Thomas Cook India and SOTC launch Summer 2026 Bhutan charter flights

Thomas Cook India and SOTC announce Bhutan charter departures for April and May 2026

Thomas Cook India, and its group company, SOTC Travel, have announced their Summer 2026 charter flights to Bhutan from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad – bringing direct, seamless connectivity to the Himalayan kingdom during India’s peak holiday season. Building on the strong success of the last 2 years, Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s 2026 charter program offers a range of air charter-inclusive tour products to deliver greater value for Indian consumers across key markets of South and West India. Notably, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are the only travel service providers in India operating charter flights to Bhutan from Bengaluru, offering non-stop access for travellers from South India.

To maximise on the key Indian summer vacation season, multiple departures have been scheduled: from Bengaluru for April 24 and May 1, 8 and 15, 2026, and from Ahmedabad for May 3, 10 and 17, 2026.

The charter flights establish a direct air connection from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to Bhutan, addressing a long-standing market gap and reinforcing Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s leadership in driving innovation within India’s travel sector. The travel route to Bhutan, currently involves multi-leg journeys via metro hubs such as Delhi or Kolkata, which entail layovers and the inconvenience of multiple flights, airport/terminal transfers and several check-ins. The charter flights significantly simplify the journey, offering travellers a more seamless, time-efficient and comfortable travel experience.

Thomas Cook & SOTC’s Summer 2026 Charters have been designed to deliver flexibility and value through five distinct group tour categories: Budget, Standard, Value, Extravaganza and Premium — enabling travellers to select holidays aligned to their preferences and budgets. In addition to all-inclusive group escorted tours from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, customers can also opt for customised itineraries, co-curated around individual preferences. Pricing has been structured to enhance affordability, with a Special Saver Program starting from ₹76,000 per person* for a 7 Days 6 Nights itinerary from Bengaluru, and from ₹79,000 per person* from Ahmedabad.

Bhutan continues to captivate Indian travellers, renowned as one of the world’s happiest nations, celebrated for its natural beauty and warm people. From breathtaking Himalayan vistas and vibrant prayer-flag-lined valleys to historic monasteries perched along cliffs, scenic river valleys and charming towns, the destination offers an immersive experience enriched by warm local hospitality and deeply rooted traditions. Further enriching the offering this year, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s portfolio includes Gangtey, one of Bhutan’s most scenic valleys, known for its monasteries, wetlands and pristine natural beauty — adding depth to the overall Bhutan experience.

Tour Highlights:

Immersive experiences as part of Group Tours, including a farmhouse lunch with local activities such as archery and wearing the traditional Kira, local wine tasting, a riverside picnic lunch in Punakha, beer tasting session in Paro
Cuisine aligned to regional preferences, with South Indian cuisine prepared by an Indian chef for departures from Bengaluru, and authentic Gujarati cuisine, including vegetarian and Jain options for departures from Ahmedabad
Assistance of experienced tour managers for Group Tours: Kannada-speaking for Bengaluru departures and a Gujarati-speaking for Ahmedabad departures, ensuring ease of communication and comfort throughout the trip

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “Our special charter flights to Bhutan from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad reiterate our leadership and continued focus on customer-centric innovation. We are proud to be the only travel service providers in India operating charter flights to Bhutan from Bengaluru, strengthening direct access for customers across South India. For Summer 2026, we have enhanced our offering with multiple departures, an attractively priced Special Saver Program and the inclusion of Gangtey. Alongside our all-inclusive group tours, we also offer customised holidays co-curated around individual travel preferences — delivering greater value, convenience and flexibility to our customers.”

S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited, said, “Bhutan’s timeless appeal with its unique combination of breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, culture and warm, welcoming people – has enabled us to curate truly experience-rich holidays for Indians. Our charters from Bengaluru and Ahmedabad are designed to offer seamless access to this destination during the key summer holiday season. By combining direct charter connectivity, thoughtfully crafted itineraries, regional cuisine preferences and our experienced tour managers, we are focused on delivering exceptional value and a differentiated holiday experience to our customers.”