Chandigarh to Bhuntar Kullu Flights

  About Chandigarh

Located on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada, is the gorgeous city of Vancouver. It is famously known to be one of the most densely populated cities in the country. Not just the population but even the ethnic diversity sets the city apart from the others. Vancouver has a plethora of gardens and parks, along with museums and galleries. The city has managed to find fame amid travellers in recent years. Owing to the landscape scenery and thriving food establishments, Vancouver has grown into becoming one of the most important cities in Canada. It is easy to connect flights to Vancouver as well.

Best time to visit Chandigarh

Vancouver is predominantly a cold city with temperatures barely exceeding 22 degree Celsius. However, the spring, summers and fall are pleasant in Vancouver, giving way to tourists. Since summer is the peak season in Vancouver, often you will find a plethora of tourists from around Canada to flock over for some fun. The city's thriving culture and lifestyle, topped with the slew of amazing festivals such as TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival and Bard on the Beach, further make people want to head to the city. With so many events and lovely weather to take in, the hotel prices and flight tickets also tend to get expensive. Plus, with the crowd, it might be difficult for you to enjoy a quiet and quaint environment. The cruise port also gets busy as the travellers need to be accommodated. However, the spring season will get your spirits high and your pockets happy. From March to May, the city turns lively as the cherry blossoms bloom and the whales pass through the Vancouver waters. It is a beautiful sight and certainly comes with great perks.

There are some fascinating events such as the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and Vancouver International Dance Festival that take place during spring. It is certainly the kind you shouldn't miss as the streets turn carnivalesque. Autumn is just as favourable as spring as the city prepares for the winters. It is easier to book hotels in Vancouver during this season as people are departing from the summer fun, reducing the demand for the city. Just as the temperatures go down, even the hotel prices and flight ticket costs drop, making it easier for tourists with a strict budget to traverse. While the city folks continue with their fairs and events, a new wave of budge tourists come over to be entertained by what the city has to offer. The temperatures would require you to carry jackets and coats along with you. It can get super cold, especially if you're from a hot country and are not used to the drop in temperatures. The experience of autumn in Vancouver is just as beautiful with the city streets turning crimson red as maple leaves flood the streets.

Places to visit in Chandigarh

Life in Vancouver is on the outside and not indoors. The city bustles and brims with opportunities for tourists to engage in. The Stanley Park is one sweet place from where you can begin your Canadian tour. Granville Island is the one place that will give you trendy restaurants, theatres and alluring galleries. All you've got to do is to hitch up a ferry ride and ho to the island. Another lovely place to visit would be Queen Elizabeth Park, a famous outdoor attraction in Vancouver. Famously known as the Kitsiklano 'Kits' Beach, the stretch of shores finds itself in the lines of an LA or Venice beach, thanks to the pristine water it touches. Spanish Banks Beach is another thrilling spot that would make you happy, especially if the water is something you love. The city has far too many gardens so you will never be tired of the greenery around you. The VanDusen Botanical Garden also deserves to be visited as it is one of the pretty places. It's not just gardens and beaches though, the city also has Yaletown, a chic neighbourhood to indulge in some upscaled lifestyle.

Things to do in Chandigarh

One of the best things to do in Vancouver is easily the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge. It is 450 ft long, and 230 ft elevated from the ground that offers a stunning view of the river flowing under. It is quite thrilling and definitely poles apart from the feeling the gardens in Vancouver invoke. You can indulge in some leisure sightseeing and shopping at the Lonsdale Quay Market. Another fun thing to take up in Vancouver would be to indulge in a food tour. As the city does brim with a vast opportunity for lip-smacking food, you will not be disappointed with the establishments the city has. Sailing is another activity that you can take up in the city. It would be fun, and you will get to learn something new. Plus, for the outdoorsy kind, you can visit Grouse Mountain for some adventure fun.

Food and Restaurants in Chandigarh

Vancouver is nestled along the Pacific coast, making seafood as it's the staple food. In fact, much of their food has fish and other aquatic life as the base. That includes the classic fish and chips too, which is otherwise a London speciality. These can be found in the city's markets such as Granville Island. The place is ideal for you to explore their seafood delicacies. While Granville has some of the basic but delicious street meat, Yaletown upscales the whole experience, which would be ideal for you if you're on a romantic rendezvous. The setting at Yaletown is formal and posh. Some of the food establishments that you should visit during your trip are Rodney's Oyster House, Blue Water Cafe, to name a few. These are the best seafood restaurants in the city which you will surely like. You can also check out YEW Seafood + Bar, which is located at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver. Their speciality includes Sidney Island venison and Qualicum Bag scallops. These are a big hit in the city, and something many would recommend.

A little away from Vancouver is Richmond (in British Columbia), where you'll find more seafood with wild salmon, tuna, mussels, crab and halibut too. What makes this place special is how the fish are fresh catch of the day which the fishermen get from the docks. These you can find at Steveston Village. Not just seafood but Vancouver also has its own version of Chinatown where you will find some of the best Asian dishes. In fact, you can also experience the little India that is settled in Vancouver. There is a Punjabi Market which is basically an Indo-Canadian neighbourhood located in the South Vancouver. Rest assured, all your cravings for Indian curries and delicacies shall be fulfilled here.

How to reach Chandigarh

There are no direct flights from Indian to Vancouver. However, the flight connectivity to Vancouver from India is exceptional. Canada, in general, receives a lot of tourists and potential residents from India. Due to this, the popularity of flights to this route is quite high. In fact, every second day, there are people travelling to Vancouver or other parts of Canada. Since there are no direct or nonstop flights to Vancouver from India, many airlines do have services to reach with layovers in other international cities. Airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Air France, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines, British Airways have some dedicated flights flying to Vancouver. As there are no direct flights, many have layovers in their origin countries. For example, Air France has flight connectivity to Vancouver from Paris, so there is a layover in the city. Similarly, other cities with layovers are in Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Newark, Istanbul, to name a few. The most popular route for flights to Vancouver is from Paris and Frankfurt. However, some of the flights need a second layover which either takes places in Montreal, Toronto or Newark.

To fly to Vancouver from India, you will require to apply for a transit visa. Since the international routes connecting Vancouver and India are from cities like Paris and Frankfurt, they require a transit visa from the passenger. To make things easier, the Canadian Embassy has allowed for online applications. All you need to do is fill up the application online and submit the same. The process is easier and less time-consuming. Besides, the status of the application is received promptly. The flight tickets to Vancouver are considerably on the expensive side. The distance is quite a lot and travelling through certain airlines is why the prices are steep. However, you can always find exceptional flight deals online. There are provisions of miles as well which enable the ticket prices to reduce. You can find cheap flight tickets to Vancouver online, especially if you book them well in advance. Simultaneously, you can make your hotel reservations too. Booking in advance always comes with its perks and booking your hotels in Vancouver will also be cheap if you do it beforehand.

  About Bhuntar Kullu 

Located beautifully at the confluence of the rivers Beas and Parvati rests this quaint town of Bhuntar. From the banks of the rivers, you can see the two varied hues of white and blue converging as the rivers meet. It certainly is a sight for sore eyes. Bhuntar is prominent for playing host to the Bhuntar Airport as well as being the point from which, travellers can pick varied domestic routes to explore Himachal Pradesh. Bhuntar connects to various notable hill stations around such as Manali, Kasol, Shimla, Dharamshala and more. Beautiful green landscapes have blessed the quaint town while the majestic Himalayan mountains surround it. The Beas River also flows through Bhuntar, making fishing a source of occupation.

Bhuntar is a small town and does not have expensive accommodation or tourist perks. However, as it plays the focal point from which travellers can traverse to other parts of the State, it automatically gains popularity. The domestic routes from Bhuntar are connected to some impeccable places and valleys such as Tirthan, Parvati, etc. It is basically a place that you can cover within a day as the accommodation is also not exemplary. However, there are some excellent hotels facing the Beas river. One can book hotels at Bhuntar and spend a day to complete checking off the list of things to do. The flight connectivity to Bhuntar and the domestic routes to and from Bhuntar Kullu are tremendously good.

Best time to visit Bhuntar Kullu

Bhuntar has no specific rule to visit as it is pleasant throughout the year. However, if you do wish to make the most of the quaint town and continue with your other plans, then the next thing for you to do would be to opt for a summer vacation. The summers in Bhuntar fall between April to June and are ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities. Monsoons can get pretty hectic and risky as the chances of landslides are quite high. The river continued to flow without much hassle. During winters, the temperatures do drop quite a lot, but it is still bearable as the cool breezes don't result in snow.

Places to visit in Bhuntar Kullu

Bhuntar has quite a handful of temples around which shows their devotion towards religious beliefs. From the Basheshwar Mahadev Temple to Jagannath Temple, most of the temples are built as a tribute to Lord Shiva.

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple

The Basheshwar Mahadev Temple is one of the famous tourist attractions of Bhuntar. The temple is also known by the name Visveshwara Mahadev Temple and has an exemplary architecture with exceptional sculptures. It is located close to the Bhuntar airport and is in fact, only 4 km away. It is believed that the temple came into existence in the 8th century and is easily one of the largest temples that you will find in Kullu. The stone carvings and shikaras further add to the magnificent beauty of the temple.

Jagannath Temple

At the Jagannath Temple, while you will find a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, the place also observes Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. The temple is just 3 km away from the main city of Bhuntar. Located at a surprising elevation of 5000 ft from sea level, the Jagannath Temple possibly has the best view that one can find in all of Kullu. You can get a bird's eye view of the small town and feel at peace. It is necessary to be careful when climbing the steep hill where the temple is located. Since the path is quite steep, it can get risky.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Yet another Lord Shiva temple, the Bijli Mahadev Temple is located in close proximity to Bhuntar. It is at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, atop the Mathan Hill. Since it is situated at a height, the view from the temple is simply breath-taking. The architecture is also quite exquisite as it has followed the Kash style of construction. There is a belief that every time an individual comes across a flash of light, it is a result of the Shivlinga breaking into pieces. While people are yet to witness this marvel, another belief further states that sincere prayers of the devotees could bring good rainfall in the district to help with agriculture and cultivation.

Himalayan National Park

The Himalayan National Park, also known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Great Indian National Park, is a humongous meadow of preserved environment that is sprawled over the Kullu district and can be found in Bhuntar's locality as well. The park inhabits bears, both brown and black, langurs, Himalayan musk deer rhesus macaques, wild sheep and more such animals. The place also boasts rich biodiversity with some impeccable plants and flowers. Overall, the place is gorgeous and makes for a good stroll for photographers and nature-lovers.

Adi Brahma Temple

Although Pushkar in Rajasthan is known to be the only place in the entire world with a Brahma temple, Bhuntar also has a shrine dedicated to the God who created the universe. Going by the name Adi Brahma Temple, the enormous wooden temple is only 4 km away from Bhuntar and is close to the Khokhan village. At the centre of the temple vicinity, you will find a giant statue of Lord Brahma. The premise also has gorgeous chariots made of silver and brass mohras.

Things to do in Bhuntar Kullu

Rafting at Beas river

Beas river is sparkling blue and calmer as compared to the Parvati river. Hence, river rafting is mostly conducted on the banks of the Beas river in Kullu. You can opt for this once in a lifetime experience and dive straight into a raft that will give you an exquisite sight of the Himalayan ranges while you're in the water. It is certainly something you should pick up because rafting in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are adrenaline-charged and extremely fun.

Trek to Sar Pass and Malana Village

To go on trekking expeditions, you will have to travel to Mandi village, which is not very far from Bhuntar. As you reach Mandi, you will have the option to explore Malana and Sar Pass. Since Sar Pass requires you to be healthy and have six to seven days in hand to reach the summit, it needs to planned out properly. As for Malana village, you can take a taxi ride to the foothills of the village and trek up to the holy hill station. You need to avoid touching any of the structures in the Malana village as you will be fined for it.

Explore Bhuntar Kullu on a bicycle

The best way to spend your time in Bhuntar Kullu would be to rent a bicycle and explore more of the green expanses that envelop the hill station. The lovely dense forests of Bhuntar would keep your attention engaged, and you will be thoroughly amazed by how gorgeous the city and its outskirts are.

Food and restaurants

Since Bhuntar is more of a stop-over for many travellers before they can pick their next destination, the place doesn't have a lot of restaurants or food joints that are memorable. You will be happy and satiated by the food served at the bus and airport junctions, but that's about it. Dhabas and restaurants here serve Mughlai and Indian cuisine along with Maggi and corn. To get some fancy food, you will have to either head to Kullu or Kasol.

How to reach Bhuntar Kullu (Transportation)

By Air

Bhuntar Airport or Kullu Manali Airport rests perfectly atop the banks of the Beas river, offering tourists a fabulous view of the valley. The closest way to reach Manali, Kasol, Mandi, Kullu and other such tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh is via Bhuntar Airport. Considering how Kullu Manali is one of the top travel destinations in India, direct flights fly to and from Bhuntar Airport. The flight connectivity to and from Bhuntar and major cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla and Dharamshala is top-notch. Since there is only one runway available, the flights have layovers in Delhi. Quite a handful of airlines have also reserved dedicated flights to Bhuntar Kullu.

By Rail

Pathankot is the central railway station in North India that connects domestic routes of major tourist destinations. From Dharamshala to Manali to Kullu, all the top hill stations can easily be connected via Pathankot. Trains from metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai Lucknow, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, etc., travel to Pathankot. From here, tourists can pick taxi cabs or rentals or even motorcycles to travel to Bhuntar, Kullu and other parts of Himachal Pradesh. Reaching Kullu is quite easy as all modes of transport will take you right here. A dedicated railway station does not exist in Bhuntar.

By Road

Buses are usually the most sought-after choice when travelling to Bhuntar from other parts of the northern cities. Often people take the Rajdhani to reach Delhi, and from here, dedicated buses taking domestic routes to reach Bhuntar are taken. You can find these buses at Kashmere Gate in Delhi from where the buses usually start. Aside from the luxury buses and Volvo AC services, the state also provided bus services for cheap tickets. The Himachal Pradesh State Board Transport Corporation (HPSRTC) has reserved buses that connect Bhuntar and Kullu to the other parts of the state. From Kullu, you can easily travel to other hill stations such as Shimla, Rampur, Mandi, Kasol, Manali, etc.

  About Chandigarh Airport

Chandigarh International Airport is a custom airport that also serves as a passenger airport to the Union Territory Chandigarh. Along with the city, the airport also serves Panchkula, Mohali and other cities in the states of Punjab, Haryana and a few southern districts of Himachal Pradesh. The airport runway is situated in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. In contrast, the international terminal falls on the south side of the runway, close to the village of Jhiurheri in Mohali, Punjab. The international airport has all its civil and commercial operations conducted from the civil enclave of the Indian Air Force Station. In the 1970s, the airport witnessed tremendous flight activity and operations from Indian Airlines. There were regular flights connecting Chandigarh to Delhi.

Following the construction of a new airport building in the civil enclave in 2011, all operations were diverted to the new terminal. This special air terminal was announced as a customs airport in 2011, giving it the international stature. Although it became an international airport, the terminal never witnessed international flight activities operate from its premise. In 2008, the Government of Punjab acquired a land area of 304.04 acres to construct the new international terminal. Over its completion in 2015 and a few Public Interest Litigation case hearings that took place at the Punjab High Court and Haryana High Court, the airport finally witnessed international flight activities from 2016. IndiGo and Air India Express became the first airlines to commence international flights to fly to Dubai and Sharjah from Chandigarh International Airport.

About Chandigarh Airport Terminal

The new international terminal came into existence in 2015 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new terminal has been built in an eco-friendly manner with several features validating the same. Larsen and Toubro constructed the airport's new terminal. The airport's interiors have an abundance of plants which gives a rather botanical garden feel. The earlier domestic terminal now caters to VIP flights and is also reserved for flying club. Meanwhile, the new terminal includes two link taxiways that connect to the terminal as well as the cargo complex. There are four aerobridges apron reserved for parking of four in contact, and eight remote parking stands for aircraft. The terminal is divided into two levels with the first level taking care of all departures while the ground level has arrivals. The first phase of the airport terminal has the capacity to handle about 1,600 passengers at a time with a parking space to accommodate 150 vehicles. Although the airport is not a greenfield airport, it does use the runway of the current Indian air force base. The departure section of the terminal has relevant facilities such as ATMs, WiFi and a duty-free shop. Much recently, the terminal's check-in counters have also been expanded from 24 to 26.

About airport authority

Chandigarh International Airport is jointly owned by the government of Punjab, the government of Haryana and the Airports Authority of India. In fact, they have formed a consortium as the airport's operations are handled by Chandigarh International Airport Limited. In the consortium, Airports Authority of India holds a maximum stake with 51 per cent equity while the Government of Punjab and Government of Haryana hold 24.5 per cent of shares respectively. Chandigarh International Airport Limited is responsible for all the management, maintenance and other such operations of the airport terminal. Ever since the airport's genesis, CHIAL has been working towards expanding the airport's premise and providing world-class facilities to attract more flights and passengers. After quite a lot of struggle with cases going up to the high courts of both the states, Chandigarh International Airport finally even received international flight operations. Currently, the airport caters to a slew of domestic airlines, some of them catering to Indian as well as international cities.

Facilities at the Chandigarh Airport

Food court - Chandigarh International Airport may not have a slew of fancy restaurants installed in its vicinity; it does have a dedicated food court. Passengers can avail lip-smacking dishes from the airport's food courts. They have local and globally recognised food joints available. From burgers to chole bhatures, you can find all kinds of cuisine.

Trolleys and wheelchairs – Trolleys and wheelchairs are available at the airport. While the trolleys can be found at every junction of the airport's arrivals and departure section, wheelchairs need prior intimation. You will need to speak with the airlines and inform them about the requirement for a wheelchair at the entrance of the airport's departure gates. Following the same, the airport will send trained staff to help out the passenger in need of the wheelchair.

Baggage – The baggage system and services at the Chandigarh International Airport include trolleys, baggage wrapping services, storage facilities and more. There are dedicated reclaim baggage conveyor belts located in the arrivals section from where passengers can get access to their checked luggage.

ATMs and currency exchange – As an international airport, Chandigarh International Airport has installed currency exchange booths in the arrivals section of its international terminal. International travellers can get their currencies exchanged and also make money transfers at the forex counters. Plus, there are ATM kiosks also available in the airport premise. Passengers can withdraw money if needed, especially if they are travelling within any liquid cash.

Medical facilities – The airport also has medical facilities available for emergency cases. It is essential to have medical experts on the airport campus at all times. Hence, the airport has ensured to keep a team of dedicated medical professionals. There are medical rooms also available at the airport. You can avail these services for free. There are pharmacies also available at the airport. They provide medicines as well as toiletries that you can purchase.

Child care room – Parents travelling with infants can avail the child care room facility. These rooms have been reserved for parents to help tend to their infant babies. Activities such as breastfeeding and changing diapers can be done in these rooms as it offers privacy. Simultaneously, the child can be put to sleep in the room while they wait for boarding. These rooms are kept well-sanitised.

Smoking zones – Chandigarh International Airport does not allow smoking in public. Hence, they have provided special smoking zones for passengers. These can be found at the departures and arrivals of both the domestic and international terminals. It is essential for passengers to adhere to these rules and smoke within the premise of the smoking lounge provided by the airport.

Special assistance – The airport caters to special assistance for disabled travellers. Prior intimation needs to be given to the airlines by the traveller if they wish to avail these services. You can also specify the requirements for the traveller to the airlines, and the airport will make the necessary accommodations for the same.

International SIMs – For travellers who are visiting Chandigarh and do not have a local SIM number, you can get hold of the same at the airport. There are dedicated counters at the arrivals section of the international terminal where counters have been installed to provide temporary SIMs. Mobile phones are also available, in case you need one.

Top airlines flying from the Chandigarh Airport

Chandigarh International Airport currently enables operations of seven domestic airlines and caters to connect two international destinations. Presently, the airlines that operate from Chandigarh International Airport are AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara. These airlines have excellent connectivity with various Indian cities along with designated international destinations. Chandigarh International Airport connects flights to cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Dharamshala, Pune, Jammu, Chennai, Kullu, Dubai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Patna and more.

How to reach Chandigarh Airport

By Bus

The new terminal of Chandigarh International Airport is close to 14 km away from the main city of Chandigarh. The city of Chandigarh has excellent bus transport facilities that help connect to various parts of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh too. Chandigarh Transport Undertaking has AC buses that operate from the main city to the airport's new terminal. The buses take Route 38 and 36 to reach Chandigarh International Airport. It is easily one of the most sought-after ways to reach Chandigarh International Airport. The ticket fare is also quite affordable and ideal for travellers. Besides, the buses have been designed in such a way that they offer a comfortable journey to the airport. The transport service also has a mobile app from where you can book tickets and get details about the bus schedules and routes to reach Chandigarh International Airport.

By Taxi cabs

Taxicab services are also present within the city to reach the Chandigarh International Airport. You can hail a taxi cab from anywhere around the city or the other surrounding states to reach Chandigarh International Airport. It might be challenging as you will need to communicate with the drivers and ensure that they don't make you pay an exorbitant amount for the journey to reach the Chandigarh International Airport.