Holistic nurturing in nature meets off-the-trail explorations in one of the world’s finest destinations to experience both. Trek over Bhutan’s forest-covered hillsides, try your hand at traditional pastimes, discover a deeper side to the kingdom’s culture, and focus on spending time together without the screens.
This remarkable country is forging a path where sustainability is the top prize, while the rest of the world looks on with admiration. It’s a unique place to show the next generation what’s possible.
A family holiday in Bhutan is an inspiring choice, especially if you’re ready to step out of the ordinary. Combining memorable adventures with space to bond, and remaining well off the mainstream travel table, family-focused holidays in Bhutan offer just the right blend of action and relaxation without any fear of feeling overcrowded.
Bhutan is a really special destination for families, with an inspiring combination of natural space and progressive sustainability. Unbeatable.
One of Bhutan’s biggest draws is its Great Outdoors; there’s nothing like the sensation of standing on an unblemished hillside looking towards that vast, undulating horizon. For outdoorsy families, it’s paradise. Cycle along rural lanes and through quiet villages, explore gentle routes around Haa, Paro and Punakha for birdwatching encounters, or opt for longer hikes to discover the forest’s hidden gems. Turn up the adventure, and take teenagers out of their comfort zones, with a challenging (but rewarding) trek to the Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. Camp overnight above the monastery, before heading down at first light to see the beauty of the place at dawn before anyone else arrives…
At the core of a family holiday in Bhutan is serenity and space, surrounded by the sort of unspoiled wilderness that feels both precious and rare. There’s room to breathe, deeply reconnect with each other, and reset from the urban rush. It’s the ideal place for climate-conscious kids to discover positive ecological policy in action, with Bhutan leading the way as the only carbon negative country in the world. It offers families the chance to learn about the wider stretch of sustainability, too, with Bhutan’s tourist tariffs and Gross National Happiness policies making leaps forward for its citizens’ quality of life.
Bhutan’s tsechu festivals bring communities together to celebrate through traditional song, dance, elaborate costumes and vibrant music - ideal for immersing families in each region’s customs and local life. They also present the perfect opportunity to get involved with Bhutan’s national obsession: archery! Beginners can learn the bow and arrow basics from skilled archers, and watch the country’s best go up against each other in compelling competitions. Away from the party vibes, dig deeper into Bhutan’s history at the famously impressive Punakha Dzong, where you can wander between intricate architecture and examine fascinating artefacts, and spark your imagination at the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where skilled students demonstrate traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts, including painting, wood carving, tailoring, and statue making.
Change the pace of your family holiday and cosy down for a few days in one of Bhutan’s wonderfully welcoming lodges. The brightly painted and intricately carved exteriors of the country’s traditional hotels give way to warm, inviting rooms with snug nooks for curling up with a book after a day exploring the wild hills. In properties overlooking lush valleys and hillsides, families can hunker down around roaring fires as the cooler evenings draw in, stargaze under blankets from sheltered terraces, and swim in pools surrounded by lush forest. Experience home-from-home comforts at farmstays, where you can learn to cook proper Bhutanese comfort food with your local hosts before tucking into a meal together. Settle in and make yourself at home.
Most of Bhutan is at a much lower altitude than some of its loftier Himalayan counterparts, but Paro (where you’ll land) is at a fairly high 2,300m, so altitude sickness is worth bearing in mind especially for young children, older adults and anyone with a health condition. It’s advisable to take things easy for the first few days, and we’d recommend speaking with your doctor before you travel if you have any concerns.
The best time to visit Bhutan is generally considered to be either in the spring, between March and May, or in the autumn from September to November, making it perfect for an Easter, May half-term or October half-term family break. During these months the weather tends to be pleasantly dry and mild, and the scenery is at its most glorious. It’s no surprise that the most popular visitor sites in Bhutan, such as Taktsang Goemba, the Punakha Dzong and the Tashichho Dzong, get a little more crowded during spring and autumn, although even then (as there are firm restrictions on visitor numbers) we’re not talking lengthy queues. If you stick to the lower valleys, December to February is also a great time to visit, and opens up the possibility of a very special Christmas.
Having an experienced, knowledgeable and welcoming local guide on hand during your trip is absolutely invaluable. They’ll meet you upon arrival, act as translator, transfer you between locations, and generally make everything go as smoothly as possible. You’ll be accompanied by the same guide throughout your Bhutan trip, and we pride ourselves on using only the best guides who are trained to the highest level, fully certified and licensed. The feedback we get from our clients is that the guides make a great trip into an outstanding one.
Bhutan is a lesser-chosen but fantastic destination for family travel, and one of the safest countries you could ever wish to visit. The Sustainable Development Fee, that every visitor pays to enter the country, contributes towards a smooth and comfortable experience. Visits are highly coordinated by the tourist board, which takes any stress out of organising day-to-day details, and most of the accommodation options are chilled out and family friendly. It’s a safe, reassuring and supportive destination, the people you meet are friendly and helpful, and the infrastructure is easy to navigate. As with many unfamiliar places, some things may differ from what you’re used to, but most places feel totally secure and safe. If you need anything, or have any queries once you’re there, our guides are always on hand to help.
When planning a trip to Asia, it’s always important to consider the possible requirements for vaccinations and immunisations. Most importantly, we stress that you should contact your doctor or medical practitioner well before you depart to get their advice on any vaccinations you may need for your trip. If you’ve travelled recently and believe that you are already up-to-date, it’s still worth checking as vaccinations have a varying life span. The NHS Fit for Travel map has declared Bhutan low to no risk for malaria. The NHS Travel Vaccinations site has lots of up-to-date information on vaccinations and other travel health issues, and you can head to our Health & Vaccinations page for further details.
All foreign nationals, with a couple of exceptions, visiting Bhutan require a visa (see our Bhutan Entry Requirements page for details). The Bhutanese visa is arranged by our local team, and must be arranged in advance of travel. You will need to provide us with a scanned copy of your passport to process the application. An approval letter will be issued which you will need to produce on arrival into Bhutan and the visa will then be stamped into your passport. The visa fee of US$40 per person is included in the cost of your holiday. It is essential that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months from your arrival into Bhutan.
Though you can pick up some of the things you might need in larger towns, we’d recommend taking supplies of any family essentials, as well as your preferred brand of sunscreen. Light, long sleeved shirts, a light scarf or two, and long trousers or skirts will mean that you’re prepared for any eventuality, including modest dress codes at sites of religious significance. You’ll also need warmer clothing, such as jumpers and fleeces, as it can get cold at the end of the day, even in the height of summer. Hiking boots or other supportive footwear is a must for even light walking or trekking.
You cannot obtain Ngultrum (NU) outside of Bhutan. You can change money on arrival at the airport, in larger hotels and major banks. US Dollars are the most popular currency for this purpose. For further details, head to our Money & Costs page.