Bhutan Opens Direct Flights from Israel for Himalayan Tours
Bhutan's national airline, Druk Air, is launching the first-ever direct flights from Israel to the remote Himalayan kingdom in a seasonal partnership, offering exclusive eight-day organized tours.
For the first time, the remote and mysterious destination in the heart of the Himalayas has opened its doors to travelers from Israel without the need for tiring connecting flights. Druk Air, the national airline of Bhutan, in partnership with the travel company Caminos, will operate a seasonal series of five direct flights from Israel during February and March.
Flight Details and Exclusive Tours
The flights will be operated using an Airbus A320 aircraft featuring around 110 seats with both economy and business classes, cutting the travel time to approximately 7 hours of flight. The organized tours offered around these flights will last eight days in small groups of up to 16 travelers, including accommodation in five-star hotels or the best available in each region on a full-board basis.
The price of the trip stands at $5,395 per person in a double room, a price that already includes the visa and the country's well-known Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per night.
Beyond the flight itself, passengers will experience one of the most spectacular and challenging landings in commercial aviation. The approach to Paro Airport, located in a narrow valley at an altitude of 2,200 meters and performed visually between Himalayan peaks, is permitted to only a limited number of certified pilots.
Tourism Policy and Unique Culture
Bhutan, known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a small and peaceful mountain kingdom nestled between India and China, maintaining a strict tourism policy of High Value, Low Volume designed to preserve its character and natural treasures.
The country, which opened its doors to international tourism only in 1974 and has a population of about 800,000, offers visitors a rare combination of dramatic landscapes, ancient fortresses, Buddhist monasteries hanging on cliffs, and a rich traditional culture untouched by modernization. From the landing in Paro to the journey to the capital Thimphu, the route weaves through green valleys, picturesque villages, and an exceptional spiritual atmosphere that makes the journey a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
