Community Homestay Network

Community Homestay Network connects travellers with family homes in rural Nepal, including villages in the Himalayas and the Terai lowlands. In the west, Bhada and Barauli put you among Tharu communities between Bardiya and Chitwan National Parks, prime territory for rhino, elephant and tiger. In the east, Ilam offers tea gardens and forest hiking, while Dhankuta grows avocados and oranges and sees few international visitors. Around Kathmandu, the medieval town of Panauti has Newari temples and carved wooden architecture. Further east, Patlekhet, is farming country with an organic farm, beehives, and trails to Namo Buddha.

Multi-day circuits can connect several homestays across different regions. A western circuit might take in Chitwan’s wildlife, a cooking workshop near Pokhara, and the high Himalayan culture of Mustang. Activities vary by location, but all are immersive and an excellent way to better understand the way of life here, from cooking local dishes, learning crafts or helping with farm work. The network was set up to keep tourism money where it’s earned. Each village manages its own bookings and distributes income among member households, with a deliberate focus on creating work for women.