Destination
Samdrup Jongkhar
The border with Assam, and the road out of the east
- Oct–Mar
The valley
About Samdrup Jongkhar
Samdrup Jongkhar is in the far south-east, on the border with the Indian state of Assam. It is the lowland gateway to Trashigang, Mongar and the rest of eastern Bhutan.
For travellers its importance is practical. Crossing here saves the long drive back across the country: Guwahati, the nearest Indian airport, is about three hours away by road. In November 2024 India opened an immigration check post at Darranga, on its side of the border, so that visitors from other countries can enter and leave this way.
Our Bhutan from East to West journey can end here in place of the flight back to Paro. If you leave this way you need an Indian visa.
See and do
What to see
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The border town
A small lowland town at the gate between Bhutan and Assam.
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The road to Trashigang
A day's climb from the plains into the eastern hills.
Go there
Trips that visit Samdrup Jongkhar
Cultural tour
Bhutan from East to West
Trashigang and the east, Bumthang, Trongsa and 1 more
Seventeen days across the whole country, out to Trashigang and the weaving villages of the east and back to Paro.
Festivals
Festivals in Samdrup Jongkhar
Gomphu Kora
A night-long walk around a rock, in the far east
Chorten Kora
Two walks round the white stupa of Trashi Yangtse
Trashigang Tshechu
The festival the whole east comes to
Mongar Tshechu
The festival at the gateway to the east
Lhuentse Tshechu
Midwinter in the valley of the weavers
Pemagatshel Tshechu
A festival in a new dzong, in the land of the lotus
Questions
Good to know
How do I get to Bhutan?
By air to Paro, Bhutan’s international airport. Two airlines fly there, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, from cities including Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Singapore, Dhaka and Dubai. Most visitors connect through Bangkok, Delhi or Kathmandu.
You can also enter by road from India at Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar. Our page on getting to Bhutan has the details.
Where it is
Samdrup Jongkhar on the map of Bhutan
Next door: Pemagatshel Trashigang
Choose a district to read about it.