Submitted by: Jude Limburn Turner
Simply the mention of the word, Bhutan, conjures up visions of a remote and exotic destination with a spectacular landscape and a rich, magical history. Bhutan is all of this and more but, perhaps surprisingly to some, it is also an accessible and welcoming place to visit. Although tourism numbers are limited in order to preserve both the cultural and physical integrity of Bhutan, treks through this fascinating country will open your eyes to an authentic land, unspoilt by modern western ideals.
Because of its unique heritage and legendary hospitality, Bhutan makes an ideal destination for a family holiday. Whilst not advisable to take younger children on some of the more challenging Bhutan treks, there is no reason why the whole family can not be included on this once in a lifetime adventure.
Read All About It
If your children do not, as yet, share your enthusiasm for experiencing Bhutan treks, try getting them involved by reading up on some of the more exciting myths and stories of the country; the Bhutanese are wonderful storytellers and the thought of travelling to a country which is so steeped in legend could not help but pique the interest of a youngster. The delightful book by Freda Ferne, Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon, claims to be the only book published on Bhutan specifically for children. Whether or not the claim is true, it is a wonderful depiction of the country s geography, history and culture all in an easy-to-understand format aimed at kids.
Inside, Outside
While for some children the idea of camping out under the stars in a far off land sounds like heaven, there are bound to be those more timid young ones who may be a little less enthusiastic and prefer something more like home. The ideal family holiday should include a little of both. While on gentle, family-friendly Bhutan treks, camping can be made into a magical experience for the children, through the enthusiasm, professionalism and sense of fun of the local guides. When staying in the larger centres such as Paro and Thimphu, you can choose to stay in wonderful character accommodation or more luxurious hotels.
Fun for all Ages
Bhutan treks are appropriate for most age groups and make ideal family adventures. Each trek will naturally have a recommended minimum age, and will be carefully designed around the requirements of the younger travellers. Tours can even have a bespoke aspect so that they are tailor-made to suit the requirements of your family.
Festival Fun Time
Bhutan is an ideal destination for children when it comes to festival time. There are so many of these colourful celebrations throughout the year that it is a fairly easy task to coincide your Bhutan treks to attend a festival. While the main purpose of these festivals is to ward off evil and invite good fortune into the lives of the Bhutanese – through a child s eyes, the festivals are just great fun. The colour, lively music, meddlesome clowns and amazing masked dancers combine to make these festivals the highlight of any visit to Bhutan.
About the Author: Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who have provided
trekking holidays
for over 20 years. They now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.
Source:
isnare.com
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