Bhutan is a tranquil Buddhist Kingdom surrounded by stunning monasteries, Dzongs, and age-old religious sites. From rich culture and heritage to dramatic landscapes with mesmerizing natural beauty, a Bhutan trip can add the required spice and peace to your life. This destination is not only suitable for honeymooners or nature enthusiasts but it can also be perfect for an unforgettable family vacation. You can consider booking one of the Bhutan family tour packages with bhutan packages to make your trip hassle-free.
While booking the package, you must check whether it is customizable or not. This is an important factor since all the family members have different travel needs and you must include all those in the itinerary to make the vacation remarkable. Don’t forget to look for the best weather and travel requirements before planning the trip. Herein, you must also ask the tour operator to get you an all-inclusive package so that you don’t have to worry about transportation, accommodation, and sightseeing trips.
Important Tips To Plan The Family Tour Perfectly
1. Tourist Permit Formalities
To make your Bhutan trip a wonderful experience, you must know everything about the tourist permit requirements before planning the itinerary. If you’re visiting Bhutan by road then you need to collect the entry permit from the Immigration office in Phuentsholing. However, tourists travelling by air can collect the permit directly from the Paro International Airport.
There can be a long queue in the immigration office and this is why it is always advised to visit the location early in the morning. You must remember that this tourist permit is not valid for exploring the sightseeing attractions of Paro and Thimphu. If you want to explore beyond these places then you need to apply for special permits. Herein, you also have to pay Rs. 1200 sustainable development fee per person per night.
Documents To Carry:
- Passport size photo
- Filled form
- Detailed Itinerary
- Copy of passport or Voter’s ID
- Booking voucher for the hotel
2. Best Ways To Reach
- By Rail- There are no direct railways connecting India with Bhutan. However, you can board a train to Hasimara from NJP station in Siliguri and from then you can take a taxi to Jaigaon. From Jaigaon, you can enter the country via the Bhutan Gate in Phuentsholing.
- By Air- This is one of the best ways to travel to Bhutan since flying to the Paro International Airport can help you spot the snow-capped ranges of the Himalayas. Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are the two airlines that operate at this airport.
- By Road- Entering Bhutan by road through Jaigaon is the most common and cheapest way to travel. If you want to enjoy a scenic road trip with your family members then you must travel by road which will also help you to enjoy various scenic stopovers. It will take you around 3 hours and 45 minutes to reach Phuentsholing from Siliguri.
3. Pre-Booking Hotel Rooms
While booking a Bhutan tour package from Siliguri for your family vacation, you must also consider reserving a room in advance at a well-known hotel. After fixing your tour itinerary, the next step that you must do is to research the best accommodations.
You can check the online ratings or explore the online website of the hotel to get an overview of the rooms as well as available facilities. There are various boutique, luxurious, and budget-friendly stay options in the country which you can select based on your and your family’s travel preferences.
4. Perfect Time To Visit
All the seasons in Bhutan hold unique beauty that can offer you different travel experiences. However, if you’re planning a comfortable Bhutan trip with your family then October to December is considered the best time. During this season, you can experience clear skies and fresh air which is perfect for sightseeing. This time is also popular because of the higher chances of spotting endangered black-necked cranes in the Phobjikha Valley.
You must know that you can also visit Bhutan during the spring season to witness all the valleys packed with vibrant rhododendron blooms. However, it is always recommended to not arrange the family tour during monsoon due to the high chances of heavy rainfall, roadblocks, and landslides.
5. Unique Things To Do
Your family trip to Bhutan will be incomplete if you don’t try some adventure activities. The rolling mountains, lush green valleys, and dense forest areas are perfect here to indulge in some adrenaline-rushing activities. Given below are some of the unique things that you must experience in Bhutan-
- Trek to the mesmerizing Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro
- Go for birdwatching in the diverse wildlife sanctuaries
- Cross the ancient Punakha Suspension Bridge
- Enjoy the healing properties of a hot spring bath
- Arrange a scenic drive to the picturesque Dochula Pass
- Calm your body and soul by trying the traditional hot stone bath
- Soothe your adventurous soul by river rafting in the Mo or Paro Chhu River
6. Local Festivals
Bhutan is a country rich in happiness, cultural diversity, and vibrancy. To witness the reflection of these unique features, you must not miss to attend a local festival during the trip. This Himalayan Kingdom follows the philosophies of Buddhism and most of the festivals here are based on it.
Starting from colourful masked dance and unfurling of Thongdrel to traditional cuisine and cultural immersion, you can enjoy everything while attending the Bhutanese festivals or Tshechu. Some of the unique festivals that you can consider attending are-
- Thimphu Tshechu
- Jomolhari Mountain Festival
- Black-Necked Crane Festival
- Paro Tshechu
- Haa Summer Festival
- Punakha Drubchen
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival
- Wangdue Phodrang Tsechu
7. Must-Visit Places
If you have taken the normal tourist permit then you get to explore the sightseeing attractions of Thimphu, Phuentsholing, and Paro. These locations are surrounded by various religious, natural, and cultural sites. However, to make the family trip perfect, it is recommended to explore the offbeat locations of the country such as Punakha, Bumthang, and Haa.
- Phuentsholing- Bhutan Gate, Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, Karbandi Monastery, and Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre.
- Paro- Tiger’s Nest Monastery, National Museum of Bhutan, Chele La Pass, Kyichu Lhakhang, and Namgay Artisanal Brewery.
- Bumthang- Burning Lake, Kurje Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, and Ura Valley.
- Thimphu- National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, Buddha Dordenma Statue, Motithang Taking Preserve, and Simply Bhutan Museum.
- Punakha- Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, and Jigme Dorji National Park.
- Haa- Katsho Goemba, Ringsum Gonpo, Lhakhang Nagpo, and Lhakhang Karpo.
8. Dishes You Must Try
Bhutan has a diverse range of mouth-watering cuisines, offering both fine dining and stress food options. To make your family journey to Bhutan fulfilling, you must try the traditional dishes here. Starting from delicious tea and alcoholic beverages to veg and non-veg main course items, you can taste some soul-satisfying dishes here.
You will be astonished by every single here which is packed with simplicity, aroma, distinctive texture, and creaminess. Whether you're a meat lover or wish to stick to a healthy diet, Bhutanese food has a wide variety of dishes that can meet all of your requirements. Some popular dishes to try here are-
- Ema Datshi
- Jasha Maroo
- Suja
- Goen Hogey
- Momos
- Phaksha Paa
- Yaksha Shakam
Following this travel guide before booking one of the Bhutan family tour packages will help you to plan the family trip perfectly based on specific preferences and choices. Enjoy a happy vacation in a happy country to improve bonding with your near ones while collecting some memorable travel experiences.
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