Thomas Cook India and its group company SOTC Travel have unveiled an ambitious Summer 2026 charter flight program to Bhutan that could significantly reshape how Indian holidaymakers access the Himalayan kingdom. With a series of non stop charter services from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad planned through the core school vacation period, the initiative not only plugs a long standing connectivity gap but also positions Bhutan as one of the most convenient short haul international escapes for travelers from South and West India.
Direct Charters to Bhutan: A Strategic Leap for Indian Outbound Travel
The newly announced Summer 2026 program centers on dedicated charter flights from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to Paro, Bhutan’s picturesque international gateway. Traditionally, Indian travelers heading to Bhutan have relied on multi leg journeys via Delhi or Kolkata, often involving tight connections, multiple security checks and extended layovers. By introducing non stop services timed specifically for the holiday rush, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are removing several friction points that have discouraged potential visitors in the past.
For Summer 2026, the companies have scheduled multiple rotations to maximize access during the peak travel window. From Bengaluru, departures are set for April 24 and May 1, 8 and 15, 2026. From Ahmedabad, flights will operate on May 3, 10 and 17, 2026. These dates align closely with school holidays in key source markets, enabling families and groups to plan around clear, fixed schedules without worrying about fluctuating seat availability on regular commercial routes.
Crucially, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel remain the only travel service providers in the country currently operating charter flights to Bhutan from Bengaluru. For South India, where demand for experiential, nature centric travel has grown rapidly, that exclusivity translates into a compelling first mover advantage, as well as a powerful selling point for travelers seeking convenience and predictability.
From Multi Leg Itineraries to Seamless Point to Point Access
Until recently, the journey from markets like Karnataka or Gujarat to Bhutan was a test of patience rather than a straightforward hop across the Himalayas. Travelers were typically routed via Delhi or Kolkata, with separate domestic and international segments, terminal changes and repeated check in and documentation checks. This complexity often overshadowed Bhutan’s appeal as an accessible, short duration international trip that could fit neatly into a one week holiday.
The new charter series is explicitly designed to tackle this structural barrier. By offering direct point to point services from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel effectively compress the journey into a single seamless experience. Passengers board in their home region and disembark directly in Paro, eliminating the uncertainty and administrative hassle of self connecting itineraries.
The impact is particularly pronounced for first time international travelers, older passengers and family groups with children, for whom transit challenges can be a major deterrent. With charters operating as part of curated tour products, check in processes, documentation support and on ground handling are consolidated under a single operator. That integration not only streamlines the overall experience but also provides a stronger sense of security and support throughout the journey.
Built on Two Years of Strong Demand and Sold Out Operations
The Summer 2026 expansion is not a speculative gamble. It builds directly on two consecutive years of robust demand for Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s Bhutan charter operations. In 2024, the companies successfully operated their inaugural charter series from Bengaluru, recording 100 percent capacity on the first flights and quickly adding extra rotations to meet surging interest. That initial performance signaled a clear appetite for Bhutan among travelers in Karnataka and the wider South Indian region.
The momentum continued into 2025 with the launch of special direct charters from Ahmedabad, which opened a direct corridor from Gujarat to Bhutan for the first time. These flights tapped into the state’s well known enthusiasm for outbound travel and responded to a long standing call from the trade for more efficient connectivity to high value, high experience destinations. By 2026, the charter model has evolved from an experimental add on into a core product line anchoring the companies’ Himalayan portfolio.
The decision to not only repeat but broaden the charter program for Summer 2026 underscores how strongly this format has resonated with Indian travelers. It also reflects the wider trend of organized, high touch holiday packages regaining ground in the post pandemic era, as customers prioritize reliability, health safety and end to end logistical support over piecemeal, self arranged itineraries.
All Inclusive Tour Products Designed Around Indian Preferences
Integral to the Summer 2026 charter schedule is a wide range of air charter inclusive tour products that bundle flights, accommodation, transfers, sightseeing, select experiences and many meals into a single, transparent price. Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have positioned these as value driven packages crafted specifically for Indian travelers, with an emphasis on flexibility, tiered pricing and familiar comforts alongside authentic local encounters.
The portfolio spans multiple categories, from budget and value led options to more premium and extravaganza style itineraries. This segmentation allows the companies to appeal simultaneously to price sensitive families, young groups seeking unique experiences and more affluent travelers looking for upgraded stays and added inclusions. A Special Saver Program adds another layer of affordability, encouraging early bookings with competitive entry price points for 7 day, 6 night itineraries from both Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
Cuisine and cultural familiarity receive particular attention. For departures from Bengaluru, itineraries highlight South Indian dishes prepared by Indian chefs to ease culinary transitions without sacrificing local flavor. From Ahmedabad, itineraries incorporate authentic Gujarati fare, with Jain options available to cater to important dietary preferences. This deliberate regional customization of menus acknowledges the critical role that food plays in the overall satisfaction of Indian travelers abroad.
New Inclusions and Deeper Immersion in Bhutan’s Landscapes
While seamless connectivity is the headline, the Summer 2026 program also deepens the on ground experience in Bhutan. The companies have incorporated Gangtey, one of the country’s most scenic and less commercialized valleys, into selected itineraries. Known for its sweeping glacial valley views, monastic heritage and winter visits from endangered black necked cranes, Gangtey offers an evocative contrast to better known hubs such as Thimphu and Paro.
Beyond route design, the itineraries emphasize immersive, locally rooted experiences. Guests can expect farmhouse style lunches that introduce Bhutanese hospitality in intimate rural settings, traditional archery sessions that showcase the national sport, and curated tastings of local wines and beers. Riverside picnics in Punakha, temple visits that explore Bhutan’s unique take on Gross National Happiness and gentle hikes through terraced fields and pine forests round out the experiential profile.
These elements are intended to move the Bhutan holiday beyond a checklist of monuments and viewpoints toward a richer narrative of place. For many Indian travelers, who are increasingly seeking trips that balance relaxation with meaning and connection, such thoughtfully layered experiences can be as important a differentiator as the convenience of the flight itself.
Tour Managers and Language Support Elevate Comfort and Confidence
A cornerstone of Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s approach to the Bhutan charters is the deployment of experienced tour managers on group departures. These professionals oversee daily logistics, coordinate with local partners and act as a single point of contact for guests, providing reassurance and practical assistance from boarding to return. Their presence is especially valuable in a destination like Bhutan, where entry regulations, sustainable tourism norms and altitude considerations can raise additional questions for travelers.
For Summer 2026, the companies are also leaning into regional language support to enhance comfort. Departures from Bengaluru are backed by Kannada speaking tour managers, while Ahmedabad departures are supported by Gujarati speaking experts. This allows travelers to receive briefings, clarifications and on the spot assistance in their preferred language, easing anxiety and building a stronger rapport throughout the trip.
In practice, this level of structured support means that guests can focus on the experience rather than the logistics: photography instead of paperwork, conversations instead of navigation. It is a model particularly well suited to multi generational family groups, solo travelers joining group tours for the first time and clients who may be new to international travel but eager to explore destinations beyond the traditional Southeast Asian circuit.
A Boon for South and West India’s Aspirational Travelers
The charter initiative is also notable for the way it aligns with broader shifts in India’s outbound travel geography. South and West India have emerged as powerful growth engines for international tourism, driven by rising incomes, improved air connectivity and a culture of frequent, experience led holidays. Markets such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad are increasingly looking beyond classic beaches and shopping hubs toward quieter, more contemplative destinations.
Bhutan fits neatly into this aspiration. Its carefully managed tourism policy, emphasis on cultural preservation and absence of mass market crowds appeal strongly to travelers who want to step away from overtourism hotspots. The availability of direct charter flights now gives these travelers a more tangible route to act on that interest, turning what was once seen as a complicated, niche destination into a realistic option for a weeklong break.
From a competitive perspective, the exclusivity of charters from Bengaluru and the pioneering Ahmedabad connection help Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel solidify their leadership in the high value Himalayan segment. As they also ramp up collaborations with tourism boards in other destinations, their broader strategy is increasingly clear: offer Indian travelers curated, high trust pathways into a diverse set of international experiences, anchored by strong air solutions and localized, culturally attuned product design.
What This Means for Indian Travelers Planning Summer 2026
For Indian holidaymakers mapping out their Summer 2026 plans, the Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel charter program to Bhutan presents a timely alternative to crowded, heat affected domestic getaways and overbooked overseas hotspots. The direct flights from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad shorten travel times, simplify planning and reduce the stress that often accompanies complex itineraries involving multiple airlines and transit hubs.
The all inclusive nature of the packages allows travelers to lock in a clear budget well before departure, with flights, stays, meals and key experiences bundled together. This is particularly helpful in a period of fluctuating airfares, where last minute ticket purchases can undermine carefully planned holiday budgets. With early bird pricing and saver schemes in place, families and groups willing to commit ahead of time stand to benefit most.
Most importantly, the initiative reframes Bhutan as a practical, accessible summer holiday option rather than an aspirational trip that must be deferred for a special occasion. As word of mouth from previous charter seasons filters through social networks and travel communities, and as new inclusions like Gangtey broaden the destination’s story, Bhutan’s position on Indian travelers’ wish lists is likely to rise further. For a growing number of outbound tourists, Summer 2026 may be the season when the idea of a quiet, contemplative Himalayan escape finally becomes a simple, non stop reality.