Chasing Love in the Dark: A Bhutanese Local Opens Up About Night Hunting

After writing about Bhutan’s fading tradition of Bomena, I spoke with Mani, one of Amala’s Bhutanese guides, to better understand the realities behind the stories. Growing up between village and city life, Mani reflects on a custom that now exists somewhere between folklore, controversy, and cultural memory.

Explained: The Night Hunting Tradition in Bhutan

A considered guide to Ladakh covering altitude, timing, landscapes, and practical preparation for a more thoughtful journey in the Himalayas.Hidden beneath Bhutan’s serene image is Bomena, a fading rural courtship tradition where young men once climbed through windows under the cover of darkness in search of romance. Today, the practice exists somewhere between folklore, cultural debate, and a rapidly changing modern Bhutan.

Amala Picks: Our Favourite Hotels in Bhutan

Where you stay in Bhutan shapes the journey as much as the landscape itself. From intimate valley lodges to quietly luxurious retreats, the country’s best properties become part of the experience — places that ground you in Bhutan’s rhythm, culture, and sense of stillness.

The Best Time to Visit Bhutan, by Season and by Purpose

There is no bad time to visit Bhutan, but there are better times depending on what you are there for. The question of the best time to visit Bhutan is really four separate questions: Are you hiking? Chasing festivals? Spending whole days in dzongs and monasteries? Each season gives a different answer.

Bhutan Travel: Amala’s Know Before You Go

An expert guide to Bhutan travel: how to plan a seamless journey through one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.