Authentic Bhutan Road Trip with Mahindra Adventure

Heard from a friend about his experience with Mahindra Adventure’s Monastery escape road trip and wanted to try it. By the time, could decide and find a perfect partner, the trip was sold out. Going through their website, saw that they were doing the Bhutan expedition for the first time. A 10 minute research on Google and i was convinced that we should do this road trip to which my partner Shekar readily agreed and alas, the booking was done instantly online. I am glad i did this trip and that too with a set of people who seemed quite in sync with us. Eventually all experiences are about two things- memories you create and the people you befriend and this trip was richly rewarding on both counts. The thought of driving through the mountains was exhilarating and with the rich blue skies and zero carbon air of Bhutan as an accompaniment, there was no doubt that the experience would be rewarding. In the meantime an Facebook group and Whatsapp group was formed and we got an fair idea with whom we will be spending the week with.

Came the time and we were on our way on the Dubai – Delhi – Bagdogra flight. At the Bagdogra airport , we were welcomed by the chief himself Mr Bijoy and Venky. We were given the keys to a Mahindra Scorpio and were asked to go to the Sinclairs retreat at Chalsa. Luckily for us Abhay took the initiative (Abhay and Pallavi, a young couple from Mumbai were on the same flight) to drive the vehicle to the resort.

On arrival, we got the registration done and went through the procedures of mandatory medical test by Doc, signing the medical forms and indemnity bond and were handed over the keys to our cottage. The one thing that shocked me was at 5.30 pm when i came out of the room it was pitch dark. That evening , we all met together for an introduction and briefing party which started with a high note and i was sure the rest of the week would be fantastic.

We started off at Chalsa, a small hillside tea plantation town in West Bengal, close to the Bhutan border, with a lovely bunch of people from all over India in the convoy and the expert XSO team and the Mahindra adventure team to guide us. The morning started with a early game drive which was beautiful. But the only game we saw was a wild tusker crossing the road and a few peacocks.

But the morning was well spent getting to know people with similar interests. The rest of the day was spent gulping a few beers with a group of techies from Bangalore. In the evening vehicles were picked by lots and we were then known as adventure 10 from now onwards. Then came the flag off ceremony and we had a small drive through Chalsa town to get a feeling of driving in a convoy in the order of the convoy number.

The night started with a lengthy briefing, explaining the use of radios and do’s and don’ts. We had to sleep early as our expedition would start early for the border crossing into Bhutan.

Morning, after a quick breakfast the convoy rolled and we reached Phuentsoholing, the first town across the Bhutan Border. The border is just a gate and nothing else through which vehicles pass without getting stopped.

We had to stop at the immigration office for the visas and clearances. The long vigil at the immigration was painfully 4 hours long. Many people visited the chic cafes around the immigration office, while others were busy buying Bhutanese sim cards, exchanging currency and some already hunting for the famous K 5 whisky. However once done, the convoy rolled on smoothly into the pristine beauty of Bhutan.

Instruction on the radios, intra-convoy movement to get in order assigned, music in the car and unadulterated air were going to be our companions for the next 5 days. That evening, learnt a new word for natures call- Bio break.

The drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan was 6 hours long which included one stop for licence verification. It was already dark and nice and cozy inside the car. What a welcome!!! The car door opened and we were hit by the cold wave. The temperature was 4 degrees. Sweaters, jackets and caps had to be immediately pulled out. It felt wonderful standing by the hot open fire which took me revisiting the old world charm of warming up by the fire.

The dinner in the hotel, Tara Phendeyling , marked our first brush with Bhutanese cuisine – not at all a bad experience. The cold weather made us request the hotel management to open the bar which closes at 10pm. Timphu as the capital city, boasts of some very good cafes, surreal vistas all over and a post office where you can get stamps printed with your own snap. Members of 3 cars, we the Dubai boys, the IT geeks of Bangalore and the Parsi Bavas from Mumbai got into one car and set of for sightseeing.

We visited the gold plated sitting Budha on the mountain top, drove through the city and landed up at the handicrafts market. we bought some soveniors from an indian educated lady who gave us a good deal. That half day city tour shattered our beliefs about Bhutan Being spotlessly clean, but must say much cleaner than the cities of India.

That afternoon drive, the route from Thimphu to Punakha had one of the highlights of the trip – The Dochula pass. The beautiful weather, great views of the Himalayan range, the cafe with great views , we ended up taking a group photo of the entire convoy.

The remainder of the unplanned night drive to Punakha was filled with banter on the radio, divided opinions about Bio breaks, music in the cars and not to forget the crisp chill air.

Once at the hotel, we were all excited as it was a party with traditional attire. People, from all over India, came out in their traditional attire of their respective states. The party started with a cultural program by local Bhutanese youngsters around a camp fire, which kept us warm.

The drinking and dancing with pure Bhutanese starters (never eaten before) took us deep into the night with one of our participant taking over the DJ’s booth belting one song after the other. However, little did we know that evening would be hit with the news that Indian Government would ban Rs 500 and 1000 notes, a move then that dominated the conversation. Fuel then became the most important commodity and gas stations the prized destinations as most of us were carrying currency of Rs 500 and 1000. Un-necessarily added excitement i must say.

The following morning, the trip to the Punakha Dzong with the usual Bachellors gang was fun. Quite a few people came to visit the strikingly beautiful Dzong. There were no annoying guides, no serpentine queues and an ambience which was very peaceful. The entrance wooden bridge to the dzong was quite interesting to me, being a civil engineer.

Since we had ample time, the convoy decided to visit the temple of Fertility. The drive took us off road through a simple Bhutanese village. The most interesting thing was we could see a dick and a pair of balls drawn on the walls everywhere. When we reached the base of the temple, which is on a small hillock, to our surprise we found shops selling models of penis’s ranging from 6 inches to 15 inches. The visit concluded with a tour of the temple and we were back in the hotel for lunch..

The convoy rolled on to our final destination with the knowledge of Donald trump having won the U S Presidential elections. We reached Le Meridian at Paro, which was easily the best hotel of the trip. We wrapped up that night too with a party and good food. With Jose and Roshini in lead, we went hunting for the only Disco in Paro which is open only once a week. It was fun shaking shoulders with the Bhutanese youngsters. We also got to celebrate Kanishk’s Birthday at the disc and he was sent with a bathrobe as a gift.

Morning, most of the people had gone trekking to the Tigers nest, the # 1 picture postcard of Bhutan. Me, with my knee injuries, didn’t attempt that trek. instead, we drove to the base of the Tigers nest mountain and took some pics with the tigers nest as the background.

I wish i could have done that trek. At the base is a beautiful market selling artefacts and souvenirs. Alas, they were accepting the Rs 500 and 1000 notes. Got a chance to dump all the notes there as it was no use taking them back to Dubai. Bought some really nice pieces of art there, especially the ones carved out of Yak bone.

The ride to and from the Tigers nest parking was very picturesque too. The afternoon was well spent at a local Bhutanese restaurant sampling momos of different type with local Bhutanese cuisine and local beer. The owner of the restaurant well versed in Hindi and travelled lot in India gave us a good insight about Bhutan, their king and the politics and policies. After lunch he suggested a massage at the riverside which was very refreshing and rejuvenating. Back in the hotel we freshened up for yet another party that night.

Yes, we had done with the Bhutan trip. We had to drive back the long way to Chalsa. But couldn’t resist going to the river side that ran beside the Le Meridian. It was so peaceful and so beautiful there. The sound of the crystal clear gushing water, the occasional plane landings gliding in the valleys to reach the runway, the view of the mountains, i wish i had another day to spend by the river side, that too relaxing with a chilled beer for company, it was simply awesome. But the clock reminded me that there was no time for that and that i had to reach the car with luggage in the next 10 minutes. The crackling on the radios began which means we were on our way back. The journey through the mountains was beautiful. We drove with the windows down to breathe fresh air as much as possible. We hit rough weather for some time. It was wonderful driving in the rain in the mist laden mountains and was a bonus scene received free of cost.

But it is not Bhutan specific and that experience of driving in the rain and mist you can get anywhere in India. The stop at the army canteen for lunch was very picturesque. All the cameras were out creating memories for the participants. We had all bonded into one large family in a few days. The trip ended with yet another party which lasted and lasted and lasted. Also it was my partner Shekar’s Birthday. So we had him cut the cake and wished him well.

With a heavy heart the good byes were done and a happy few youngsters were singing their throats out at 2 am on the front porch of the hotel. Beautiful finishing touches to a brilliant journey. The Mahindra guys were courteous enough to let us drive the vehicles up to Bagdogra airport. We stopped at the coronation bridge which has a fantastic view with its turquoise waters.

We began back the long journey with the Bagdogra – Delhi – Dubai flight.

A few memories from this event will stand out forever. The Dynamic Duo of Raj and Veissali, The ever accommodating Bijoy and Venky, my first friends on the expedition Abhay and Pallavi, The lovely Shetty gang from Bombay, The Parsi duo of Sheriar and Mehmosh, The 3 IT Geeks Manju, Pavan and Vijay and their endless stories, The goan mafia of Jose (pronounces like mexican Hozei), Roshini his pretty wife, The camera crazy Chris and Shalita, The girl gang Sangeetha and Shiana, The ever energetic Jayita and Amrita, Ajay and Dhanya, The 2 adventurous Doctor couples, inspiration to the young Charu, the dancing Doctor, The good guides Vikram, Kanishk and team, and many more.