15 Essential Tips for Visiting Bhutan with Kids under 12

If you are thinking of planning a trip to Bhutan with small kids under 12 years old, then you need to plan the trip carefully to ensure you are prepared for such an adventure. Unlike some destinations in Asia, a trip to Bhutan with younger kids is easily feasible, and there are plenty of things younger children can enjoy in this ancient Himalayan kingdom. The main concern for many parents is the safety of touring in Bhutan with small kids. However, it should be noted that, as long as you are able to keep an eye on your own children, especially those too young to safely walk on their own, there is no reason why you cannot take your kids to this amazing destination. Here, we have some great tips to help you plan your lifetime trip to the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Arrange Your Family Trip to Bhutan

1. Focus on West Bhutan

If you are planning a Bhutan family tour with kids, then it is normally best to stick to the western area of the kingdom, so as to avoid the very long drives to reach the central and eastern areas of Bhutan.

Most of the things you will want to see are actually found in the Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Haa, and Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhags, so you do not have to travel for days to reach the best parts of Bhutan. Long drives are the easiest way to make small kids bored and tired, and that is the last thing you want on your family holiday.

2. Avoid Visiting during the Monsoon Season in Summer Holiday

The summer monsoon season should really be avoided for families with younger kids, as the weather is not suitable for most activities. Despite there being many days when the rains do not fall all day long, the amount of rain in the peak of the monsoon season in Bhutan can put a dampener on spirits, especially with small kids. Being cooped up while it rains is not fun for children. Throughout the summer months of June, July, and August, the rains get heavier and last longer, with the peak rainfall coming in July or August, depending on the area. If you cannot avoid the summer months, try to schedule your trip for early in June or late in August to early September.

3. Balance Historical Visit and Culture Experience

While the temples, monasteries, and Dzongs of Bhutan are amazing places to visit, your young children may well disagree with you. Dusty old monasteries are often not interesting to kids unless there is something active to do, and the rules of monasteries and temples normally do not allow running and shouting. To balance out the monastery boredom, you can take the kids for some cultural activities, such as dressing in traditional costumes or learning how to make the various crafts that are part of the 13 Arts of the kingdom. Keeping them occupied with activities of interest will make the monasteries a little easier for them.

4. Experience a Homestay with Local Family

Kids love adventure, and there is no adventure in Bhutan as amazing for kids than to take a homestay in Bhutan and experience how their own kids live their daily lives. If the family has kids already, then it is a great opportunity for your own kids to learn something about the culture, taste the delicious Bhutanese food (though often tamed down a little with the chilies), and spend time playing with the local kids. What better introduction to Bhutanese lifestyles than with kids their own ages.

5. Ask for Child Discount

Children always get a discount for their trips to Bhutan, and it is important that you notify the travel agency of the ages of your kids. Children under five years old are free, but from five to 12, they only pay half of the cost of the tour’s Minimum Daily Package (MDP) fees. While adults will pay 250 dollars per night in the peak season and 200 dollars in the low season, for kids from 5-12, this is reduced to 100-125 dollars per night. You should always make sure that you inquire about the child discounts available, as they are also often available for more than just the MDP fee.

About Fly to Bhutan

6. Prepare for Long Time Flight

Flights to Bhutan are only available from nine airports in five countries in Asia only, and it is usually best to find the flights with the shortest travel times for those traveling with small kids.

The three locations with the longest flights to Bhutan are from Singapore and Bangkok, both of which take around two hours, with the longest of all being from India, which is a 2 hours 30 minutes flight. While this may not seem long, add to that the time to wait for the flight after checking in and the wait on the tarmac before take-off, and the flight soon turns into a 6+ hour epic journey for small kids.

If you can, try to get the shorter flights from Kathmandu (1 hour 15 minutes) or from Kolkata (1 hour 20 minutes) to make the whole experience shorter for the kids. You might also want to bring along gadgets and toys in your hand luggage to keep them occupied during the waiting and flights.

7. Reserve at least one night for connecting flights to Bhutan

If you are getting a connecting flight into Bhutan, it can help with your kids’ boredom and tiredness if you plan the trip with an overnight stay in the connecting location. This will let the kids have a good rest for the night before continuing to Bhutan, and breaks up the longer journey a little. It is also handy to have this break in case their area delays in the flights to Bhutan, which can happen a lot due to the bad weather at Paro Airport.

Travel in Bhutan

8. Time to get away from the TV and the Internet

Traveling in Bhutan is an amazing adventure, and is great for getting the kids away from the TV and the internet for a break in the fresh air. Getting them out and about into the countryside, with its amazing views and stunning landscapes, is a good way to give them some fresh air and exercise, instead of being glued to TV and Web for the whole day. Just bring a gadget with some games for the drives.

9. Be Aware of the Street Dogs

Bhutan does have a problem with street dogs, though not as bad as some Asian countries. However, you should make sure that your kids know not to try and pet roaming dogs, and to keep an eye out yourself for these stray animals so you can keep the kids away from them. While they are not generally dangerous for most people, preferring to run away from people, it is still best to give them a wide berth.

10. Pay Attention to Motion Sickness

Motion Sickness is something most people do not consider when planning a trip to Bhutan, rather more focused on altitude sickness instead. The rough road conditions in most of Bhutan, the long drives between cities and towns, and the closeness of the cars themselves can often cause some travel sickness in kids. To avoid your kids being sick in the car, it is suggested to prepare some simple motion sickness medication, and bring along some boiled sweets, which can help settle their stomachs.

11. Prepare the Food for Your Kids

Bhutanese food is spicy and filled with chilies, and not always tasty to some adult palates. For kids, this may not be the best kind of food to give them, though it is a great opportunity to let them try it first. Just in case, make sure that you have some snacks that they can munch on, or let your guide know that they will not be able to eat local food. There are plenty of restaurants in Bhutan that serve western, Indian, and Chinese dishes which they may be used to at home. And make sure your guide knows if you are vegetarians or anyone has any food allergies.

12. Buy Some Small Souvenirs during the Trip in Bhutan

Bhutan has 13 traditional arts and crafts that are protected to maintain their authenticity in Bhutanese culture. This means that there are plenty of locally-made handicrafts that you and your kids may never have seen before, from traditional textiles and hand-made papers to carved figures, Buddhist icons, and a host of other things. It is highly recommended to take some time to explore the markets and find some souvenirs that your kids will like to bring back home with them during your Bhutan tour.

Packing for Your Family Tour in Bhutan

13. Bring the Car Seat if Your Kids Need

Most travel agencies provide car seats for kids, but they are normally of local design, and may not be suitable for your child or to your liking. If you prefer to have a child seat that you are happy with, you can bring your own car seat with you, and it can be used when you are traveling in the tour vehicle to ensure you are happy with the safety of your child.

14. Bring Your Personal Hygiene Supplies

If you are traveling with younger kids and babies, then you will need to bring the personal hygiene products that you need for your child’s care. Diapers and wipes in Bhutan may not be to your liking, so it is a good idea to bring diapers and wipes to cover your entire trip. You should also bring the hygiene products that they normally use at home to reduce the risk of allergies to locally-made products.

15. Bring Comfortable Shoes and Warm Coats

Bhutan can be a little cold and rough ground is everywhere in the country. Make sure that you have warm coats for the kids, and enough sweaters to keep them warm in the colder weather. You should also make sure that their shoes are comfortable and waterproof, to keep them from getting cold or sore from the amount of walking you will normally do in Bhutan.

Conclusion

Traveling to Bhutan with smaller kids is not really a problem as long as you prepare for the trip properly. Always make sure that you have all the items you need for the trip, from hygiene products and car seats to the right clothes and shoes for the country’s weather conditions. And make sure you bring games and toys to keep them occupied on long journeys, as well as choosing your itinerary to allow for their interests as well. With a few tips, you can make your lifetime trip to Bhutan with your young kids the best trip ever.