Homestay in Bhutan: A Great Living Choice for Your Bhutan Tour

Traveling to Bhutan is one of the most amazing experiences in the world, staying in one of the most exclusive tourist destinations deep in the high Himalayas in Southeast Asia. But while a normal trip to Bhutan is wonderful, a trip that includes at least one night as a homestay is the best way to make a lifetime trip even better.

Homestays are a popular option for tourists traveling to Bhutan, and are exactly what the name says – a stay in the home of a local and traditional Bhutanese family for the night. A homestay not only offers more than any luxury hotel can, but gives you one of the most unique opportunities in the world – the chance to see how the Bhutanese people live!

Why experience a Homestay for at least one night during your Bhutan Tour?

A homestay really should be a must for your lifetime Bhutan tour, and this is one activity that you will be able to take with you for the rest of your life. In Bhutan, a homestay is a night (and usually the preceding and following days) with a local Bhutanese family, living the same way as they do for the experience. From the delicious Bhutanese family food and meals to the homely atmosphere, devout religious experience, and the chance to understand a little more about how a real Bhutanese family really lives.

Reason 1: Get Close to the Real Local’s Life

One of the major advantages of a homestay is that you can get really close to the people that you are living with, as well as other people in the village that you are staying in. There is no fixed itinerary for when to eat and what to do, you just spend the time learning how the family lives, enjoying the simple and pleasant way of life, and you can even help with the family chores. When it comes to learning more about the Bhutanese vulture, there is no better way to do it.

Reason 2: Taste the Authentic Family Food

Bhutanese cuisine is renowned for being filled with chilies, and this is one of the delights of a homestay. Food is not cooked to “tourist” tastes, to take the kick off your tongue, and you will find out just how spicy the locals love their food to be. After all, where else in the world uses chilies as the main vegetable in a vegetable dish? Not all the food is filled with chilies, though, and you will get to taste the simple and tasty foods that the average Bhutanese family eats on a daily basis, rather than the manufactured ideas of Bhutanese “cuisine” that are often found in hotel restaurants.

Life in a traditional Bhutanese house is not as basic as you might think. Homes do have electricity, running water, and often good internet. The difference between the homestay and the hotel is the relaxed atmosphere, the airy, comfortable, simple room you will stay in, and the amazing company of the family that makes staying in a Bhutanese house a real joy.

Where to take a homestay in Bhutan?

Bhutan has a number of places where you can find a good homestay residence for your Bhutan tour, and most are in the countryside, outside the major cities. The Dzongkhags of Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, and Bumthang are notable for their amazing homestay trips, and have the best of all the Bhutan homestay destinations.

Some Recommended Homestays in Bhutan

A Chimi Lhakhang Village Homestay in the Punakha Dzongkhag of Bhutan is renowned for its traditional Bhutanese houses, which makes the best homestay in the kingdom. Many of the homestays in Punakha are done in houses that are old, some more than just a single century, and have been passed down through the generations.

In Paro, the Village View Homestay is a truly unforgettable experience just outside the city of Paro, the location of the only international airport in Bhutan. En-route to the Chele La Pass, the homestay offers a peaceful location, stunning views, and a very spectacular ambience. The homestay is in an ancient house, so do not expect modern rooms, but the experience is more than worth the “hardship” you will be faced with. The homestay is also ideally located for many of the attractions and views around Paro.

Far out in the Haa Valley in western Bhutan lies the home of Ugyen and Chimi, who run a very unique homestay experience in Bhutan. Living in an ancient three-storey building he inherited from his father, Ugyen and his guests live in the purely traditional Bhutanese ways, even down to everyone wearing the traditional costume of Bhutan for the visit. Listed as the best homestay location in Haa Dzongkhag, the house has its own hot stone baths, so you can experience the delights of a hot soak in aromatic spring water every day.

While there are a lot of homestay places in Bhutan, for the real authenticity, you should mention that you want to stay with a family that runs a homestay, rather than the more commercialized versions that have been popping up. More like hotels than authentic homestays, they are a poor representation of how the Bhutanese people live.

How much is the homestay in Bhutan?

There is no additional cost for a homestay in Bhutan, as this is all included in the overall price you pay for your trip, based on the Minimum Daily Package (MDP). When you book your trip to Bhutan, just let us know that you want to experience the authentic homestay in a traditional Bhutanese home, and we will discuss the options available for you, as well as where you can experience the homestay. Once you have decided, and we have finalized your itinerary, the price of the whole trip is set, and the homestay is included in the total tour cost.

Things to do during Homestay in Bhutan

Aside from the usual experiences of staying in a traditional Bhutanese home and eating local Bhutanese food, there are also a lot of other things you can experience on a homestay, and many of the homestay houses in Bhutan organize additional experiences for you.

Bhutan Food Cooking Class with the Local Family

One of the most popular is learning to cook the delicious, if spicy, Bhutanese cuisine. Not all the food in Bhutanese homes is like in the restaurants, and if you want to learn how, you can learn from the person who cooks the family’s own meals. You can see how everything is prepared and cooked, and try your hand at creating some of the Bhutanese traditional specialties, such as Ema Datshi and buckwheat pancakes.

Bhutan Traditional Hot Stone Bath

Bhutan has a traditional way of bathing, known as the hot stone bath, and most homes for Bhutan homestays have one of the stone baths for you to try. The bath is normally made from a section of tree trunk, and is filled with local fresh river water filled with local Artemisia leaves. The water is then heated by adding red-hot stones from a log fire, which also release high concentrations of minerals into your bath water. A medicinal treatment in Bhutan, the bath is relaxing and has meditative qualities that can help the spirit.

Traditional Bhutan Archery Program with the Locals

Archery is the national sport of the kingdom, and every male in the country knows how to draw a bow. What’s more, every village or settlement has its own archery teams, who regularly compete against each other in local, regional, and even national contests. Staying with the family, you can experience how to draw and fire a bow, as well as experiencing the delights of an archery contest.

Light Hiking around the Farm House You Live in

If you like to hike, then the locations of the homestays are ideal for light hiking in the surrounding countryside near the house. Bhutan is renowned for its amazing trekking tours, which bring you to some of the most spectacular treks in the world. But for those that want a more relaxing time in Bhutan, a relaxing stroll through the world’s most scenic countryside is a great way to enjoy your time in Bhutan.

More Travel Tips for a Homestay in Bhutan

Traveling to Bhutan means that there are some things that you need to take into consideration when you get there. Bhutan has some unique traditions within the culture that you should be aware of, so that you don’t commit an unforgivable faux pas when visiting the home of your Bhutanese host family.

Being Respect to the Locals

Respect is an important part of Bhutanese culture, and while the people are really super-friendly and hospitable, being disrespectful will not go down well. You should always respect the traditions and customs of the local people, and be aware that there are many things that you do that they may not like, and vice versa. And do not be too offended at the number of phallic symbols you will see around the kingdom. This is a normal thing for people in Bhutan to see.

It will be appreciated if you bring some gift to the family

It is traditional to arrive at the homestay with a gift for the family or host, and if you are thinking on what you can give them as a gift, then there are some things that are always respectfully appreciated. While it is not actually expected, since you are paying to stay in their home and they will not expect foreign visitors to understand the “chom” or gift custom, it is respectful to arrive with a gift, as this is how the Bhutanese people will always visit a friend or relative. Gifts do not need to be expensive, and most Bhutanese will feel exalted to receive a good pair of warm woolen socks, some books in English, or something simple from such cities as Thimphu, which they rarely get to visit.

Conclusion of Enjoying a Homestay during Your Bhutan Tour

If you are planning a homestay in Bhutan, then you are in for the most amazing authentic experience of your life. Homestays are the best way to experience the true Bhutanese culture, religion, and general way of life in the rural areas, and while the houses can sometimes be a little simple, this is the best way to understand how the people live. So when you decide when to take your lifetime trip to Bhutan, try out the authentic homestays that are available, and live life the simple way.