Homestays
Do you want to immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture and daily life? If you answered yes then you must try a local homestay. The natural hospitality and warmth of the local people shine through when you are invited to their homes and hearths.
Homestays to suit all tastes and budgets are available across Bhutan. A homestay experience will get you acquainted with the food, daily routine and everyday joys of the average Bhutanese family. This is the perfect opportunity to get away from the beaten path that most tourists opt for. Make your trip to Bhutan one to remember by spending a few nights at a homestay.
Most traditional Bhutanese homes consist of two or more floors. In the olden days, cattle and other livestock were housed in the ground floors while families would live on the upper levels. Chillies and meat would be dried in the attic. Outhouses and hot stone baths were common but now many houses have opted for western style in-house bathrooms.
Some homestays will feature charming backyards and gardens. Don’t be surprised if your host family asks you to help with chores like picking fruits and vegetables or milking the cow. In Bhutanese families, all hands are on board to make life easier with the busy days of village life.
Another perk of homestays are the delicious home-cooked meals, rivaling any five-star hotel. The best part is that you can help prepare the ingredients and cook the meal. The type of food prepared will depend on the region. For example, in Punakha you can try delicacies like jatsa gondo (sieved-egg) while homes in southern Bhutan might prepare food with Indian and Nepali influences.
While taking a house tour don’t miss the altar room or choesham. This is the pride and joy of all Bhutanese households. The altar room is spacious, clean and houses statues of worship, offering bowls and other religious artifacts.
Usually one member of the household is in charge of filling the offering bowls with water every morning and lighting the butter lamps at night. These rooms are used for meditation, reflection especially during yearly rituals conducted for the well-being of the family.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor and eating a communal meal, you can talk to the various members of the traditional extended family. Staying at a homestay gives you a glimpse into the peaceful life of Bhutanese people and illuminates their stories, struggles and values.
