Gali, Israel, May 2019

“Thank you Sonam and Ulli for organizing my Bhutan-in-a-nutshell-tour, giving me a glimpse of this beautiful country, its nature and Dzongs, unique culture and friendly people.”

I learnt about Bhutan Homestay from a post written by a fellow female traveler, and so glad I did! An Eco-friendly company, supporting ethical travel, Bhutan Homestay is more than just a business, it’s a cause, a purpose, directly linking locals and tourist, cutting off the ‘middleman’, enabling tourists and locals to connect and learn from each other, empowering local communities and especially local women, who are oftentimes excluded from the (paid) job market.

It’s about seeing Bhutan off-the-beaten-track, avoiding ‘tourist traps’, creating a unique personable experience.

Even though I booked last minute, everything ran smoothly with Sonam’s meticulous organization and flexibility, and Ulli’s planning.

I was fortunate to have Nim as my guide, such a lovely young woman, smart, knowledgeable, energetic and flexible, with a good sense of humor. Yeshi was a great driver and pleasant to be around.

The homestays were definitely one of the highlights of my visit. Hosts Damchoe and Sangay welcomed me into their homes, to catch a glimpse of local living, and learn more about Bhutanese culture and family life. Such inspiring women.

Thanks to Sonam and the wonderful hosts, being a vegan in Bhutan has been a delight – meals at the homestays were amazing, using fresh homegrown vegetables (including asparagus!), and Damchoe even prepared buckwheat pancakes for breakfast! Did I mention she makes her own tofu? Wow!

Thank you for a wonderful time!
All the best,
Gali