Bhutan Family Tour: Best Bhutan Tour Packages for Family with Kids

1. Is it safe for visiting Bhutan with kids?

In general, traveling to Bhutan with kids is pretty safe, as long as you keep your eyes on then the same way you would at home. Bhutan is no more dangerous than any other country in the world, and can probably be deemed to be one of the safest destinations in Asia.

As well as there is a culture of happiness and friendly people in Bhutan, you are in good safe hands with your guide and your driver, who are there to keep you safe as well as show you around.

Security in Bhutan is very good, and there is very little in the way of crime in the country, especially outside the major cities of Paro and Thimphu. Overall, Bhutan is a good safe place to visit with your kids.

2. What are the best things to do for a Bhutan family tour?

Traveling to Bhutan as a family means more than just monasteries and mountains. Family tours can incorporate all of the best attractions Bhutan has to offer, from the beauty of the stunning Dzongs and the amazing experiences with local families to the history, culture, and traditions of a people that remained isolated for centuries.

One of the most thrilling things to do in any Bhutan tour is the hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. A climb of more than 900 meters up the side of the Paro Valley, this amazing monastery is far from boring for the kids, perched precariously on a narrow ledge where the great sage, Padmasambhava, landed when he flew to Bhutan from Tibet on a flying tiger that was his former consort. The trek up to the monastery takes around 3-4 hours, with a break halfway up for some sweet tea at the café.

If the Tiger’s Nest was not boring, then the famous Punakha Dzong will enthrall you with its outstanding design. Rated as the most beautiful fortresses in the kingdom, the Dzong lies at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu and is surrounded by stunning jacaranda trees that bring awesome lilac and violet blossoms in the spring.

The Mo and Pho Rivers, which means “male” and “female”, are the ideal rivers for some white-water rafting or kayaking, and can make the holiday with your kids even more outstanding. The rafts are all supervised by experienced expert rafters, and are an exciting addition to your trip to the Punakha Region.

Thimphu is the home of archery in Bhutan, the national sport of the kingdom since 1971. And the Changlimithang Stadium is the place to go for some one-on-one archery lessons from some of the country’s best experts. You and your family can take some lessons in this amazing sport at the Changlimithang Archery Range and Workshops and then head out and take in some of the festivals, all of which usually include archery contests.

For the best in cultural experiences, homestays are the perfect way to get your kids immersed in the traditional Bhutanese culture. You can stay overnight with a local Bhutanese family in their own house, and learn more about the unique culture. Eat and sleep with the family, and your kids can learn more about life in Bhutan while playing with the local children.

The National Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu is one of the best places to visit for learning more about Bhutan and its traditions and customs. Located in the heart of the city, the museum has dedicated its exhibits to connecting people from all over the world to the rich local folk heritage, rural history, and ancient traditions through education and documentations from history. The museum actually lies just a short distance from the National Institute for Traditional Arts, which showcases the 13 traditional arts of Bhutan. Known as the Zorig Choesum, the institute was developed to protect and preserve the traditional crafts of Bhutan, which are now listed as National treasures. The crafts include the weaving of textiles, embroidery, woodworking, and lots more, all of which are still practiced across the kingdom.

3. When is the best time to take a family trip to Bhutan?

For anyone wanting to visit Bhutan at its best, the spring and autumn seasons, from March to May and September to November, are the best times to visit the kingdom. During these times, the weather is calm and bright, with clear skies and bright sunshine, giving you the best views of the mountains.

Summer is not usually the best time to travel with kids, as it is the main monsoon season in Bhutan. Rains can come without notice, and can last from a few minutes or the whole day, there is no way to tell. Travel in summer is not advisable with small kids. However, if you have no other choice, it is best to try and travel in early June or late August/early September, to avoid the worst of the rains.

While summer is not a good idea, it is still possible to travel to Bhutan in the winter months, as long as you are not expecting to go trekking anywhere. The winter weather often puts a damper on hiking routes, which get covered with snow, but it is still warm enough in the major tourist destinations to make the most of the winter season’s lower prices and fewer tourists.

4. Do my kids need a visa to visit Bhutan?

All travelers to Bhutan are required to have a visa, even those that are very young. Just as you need the visa to enter the country, so do your kids, and these can be arranged with relative ease when you have booked your tour. Bhutan Entry Visas are not applied for in person, and we will make the application on your behalf once you have booked your tour. Once approved, you will be sent a letter of approval to show to immigration when you arrive. They will stamp the visas into your passports when you enter the country.

5. How much does it cost to visit Bhutan with Kids?

Bhutan has two cost profiles for visiting the country as a tourist. Instead of paying for everything separately, you are required to book on a pre-arranged tour, which costs either USD 250 per night or USD 200 per night, depending on the season.

The peak seasons, in spring and autumn, are more costly, while the low seasons are reduced in cost, but with the same quality. This is known as the Minimum Daily Package (MDP) fee, and it covers everything you will need in Bhutan, from your three-star hotels and all meals to entrance to the attractions, the car you travel in, and even your private guide.

For kids, this is waived completely for those under five years old, and halved for those from five to twelve. Babies and children under five are considered to be free to travel to and around Bhutan. For kids from 5 years to 12 years, the cost of their trip is USD 125 per night in the peak season and USD 100 per night in the low season. However, these fees do not include the cost of your visas, which are paid separately and above the cost of the tours. Other than that, the tour cost is for an all-inclusive tour, so it is really a good value for money.

6. Any packing suggestions for traveling Bhutan with Kids?

When planning a trip to Bhutan, you need to consider the weather in the kingdom at the time of your tour so that you know what clothes to bring with you. Bhutan can be cold in the winter months, as well as in the early spring and late autumn in the late evenings and overnight. And while summers can be warm, they are also a little wet.

Even in summer, you will need a warm jacket or coat to wear when it cools down in the evenings and overnight. The temperature difference between day and night is high in Bhutan, and days with average temperatures of around 20 degrees can still feel cold at night with lows down to below ten degrees. You will probably be walking a lot while traveling around Bhutan. Both you and your kids need to have comfortable walking shoes or boots, and some decent thick woolen socks help keep your feet warm.

Motion sickness is an issue for some people, and since you will be doing plenty of driving, if you suffer from any form of travel sickness, you should bring your usual medicines with you when you come. And some boiled sweets for the kids can help with their stomachs from feeling queasy and sick. And you should make sure you have a good strong sunblock for the kids, and bring enough personal hygiene items to cover your whole trip, including wipes and diapers for those with babies.

Your packing list should also include a few games and gadgets for the kids. These can help to keep them amused on the long drives across the country, and in the more “uninteresting” parts of the tour for them. Packs of cards, game-boys, phones, tablets, etc. all make great distractions for kids on long journeys, and you will be glad of the peace and quiet.