After 4 hours and 20 minutes, we finally arrived in Bhutan. The first thing I did before stepping into this mysterious country was to experience the thrilling landing at Paro Airport.
Why do we want to visit Bhutan?
We spent only six days and four nights in Bhutan. Although it was a short trip, everything we encountered differed from what we had back home, from the culture, beliefs, lifestyle, buildings, and even the airport, Paro Airport.
We had been told about this country twenty years ago when one of our friends took a trip to this mysterious country. That was when the country opened its door to international tourists. So, finally, we are now at the Paro Airport, Bhutan.
The description from our friends about Bhutan was beyond words. From food to the Dzongs, from the snow-capped mountains to the archhitereral design of the buildings, it is something we had been told, but eager to be present, absorbing the vibes and immersing in the magnificent scenery.
Today, we are at the KLIA2 International Airport, waiting to board Bhutan Air, one of the only two airlines allowed to touchdown at the Paro International Airport.
Our flight is a charted flight direct to the Paro International Airport. We have read and heard that this is one of the most dangerous airports to take off and land in the world. After securing a window seat, we were all waiting to capture the stunning view of Paro Valley and the Himalayan Mountains.
Landing at Paro Airport – why is it so dangerous
Paro International Airport started operating in 1983. Before that, international tourists had to arrive in Bhutan by land from India or through the Himalayas.
There are five smaller airports in Bhutan, but these are only for domestic use. They are Bathpalathang, Gelephu, Yongphulla, Bumthang, and Mongar Airport.
Bhutan’s Paro International Airport is considered one of the world’s most dangerous airports. (The other one is Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Nepal). The airport is 7300 ft (2230 m) above sea level. Although it is not the highest in the world (the highest is Daocheng Yading Airport, in Sichuan, China., 14472 ft), it is still challenging due to the strong winds causing an unstabilized approach.
We were told that less than twenty experienced captains could land and take off at this airport. The pilot has to approach the runway manually, and must be done during daylight hours. The plane will fly between peaks as high as 18000 feet, then arrive at a windy, deep valley. The landing strip is only in view when the aircraft is 200 meters away after a sharp 45 degrees turn.
Paro Airport in Bhutan has only a single runway. It is 6500ft (1.99m) long and 98 feet wide. Therefore, the pilot must fly manually at specific altitudes and observe distinctive visual landmarks while approaching, with good daylight during the day.
Pilots allowed to fly to Paro International Airport must have at least 1500 hours of total flight time, with at least 500 hours of flying experience in the mountains. Besides that, they need to complete special training, including simulator training and practical training at Paro Airport.
Booking.comDon’t miss the video shot at Paro Airport. It is at the end of this article. 👇👇
Our first impression of Bhutan at the Paro Airport
We were stunned by Paro Airport’s architecture and intricate traditional Bhutanese design. It does not look like an airport building. Instead, it is a masterpiece of architecture, and we nearly mistakenly thought it was one of our itinerary’s historical sites.
The terminal building is a unique blend of traditional Bhutanese architecture with modern facilities and technology.
The roof of the terminal building is topped with a golden spire that gives it a regal appearance, while wooden carvings and sculptures are on the walls.
The terminal’s interior is equally spectacular, with intricate wooden carvings, brightly colored frescoes, and traditional paintings adorning the walls.
How to fly to Paro Bhutan
Only two airlines can fly to Paro Airport: Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines. This is due to the unique geographic position and the relative lack of tourists visiting Bhutan.
The A3219-100 and A320neo are the two aircraft that travel to Paro. Our aircraft is an Airbus 319. These types can safely land and take off on Paro Airport’s small runway.
There are few international flights to Paro. Drukair operates flights to Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangkok. We are taking a chartered flight as there isn’t a regular flight from Kuala Lumpur.
Get the best seat to capture the stunning view
The view when our pilot navigates through the mountain ranges and the long and narrow valley is jaw-dropping.
We asked for the window seat as this position has the best view of the Himalayan mountains and the Paro Valley during landing. It also provides the best view while approaching after the sharp turn to reveal the runway right before landing.
Watch our video shot during the landing and at Paro Airport. 👇👇
If you have read this blog post this far, don’t miss out on the video shot during the landing and at the Paro Airport. Click the image below to watch on YouTube (shot in high definition!).
Check out other articles related to Bhutan on this blog
- Buddha Point in Bhutan– One of the largest Buddha statues in the world
- Dochula Pass– The highest mountain pass in Bhutan with a spectacular view
- The complete guide to hiking to the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan