Samdrup Jongkhar Voyage Tips and guide

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It is often referred to as Phuentsholing's little sister because of the similarity in architectural style and because both towns are on the border with India. Samdrup Jongkhar has little of interest to tourists. Even the dzong is new and lacks the charm and artistic treasures of the traditional dzongs. However, the town is a very clean and pleasant place with an eclectic mixture of Bhutanese and Indian shops, restaurants and hotels, so it is worth a look around if visiting the area.

• Northern route. S/Jongkhar is a three day bus ride from Thimphu, and the nearest direct services terminate in Trashigang and Mongar, where travelers will need to spend the night before departing on a different bus the next morning (consider purchasing an onward ticket on arrival as buses on the final leg of the journey are often full). Prior to that, there is a one night stop in Bumthang, but it is the same bus that continues the next morning. The most comfortable buses are the small Japanese coaster buses, which operate as far as Mongar and Trashigang.
• Southern route. Buses depart Phuentsholing at 06:00 (non A/C - Nu600) and 06:30 (A/C - Nu685) every morning. The journey takes around 9 hours, and non-Indian and non-Bhutanese travellers require a valid Indian visa as the buses pass through the Indian states of West Bengal and Assam. The gate is closed to non-Bhutanese and non-Indian nationals as of Oct 2024, and there is a lack of clarity from the government regarding when this will change.

• Guwahati is the nearest airport to S/Jongkhar. It is a three-hour drive. There are no buses connecting the two places.

• Rangiya Junction in Rangia, a 90-minute drive from S/Jongkhar, is the nearest station.

This compact little town is easily covered on foot.

• Zangtopelri Lhakhang is a new monastery located across from the entrance to the dzong. Even though it is made of cement and lacking the character of older monasteries, Zangtopelri is perhaps S/Jongkhar's only tourist site.

• Just past the border gate is the Indian town of Darranga (AKA Mella Bazaar). The town is home to a number of small restaurants, some specializing in Assamese and northern Indian food.

• South Indian cuisine. Hotel Shambhala on the main street offers a simple but authentic selection of South Indian dishes; dosa are a speciality.
• Cakes and pastries. Pema Bakery located in the bazaar area has a small, but good selection of bakery items.

The town has no tourist class hotels.

• Hotel Peljorling, On the main street, ☏ +975 7 251-094. One of the town's best hotels. All rooms have attached bathroom and cable TV. 
• Hotel Shambhala, On the main street, ☏ +975 7 251-222. All rooms have attached bathroom and TV. 
• T.L.T. Hotel (near the town's market), ☏ +975 7 251-470, +975 7 251-069. All rooms have attached bathroom and TV. 
• Friends Hotel. This hotel has got decent clean rooms. An attached bar serves Bhutanese liquor and some Bhutanese food plus regular Indian food along with a selection of Chinese and Tibetan food. 

• The area code for S/Jongkhar is 07. When calling from overseas, dial +975-7-XXXXXX

• Dewathang A hill station-like town about 18 km from S/Jongkhar.
• Bangter, an area inhabited by many Bhutanese of Nepalese descent. The clean river and wide valley offer a good place for a picnic and swimming (though not in the rainy season).
• Guwahati is 110 km (a three-hour drive) from S/Jongkhar. There are no direct buses between the two places.
• Phuentsholing Buses depart Samdrup Jongkhar for Phuentsholing at 06:00 (non A/C - Nu600) and 06:30 (A/C - Nu685). The journey takes about nine hours and passes through the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal. (Updated Oct 2024)