Bhutan Calling! Bengaluru-Paro charter flights announced — Check tour highlights, departure dates

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli shared a picture on his Instagram with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma during their vacations to Bhutan recently. (ANI/File Photo)

As Indians look to travel to newer countries and destinations post pandemic, Bhutan has emerged strongly on the radar — displaying a growth in demand of 25 per cent compared to last year. To capitalise on this high potential, leading omnichannel travel services company Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company, SOTC Travel, have launched exclusive charter flights to Paro (Bhutan) from Bengaluru, starting April 2024.

The travel companies informed that although South India represents a key source market for them as it contributes over 45 per cent to their business to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, however, the lack of direct air connectivity from the southern region is a major challenge. This results in both an increase in cost (approximately 15 per cent), and inconvenience (multiple flights, changing airports/terminals, multiple check-ins and baggage drop/collection, etc). To bridge this gap they've launched the special charters to Bhutan from Bengaluru.

Bengaluru to Bhutan Tour: Details Highlights

· Charter departures: April and May 2024

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· Duration of tour: 8 days

· Destinations included: Thimpu, Punakha and Paro

Talking about the announcement of Bengaluru-Bhutan charter flights, Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “The launch of our exclusive charters from Bengaluru is a smart strategy to leverage the growing interest towards the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. South India has contributed the largest share to Bhutan and is a significant and growing market that we intend to tap via the launch of our charter departures. To inspire customers from this high growth market, we have designed a unique portfolio of products that offer the best of Bhutan. Bengaluru was chosen due to its central location and ease in connectivity across key source markets of South India.”

Seconding this, Daniel D’souza President & Country Head - Holidays, SOTC Travel Limited, added, “2024 marks the 75th anniversary of SOTC, and our announcement of charter departures to Bhutan is a first mover to capitalise on the uptick in demand. Our newly launched charter departures to Bhutan with Bengaluru as the gateway, offers our travellers from South India the benefits of ease and convenience with direct and exclusive flights to the destination."

Bengaluru to Bhutan Tour: Highlights

Those traveling on the charter flights will get to visit Bhutan’s most sought after monasteries - Taktsang Palphug, Rinpung Dzong, the ancient Punakha Dzong; explore the weekend market in Thimphu, learn archery, experience hot stone therapy at natural hot springs, and go sightseeing near Bhutan’s oldest walking suspension bridge - the Punakha Suspension Bridge.

The travel companies informed that the tour will also include local Bhutanese meals, lunch at a farmhouse, beer tasting with snacks at Paro, and a local Bhutanese guide throughout the tour.

It will also include white water rafting at Po Chu and Moochu confluence or kayaking at Wang Chhu; a trek to the Taktsang Palphug Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery); and bird watching to witness over 600 species of rare birds.

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