Bhutan Homestay: A Different Concept
Since opening its doors to tourism, a few hundred thousand travellers have visited the Kingdom. Most though have been taken from one attraction to another, dzong to dzong (fortress) without sufficient time to experience the true meaning of the sites. Bhutan Homestay follows a different concept. Whether choosing a cultural trip, a pilgrimage, a trek or mixed tours, we want to provide our guests with the best of the Bhutanese experience, one which is authentic, unique and memorable. We aim at showing our visitors the Bhutanese way of life in its natural environment, up close and as informal as possible. Breaking away from mainstream tourism trends, Bhutan Homestay is committed to offering our clients an intimate, and once in a lifetime encounter with Bhutanese villagers in their homes. At the same time we want to ensure that the wider community also benefits from getting involved in tourism. Booking your tour with Bhutan Homestay will also support grass roots level development. Two percent of the tour price will flow into a fund, created to support projects for villagers particularly in East Bhutan.

The Homes
We distinguish between homestay, farmstay and heritage homes. Homestay refers to homes without a farm economy. You will be staying in a family home which could be in town or in the countryside. Farm-stay denotes a working farm with animals and typical farming activities around the house. Both farmstay and homestay can qualify as heritage homes depending on the family history and the role of the particular household in the locality. Some of these heritage homes are very large and senior residents possess in-depth knowledge of the olden days, which they are happy to share with you.

Guesthouses and Hotels
Bhutan Homestay promotes the use of homestays, farmstays and heritage homes to support the local communities. However, we also book our guests into guesthouses, hotels and lodges approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. This can be a welcome variation after staying in remote places. Our guests will furthermore have the option of choosing more luxurious accommodation in high end hotels.

Bhutanese Food and Hospitality
Bhutanese are wonderful hosts. Traditional hospitality and etiquette can be extremely refined and can vary across the country. As foreign guests, your host will probably want to welcome you in the prayer room (choesham) of the house, or if available, in a separate room intended for such occasions, similar to the reception of special Bhutanese guests. However, we want you to experience a cordial, less formal reception typical of everyday local village hospitality. The kitchen is the central room in the Bhutanese household and it is here where the family naturally gather. In the winter it is also the warmest place because of the heat of the “bukhari” (small wood stove) and the cooking stove. The cuisine is a real highlight when visiting farmhouses and homestays as it differs greatly from what is served in guesthouses and hotels. There is nothing better than a home cooked meal especially when you have the chance to watch the family preparing it. You can even participate in the preparations and learn some new cooking skills!

East Bhutan
Most of the tourist infrastructure can be found in West and Central Bhutan. However, the East of the country offers its own unique charm and Bhutan Homestay has developed special access to the hidden treasures of this region. In this part of Bhutan you can find picturesque villages where people still live a simple and traditional life. For further information please visit our website or contact us!