Bhutan: In the Pursuit of Chili & Cheese

Food production and local cuisine in the small Himalayan kingdom

easy

This journey will take you through the culinary landscape of Bhutan. You will learn about food
production and preparation and its important role in different domains of society. You will get
insights into the role of food for everyday hospitality in local homes, for feasting and festivals in
communities as well as its importance in religious rituals and to appease evil spirits.

This tour can be organized for private groups

This journey will take you through the culinary landscape of Bhutan. You will learn about food
production and preparation and its important role in different domains of society. You will get
insights into the role of food for everyday hospitality in local homes, for feasting and festivals in
communities as well as its importance in religious rituals and to appease evil spirits. You will be
accompanied by Kinley Wangmo, a trained chef whose life passion is the art of cooking.
We will look into the cooking pots of rural women and get also a taste of their delicious foods. ©
Bhutanhomestay
Die kulinarische Begleiterin: Kinley Wangmo

Additionally to an English speaking local guide, this tour will be accompanied by Kinley Wangmo, a
young Bhutanese chef. Kinley was born in a remote village in Mongar, Bhutan. However, she
spent the majority of her young life in Thimphu. Kinley completed a Bachelor of Hotel Management
in India and more recently a Diploma in Hospitality Management from the Institute for Tourism and
hotel Management (ITH) at Klessheim, Salzburg in Austria.

From an early age Kinley had the responsibility to cook for her entire family. During that time
her passion for food awakened. Kinley considers cooking an art as well as a science. Apart from
enjoying the collecting and preparation of traditional recipes she loves to constantly experiment,
create and invent new dishes. Kinley decided to become a chef not only because she is fascinated
with food, she also thinks that the flavours and textures of any cuisine appeal to our senses in a way
that is unique. With such tremendous passion, Kinley first worked as an assistant chef at UMA in
Paro. Later she was head chef at Baan Thai restaurant in Thimphu. Kinley’s future plans are to share
her knowledge especially with her fellow Bhutanese in the remote East.

Itinerary
Prices and dates
Services
 Special remarks on this tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart from home

Day 2
Arrival in Delhi and flight to Paro
Once reached in Delhi we will bring you to a hotel nearby the airport so you can rest for a few hours
before the next flight brings you to Paro.You will be received at the airport and drive to Thimphu.
Stop at the suspension bridge to Tachog lhakhang and stretch your legs. On the way you will take
your lunch at a village restaurant where you can get a first insight into local cuisine and a traditional
setting! Next you will be taken to your accommodation to freshen up. Stroll through Thimphu town
in the evening. BF,L,D
Want to get a taste of Ara, Zao and Pani? What these items are and how they taste, you’ll learn at
this tour. ©Bhutan Homestay

Day 3
In Thimphu
Today after breakfast you will first survey a little farm. The owner will also show you her tofu
production. With fresh veggies from the garden you will later enjoy a cooking class. Later after
visiting Buddha point you will drive to the National mushroom centre. Over dinner you will be able
to interact with interesting guests associated with agriculture, food and food production. BF,L,D

Day 4
In Thimphu
After breakfast you will hike to Chagri monastery. Back down you can enjoy your lunch at a heritage
restaurant where you might be able to meet the owner. Kinley will explain a bit about the food
presented here and you will visit the Folk heritage museum where you can get an introduction into
traditional way of life in Bhutan. Afterwards you will visit the Textile Museum. You can then drop by
the vegetable market although it only fully starts on Thursdays. However just to get an idea it might
be interesting. From here you can then roam Thimphu town and the handicraft shops as you will
have free time. BF,LD

Day 5
To Punakha
Today drive to Punakha via Dochu la. In Punakha visit Chime Lhakhang where you will also have
lunch in one of the restaurants with a very good view. This is one of the many places set up in recent
years for tourist groups offering the typical buffet style food. You however, will be able to eat in
different places and settings throughout your trip and get a very good overview of the food situation
in Bhutan. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong where you have plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere.
Walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan and hear something about the cremation ground
nearby. BF,L,D
108 Chorten of Dochu La. @Bhutan Homestay

Day 6
In Punakha
A comfy day: We will spend the day with nice hikes and cooking – doing good for body and stomach
:-)BF,L,D

Day 7
To Phobjikha-Valley
We drive to Phobjikha-Valley. Enroute we will stop for some photos and breaks. BF,L,D

Day 8
Food with farmers
In the morning we’ll hike along the Gangtey Nature Trail and visit some monasteries. Our lunch and
dinner will be in traditional farmhouses. BF,L,D

Day 9
To Bumthang
Today you will drive all the way to Bumthang. Cross Pele la on the way and then stop at Chendibji
Chorten and later at Trongsa Dzong and Tadzong. You will reach Chumey in the evening. Enjoy a
relaxed evening at the resort. Visit the little temple in the garden. BF,L,D
We’ll also get an insight to monastery kitchens. ©Bhutan Homestay

Day 10
Monastery Kitchen
Today enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then get ready to hike/drive to Tharpaling Monastery. On the
way visit a small family run incense manufacturer. You will see the farmers working in the fields. In
Tharpaling we will arrange lunch for you and you can have a look into the kitchen to see how food is
prepared for a huge amount of people. When coming down you will visit a village. Today have your
dinner again at a farmhouse and learn how the traditional Bumthap kuli with Ema Datshi is
prepared.

Day 11
To Ura at Tashi's
Today you will drive to Ura village via Chumey bypass. On the way you can visit some Yathra
weavers. After crossing the mountain you can see Ura from the distance. You will hike the last part.
If you are lucky you will find some mushrooms on the way. Visit Ura Mang Gi Lhakhang and later
take lunch at Tashi Wangmo’s house. Tashi is the lucky owner of a bread baking oven that was built
for her in 2017 by an Austrian stove setter. You will be able to learn more about local food,
agriculture, forest food and the hard and changing lives of farmers. BF,L,D
Enroute we get to know more about agriculture. ©Bhutan Homestay

Day 12
Mushroom Festival
Today you can enjoy a full day at the Masutaki Mushroom Festival. The entire village will be up and
about and in the little stalls you will be able to enjoy cultural shows and see mushroom, traditional
food items, new products, and different types of alcohol. Enjoy! Usually in the evening there will be
dances and singing. BF,L,D

Day 13
To Tang
Today after a leisurely breakfast you will get ready to drive to Tang valley. Visit Mebartsho, the
burning lake, at the entrance of Tang valley. At Misethang you will visit Ongmo. She is a young and
entrepreneurial farmer who was in Austria on organic farming study tour. She will tell you
something about her experiences and her farm. You can visit her fields and also meet the agriculture
teacher who is running the organic farming programme at the school. For lunch, Ongmo will
prepare pin, a delicious local dish. Later walk to Pralang village. You will sit in yet another
wonderful traditional kitchen and enjoy local food for dinner. BF,L,D

Day 14
Milk, Butter & Cheese
In the morning you will be able to observe how milk is churned to butter and how the local cheese is
being sieved from the left over buttermilk. On the way to Ogyen Choling palace you can briefly
contrast the cheese production in a village kitchen to that of a dairy farm with machines. The
pleasant hike will take you along Tang river, passing by farmhouses and picturesque villages. Meet
Kunzang Choden, the lady of the house, at the palace if she is around. Visit the museum and take
lunch here. You will hear about food production and storage from the point of view of previous
nobility. Later hike back along Tang river and at the farmhouse, you can observe the preparation of
another local dish, puta (Buckwheat noodles).

The production of milk products. ©Bhutan Homestay

Day 15
To Chokhor
After breakfast hike to a monastery and enjoy the view! When back take lunch one last time at our
homestay and drive to Jakar where you will visit Tamshing lhakhang and from here walk to a
charming house in midst of an apple orchard. The cosy kitchen is perfect to learn more about
Bhutanese cooking either by simply watching whilst enjoying tea and ara or by lending a hand.
BF,L,D

Day 16
More Chokhor
Today we will concentrate more on monasteries: Kurjey, Jampe Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. BF,L,D
Day 17
Back to the start
We are flying back to Paro and depending on our time left spend the rest of the day exploring Paro.
BF,L,D

Day 18
Into the tiger's nest
… and of course you are not going to miss the famous Taktshang Monastery! BF,L,D

The hike up to Taktsang Monastery is taking it’s time but it is worth it for sure.

Day 19
Fly to Delhi
Back to Delhi, where you spend the last few hours before your flight home. BF

Day 20
Fly home
Prices and dates
This tour can be organised for private groups at any time

Services included
Flights Bumthang-Paro
Accommodation in Delhi in a hotel
Englishspeaking guide in Bhutan
Accommodation in Bhutan in Standardhotels/Homestays with full board
Visa for Bhutan
All entrance fees and permits
Royalty Charges

Not included
Flights to and from Delhi / Flights to and from Paro
Insurance
Tipps
Drinks
Visa for india
Vaccines
Additional costs that arise from sickness, accidents and other calamities
Additional costs that arise from flight cancellations and delays

Special remarks on this tour

This tour is tailored to people who are interested in rural livelihoods, food production, cooking
and eating. You will get a broad idea of the role of food in different domains of Bhutanese life from
everyday hospitality to the spiritual realm. Activities will entail interactions with local people in their
homes, cooking classes and meeting with interesting people related to food and food production.
People should not mind the occasional simple but clean homestay whilst in the villages.
 Book this tour

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