Why is Nepal the best gateway to Bhutan?

Bhutan, a landlocked country between India and China in the Eastern Himalayas, is famous for being one of the happiest places in the world.

Along with its vibrant energy of happiness, the “Land of Thunder Dragon” is also famous for its enchanting and peaceful nature.

Learning about such a nation, everyone would want to take a look for themselves.

When talking about traveling to Bhutan, Nepal is the best gateway to Bhutan among travelers because it is easily accessible, cheaper, and has closer geographical locations.

Here are some points to elaborate further on why you should take a trip to Nepal before visiting Bhutan.

Direct Flight and Close Proximity 

Both nations are geographically close to each other, making it easier for multi-destination travel.

Starting the journey from Nepal gives explorers the option to travel by air or by road; nonetheless, both methods offer unique perspectives.

The closer proximity has allowed direct flights from Kathmandu to Paro (about 404 km), which is about an hour long and offers scenic views of the Himalayan mountain range and the lush valleys in Bhutan. 

The flight to Paro only costs around $200 to $250, which is much cheaper compared to other countries. Moreover, Kathmandu is the only place that has regular flights to Bhutan with no need for connecting flights. 

These points are some of the reasons why Nepal is the best gateway to Bhutan. 

Affordable 

The facilities Nepal provides are much cheaper compared to other countries. The hotel fees, food prices, document processing, and transportation expenses like taxis, flights, and buses are relatively cheap.

Not only are these facilities cheaper, but they also provide a quality service that is equivalent to starred hotels at low costs, making your experience better. Similarly, while hiking or trekking, you are able to hire a guide at a normal price of $20-$40. 

Another factor that is inexpensive is the packages available here. A combined package for a trip around Nepal or Bhutan or both costs around $1500-$4000. Hence, it is affordable for those who are planning a normal budget trip.

In case you are looking to participate in cultural immersion classes like thanka painting, wood crafting, archery, and more, they only cost around $20-$30 per class. Lastly, Nepali souvenirs, like handmade crafts and pottery, are also of low cost.

Similar Climate and Landscape 

Located in the Eastern Himalayas, both countries share the same climate conditions and similar landscapes.

If a traveler is looking to have an adventure around both countries, then the spring and autumn seasons, which are also known as peak times, are the perfect time to visit. 

The average spring temperatures in Nepal and Bhutan are 19.5°C and 20°C, respectively, whereas during the autumn season, they are 18°C and 19°C.

These weather conditions allow for unforgettable scenery, wildlife viewing, and adventure activities like hiking, mountain climbing, biking, etc.

Furthermore, the identical landscape makes it easier for visitors to get used to the mountainous terrain and rugged paths. To summarize, the environment in Nepal prepares adventurers for their trip to Bhutan.

Easier Visa Processing

Since Bhutan doesn’t allow travelers to book their visas themselves, they will have to seek the help of travel agencies.

This is where the Nepal tour agencies come in and help those adventurers with their paperwork.

Once you negotiate with a travel agency, they will take care of your paperwork and visa process with the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Kathmandu. 

Since all your documents will be handled by the travel agency, you will be free to tour around Kathmandu and participate in various other activities like hiking, trekking, cycling, and more.

If you are from India, Bangladesh, or the Maldives, you won’t need to book any visas or tour packages at all.

However, other nationalities must consult with their tour operator for such requirements. 

All you will need is a passport-sized photo, a scanned copy of your passport, and a travel itinerary, and you are set. The overall process will take about 5-7 business days and only $20-40, cheaper and faster than anywhere else.

For those who frequently travel, Nepal is the best gateway to Bhutan, considering the aspect of visa processing.

Accessibility

Accessing Nepal is much easier than accessing it in other countries. Direct flights or through roads from India and Pakistan, you are able to access Nepal by any means you want.

There are also packages for overland tours connecting India, Bhutan, and Nepal for those willing to travel to all three countries.

International travelers are also able to directly fly to Nepal from other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Istanbul, and more.

Furthermore, traveling to Nepal is not expensive either, and is economical.

There are also many short tour packages available for you to immerse yourself in the bustling cities of Nepal.

Festival Alignment

Both Nepal and Bhutan have a timeframe where visitors can enjoy the festival seasons of both countries, making it a paradise for culture lovers.

As an example, the early week of February allows travelers to celebrate Losar in Nepal and Punakha Tsechu and Drubchen in Bhutan.

Similarly, early March allows for Holi in Nepal and the celebration of the Punakha Drubchen and Tsechu Festival in Bhutan.

In the table below, we have presented more festivals within the same timeframe between Nepal and Bhutan that travelers can celebrate while visiting both countries.

Note: In the given table, when it’s in the timeframe, the festivals in Nepal come first before Bhutan’s.

Conclusion

Many travelers dream of traveling to the famous Land of the Dragon, Bhutan. Similarly, there are adventurers out there who want to face the challenges in Nepal.

This point answers why Nepal is the best gateway to Bhutan: It is affordable and close to Bhutan, and it provides an exotic experience due to its peaceful and bustling locations, along with its cultural and natural beauty.

If you are someone looking to travel to Bhutan, then Nepal is the place to pass through to enhance your travel experience.