View from the Sky For Every Travellers Flying into Bhutan
Despite Boeing ranking Paro airport as 'one of the world's most difficult for takeoffs and landings, the views over the clear blue waters over the Paro river and the lush green foliage of the Himalayas are breathtaking. Every time the flight makes its landing, tourists applaud the pilot for the safe landing.
Unlike anywhere in the world, Bhutan is home to only one international airport located in Paro district. It was only in the year 2011 that Bhutanese aviation started to fly within Bhutan at three domestic airports. To the south is the Gelephu Domestic Airport, Batbalathang Airport in central Bumthang and the far east is the Yonphula Domestic Airport.
Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, and Bhutan Airlines both provide international flights from more than 9 countries into Bhutan’s international airport located in Paro about one and a half-hour drive from Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Passengers flying into this remote region may have to brace themselves for the adrenaline rush and calm their nerves. The tiny airport nestled among the steep mountains of the Himalayas is said to be the most dangerous in the world. Paro International Airport in Bhutan is 1.5 miles above sea level and surrounded by sharp peaks of up to 18,000ft tall.
So treacherous is the landing that only twenty-four pilots in the world are qualified to land there. The runway is just 6,500 feet long - one of the few in the world shorter than their elevation above sea level. Planes have to weave through the dozens of houses that are scattered across the mountainside coming within feet from the roofs.
Despite Boeing ranking Paro airport as 'one of the world's most difficult for takeoffs and landings, the views over the clear blue waters over the Paro river and the lush green foliage of the Himalayas are breathtaking. Every time the flight makes its landing, tourists applaud the pilot for a safe landing.
The flight to and from Paro International Airport offers one of the rare opportunities to see the spectacular view of some of the tallest mountain peaks in the world. The skies are clear normally from mid-September to early June allowing us to witness the magnificent towering peaks of the Himalayan range. The aircraft cruises at the altitude of 26,000 ft. 39,000 ft which allow us to take in the breathtaking vistas of the Tibetan plateau- the roof of the world.
A few minutes after the take-off from the Paro airport you will be able to see Mount Jomolhari (7,326m), the second-highest mountain in Bhutan. As the aircraft enters the Indian airspace over the neighbouring state of Sikkim in India, the majestic Mt. Kangchenjunga (8,586m) appears insight.
En route to Kathmandu, Nepal, you will see a cluster of mountains from the right side of the aircraft. The pyramid shape peak in the middle is Mount Everest (8,848m), the tallest mountain on the planet. The peaks in the front of Everest are Lhotse (8516 m), the fourth tallest mountain in the world and Nuptse (7,861). The distinctive peak on the right is Mt Makalu (8,475 m), the fifth highest mountain in the world.
The view from the skyline both while flying into Bhutan and returning to your native land will leave you sky struck and fascinated with the stunning views of peaks of the mountains amid dancing clouds.
The Flight Simulator 2020 will give you a glimpse of the adrenaline pumping landing at Paro International Airport! However, nothing beats the thrill of experiencing it in person.
Travel to Bhutan with one of the leading tour company Druk Asia.
