Antananarivo, often shortened to Tana, sits high on Madagascar's central plateau, and its international gateway is Ivato International Airport (TNR), north of the city. Reaching Bhutan from here means crossing the Indian Ocean and much of Asia, with at least two changes of plane before you land in Paro. The route is long but well trodden, and this page explains how travellers from the Malagasy capital usually tackle it.
Ivato Departures: Getting Off the Island
From Ivato, the first task is reaching the African mainland or a larger hub. The Madagascar guide gives a clear example: Ethiopian Airlines or Kenya Airways from TNR to Nairobi. From Nairobi you continue east towards Asia, with Ethiopian or Qatar Airways named as options for the onward flight.
Ivato is a fair drive from central Tana, and traffic on the approach roads can be slow, so give yourself a comfortable margin on departure day. Because flights out of Madagascar are less frequent than from larger hubs, it is worth fixing this first sector early and then building the rest of the trip around it.
Linking Tana to the Bhutanese Network
The final leg into Bhutan is flown by Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) or Bhutan Airlines, the only two airlines serving the country. The Madagascar guide lists the following transit points on the way:
- Nairobi, the usual first stop after leaving Ivato;
- Bangkok, a convenient Asian gateway for the last flight to Paro;
- Delhi, another common starting point for Bhutanese flights;
- Kathmandu, if you are planning to visit Nepal as well.
Connections can shift between seasons, so check current schedules for each sector and let your tour operator coordinate the Bhutanese flight with your arrival in Asia.
What a Journey from Antananarivo Could Look Like
This is a sample sequence, given purely as an example:
- Day 1: fly from Ivato to Nairobi with Kenya Airways or Ethiopian Airlines, then continue overnight towards Bangkok.
- Day 2: arrive in Bangkok and spend the night near the airport to recover.
- Day 3: take Drukair or Bhutan Airlines to Paro, where your guide is waiting.
Paro has a visual-only approach through the valley and weather can cause delays, so a buffer night in Bangkok on the way in, and another on the return, is sensible rather than indulgent.
Antananarivo Time Against Bhutan Time
Madagascar uses East Africa Time, UTC+3, and does not change its clocks. Bhutan Standard Time is UTC+6 all year. The difference is therefore three hours throughout the year: 9 am in Antananarivo is noon in Paro.
Your transit stops barely change the picture: Nairobi shares Madagascar's time zone, so the shift happens almost entirely on the flight east into Asia. Jet lag from the time change itself is mild. What tires most travellers is the length of the trip, so prioritise sleep on the overnight sector and take your first afternoon in Bhutan slowly.
Highland Seasons: Tana and Bhutan Side by Side
Antananarivo's altitude keeps it fairly temperate. Its rainy season falls roughly from November to April, while the middle of the year is cooler and drier. Bhutan's travel seasons sit differently: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most popular, summer (June to August) is the monsoon, and winter (December to February) is cold but clear, especially at altitude.
A neat point for Malagasy travellers is that Bhutan's autumn coincides with the end of Tana's cooler, drier months, so you leave before the rains begin at home. Spring also works well. Paro Tshechu falls in spring and Thimphu Tshechu in autumn, with dates set by the lunar calendar each year.
Your Bhutan Visa and Daily Fee from Madagascar
Malagasy passport holders need a Bhutan visa. It is applied for online in advance and is usually arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. As the Madagascar guide notes, once approved you receive a clearance letter by email, which you present at your point of entry, usually Paro. Manifest Bhutan Expeditions manages this application for travellers on our tours.
Expect to pay the Sustainable Development Fee too, currently USD 100 per adult per night for most international visitors. Always check the latest rates with the Department of Tourism before booking. Travel insurance covering your entire stay is required. Also confirm whether your transit stops, such as Kenya or Thailand, have entry or transit requirements for Malagasy passports.
Planning the Length of Your Trip
- 6 nights: enough for Paro and Thimphu with a rest day built in.
- 8 to 10 nights: time to explore more widely and enjoy the countryside.
- 12 nights or longer: a trek, a festival or a stopover in Nepal or Thailand.
With two travel days each way, many travellers from Tana opt for at least a week on the ground. If you are using annual leave, count the outbound and return journeys as roughly two days each, and add a spare day in case weather delays a flight from Paro.
Questions from Antananarivo
Do I have to go through Nairobi?
Not always, but the Madagascar guide gives Nairobi as a common first stop. Your operator can suggest alternatives at the time of booking.
Which airlines fly into Paro?
Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines operate flights into Bhutan.
How far ahead should I book?
Early is best. Seats on the Bhutanese sectors are limited, and the Madagascar guide recommends coordinating your international and Bhutan flights through your tour operator so the connections line up.
Do I need to carry cash?
Yes, some. Bhutan uses the ngultrum (BTN), pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee, and ATMs are mostly in towns.
For full details covering visas, routes and itineraries from across Madagascar, see How to Travel to Bhutan from Madagascar.
