Homestays have been operating in various parts of Asia since travellers started to seek a more authentic travel experience in less-visited regions. In many instances, they are the only realistic option for accommodation (aside from camping) as there simply isn’t a guesthouse or hotel within half a day's travel.
The most important thing to know about home stays is that they are not just practical solutions but can be a truly rewarding experience and great fun, offering you a safe and fulfilling introduction to the life of local and minority tribes’ people. Often, the only other opportunities that you have to meet tribes people is when they are selling their wares at any one of a number of markets across Asia. Needless to say, meeting them on their home turf is a far superior experience.
How do they work?
Pretty much as the name suggests - you will be a guest in a local villager’s home (or at times, due to local practicalities, you will stay in a designated house within the village). During your stay, you will spend the evening talking with your hosts thanks to the interpretation skills of your local guide, who will also be staying with you.
Amenities are extremely basic; however, you will be provided with warm bedding and mosquito nets when required. The bathroom will be basic, with cold water only, and, in the more remote destinations, it may take the form of a local river.
Address
- Do not encourage begging of any sort. Speak to your guide about making donations in a responsible manner.
- Food will often be basic and somewhat unusual, although completely safe. If you are concerned about this part of the trip, take a pack or two of freeze-dried noodles and your hosts will be happy to prepare these for you.
Facilities
• Always remove your footwear upon entering a house.
• Sign language goes a long way, as does trying to learn a few basic greetings in the tribal dialect…it is always appreciated by your hosts, who will do their best to help you - if they can stop laughing for long enough!
• You are in extremely poor communities - please be respectful of this.