Located in south-central Asia, Bhutan is an immersive destination for families with school-age children and young adults. After a week-long family vacation in the remote Himalayan kingdom, I’ve compiled a list of ten things to do in Bhutan with kids. I hope these tips inspire you to plan a family vacation to Bhutan.
look at the himalayas
Drive up to the Dochula Pass, which is more than 3,000 meters high, where (weather permitting) you can see the magnificent snow-capped Himalayas. The world’s tallest mountains pass through Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. At the top of Dochula Mountain, you can stroll among 108 memorial stupas (Buddhist holy sites) and flocks of fluttering prayer flags.
Practice Bhutan’s national sport
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and there are plenty of opportunities to pick up a bow and arrow when you visit the kingdom. Ask your hotel if they offer archery experiences, or learn about the sport at the Simple Bhutanese Life Museum in Thimphu.
If you asked my kids, I’m sure they would rank archery as one of the top things to do with kids in Bhutan. This is a challenging sport!
Cross one of the longest suspension bridges in the country
Cross the Pochu River on one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in Bhutan. You can walk to this bridge before or after exploring Punakha Dzong. This 160-meter-long suspension bridge offers views of the lush Punakha Valley and the glacier-fed Pochu River below.
Explore Punakha Dzong
Punakha Dzong is the second oldest dzong (fortress with administrative and monastic functions) built in Bhutan. It is considered the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. All kings of Bhutan are crowned in Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong was the seat of government until it was moved to Thimphu in 1955, and is now the winter residence of Je Khenpo (Abbot of Bhutan) and about 1,000 monks.
The colorful murals inside the Punakha Dzong depict the life of the Buddha. After exploring Punakha Dzong, walk across the covered Bazam Bridge. If you look over the side of the bridge, you may see a large school of fish in the river. Additionally, some people (like our guide) bring food for the fish. It was incredible to see so many fish jumping out of the water.
Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Pagoda
Cross a suspension bridge over the Mochu River (much shorter than the one near Punakha Dzong), then walk along the terraces and follow the path to Kansu Yuli Namgyal Pagoda. It takes about an hour or less to reach Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
You may see farmers and their families working in the fields with their hands or with the help of oxen and plows. Depending on the season, produce may be sold along the trail to Khamum Yulley.
The Queen of Bhutan commissioned the construction of Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Pagoda in 2004 to promote peace and harmony. Visit the sculptures inside Khamsum Yulley, then continue climbing the steep stairs to the top floor. You can climb to the roof of the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Pagoda and enjoy the vast views of the Punakha Valley.
Temple of the Madman
Stroll through the unforgettable village of Sopsoka, decorated with wooden phalluses and phallic murals. This is the only place in Bhutan where my kids refused to pose for pictures! After buying souvenirs (or not), walk about 20 minutes along the path to Chimmi Lhakhang, also known as the Madman’s Temple and the Temple of Plenty.
This 15th-century fertility temple is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, known as the Holy Madman for his insane wisdom and heinous actions. Newlyweds and childless couples looking to start a family often make pilgrimages to Chimilacon. However, anyone who visits the monastery can be blessed with a decorative wooden phallus on their head.
Gaze at one of the largest Buddha statues in the world
The Vajra Seat Shakyamuni Buddha is 51 meters high and is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. This massive Buddha statue is filled with 125,000 Buddha statues ranging from 8 to 12 inches tall. The Vajra is perched atop a large meditation hall and outdoor meeting space on a hilltop, overlooking the Thimphu Valley.
Experience simple Bhutan
Visit Thimphu’s Museum of Simple Bhutanese Life and learn about the country’s rich culture. After gathering at a traditional Bhutanese greeting space and an optional glass of ara (rice wine), your guide will take you through a replica Bhutanese village. At Simply Bhutan, you can watch Bhutanese people singing and dancing, practice archery, and taste authentic Bhutanese food at the on-site café.
Visit the National Memorial Pagoda
The white National Memorial Stupa, topped with a gilded spire, was built in Thimphu in 1974 to commemorate the third king of Bhutan.
We visited the National Memorial Pagoda at noon and during the festivities. As a result, an unusually large number of Bhutanese people circled the pagoda in a clockwise direction. Around the memorial site, elderly Bhutanese often sit and spin huge copper prayer wheels or spin 108 rosary beads. 108 is a sacred number in Bhutan.
Hike to Tiger Cave Temple
Tiger Cave Temple was built in 1692 to commemorate a series of events that introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. It is considered the holiest place in Bhutan. This is a place that most Bhutanese visit at least once in their lives. It should be at the top of your list of things to do in Bhutan. But due to the higher altitude, I recommend saving Tiger Cave Temple for the end of the trip. Read more about this in our travel tips (below).
Clinging to the 3,000-foot-high cliffs at the valley floor, reaching Tiger Cave Temple requires a steady climb of 2 hours to reach an altitude of 10,000 feet. The trail to Tiger Cave Temple starts about 6 miles from Paro town. Paro is 7,000 feet above sea level, so there is an elevation gain of 3,000 feet on the way to Tiger’s Nest. I tell people that our trek to the Tiger’s Den was actually one of the highlights of our family vacation in Bhutan.
Travel Tips – Things to do in Bhutan with Kids
- Bhutan’s high-value, low-impact tourism industry means that most visitors to Bhutan require a certified tour guide. Additionally, travelers must spend a minimum amount per day. During our family vacation in Bhutan, we stayed at the Como Hotel and Resort and they arranged dedicated drivers and guides for their guests. If you are planning a trip to Bhutan, I recommend staying at COMO – it’s an incredible family vacation. Learn more about our An exceptional stay at Hotel Umaparo Como here.
- We visited Bhutan with our teenagers. I recommend visiting Bhutan with older children due to the altitude and type of activities.
- You can read more about Our experience in Bhutan In this article from TravelAge West.
- Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines serve Bhutan’s only international airport in Paro. We flew from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan on Druk Airlines. You can read about Flying Druk Air Business Class here. After our family vacation, we flew from Paro to Delhi, India, with Druk Air. The view of the Himalayas from the flight from Bhutan to India was incredible.
- Finally, plan to hike to Tiger’s Den after taking time to acclimatize to Bhutan’s increased altitude. This is especially important if you live at sea level or at lower elevations.
Is Bhutan on your travel bucket list?
