Tantric practices, symbolic mysticism, masks, choreography and music are all symbolic and all are believed to have their roots in Buddhist rituals. Amongst the most famous is the Bhutanese dancer, Pema Lingpa. The popular belief is that many of the dances he performed were celestial Buddhist dances that appeared to him in his dreams.

 There are mainly three kinds of dances; Religious dances that are performed by monks; secular dances performed by lay people; and oracle dances performed by oracles.  There are more than 150 festivals in Bhutan. Families are encouraged to check the festival calendar on the Department of Tourism’s website to find the best one for you!

The majestic monument is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. A massive 125,000 statues of Buddha between 8 and 12-inches-tall fill the massive body. Buddha Dordenma sits atop of a large meditation hall and outdoor meeting space on a hilltop overlooking Thimpu Valley. The 51.5-meter statue is the most visited attraction in Thimphu.

The Bhutanese believe that the cranes were sent from heaven as avatars of their ancestors. Bring your best cameras along, because the black-necked cranes are a sight to behold. Adult black-necked cranes are four-feet-tall with a red crown and long, thin legs. Their head, neck, wings and tail are black, save for a small light grey spot that stretches backwards from their yellow eyes, as well as ashy grey body feathers. Meanwhile, young cranes have a black and gray body with a cinnamon-brown head. There are also some festivals during this period that celebrate the arrival of the Black Neck Cranes to Bhutan!

Just like how the mountains are gorgeous, the clean, aqua-marine water in Bhutan is also breath taking. Spend a few hours on the water and see a different side to Bhutan. Rafting on the Mo Chhu and the Pho Chhu gives you a chance to opt for how adventurous you want to be. For beginners and families who want an enjoyable and scenic float down the river, we recommend the Mo Chhu. What makes rafting in the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers of Punakha memorable is the fact that its route includes the Punakha Dzong, famous for its unparalleled beauty.

The national animal of Bhutan, the Takin can be best spotted in the Takin preserve located in Motithang that’s a 15 min drive from the heart of Thimphu town. It was initially established as a mini zoo with some Takins and other endangered species of animals. Later, the fourth king of Bhutan decreed that it was against the philosophy of Buddhism to hold animals captive and were let in the wild but was put back into reserve after finding the animals wandering the streets looking for food.

Join us for an exciting adventure in the Kingdom of Happiness trekking on local Yueta horses through the Himalayan Mountains. Following through some of the most beautiful valleys in the Himalaya you will visit monasteries, ancient temples and local villages who make mountain life look easy. The easy pace allows time to spot some of the unique and hardy fauna and flora that have adapted to live on the mountain sides, and spending the night in tents will reveal incredible night skies. At the beginning and end of the trip there are also visits to some of the most spiritual and spectacular sites in Bhutan including Taktsang Goemba, Drukgyel Dzong, Punakha Dzong and Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten. 

Learn how to cook Bhutanese food as a family! Bhutan has an abundance of local fresh organic vegetables and simple ways of Bhutanese cooking introduces families to a basic or rudimentary style of cooking, prevalent in the Himalayan region. Learn how to make classic favourites such as momos (dumplings), Ema Datsi (chili & cheese), buckwheat noodles and traditional salads. Enjoy spending time with your teacher and then savour the meal as a family.

Mountain biking is a popular activity among visitors and locals alike. There are mountain biking trails through small hilltop villages and alpine forests in places like Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Haa and Bumthang. Enjoy the rugged topography and descending wild Himalayan trails that few people have ridden. Test your strength and stamina as you ride the exhilarating feeder roads and biking trails.

There are 13 traditional arts and crafts in Bhutan termed as the ‘zorig chu sum’ including painting, wood carving, carpentry, sculpting, textile weaving, ornament making, and bamboo weaving. Families will love experiencing the process of creating these traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts, and making customized souvenirs to take back home for memories of their visit to Bhutan. For a more contemporary experience, the first contemporary art studio, VAST (Voluntary Artists’ Studio Thimphu) offers weekend art classes led by senior artists where participants learn the basics of drawing and work their way through the use of other mediums like acrylics, oil pastels and water colours. 

Bhutan’s first helicopter company, the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited (RBHSL) that was initially founded for emergency medical evacuations is available for private hire. The flight can take you around the striking Taktshang monastery, over the sacred Jomolhari peak, flying over scenic hills, valleys, clear blue glacial lakes and forested mountains, providing spectacular bird’s eye views of Bhutan’s landscapes. You can also take a helicopter ride and enjoy family picnics.

Khuru is a traditional Bhutanese sport. These darts are made of wood with sharp iron tips, to be thrown at a small target approximately 50 feet away. Whether your kids are prone to boredom, or you want to cut short their screen time by taking them outdoors, you can keep them entertained through this fun-filled community sport.

There are 13 traditional arts and crafts in Bhutan termed as the ‘zorig chu sum’ including painting, wood carving, carpentry, sculpting, textile weaving, ornament making, and bamboo weaving. Families will love experiencing the process of creating these traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts, and making customized souvenirs to take back home for memories of their visit to Bhutan.

While home stays may not offer facilities like hotels and resorts, staying in a local farmhouse with a Bhutanese family is the perfect way to experience the daily life of Bhutanese people. You can join the daily rituals of Bhutanese people living in villages and participate in cultivation and harvesting alongside other farmers, pick seasonal fruits and vegetables, and eat authentic Bhutanese dishes unspoiled by copied restaurant recipes. If the family of the house is conducting a religious ritual, you can even help in making torma (offerings made from dough and colored butter).  

Another lesser-known activity that kids can enjoy is making colored-rice mandala. It is a religious and cultural practice to adorn red carpets for chief guests in important events with patterns made with multi-colored-rice. The patterns are usually the eight lucky signs, or other traditional Bhutanese motifs. Making these patterns can be a fun and creative way, for both children and adults to learn about traditional Bhutanese arts and customs.