Do you want to have experienced one of the most picturesque countries along with a thrilling journey? Then, the most challenging Airport of Paro is waiting for your arrival in the land of Druk. Yes, we are talking about Bhutan, a biodiversity hotspot, where 70% of the land is covered under forest area and the only carbon-negative country in the world. This article will be a perfect guide for any Singaporean tourist planning a memorable trip to Bhutan.
Why Visit Bhutan?
If you want to introduce yourself to a magical land, choose Bhutan to be your next travel destination. The inviting locals mesmerized natural beauty, enormous landscapes, breathtaking scenery, ancient temples, thousands of glorious monasteries, and flapping prayer flags will make a place in your heart for years to come. For ages, Bhutanese people have been able to preserve their culture, tradition, heritage, and, most importantly, Buddhist religion. And you will be amazed by knowing that they give more importance to Gross National Happiness (GNH) than Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
How To Travel From Singapore To Bhutan?
The first option of traveling to Bhutan from Singapore is getting a direct flight from Druk Air Airlines. Singapore to Bhutan flights are operated only two days a week, i.e., every Thursday and Sunday, and It takes around 5 hrs 45 minutes. A Singaporean tourist should make 6 nights and 7 days plan for Bhutan to avoid the difficulty of direct transporting. The second option of arriving at Bhutan is going by air via Delhi or Bangkok. And the last option of traveling to Bhutan from Singapore is taking the roadway. For cheap tours, take a flight to Kolkata and then Bhutan.
For a Bhutan tour, a Singaporean requires Special Visa for Bhutan, which costs USD 40 along with a passport (minimum 6-month validity). Singaporeans have to book their trip to Bhutan through a registered Bhutanese tour operating company, making all the arrangements on behalf of their client. For trekking, you must take a special permit for the restricted areas from the RST department.
How Much Does It Cost A Singaporean Daily?
Bhutanese Government strictly follows “High value, low impact” tourism policy for avoiding mass tourism. So, the Bhutanese Government has applied a daily tariff for all tourist visitors (exceptions for India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives). The daily tariff charges depend on the season of your visit to Bhutan.
For the high season (March, April, May, September, October, and November), the minimum daily costing is USD 250 per person for a group of 3 persons. And for the low season (January, February, June, July, August, and December) daily tariff will be USD 200 per person for a group of 3 or more people. This daily package covers 3-star hotel accommodations, sustainable development fee (USD 65), internal taxes, three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), fluent English speaking licensed travel guide, entry fees of all sightseeing, all ground transportation cost, including a dedicated and experienced driver, set of rented traditional costumes, and necessary camping equipment.
Top Places To Visit In Paro For Singaporeans
For every Singaporean traveler, one of the must-visit towns is Paro, the true gem of Bhutan. From magnificent sights, historical fortresses, holy sights, scenic apple orchards, you will have no dearth of place in Paro! Find the must-visit places in Paro from the below-mentioned list and get to know about the interesting tales about the exquisite town of Paro.
- Chele La, the highest road pass in Bhutan for driving or hiking
- Age-old Zuri Dzong Fortress, for experiencing panoramic views of the Paro Valley
- Bird’s eye viewpoint at Paro Airport for stunning scenery
- Rinpung Dzong Monastery, a unique Bhutanese architecture
- Lhakhang Temple, a famous Buddhist temple
- Paro Taktsang, also called Tiger’s Nest, to enjoy the lush green view and magnificent mountain views
- Drukgyal Dzong Monastery, to witness great views Of The Chomolhari Mountains
- Conch shell shaled National Museum Of Bhutan, to find out country’s ancient glory and myths
- Teaching Lhakhang Monastery, a beautiful temple built in the 15th century
- Dasho Nishioka Chorten Museum, a tribute to the Japanese Agriculturist
- Dungtse Lhakhang, a majestic Buddhist architecture
- Tshongdoe Naktshang, a prominent historical site
- Decorative quaint farmhouses of Paro, traditional houses of farmers
- Paro Sunday Market for the shopaholics
- Ugyen Pelri Palace, an important representation of Bhutanese Handicrafts
- Kyichu Lakhang, a beautiful temple built in the 7th century
- Mini Taktsang, a quiet and peaceful site
Essential Facts To Know For Trip To Bhutan From Singapore
The following important Bhutan facts will help to have an eye-opening experience for all travelers from Singapore.
- US dollar is widely accepted in Bhutan. Most of the hotels and shops accept credit cards of Visa, American Express, and Master Card. Ask if there is any fee surcharge or not while paying through cards.
- You never feel hungry, as they offer quite a handful of palatable Bhutanese, Continental, and southeast Asian dishes. Don’t forget to taste “Ema Datshi,” the national dish of Bhutan with lots of cheese and chilies.
- Singaporeans can visit Bhutan all year around. But Spring and Autumn are more preferable times to experience the best.
- Please bring warm clothes, shoes, and necessary accessories to negotiate with the variable weather. While visiting religious sites, dress up with modesty.
- Avoid bringing tobacco products to Bhutan for avoiding heavy duty fees.
- You can expect modern communication facilities and may purchase a local SIM card from the post office.
- Bhutan has a reliable power system. Though, it’s suggested to carry a universal adaptor for unwanted circumstances.
- You will get ample opportunity of photography in outdoor sightseeing. However, indoor photography is prohibited in most religious places.
- Bhutan is extremely safe for travelers. Every foreigner is treated with high esteem. It’s advisable always to carry your cash and other valuables with you and don’t roam around unattended at night late.
Ending
We advise Singapore people to link their trip to Bhutan with one of the festival dates to visualize Bhutan’s spectacular celebration. And, If you miss out on visiting this holy kingdom once in your life, you can’t understand how beautiful and different the world could be! Book your trip to Bhutan to witnessing heaven on Earth!
