What is it really like to stay in a traditional homestay in Bhutan?
In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I’m coming to you from rural Bhutan, where I sit down with Ama Om — the owner of a traditional Bhutanese homestay located in a small village outside Punakha. With the help of a translator, Ama Om shares her life story and what it truly means to welcome travellers into her home.
Ama Om has been hosting guests for over a decade, offering far more than just accommodation. We talk about daily village life in Bhutan, balancing farming with tourism, cooking traditional food, caring for animals, and preserving a way of life that’s slowly disappearing due to modernisation.
This conversation explores Bhutanese Buddhist beliefs, especially the idea of karmic connections — the belief that people don’t arrive in our lives by accident. Ama Om explains why hosting guests brings her so much joy and why she believes homestays offer the most authentic way to experience Bhutanese culture.
You’ll also hear about:
- What daily life in a rural Bhutanese village looks like
- Why homestays are important for local livelihoods in Bhutan
- Traditional Bhutanese food, farming, and household skills
- Hot stone baths, milking cows, making cheese, and cooking together
- Why staying outside cities like Thimphu and Paro offers a deeper travel experience
You might notice my voice is a little rough in this episode — I was battling a cough and cold during the recording — but this story was far too special not to share.
If you’re planning a trip to Bhutan, curious about authentic travel experiences, or interested in staying in a traditional homestay, this episode offers a rare and honest insight into rural Bhutanese life and the people who make it unforgettable.
🔗 More information about Ama Om’s Homestay
You’ll find links to the homestay below in the show notes. If you’d like to add this experience to your Bhutan itinerary, booking through Breathe Bhutan and requesting Ama Om’s homestay is the best way to do it.
Ama Om's Homestay
https://www.instagram.com/amaoms_homestay/?hl=en
https://www.bhutanhimalaya.com/lodges-and-accommodations/ama-om's-homestay
Check out my previous Bhutan episodes
Episode 1 Interview with Ugyen Rinzin - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000743770563
Episode 2 - IMMERSIVE Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000744754502
Episode 3 - Days 1-3 solo episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000745691316
Episode 4 - Interview with a female monk - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000747763604
Episode 5 - IMMERSIVE Day in Bhutan - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000748856300
🎧 If Bhutan has ever been on your travel radar, this series will show you why it deserves to be.
This entire journey through Bhutan was made possible by Breathe Bhutan, who created an incredible, deeply immersive itinerary that allowed me to experience the country far beyond the surface. From meeting local families to having honest conversations like this one, their focus on authentic, responsible, and meaningful travel is something I’ll be showcasing throughout this series.
Thanks & Credits
Huge thanks to Breathe Bhutan for creating an authentic, culture-focused itinerary and making experiences like this possible. Also, thanks to Tourism Bhutan for hosting me on this trip and making this series possible.
Breathe Bhutan
Website to book tours - https://www.breathebhutan.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breathebhutan/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/breathebhutan/
Support the Podcast
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- ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction & setting the scene in rural Bhutan
01:05 – Who is Ama Om? The story behind the homestay
02:10 – Life beyond accommodation: family, farming, food & faith
03:40 – Karmic connections & why hosting guests brings Ama Om joy
05:00 – Daily life in a Bhutanese village
06:50 – Helping out in a homestay: cooking, curiosity & cultural exchange
09:10 – Why homestays matter for local livelihoods in Bhutan
10:55 – Farming life: cows, orchards, rice fields & self-sufficiency
12:40 – Family life: children, grandchildren & life between village and city
14:45 – Traditional Bhutanese cooking & learning from her grandmother
18:30 – Why Ama Om believes people should visit Bhutan
20:45 – Why guests should stay at her homestay specifically
22:55 – Authentic Bhutan vs modern cities like Thimphu & Paro
25:10 – Preserving traditional life: hot stone baths, farming & food
26:55 – Gratitude, goodbyes & the impact of tourism
28:30 – Final reflections & closing thoughts
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Produced by Winging It Productions - https://www.wingingitproductions.com
Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/
Winging It Travel Podcast - Website
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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits
Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond
Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com
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