Mumbai to Paro

The commercial and entertainment capital of India, Mumbai, a cosmopolitan metropolis, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital city of Maharashtra. It is one of the most populated city in India and the fourth most populous city in the world. It lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. Seven islands constitute Mumbai and were home to communities of fishing colonies. The city is symbolized with the presence of Bollywood, the centre of Film and TV Industries which has its viewers all around the globe. It is also a place for India's largest slum population. The city has been considered as a true culture melting pot because of the immigrants from the rest of the India. The city is quite liberal in comparison with the rest of the country. It is the financial and commercial capital of the country and serves as an economic hub of India. Most of the large businesses have corporate offices in this city. Public transport in Mumbai includes suburban railways, BEST buses, yellow-black taxis, auto rickshaws and ferries. There are a lot of places to visit in Mumbai such as the famous Marine Drive and the area is a home to many big organisations. The famous Taj Mahal hotel is located opposite to the Gateway of India. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya formerly known as Prince of Wales Museum and National Gallery of Modern Art are some of the most famous museums and art galleries in India located in this cosmopolitan city. Girgaon Chowpathy in South Mumbai, Juhu beach in western suburbs, and Aksa beach in Malad are some of the most popular beaches in the world and people from different parts come to visit and enjoy in this place. Mumbai is a place for shoppers because of its wide street markets, the hustle of vendors and the madness of crowds. Chor Bazar, Fashion Street, Colaba Causeway, Zaveri Bazar are some of the very popular markets among shoppers. Haji Ali Dargah, Siddhivinayak temple, ISKCON temple are some of the religious places that are visited. The dining experience is more or less the same as anywhere else in the world. Since Mumbai is the most liberal city in the entire India, you will find pubs and restaurants at every corner of the city. You can easily visit this place by booking tickets of flight or of train through MakeMyTrip.com. The website offers you a host of facilities such as hotel deals, flight deals and holiday packages. The website also offers you the best of hotels to make your travel trouble-free.

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.