Bhutan Travel & Tours with Local Experts | Explore Bhutan Authentically

Bhutan Village Homestay Experience Tour

Overview

Live & Learn the Rural Life

Experience the true soul of Bhutan with our village homestay tour, designed for travelers seeking meaningful cultural immersion. In this authentic Bhutan homestay experience, you’ll stay with welcoming local families in traditional Bhutanese homes nestled in the heart of rural villages.

Join your hosts for home-cooked Bhutanese food, and enjoy simple joys like walking through rice terraces, picking seasonal fruits, or learning about household customs. You’ll also get to hike through gorgeous valleys, participate in community activities, and witness the peaceful rhythms of rural Bhutan.

This journey is built on principles of ‘community-based tourism’ of Bhutan. You experience a rich and memorable connection to Bhutan’s culture and environment while directly supporting local livelihoods. It’s more than travel – it’s a shared story to be cherished for the ages.

Trip Highlights

Route Map

The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. If you arrive via Kathmandu, which offers the most breathtaking view of the range, it’s possible to see Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga as well. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representative. Today we will drive to Haa at 2670 meters – the drive is around 3 hours and crosses the Chele La pass at 3800m from where you will have a view of Mount Jomolhari to the north as well as down to the Haa valley. Haa has only recently opened to tourists and the town is still very small – as yet there are only one or two basic restaurants and local lodges so the area remains quite remote. A great opportunity to view this beautiful rural scene. From Haa, you can walk to Katso village and from there you can visit Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo. Check into the farmhouse. Homestay is a traditional Buckwheat dumpling special to the valley of Haa. Today dinner with the of homestay family members.

After breakfast, you will travel to Thimphu through the picturesque villages of Jabana, Susana, and Dogakha, where you will pay a visit to the Dobji Dzong, In Thimphu, you will visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built-in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Buddha Point the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which contains
the national animal of Bhutan. Check into the farmhouse at and we will have dinner together with the family at the farmhouse.

After breakfast, you will visit the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong. In the evening you can explore Thimphu freely and visit some interesting handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu.

Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 2 hrs total driving time).you will be driven towards Punakha. On the way, you can stop at Dochula pass (3,000m) to witness the Himalayan peaks and circumambulate the chorten. A 40 minute downhill hike through rhododendron forests will give you a breath of fresh air which you miss in the hustle-bustle of city life. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, and visit Chimi Lhakhang, a Temple of Fertility. You will visit the suspension bridge, a nunnery, and a Buddhist institute Here, you’ll also be able to try your hand at the traditional Bhutanese game of archery. Check into the farmhouse and prepare dinner with the family members of the homestay/farm stay and enjoy dinner with the local family.

After breakfast, you’ll visit Punakha Dzong, a temple built by the founding father of Bhutan. Afterward, you’ll visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten and Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple. After lunch, you’ll walk through the villages of Rinchengang opposite Wangdue Phodrang. Once you reach Phobjikha Valley, your homestay host will be waiting to welcome you into their home, we will have dinner together with family. Overnight in Homestay.

After breakfast, you’ll visit Punakha Dzong, a temple built by the founding father of Bhutan. Afterward, you’ll visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten and Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple. After lunch, you’ll walk through the villages of Rinchengang opposite Wangdue Phodrang. Once you reach Phobjikha Valley, your homestay host will be waiting to welcome you into their home, we will have dinner together with family. Overnight in Homestay.

After breakfast, you’ll drive back to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha, and Thimphu. You will take a short break at the Royal Botanical Park in Lampelri to stretch out your legs with a short hike around the garden. After refreshments at the park’s cafeteria. After arriving in Paro, you will have some free time to go shopping in the arts and crafts markets. Overnight in Homestay in Paro.

After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 2 hours uphill. From this point, enjoy thespectacular view of the monastery, The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metersabove the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. In the afternoon drive to the almost fully reconstructed Drukgyel Dzong. In fine weather, the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit other sights in Paro valley. Hot-stone Bath- Hot stone bath is very unique to Bhutan and offers great medicinal values. In most cases, the bathtub is made of wood placed on the ground level in the quiet hut for privacy. A couple can get into one bathtub to soak. Enjoy the great ancient techniques of curing body ache, joint pain, and harness much other value. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for a flight to your onward destination. Tashi Delek!

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