Travelling to Bhutan

[Parentingin2024]

I've wanted to visit Bhutan for years, everything I've read sounds fascinating and it would be a world away from anywhere I've ever been before!

My only hesitation is that I have a 4 year old (will be 5 by the time we travel) and I'm not sure whether the trip would be right for him at such a young age? He's older than his years and I think he'd love the festivals and the history and seeing somewhere so different to home, but worried in case I've got that wrong and he'd hate it 😂

Has anyone got experience of travelling there with or without little ones? If so did you use a bespoke travel agent to arrange your trip or self plan? Did you go anywhere else before / after, how long did you stay? Any positive or negative reviews would be greatly received :)

Are you aware of the visa requirements and daily fees for Bhutan?

It's expensive.

I happily travelled when DS was that age, but if it was going to cost me 200 US dollars per day per person in fees alone before travel cost, I would definitely not go with a four year old. It simply wouldn't be worth it.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/visa-requirements-for-bhutan

Thank you for highlighting! I think the visa requirements have now reduced to US100 per person per day in addition to travel costs (until 2027) so it seems now is the time to go! I fully support countries such as Bhutan having a tourist tax and their reasons for it but may mean our stay is a little shorter 😊

I haven't been but a friend with two young children (6 and 3 I think at the time they went) did a tour of Bhutan and had a fantastic time. They went with Breathe Bhutan and were very happy with them.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bhutan

The only reason I would wait is so your child could remember it better! Aged 4, most people wouldn’t remember their holidays, but from aged 6/7 it could leave a lasting impression