Israel’s direct-flight map is set to gain two unusual destinations this winter, with flights from Ben Gurion Airport to Bhutan in the Himalayas and the return of direct service to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland.
The most notable addition is Bhutan. Tour operator Kaminos said it will run five organized-tour departures to the country from February through mid-March 2027, using direct flights operated by Bhutanese carrier Drukair.
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Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on a cliff in Bhutan
(Photo: Wirestock Creators / shutterstock)
The flights will use Airbus A320 aircraft and take about seven hours. According to Kaminos, each flight will carry only about 110 passengers, partly because of the distance, while the tours themselves will be limited to groups of up to 16 travelers.
Bhutan, a small kingdom in the eastern Himalayas, follows a tourism policy designed to limit the number of foreign visitors entering the country. Tourists are required to pay a daily tourism fee, which Kaminos said currently stands at 100 dollars a day. The fee and visa are included in the tour price.
Getting into the country is unusual in itself. Paro International Airport lies between Himalayan mountains, and only specially trained pilots are permitted to land there.
Kaminos’ tours will last eight days and include full board and accommodation in five-star hotels, or in the highest-standard hotels available along the route. The price is 5,395 dollars per person based on double occupancy and, according to the company, includes both the visa and tourism fee.
Business-class seats will also be available for an additional charge.
Saguit Kleiner, Kaminos’ vice president of marketing, said the company aims to make “one of the world’s most mysterious and preserved kingdoms” more accessible through a direct connection from Israel.
A valley near Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan
(Photo: Shutterstock)
She added that another direct-flight project to Bhutan is planned for late 2027.
Lapland returns to Israel’s direct-flight map
At the same time, Israeli travel company Kishrey Teufa said it will resume direct flights to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, beginning Jan. 27, 2027.
The flights will operate as charters through an Israeli airline whose name was not disclosed in the company’s announcement.
Alongside organized tours, the company will offer flight-and-hotel packages as well as a limited number of flight-only tickets.
Northern Lights above the city lights of Rovaniemi
(Photo: nordiclensescapes / shutterstock)
The organized tours will include Northern Lights viewing, reindeer- and husky-drawn sled rides, snowmobile trips and an icebreaker cruise.
Some itineraries will also be expanded this year to include Oulu in northern Finland in addition to the Rovaniemi area.
Some packages will include stays at the five-star Arctic Panorama Resort & Spa, owned by Kishrey Teufa. The company said the number of rooms at the resort has doubled and a new spa complex has opened.
Arctic Panorama Resort & Spa
Under suitable weather conditions, guests can also see the Northern Lights from the hotel area.
Prices for organized tours range from 3,430 euros per person in a double room for a six-day itinerary to more than 4,000 euros on some routes.
Independent packages including a direct flight and six hotel nights start at 2,779 euros per person based on double occupancy.
Nir Mazor, Kishrey Teufa’s vice president of marketing, said this year’s program has been expanded with additional routes, accommodation options and independent packages alongside the organized tours.