Best way to go to Bhutan from India for a budget traveler

Hi,
What is the best way to go to Bhutan from India for a budget traveler ? I couldn't find any thread for this.
The time of visit is tentatively in April 2009.

Thanks.

Though i have not visited Bhutan, but when we were in Nepal, we could see lots of tour agencies organising tours for Bhutan. So i believe the best way is to go to Nepal(Kathmandu/Pokhara) and onwards to Bhutan

cheers

Thanks Arif for your info.

Oh I just found out some valuable points.
1) Bhutan govt's rule that a person needs to take the air route for at least one way (either coming or going). There are flights from Delhi and Kolkata to Paro(Bhutan).
2) And also that one can not travel on his own to this country. He has to book with one of the licensed travel agencies.
3) Indians don't need a visa.
4) Indian currency is accepted.

Aah ! I need some more insights now. Has anyone done the trip from India ?

Hi
Yes its best way to bhutan is via Nepal , Nepal to Thimpu

thanks
rabin

Quoting Kuku

Thanks Arif for your info.

Oh I just found out some valuable points.
1) Bhutan govt's rule that a person needs to take the air route for at least one way (either coming or going). There are flights from Delhi and Kolkata to Paro(Bhutan).
2) And also that one can not travel on his own to this country. He has to book with one of the licensed travel agencies.
3) Indians don't need a visa.
4) Indian currency is accepted.

Aah ! I need some more insights now. Has anyone done the trip from India ?

hey, r u sure about point no 3 that we dont require a visa for visiting Bhutan?

hey, r u sure about point no 3 that we dont require a visa for visiting Bhutan?

Yes, I am sure of this.
Indian nationals do not require a visa for Bhutan. However, one needs to carry either a passport or voters ID so that a permit can be issued at the entry point.

Now, the question is of budget traveling. If it has to be air travel for at least one side and engaging travel agents, I can not call it budget traveling.

Quoting Kuku

Now, the question is of budget traveling. If it has to be air travel for at least one side and engaging travel agents, I can not call it budget traveling.

Thanks for the confirmation !!!

I just found out that the rates of travel agents in Bhutan are ridiculously high as they have to follow the government prescribed rates. U will be surprised to know that the current rate is $200 per person per night which includes stay and transportation for local tours. Thus if a couple stays for 5 days it turns out to be $2000 which means around 1,00,000 which is too costly.

That makes Bhutan out of bounds, at least for me

Thus if a couple stays for 5 days it turns out to be $2000 which means around 1,00,000 which is too costly.

Yes, it's so near and yet so far.

And don't forget the amount you have mentioned does not include air fare and other expenses.

yeah exactly

maybe we can expect the rates to come down to reasonable levels in a couple of years time