Nathan’s Family Adventure on the Roof of the World: A 16-Day Himalayan Journey of Growth

I received an inquiry from Nathan. He told me that he and his wife, both in their forties, along with their two children - a 12-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter - had long dreamed of taking their kids on a journey to the “Roof of the World.”

Why the “Roof of the World”?

During our conversations, I asked Nathan’s family why they chose Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Nathan answered simply:

“We want our children to grow up seeing a different world.”

They weren’t looking for another theme park or shopping holiday, but a true journey of the heart.

For the parents, it was a lifelong dream - to see the Himalayas with their own eyes, to step into sacred temples, and to feel a spiritual world far removed from everyday life.

For the children, it was more than a trip; it would be a classroom without walls - a way to learn respect for different cultures, and the values of resilience and courage.

For the family as a whole, this was to be a team adventure - a chance to face the challenges of high altitude together, to share the awe of nature and culture, and to create memories that would last a lifetime.

Nathan’s wife once said something that stayed with me:

“The Himalayas sound so far away, but that’s exactly why we want to go. We want our children to know the world beyond home is vast and full of wonder.”

Listening and Planning

Through multiple conversations, I understood their core priorities:

Culture and nature combined: not just sightseeing, but opportunities to step into local traditions in Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan while admiring the grandeur of the Himalayas.

Family interaction: activities the children could join in, not just follow, making the trip fun and educational.

Safety and comfort: with the high-altitude environment in mind, I prepared a full safety plan, arranged comfortable hotels and vehicles, and provided oxygen bottles.

Balanced pace: highlights woven with time to rest, avoiding exhaustion.

To me, this wasn’t only a trip - it was a family’s shared adventure in growth. They expected surprises; my job was to transform that expectation into beautiful memories.

Tibet (Days 1–4)

When their plane landed at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, a special gift awaited them: handcrafted silver prayer-wheel pendants engraved with each family member’s initials. Nathan’s daughter held hers tightly and smiled: “This is our lucky charm!”

At the Potala Palace, Nathan climbed the steps slowly with his children, gazing out over the vast plateau. Standing on the rooftop, his wife whispered: “No photo could ever capture this feeling.”

At Jokhang Temple, the children curiously spun prayer wheels, while the guide explained the history of the revered Buddha statue inside.

Their most memorable moment came during a Tibetan lifestyle workshop: learning to churn butter tea and make tsampa. Their son mischievously shaped his tsampa into a “little monster,” sending the whole family into laughter. The guide said: “Now you really look like a Tibetan family.”

Later, dressed in traditional clothing, they posed for a family portrait in Lhasa’s old town - a photo that captured not just smiles, but the joy of a dream realized.

Nepal (Days 5-8)

Crossing the Himalayas, they arrived in Kathmandu. Wandering through Durbar Square, the children marveled at the intricate wood carvings: “Are these buildings really hundreds of years old?”

At Swayambhunath, the “Monkey Temple,” their daughter counted the colorful prayer flags while her parents stood quietly at the stupa, overlooking the valley in peaceful silence.

I had prepared a surprise - a hand-painted thangka depicting the snow peaks and pilgrimage paths. Nathan’s wife held it and said softly: “This is our spiritual souvenir.”

On a chilly morning in Nagarkot, the family wrapped themselves in jackets and stood at the viewing deck, waiting for the sun to rise above the horizon. When the first golden light touched Mount Everest, the son shouted, “It’s really a golden mountain!” The whole family held their breath — for that moment, the world seemed to stand still.

Bhutan (Days 11–16)

Bhutan added a gentle warmth to the journey. The children’s favorite moment was the family archery match with local kids. Their son drew his mini bow, their daughter counted aloud in English, while the coach taught them numbers in Dzongkha: “E-ki, Nyi-ki.” Laughter and applause bridged the language gap.

At Punakha Dzong, the family admired the serenity of the riverside fortress. The children learned to bow with hands clasped, while Nathan and his wife reflected: “This place teaches you to slow down.”

At the Thimphu Post Office, they turned photos and handwritten notes into postcards for the future. Their daughter wrote: “Dear future me, I hope you always remember this journey to the Roof of the World.” Tears filled her mother’s eyes: “Travel isn’t only memory - it’s also a gift to the future.”

The most romantic surprise came at Paro Dzong on Nathan’s birthday. A secret cake ceremony awaited: the chef taught the children to make local pastries, and when the cake was presented, the family sang together. Nathan said: “This is the most special birthday of my life.”

Closing Chapter

Sixteen days later, the journey ended in Paro, but for Nathan’s family, it was the beginning of something new. They returned home with silver pendants, a thangka, and postcards - but more importantly, with new courage and curiosity.

A few days later, I received Nathan’s message:

“Dear Catherine,

This trip exceeded every expectation. Our children didn’t just read about the world, they lived it - snow mountains, temples, and stupas. Every surprise kept them excited, and your safety details - oxygen bottles, backup medicine, comfortable hotels - gave us peace of mind. The postcards from Bhutan are our most moving keepsake, a gift for the future. And the birthday surprise in Paro - I’ll never forget it.

Thank you for helping us realize our dream of the Himalayas. This journey will always be our most precious family memory.”

-Nathan & Family