Bhutan to Kuwait

Paro was a historical province, often referred to as the last kingdom in the Himalayas among the nine historical provinces of Bhutan. The old province was similar to the present day town limits, occupying the western lands of Bhutan. The Paro Dzong houses the administrative headquarters of the Paro Province.

The present day Paro is a picturesque valley town in the heart of Bhutan, situated on the banks of the river Paro Chhu. It extends from the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu, up till Mt. Jomolhari near the Tibetan border in the north. The town is surrounded by precious mountain valley views of untouched natural habitat. The city town isn’t a very old one; the main strip was built in 1985. With the passing years, the painted wooden cafes, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in Paro have begun to come under the shadow of mass concretisation. However, the charm of the city is still intact. The town is flanked by the Paro Dzong on the north-west, while the popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest lies nearby. Incidentally, Paro is the only Bhutanese town to have an international airport.

How to reach Paro

By Air – The main airport in Paro is the Paro International Airport. National carriers and other airlines operate flights to Paro from New Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Bangkok, etc. If you’re flying from other countries, it is advisable to first take a flight to one of the abovementioned cities and then a connecting flight to Paro.

By Train – One can reach Paro by train from West Bengal, India. Trains run from Kolkata to Paro.

By Road – One can drive to Paro via the international borders from India, but an international driving permit costing INR 400 is required, along with all the relevant documents of the car and the driver’s license. A valid visa is required for everyone entering Bhutan. Paro is a 32-hour drive from India’s capital Delhi. Buses also ply from the border at Phuntsholing.

What to do in Paro

Paro is the poster child of Himalayan aesthetics, with mountains, cliff-clinging monasteries, and sturdy fortresses, and it is a beautiful amalgamation of traditional Bhutanese and modern cultural habits. The area itself houses many sacred and historical sites, left to explore either by foot or the easily available taxis in the main town area. Exploring Paro Valley is considered one of the most exhilarating experiences in Bhutan, what with its lush green surroundings and uphill hikes. Paro is the part of Bhutan that is tailor-made for the nature lover looking to explore and relax in peace and quiet.

However, the main bazaar, the hub of tourist attractions, is an image of chaos, concrete, and activity. The “golden triangle” of Bhutanese tourist destinations is formed by Paro, Jakar, and Punakha.

Be it hiking or drinking and making merry at a café, Paro has something for every kind of traveller, and here are the top things to explore in Paro:

Taktsang Palphug Monastery

Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest)

Chele La Pass

Rinpung Dzong

Paro Taktsang

Dzongdrakha Temple

Kyichu Lhakhang

Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge

National Museum

Drukgyel Dzong

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial House

Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang

Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangthopelri

Major Airports in and near Paro

One among the four airports in the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Paro International Airport is the sole international airport in the country. Situated at an elevation of 2,235 m, and surrounded by peaks at an elevation of 5,500 m, the Paro International Airport is one of the most challenging airports in the world to fly in and out of. The national carriers, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, fly daily to Paro. All international flights to Paro land here. One can get flights to Paro from cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Kathmandu, and Bangkok.

MakeMyTrip offers a wide range of flights to Paro. One can easily use the website to book a flight to Paro or from Paro, with the major airport being a hub for domestic and international airlines. MakeMyTrip flights to Paro can be availed at highly discounted rates during festivals and off seasons.

Kuwait, officially known as the State of Kuwait, is a country on the western front of Asia. The name itself is derived from the Arabic word “Kut,” which literally translates to fortification. Until the eighteenth century, it was not a permanent settlement but a mere home to nomads. The reason Kuwait came to be was the conditions of drought that pushed nomadic clans to settle along the coast of the Arabian Gulf. These tribes built forts to protect themselves from other nomads, and hence, the country’s name came into existence.

The affluent nature of the state is only a recent discovery, when in 1934, Kuwait oil reserves were discovered. These reserves are the sixth largest in the world. Apart from oil, the country’s currency itself, the Kuwaiti Dinar, is the most expensive currency in the world. The golden period of the country was from 1946 to 1982. 1961 was the year when the country gained its independence. It is the first gulf country to have an established constitution. When one visits Kuwait, they see a very different side of life from that in the other gulf countries; Kuwait is a progressive city, which has a lot to offer to the curious traveller. One of the most enticing things about Kuwait is the delicacy named “Machboos” – a rice-based dish garnished with spices and meat, made from the best quality basmati rice – and certainly a must-have on your list of things to try in Kuwait.

How to reach Kuwait

By Air – The main airport in Kuwait is the Kuwait International Airport. All major airlines operate flights to Kuwait from major international cities across the world. The following airlines operate direct flights to Kuwait: Air India, Kuwait Airlines, FlyDubai, Jet Airways, and Biman Bangladesh. Check out MakeMyTrip flights to Kuwait to find the best deals in international flights.

By Train – Kuwait does not have a railway network or connectivity to other Arab countries. However, there are plans for one to be established in the near future.

By Road – One can drive to Kuwait through the international borders from any of the nearby cities in the African continent. Highways connect Kuwait to Oman, Muscat, etc.

What to do in Kuwait

As compared to its gulf neighbours, Kuwait is a very progressive and liberal country. It promotes and supports civil liberties and freedom of press, and has a functioning constitution. The rich cultural and historical, as well as the commercial heritage of Kuwait make it a must-visit Gulf country.

The country also has a big population of falcons, which is its national bird. One can witness them throughout the country.

Summers in Kuwait last from May to October, and are hot; however, sometime in August, the humidity levels set in and rise to 90 per cent. From November until April, the weather here is pleasant and enjoyable. The days are warm and sunny, while the nights become cool, which also makes this period the best time to visit the country. However, December and January witness freezing temperatures. Here are some of the top places to visit in Kuwait:

                Kuwait Towers

                The Liberation Towers

                Dhow Harbour

                Doha Village in Kuwait

                Failaka Island

                Grand Mosque

                Green Island

                Kubbar Island

                National Museum

                Failaka Heritage Village

                Kuwait House of National Works Museum

                Tareq Rajab Museum

                Sadu House

                The Seif Palace

                The Scientific Center

                Souk Al-Mubarakiya

                The Avenues

                The 360 Mall

                Marina Mall

                Kuwait Zoo

                Al Kout Beach

                Magic Planet Kuwait

                KidZania

                Aqua Park

                Sadu House

                Salmiyah

                The Mirror House

                The Scientific Centre

                Tareq Rajab Museum

                Amricani Cultural Centre

Major Airports in and near Kuwait

Kuwait has three airports: the Kuwait International Airport, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base. Among these, the Kuwait International Airport is where all major airlines operate flights to Kuwait and from the city. It is located in Farwaniya, Kuwait, 15.5 kilometres away from the main city of Kuwait. It is a hub to airlines like Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, and Wataniya Airways, which operate daily flights to Kuwait.

MakeMyTrip offers a wide range of flights to Kuwait, over 140 flights to Kuwait on a daily basis from all over the world. From India, flights operate from cities including Udaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

One can easily use the MakeMyTrip website to book a flight to Kuwait or from Kuwait. MakeMyTrip flights to Kuwait can be availed at highly discounted rates during festivals and off seasons.