Hot Stone Bath
Bhutan's traditional farmhouse bath: river stones heated in a fire and lowered into a wooden tub of water and wild herbs.
Overview
The hot stone bath, called menchu or dotsho, is one of the oldest comforts of rural Bhutan. Families have long used it to ease tired muscles after work in the fields, especially in winter.
River stones are heated in a wood fire until they glow, then slid into a wooden tub, usually through a separate chute so they never touch the bather. The water is scented with artemisia leaves, a wild herb that grows across the country. The heat builds slowly, and you can ask your host to add more stones as you go.
What to expect
Your host prepares the fire in the afternoon, so the bath is usually taken in the evening at a farmhouse or hotel. You soak for as long as you like, often with a pot of butter tea or a glass of ara, the local spirit, nearby. Many travellers try it after the Tiger's Nest hike.
Where in Bhutan
When to go
Any time of year, but most welcome in the cooler months from October to March.
Good to know
- The stones take hours to heat: tell us in advance and we will arrange it
- Bring a swimsuit or ask for a wrap if you prefer
- Drink water before and after: the bath is hotter than it first feels
- Not advised if you are pregnant or have heart or blood pressure concerns
Journeys that include it
7-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in one week: the capital's dzongs, the Dochula pass, Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers, and the hike to Tiger's Nest.
USD 1,800
More experiences
Archery
Bhutan's national sport: long-distance matches with bamboo and modern bows, full of songs, dances and good-natured teasing.
Homestays
A night with a Bhutanese family in a village farmhouse, sharing their meals, their fire and their daily routine.
Bhutanese Food
Chillies as a vegetable, cheese in almost everything, red rice and butter tea: a guide to what you will eat in Bhutan and what to try.
Buddhist Heritage
Monasteries, temples and fortress-monasteries shaped by more than twelve centuries of Buddhism, and still at the heart of daily life.
Build a journey around what you love
Tell us which experiences matter most to you. We will plan the route, the timing and the local hosts.