Bhutan, also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a beautiful Himalayan country. If you enjoy the mountains, then Bhutan is the place to be. It is also home to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Tourism Policy
Bhutan has a good tourism policy that makes it compulsory for all foreign visitors to book their trip in advance with a travel agency. It is necessary to have a guide at all times, which makes it a great place to visit with family in terms of safety.
Foreign visitors must pay a daily fee of $250 during the peak season and $200 during the off-season (rates may vary for tourists from India, Maldives, and Bangladesh). This fee includes everything from travel agency costs, accommodation in 3-4 star hotels, 3 meals a day, tour guide, transportation, entry fees, and water. The good thing about this is a part of these fees also goes towards the betterment and education of the Bhutanese people.
Travel guides and transportation are specifically made for families so you wouldn’t have to worry about losing your privacy.
What to Pack
No matter what season you visit in, it’s good to pack some warm clothes as mornings and evenings in Bhutan can get quite chilly due to elevation. It snows during the winters in some places, so be sure to pack jackets, scarves, and gloves. If you plan to hike, then some good shoes and breathable socks must be on the list. Bhutan is a very conservative country, and it is compulsory for both men and women to wear clothes covering the shoulders and legs when visiting temples and Dzongs. So pack your clothes appropriately. Do carry a good first aid kit as well.
Getting to Bhutan
Paro Airport is the only International airport here. Only two flights operate to and from Bhutan (Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines) from a select few airports like Singapore, Dhaka, Bangkok, Kathmandu and a few airports in India.
There is an option to enter Bhutan by road from India as well.
Transportation and Accommodation
Since you will have to book a pre-arranged tour, accommodation will be arranged in good 3-4 star hotels. Transportation will also be arranged, so there is no need to worry about it!
Top Things to do with Kids in Bhutan
From climbing mountains to visiting historic Dzongs, learning about the traditional ways of life or spotting unique animals – Bhutan has a lot to offer!
Visit the Royal Takin Preserve Zoo in Thimphu
The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan and found only in the Eastern Himalayas. The Royal Takin Preserve (also known as the Motithang Takin Preserve) is built to preserve the small population of this unique animal. A small trail is laid out around the preserve, it takes around 30 minutes to walk around. You can spot many beautiful wildflowers and mushrooms along the way. It costs Nu 300 per ticket.
Visit the Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu
Housed in a three-story, 19th-century Bhutanese house, the Folk Heritage Museum is a great place to learn about the Bhutanese way of life almost 150 years ago! The ground floor is said to house the cattle during harsh weather, and the upper two floors are for accommodation and storage of grains. Wooden ladders connect one floor to the other and are well maintained to this day. Tickets cost Nu. 30 for SAARC Nationals and Nu. 150 for visitors from any other country.
Visit the Buddha Dordenma
At a height of 54m, the Buddha Dordenma is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. Made of bronze and gilded in gold, the Buddha statue was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuk. Sitting on top of a mountain, it is visible from far away as we drive through the city. The statue is said to house more than one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues in it. It is a great place to catch a panoramic view of the Thimphu valley as well!
Visit the Punakha Dzong
The Punakha Dzong is one of the oldest and largest Dzongs in Bhutan. It is a great place to take look at the beautiful Bhutanese style of architecture and meditate. It is said to be built within a year without the use of a single nail! The Dzong also stands where the two rivers Mo and Pho Chuu merges making it even more special.
Hike up to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten in Punakha
The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten in Punakha was built to bring peace and harmony to all living beings. Situated on top of a mountain, the only way to reach this temple is by hiking. A walk through the beautiful green paddy fields and up a muddy trail leads to a stone laid path. When you reach a red sign with an arrow pointing towards the direction of the Chorten show, that means you’re close! Walk up the path until you reach the top where you can enter the temple courtyard surrounded by a well-maintained garden. The walls of the temple are filled with colorful paintings, describing the mythological stories of this land. You have to climb three sets of stairs to reach the roof, and there, gleaming in the sunlight is the golden stupa and a breathtaking view of the Punakha Valley. It takes 30-45 minutes to complete the trek and it is relatively easy.
Hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro
Perched on top of a cliff at a height of 10,240 feet above sea level is the Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. It is around 3000 feet above the Paro valley. The Taktsang is said to be built near the cave where Guru Padmasambhava meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to the cave on a flying tigress, hence giving the temple its name.
The hike difficulty is moderate, and anyone with an average level of fitness can complete the trek in around 2.5-3 hours. It is a fun challenge for children since they always have more energy and excitement to accomplish things! It will be a muddy trail to the top, then a flight of stairs going down and then up – and there you are! This is a must-do activity if you’re planning a visit to Bhutan. It’s totally worth it! Entry tickets are Nu.500 per head, and you can rent hiking poles at Nu.50. We had similar trekking at Kolukkumalai which is famed to have the world’s highest organic tea plantation.
Visit the National Museum of Bhutan
This is the best place to take a look at some of those amazing Bhutanese handicrafts and to learn everything about this magical land. From geography to different kinds of animals and birds you can find here, this museum covers it all. The entry fee is Nu. 50, and a small souvenir shop attached to the museum has some great things to take home with you.
Visit the Chelela Pass
The Chelela pass is the highest motorable point in Bhutan at around 14,000 feet above sea level. It is around 50 km from Paro city and is located between the Haa and Paro valleys. It is cool and breezy with hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Be prepared with jackets, scarves, and gloves as irrespective of the season, it will be quite cold up there!
Keeping Your Family Safe
The crime rates in Bhutan are so low that it’s known to be a safe place to be. That said, it’s still best to be careful whenever you’re outdoors. Also, be mindful to keep your children close – most places are full of tourists, and it can be easy to get lost. Be responsible for your belongings and stay off from littering.
Bhutan is a wonderful place to spend time with your family. The people here have a very simple way of life, and it is really amazing to witness the beautiful connection they have with nature. They preserve their culture and environment so fiercely that there would always be lessons many can learn. It is one place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime!
Author Bio
Athul from Our Backpack Tales. We focus on how to travel on a budget in our travel blog with my wife Neethu. We love to travel to offbeat and less explored places. My favourite hobbies are surfing the Internet, watching movies and website development.
