An evening with a Lepcha homestay family
Most Dzongu homestays are family homes with a few guest rooms. In the evening guests gather in the kitchen while the meal is cooked: rice, dal, greens from the garden, perhaps nettle soup or a dish of wild ferns, and meat on request.
Hosts often share stories about Kangchenjunga, the river spirits and Lepcha history. Listen, ask questions and accept that some things are private. Offer to help clear up, and follow house rules on shoes, smoking and quiet hours.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Will my hosts speak English?
Many younger hosts speak good English, and most speak Hindi and Nepali. Older family members may speak only Lepcha and Nepali. Your hosts will help translate. Learning a few words of greeting is always appreciated, and hosts enjoy teaching guests some Lepcha phrases.
Can I join in cooking?
Often, yes. Ask politely; many hosts are happy to show you how they make local dishes. Respect kitchen customs, such as not stepping over the hearth. Hosts may also show you how they prepare millet, ferns and nettles from the forest and fields around the house.
Is the food spicy?
Usually mild, with fresh chilli served on the side. Tell your host if you need it plain. Vegetarian meals are easy to arrange. Lepcha cooking relies on fresh greens, rice and simple seasoning, and many guests find it lighter than food in the plains.
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