Thailand to Paro

Being a largest island of Thailand, Phuket is almost 48 km in length and around 21 km wide in size. This island is located in the Southern Thailand, on the west-facing Andaman Sea shoreline. The city nestles in mild Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coastline which is almost 862 kilometres far from the south of Bangkok. Phuket enjoys a rich and colourful vibrant history that lures a large number of tourist all across the world. This island generally experiences a hot and humid climate throughout the year. Its hot season is usually considered to be started from the month of March to early May. Phuket is considered as a main melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and sea gypsies as well. Here, you will find majority of Muslims in the rural areas. If you are coming by plane then Phuket International Airport is located in the north of the island. It is Thailand's second largest hub as well. There are number of frequent flights to and from Bangkok as well as some of the direct flights towards many other major airports in the region which include Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and some of the direct charters to Europe and Australia as well. It is large island and one can easily find some form of transport to get around conveniently. Here, public transport is limited and you can take taxi and tuk-tuks to reach one place to another. There are some of the major tourist destinations which include AC's Phuket Fishing Park, Chalong Temple, Crocodile Farm, Phuket Aquarium, Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World, Phuket FantaSea, Prom Thep Cape, Waterfalls and many others that attract large number of travellers from one place to another. One can do lots of interesting things here in Phuket like swimming, snorkelling, diving, yachting, jet-skiing and parasailing which are the most popular activities on the island. Some of the other common activities are Freediving, windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and deep sea fishing. There are few popular kite surfing locations such as Nai Yang in summer and Chalong Bay in winter season. Sea Canoeing is a famous and the most popular activity in the Phang Nga Bay. MakeMyTrip.com is a famous online travel portal where you can do online air ticket booking. Get number of profitable deals online and save as much time as you can.

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.