Bhutan is no ordinary place, the last great Himalayan kingdom with a reputation for mystery and magic. It is a small land-locked mountainous country, surrounded by China to its north and India to its east, south and west. It is a place where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments. In Bhutan Gross National Happiness is deemed to be more important than Gross National Product. Read on for our one week Bhutan itinerary with children.
The Bhutanese follow a sustainable approach to tourism in line with their philosophy of Gross National Happiness. At US$250 per person per day Bhutan appears an expensive destination but this fee is all inclusive – accommodation, food, transport and an official guide are all provided. We travelled to Bhutan with Bridge to Bhutan, a travel company who we would definitely recommend. Our trip to Bhutan was six nights and seven days.
Bhutan is a fascinating country with much to offer the visitor. There is the beautiful Himalayan scenery, where mountains rise from thick forest. Then there are the beautiful dzongs and monasteries dotted around the country, a deeply Buddhist land. It visibly protects its Buddhist traditions but Bhutan is forward thinking. You will find the Bhutanese well educated, fun loving and well informed about the world around them. It is this blending of the ancient and modern that makes Bhutan endlessly fascinating.
Our time in Bhutan was fascinating, with two nights spent in each valley.
ONE WEEK BHUTAN ITINERARY WITH CHILDREN
Day 1 – Arrive at Paro; transfer to Thimphu (1 hr drive)
Day 2 – Explore the capital town of Thimphu
Day 3 – To Punakha valley (3 hr drive)
Day 4 – Explore the Punakha valley
Day 5 – To Paro (4 hr drive)
Day 6 – Hike to Tiger’s nest monastery (4-6 hr hike)
Day 7 – To airport
DAY 1 – Arrive in Paro; Transfer to Thimphu
We flew from Bangkok in Thailand, to Paro in Bhutan, with Druk Air, the national carrier. The flight took about four hours with a short stop in Calcutta en-route. As we approached Paro we could see the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan. The landing in Paro is not for the faint hearted as there are mountains on either side of the plane, alarmingly close at times, and a short runway on which the plane has to stop. It is apparently one of the world’s most difficult airports to land and take off at. Thankfully our landing was uneventful.
At the airport, you’ll be met by your driver and guide who will accompany you throughout your time in Bhutan.
From the airport it is a 45 minute drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. There is plenty to see and do here, but more of that tomorrow.
We spent two nights at the Hotel Pedling in central Thimphu where rooms are basic but comfortable. Thimphu seems to have a problem with dogs barking at night so if you are a light sleeper it would definitely be worth bringing ear plugs.
DAY 2 – Explore the city of Thimphu
There is plenty to do in Thimphu for a day or two. Visit the Cheri Monastery, see the Takin Reserve, spin prayer wheels at the Memorial Chorten, visit the weekend market, get a self portrait printed on a stamp or gaze up at Buddha Dordenma, the largest sitting Buddha in the world.
Read Also: Top 10 Things To Do In Thimphu, Bhutan
DAY 3 – Travel to the Punakha Valley over the Dochu La Pass
The drive between Thimphu and Punakha is an adventure in itself. It is a 3.5 hour drive on roads currently under construction (due to be finished in 2018). For us travelling after rain, it meant driving on slippery, muddy tracks. The journey was slow going and a little hair raising at times!
You pass over the Dochu La Pass on the way to Punakha, a high mountain pass at 3,150 meters. Here you’ll find 108 chorten’s that serve as a memorial to Bhutanese soldiers killed in an uprising in 2003. If you are lucky, unlike us, you might get a glimpse of snow-covered Himalayas.
Just before arriving at Punakha stop to visit Chimi Lhakhang (Divine Madman Temple). Lama Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman, is one of Bhutan’s favourite saints, famous for his sexual exploits. The temple is now visited by childless couples searching to increase their fertility. Here you can be blessed by a wooden Phallus to ward off evil spirits. Many buildings around Punakha are adorned with Phalluses. These are as a result of the Divine Madman teachings and sexual humour and are thought to keep evil spirits away. These same Phalluses are hot souvenirs available for purchase.
We spent two nights at the Meri Puensum Resort, outside of Punakha town but with good views over the valley. We had two bungalow rooms which were large and comfortable. All our accommodation in Bhutan was 3*, basic but comfortable. We didn’t find any rooms large enough for a five person family in Bhutan so two rooms was the norm.
DAY 4 – Explore the Punakha Valley
Today starts with a hike through beautiful rice terraces to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, with stunning views over the Punakha Valley.
Next, the highlight of the Punakha Valley for the boys, river rafting on the Mo Chhu river. This was their first experience of white water rafting and they absolutely loved it, so much so that they wanted to do it all again immediately after we had finished! You can raft both the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and the Pho Chhu (Father River) in the Punakha valley. We chose the Mo Chhu for our first family river rafting trip as it is the easiest and most suitable for children. The river rapids were grade 2 and 3 so enough action to keep everyone entertained but not so scary that we thought we’d be out of the raft and in the river! It was great fun with plenty of excitement and a must if you are a fun loving family like us.
Lastly today a visit to the stunning Punakha Dzong sitting on the banks of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers.
Read Also: Exploring the Punakha Valley
DAY 5 – Drive to Paro
We spent two nights at Khangkhu Resort in Paro, overlooking the airport. The stunning view of Paro Dzong below was taken at our hotel. This was our base for the hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
DAY 6 – Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
A must do while in Bhutan. The Taktshang Goemba (translated as Tiger’s Nest Monastery) is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. The monastery sits perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 metres above the floor of the Paro valley.
The only way up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery it to walk or ride a horse (as far as half way). We chose to hike the whole way. It is a tough hike but perfectly doable with active children, taking about six hours in total. Flynn our youngest, eight at the time, seemed to run most of the way up and down!
Read Also: Hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
DAY 7 – Fly out of Paro
It’s time to say goodbye to this fascinating country. We just scratched the service and will definitely return, next time for a trek. Trekking in Bhutan sounds such fun. Horses carry the loads, camps are set up ahead of time, and you are surrounded by all that amazing scenery.
ADVICE FOR TRAVELLING TO BHUTAN
Government regulations require foreign visitors to travel with a prepaid and preplanned itinerary organised through a Bhutanese travel company.
You will also be accompanied by a Bhutanese guide for the duration of your trip.
Your tour operator will obtain the necessary visa once your trip expenses are paid in full.
You will pay a tourist tariff, a daily fee, per person, to visit Bhutan. This tariff covers your stay in 3 star accommodation (4 and 5 star accommodations require an additional fee), all meals, a licensed Bhutanese tour guide, a car (mini-van) and driver, and all necessary camping equipment if you are going trekking. The fee is US$200 per person, per day for the months of December – February and June – August and US$250 per person, per day for the months of March – May, and September – November. Children up to the age of five travel free. Children between 5 and 12 years old are exempt from the US$65 government royalty, which is a component of the US$250 daily tariff, and pay only 50% of the rest of the daily tariff.
IS THE HIGH COST WORTHWHILE TO VISIT BHUTAN?
Definitely yes! We all loved Bhutan. It was worth paying the daily tariff in order to visit this amazing country. There is so much to this tiny landlocked country – the beautiful Himalayan landscape, the majestic fortress-like dzongs and monasteries, the stunning hiking, the competitive archery and the friendly people. So, if anyone is wondering if travelling to Bhutan is worth the expense (like we did), it absolutely is. We would definitely recommend travelling in Bhutan with children.
READ ALSO: Bhutan Travel Tips: Things to Know Before Visiting
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39 Comments.
I’d love to visit Bhutan, it sounds amazing. I went to Nepal and Tibet about 15 years ago. The mountains are incredible. Bhutan sounds more manageable with young children, and it sounds like the money is well spent. #familytraveltips
Nepal and Tibet are on our list but we are waiting a year or two for our youngest to be 10. We are concerned abut the altitude as we want to do lots of trekking. Bhutan is a great destination, the land that time forgot. Definitely money well spent.
Bhutan is definitely on our list but likely when our kids are a bit older! Thanks for such a great post! It made me even more excited to visit one day! #familytraveltips
Should definitely be on the list. A special country, the land that time forgot!
Wow what a beautiful trip, pinning for later! We have done Tibet before kids and loved it – your pics remind me in many ways of our trip but still your impressions tell me Bhutan has quite a different story and feel. Hillarious to hear the mix of tradition and smart phones, especially for buddhist monks! I need to give my boys few years to hike but hoping we will get there one day! Thanks for taking me on a beautiful daydream ?
Sorry forgot again #Explorerkids…
We would love to visit Tibet. Waiting until our youngest is a little older to cope with the altitude. I’m sure your boys will get to the hiking stage, probably sooner than you think!
Thanks so much for including the pricing!!! I have just added it to my bucket list for before the little guy turns 5… (that would be a substantial saving!)
forgot to say #familytraveltips
Bhutan would be a good choice before any little ones are five. Considerable savings on cost as they don’t pay the daily tourist tariff.
This looks like a trip of a lifetime, absolutely amazing! I’d love to take my little one when he gets older. The hike up to Tigers nest monastery is something I’d love to do! All the views are breathe taking! what an amazing place to visit. Thanks for sharing all your tips and advice. Mandy x #Explorerkids
Visiting Tiger’s Nest Monastery was definitely a highlight of our time in Bhutan but the whole country is fantastic and has so much to offer. We hope to go back and do a hike in the Himalayas.
What an amazing journey for everyone! Such beautiful pics – I really want to go! TY! #explorerkids xoxo
I’ve heard so much about this place. Good things of course. One of my friend went there to do this martial arts training. Now, seeing it through your eyes – it is absolutely such a fascinating place. I’d love to go there. There is so many things to do other than temple visiting. The Dick Temple made me laughed! lol! Sorry I meant the Fertility Temple. 😉 I really like the advice that you have given to travellers if they wish to go there. I think for most places it is an absolute must to have a guided tour operator with you. I’d be lost! Literally – lost in the woods perhaps! lol!
Always, lovely to read your blog post. Thank you so much for linking up with us again on #ExplorerKids xx
Thanks so much Su. Bhutan is a wonderful country with so many things to see and do. The ‘phallus’ village constantly makes me laugh when i look back at photographs and see the boys posing next to them!
Wow, I wanna do Bhutan as well!!
This looks like an absolutely amazing trip to take. Look at that scenery and what wonderful memories you’ve made too. #MondayEscapes
What an incredible adventure. The rating and walk up to the Tigers Nest Monastery must have been epic. Where on earth did Flynn get the energy! Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
Bhutan is a special country and the hike to Tiger’s Nest was definitely a highlight. I don’t know where any of my children get their energy!
This looks amazing. I have been to Nepal twice and absolutely love the region but have yet to take the children anywhere like that yet, but I think we need to soon. #MondayEscapes
There’s something very special about the mountains. We’re hoping to go to Nepal sometime soon. Would love to do the Everest Base Camp trek with the boys.
A colleague of mine also visited Bhutan a few months ago and absolutely loved it. Judging from your beautiful pics, I can see why!
We loved it and would definitely recommend.
Wow, what an incredible country. I have read a lot about Bhutan in the past and always thought it sounded like a great place with lovely people and I am very fond of the focus on happiness. Your itinerary sounds perfect, rafting looks great fun! Definitely somewhere I’d like to take my children. Thanks for linking up to #familytraveltips
Nat.x
It is an incredible country. Imagine focusing on happiness rather than money or wealth…
What an interesting place to visit. The blend of modern and old tradition seems perfectly suited. I love the ethics of focussing on happiness- a lot could be learned from Bhutan. Thanks for linking up to #familytraveltips
Totally agree…a lot could be learned from Bhutan across the world.
What a stunning place and such an interesting and varied itinerary too. I love the sound of the white water rafting and the fertility ‘souvenirs’ made me laugh out loud! I hope you bought one to put on your mantlepiece? Whate age would you suggest is best for travelling there with kids? My boys are younger than yours, 3 & 6. Looks like there is a lot of hiking? Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
Hi Lisa
Its quite an adventurous place to travel so probably a bit older than your boys. Accommodation was basic but comfortable enough, food quite repetitive and full of chillies! We ended up asking for ‘no chilli’ because if you asked for a bit it was way too hot! I would say probably best from 6/7. Having said that children below the age of 5 don’t pay the daily tourist fee so might be worthwhile for younger kids as would be cheaper and could obviously change the itinerary to include less hiking.
What time of the year did you go? we are thinking of going in July and a bit concerned about the monsoons.
We went in September time. Weather was pretty good, although sometimes cloudy and a bit wet. Best time to go is Oct/Nov and April/May. June/July/August is monsoon time – would probably be OK sightseeing but wouldn’t be great for trekking.
Guess who was Google #1 when I just looked for Bhutan information? Well done!!!
5 years for the child cut off is very disappointing though. I think we’ll need to make this trip the 1st of December and delay Australia.
Yay! Baby steps…and big thank you to you. Did you manage to sort out your Bhutan trip?
Love how you guys push the boundaries of family travel. What an incredible and eye opening place to explore together!
Thanks for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav
Its probably my favourite destination from our world trip – this tiny Himalayan kingdom where happiness is deemed more important than wealth!
This trip is by far at the top of our family travel bucket list. My hubby and I have always wanted to visit Bhutan and really want to experience the country with our son. Thanks so much for sharing this, pinning it for the future! #fearlessfamtrav
It’s an unbelievable country to visit. My favourite from our world trip! Anywhere that measures prosperity by people’s happiness is great by me.
Hi,
Great blog with pictures.
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Cheers
Tshewang Penjor
Thank you.