotel in advance.
- Datshi dishes: ema datshi (chillies in cheese) is very hot; kewa datshi, with potato, is the gentle one most Bengali families end up loving.
- Tea and sweets: try sweet milk tea (ngaja) and butter tea (suja). Bhutan has little in the way of mishti, so carry a box from Kolkata or buy some in Jaigaon.
- Vegetarian and Jain: vegetarian food is easy; Jain meals are possible in Thimphu and Paro with notice and confirmed in writing, and choice is narrow in Punakha and Phobjikha.
Pacing and altitude
- Kolkata is at sea level; Thimphu is about 2,300 m, Dochula about 3,100 m, and Chele La close to 3,990 m. Spend the first day gently and keep Tiger's Nest, which reaches about 3,100 m, for the end.
- The Phuentsholing–Thimphu road winds for five hours. Take motion-sickness medicine before starting, sit in front if possible, and stop every hour.
- For elders, the pony to the Tiger's Nest cafeteria or a view from the base are both fine choices; we plan the day around what each person can do.
Money and packing
- The ngultrum equals the rupee, and rupee notes are widely used; carry ₹100, ₹200 and ₹500 notes, and keep cash for the valleys, where cards are rarely accepted.
- Full sleeves and long trousers or skirts for dzongs; no caps inside.
- From November to February, bring thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a woollen cap; nights in Paro and Phobjikha drop below freezing.
- Indian mobile roaming works only in some places; a local B-Mobile or TashiCell SIM is easy to buy with your ID.
Why Kolkata travellers book Bhutan with Vibrant Holidays
- Honest about where we are: our team of about 18 works from Ahmedabad, at the C G Road office, Monday to Saturday. Kolkata clients plan on WhatsApp or phone and receive the itinerary, permits, vouchers and invoice as PDFs.
- Air or rail, compared fairly: we price the Paro flight against the Kanchankanya and road route and say which suits your family.
- One complete quote: SDF, guide, certified hotels and vehicles on separate lines.
- Food requests in writing to every hotel, with a frank note on fish and Jain options.
- 11 years in travel, 24x7 support with a Bhutan partner who handles permits. IATA-accredited; member of TAAI, TAFI, ADTOI and IATO; recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
See all Bhutan packages with live prices, plan the hills with our Sikkim and Darjeeling trips from Kolkata, compare Thailand from Kolkata, or browse every tour package from Kolkata.
Plan your Bhutan trip from Kolkata
Tell us your dates, budget and who is travelling. We reply with a day-wise plan and a clear price, usually the same day.
Get a Free Quote WhatsApp 9089090790Bhutan tour from Kolkata: FAQs
How much does a Bhutan tour package from Kolkata cost?
Our Bhutan packages currently start at ₹24,000 per person for 3 nights. Most of our Bhutan packages fall between ₹37,100 and ₹51,499 per person. The final cost depends on the travel month, hotel category, number of travellers and whether flights from Kolkata are added. Open any package below to see exactly what is included, or ask us for a quote with flights.
Are there direct flights from Kolkata to Bhutan?
Yes. As of November 2026 Bhutan Airlines and Drukair both fly non-stop from Kolkata to Paro, about 75 to 90 minutes in the air. Bhutan Airlines flies most days, leaving CCU around 8:25 am; Drukair flies a few days a week around midday. Together that is roughly eight to ten flights a week.
What does a Kolkata to Paro flight cost?
As of November 2026, a return economy ticket usually costs about ₹36,000 to 50,000 per person, because only two airlines fly the route and seats are limited. Festival weeks cost more. Flying to Bagdogra and driving to Phuentsholing is much cheaper, with returns typically ₹7,000 to 14,000, but it adds most of a day each way.
Which train goes from Kolkata to the Bhutan border?
The Kanchankanya Express runs daily from Sealdah at about 8:30 pm and reaches Hasimara around 11 am. Hasimara is about 18 km, or 30 to 40 minutes, from Jaigaon and the Phuentsholing gate. Overnight trains to New Jalpaiguri, such as the Darjeeling Mail, also work but leave a four-hour drive.
Can we enter Bhutan with a Voter ID from Kolkata?
Yes. Indian adults can use an original Voter ID card or a passport with at least six months' validity, plus recent passport photographs. Children under 18 without a passport need their original birth certificate. Aadhaar cards are not accepted. Keep all originals in hand luggage for the Phuentsholing or Paro check.
How much is the Bhutan SDF for Indians in 2026?
As of November 2026 it is ₹1,200 (Nu. 1,200) per person per night for Indian nationals. Children aged 6 up to 12 pay half, and children under 6 pay nothing. A couple on five nights pays ₹12,000. Our quotes show the SDF as a separate line, so you can see it is not a markup.
Can we drive our own car from Kolkata into Bhutan?
You can drive to Jaigaon, about 700 to 730 km and 15 to 18 hours, best split over two days. An Indian car needs its own vehicle permit to go further, and a licensed guide must travel with you, so most families find it simpler to take the train and let us arrange vehicles on both sides.
Is Bhutan good during the Durga Puja holidays?
Yes. October is one of the clearest months, and in 2027 Thimphu Tshechu is tentatively 10 to 12 October, the same days as Dashami. That makes Thimphu hotels and the Kolkata–Paro flights scarce, so book by June, or leave a few days after Dashami for quieter roads and better rates.
Is winter a good time to visit Bhutan from Kolkata?
For many travellers it is the best. December to February brings cold nights but very clear skies, possible snow on Dochula, black-necked cranes in Phobjikha and lower hotel rates outside Christmas. Punakha, lower and warmer, is pleasant. Pack proper woollens, and we book hotels with good heating.
Will we get fish and Bengali food in Bhutan?
Rice, dal and vegetables are served with every meal, but fish is rare inside Bhutan. Jaigaon and Phuentsholing have Bengali-run eateries with maach-bhaat, and hotels in Thimphu and Paro cook Indian food on request. Try kewa datshi, potato in cheese, which is mild, and carry mishti from home.
Can we combine Bhutan with Jaldapara or Darjeeling?
Yes. Jaldapara National Park is next to Hasimara, so a night there with a jeep safari fits naturally before crossing at Phuentsholing; it is closed in the monsoon. Darjeeling or Gangtok can be added through NJP for a nine- or ten-night trip. Carry your passport or Voter ID for the Bhutan part.
How do we book if you have no Kolkata office?
Our Ahmedabad team plans with you on WhatsApp or phone. You receive a day-wise plan with hotel names and a complete quote including SDF and guide, pay online, and get your permit, vouchers and invoice as PDFs. During the trip your Bhutanese guide and our 24x7 WhatsApp line handle any change.
