7 Days / 6 Nights
Food & Farming
Bhutanese food
Food is a big part of travelling in Bhutan.
The first thing you will probably notice is the chilli. Bhutanese people use chillies in many different dishes, and ema datshi is probably the best-known example.
Common dishes
You can try ema datshi, kewa datshi, red rice, buckwheat dishes, seasonal vegetables, soups and different local snacks. The food can be different from one place to another, and every family has its own way of cooking.
Chilli and spice
Chilli is treated as a vegetable here, not just a seasoning. You don't have to eat everything spicy — if you are not used to chilli, we can let the hotel or cook know and make sure there are milder options.
Rice and local crops
Food is closely connected to farming. In rural areas you can see rice fields, vegetable gardens, buckwheat and other crops that end up on local tables.
Farmhouse meals
Where possible, we like to take guests beyond the hotel restaurant. Depending on the route, this could mean visiting a farmhouse, seeing how a meal is prepared or having a simple meal with a local family.
Vegetarian and dietary needs
Vegetarian food is easy in Bhutan, and most dishes can be adjusted. Tell us about allergies or dietary needs early so we can pass them on.
Seasons
What is on the table changes with the season, from fresh greens and mushrooms in the warmer months to dried vegetables and chillies in winter.
Good forFood lovers and anyone who wants to see a more everyday side of Bhutan.
How we use these experiences
These are not fixed activities that have to be added to every trip.
Some travellers may be more interested in monasteries and history. Others may prefer food, villages, walking or meeting local people.
Tell us what interests you, how much time you have and what kind of pace you prefer. We can then work these experiences into your itinerary where they make sense.
Sometimes the best part of a day is something that wasn't planned.
Related journeys
11 Days / 10 Nights