Bhutan Family Holidays

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 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.