Panauti Community Homestay
The Panauti Community Homestay is the perfect way to experience Nepali hospitality while visiting one of the oldest town in Nepal, reputed for its many annual festivals and traditions. Just a few hours’ drive from Kathmandu, Panauti is a charming historic town where visitors can get close to the authentic lifestyle of Nepalese people, socialize with families, breathe in the fresh air of the lush countryside and get involved in traditions. Panauti Community Homestay offer the visitors genuine Nepali homestay experience along with excellent base for hiking to hilltop villages such as Namobuddha, Dhulikhel and Sanga. Panauti Community Homestay welcomes visitors into 17 homes all run by women whose motto is: “Run by Women for Women’s Empowerment”. Almost all of the households have Wi-Fi connection and all of them have electricity. The households have their private bathrooms and 14 houses have Western toilets. Panauti at the altitude of 1,532 m has a warm temperate climate. Summer here have a good deal of rainfall with temperatures averaging 27° Celsius, while winters have very little rain with temperature averaging 10° Celsius. Panauti is a wonderful place to visit through the year, however, September through May is recommended by most travel enthusiast as the best time to visit this city of history and charm.
Some of the major Attractions in Panauti:
- Indreshwar Mahadev Temple
- Brahmayani Temple
- Krishna Narayan Temple
- Triveni Ghat
- Panauti Peace Gallery
- Panauti Square (Dabali)
- Gorakhnath Temple
- Sorakhutte Pati
- Panauti Meuseum
- Festivals and Jatras
- Climate and Weather Panauti
Nuwakot Community Home Stay
Belkot is a beautiful village surrounded by green hills and terrace farms. Visitors are welcome to participate in some of the traditional farming practices and assist their hosts in their fields. They might like to try their hand planting rice with the muddy fields, or just explore the diverse culture and lifestyle within this small community with Nepali family.
Seven homestays comprise the Nuwakot Community Homestay in the village of Belkot. This is quite a poor village, even by Nepali standards, so the lifestyle is simple here. The accommodation is also simple, but adequate to meet your needs. Clean linen will be provided for the beds.
The home stay offers a private room that’s in close proximity to their host family. So, visiors can enjoy private time when they feel like it, but also socialise with their hosts when they want. Bathrooms are located outside, detached from the main house. Toilets are squat-style and toilet paper will be provided.
Visitors stay includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the homestay. Authentic Nepali food as it is prepared in rural areas is filling and nutritious, usually made with fresh and locally grown ingredients. While Nepali dal bhat is famous and visitors will get many chances to eat it during their travels.
In Belkot itself, a highlight is watching the hosts and the other villagers at work on their farms. The village is surrounded by terraced farmland, which is dazzlingly green after the rains. A walk with the hosts around the community is included in the stay package. If visitors happen to be in town during the right season (early monsoon), they can even help plant rice.
Belkot is a poor village that suffered a lot of damage from natural disasters. If visitors interested in volunteering at the local high school, their generous donation of time would be greatly appreciated.
Climate and Weather
Belkot is at an altitude of about 1000 metres, which is several hundred metres lower than Kathmandu. That means its climate is hotter than Kathmandu’s. The warmer months (April-October) can get very hot, with highs around 31° C. Winters are cooler but generally sunny, with highs around 20°
Nuwakot can be visited year-round, although the roads getting there can become difficult to traverse during the monsoon season (June-September).
Barauli Community Homestay
At the Barauli Community Homestay around Chitwan National Park, guests can live alongside one of the indigenous ethnic groups of the Terai, the Tharu people. Their culture, language, architecture, and cuisine are a mixture of those found in the hills of Nepal and the plains of North India. Various Tharu groups live across the broad length of the Terai, and the Tharu people of the Chitwan area are generally called the Koth aria or Dangaha Tharus. Like other Nepal Community Homestays, the accommodation and activities at Barauli are run by the local women. Visitors can chance to meet and interact with Nepali women, which can be difficult elsewhere in the country. A major attraction of the Barauli Community Homestay is the fact that visitors can combine cultural learning with nature and wildlife-focused activities. Many visitors to the Chitwan National Park are only exposed to nature and wildlife, but by staying at this homestay in Nepal visitors will meet the people who live around the park, learn about their lifestyles, and witness how nature and culture coexist.
Guests at the homestay each have a private cottage: earthen, thatched-roof huts that resemble the traditional village architecture of the local Tharu people, but with modern conveniences like running water, comfy beds, and mosquito nets.
Meals are taken in the communal dining hall, decorated with traditional patterns and paintings. If the visitors are traveling with a group, this is a convenient where everyone can gather. The local women will serve guests food sourced from the surrounding land and community.
In evening, there is performance of Tharu dance. Local dancers proudly display their traditional dress and perform the Bhajayati, Thekara, and Dafu dances, which use instruments like sticks and drums.
Best time to visit
Most travelers will feel most comfortable visiting between October and February, when the weather is cool or warm but not uncomfortably hot. Guests have chances of spotting wildlife, including tigers, is best between January and March, when tall grass is cut, improving visibility.
The climate around Chitwan and Barauli is more akin to North India than the Nepali hills: extremely hot between March and September (upwards of 35° C), uncomfortably humid during the monsoon (June-September), and cool in winter (as low as 7° C, although daytime temperatures are usually much warmer).
Palpa Community Homestay
Palpa Community Homestay is an ideal retreat for travellers who want to enjoy a mix of town and country life. It’s located in the town of Tansen is in the hills of western Nepal, and offers splendid Himalayan views without the need to embark on any long or strenuous treks. There’s a lot to see and do in and around Tansen. As well as being ideally situated between Lumbini and Pokhara, Tansen is worthy of a few days itself. Vistors can visit Tansen Durbar Palace, various temples, an organic coffee farm, and even the impressive Rani Mahal, on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. Gueests’ host family will be happy to show them around during their stay at the Palpa Community Homestay.
There are six houses part of the Palpa Community Homestay, located on the edge of town. The accommodation is a short walk from Shrinagar Hill, from where there are great sunrise and sunset views across the Himalaya.
The guests will have a private room in a family home. The furnishings are simple but adequate for a comfortable stay. Bathrooms are indoors, which is most convenient during the cool nights in the hills, and have hot water and Western-style or Nepali-style squat toilets. Rooms are equipped with mosquito nets for the warmer months. Visitors can enjoy great views from the homestays, which also have a terrace.
Dining is in the family dining room or kitchen, and guests will get the chance to dine with the family, eating the same kinds of food that they do on a daily basis.
Breakfast is included in the stay
Tansen is a fascinating town in western Nepal, conveniently located between Lumbini and Pokhara. It makes an ideal stop en route between these famous towns. Tansen is famous for its crafts, specifically its textiles. The woven dhaka cloth used for the iconic dhaka topi, the hat that many Nepali men wear, is woven in Tansen. Guests at the Tansen Community Homestay can participate in arts and craft-related activities, as well as visit temples, palaces, and an organic farm.
Travellers seeking an adventurous day out can visit the unique Ranighat Palace from Tansen, on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River. This is dramatic late-19th century palace that can be reached by vehicle along a rough road, or hiked to.
Some of the major Attractions in Palpa:
- Tansen Durbar
- Sitalpati
- Rani Mahal
- Shreenagar
- Naran Temple
- Bhagwati Temple
- Bhairav Temple
- Organic Coffee Farms
Climate and weather Tansen, Palpa
Tansen is located at around 1350 metres, so is roughly the same altitude as Kathmandu. Summers are hot and humid, and winters cool, with pleasant spring and autumn seasons. Throughout the year (apart from summer) vistors will need at least a light jacket to keep them warm after the sun goes down. In the winter they will want some heavier clothes, although them don’t need to be prepared for snow.
There is no ‘bad’ time to visit Tansen, but each season offers different highlights. Spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November) generally offer the most pleasant weather, as it’s warm without being too hot, and the clearest skies for mountain views.
Patlekhet Community Homestay
The Patlekhet Community Homestay, in the hills is a short drive from Kathmandu. The Patlekhet Community Homestay is an ideal destination for travelers seeking a quick weekend break from Kathmandu, or who want to continue hiking around the hills and villages just outside the city. About 40 kilometres from Kathmandu, the scenery here is entirely rural. Patlekhet is situated in the hills, with views across to the high Himalaya in the north, and with dramatic cultivated farmland all around. A major attraction of staying at the Patlekhet Community Homestay is the food. Visitors will see where it comes from, growing and living in the beautiful landscape of the village, and then they can enjoy eating the pure ingredients in home-cooked meals. They can even learn to cook Nepali dishes themself by taking a cooking class with their host. A visit to Patlekhet is all about reconnecting with nature and appreciating life’s simple pleasures.
Sixteen homes in Patlekhet cater to visitors with homely homestay accommodation. Like at all accommodation in the Community Homestay network, visitorswill get a private room with a comfortable bed and basic furniture, and access to a bathroom with running water and a Western or Nepali-style squat toilet.
As this is a farming community, the hosts will likely have space in parts of their home compound for their animals. Don’t be surprised if the visitors wake up to the snorting of cows just outside the window, or the scrabbling of chickens. Meals will be prepared from fresh local ingredients, such as honey, milk, vegetables, and eggs. Guests won’t go hungry at the Patlkhet Community Homestay, with an abundance of fresh and tasty food available.
Patlkhet is about 40 kilometers away from Kathmandu in Kavre district. The journey takes 1.5-2 hours. It’s an easy destination for a quick farm stay around Kathmandu, or as a start (or end) point for treks in the area to places like Panauti, Namo Buddha, and Dulikhel.
The hillside farmland here is very dramatic. Although this is a ‘hill’ area, in almost every other country of the world, these hills would be called mountains! The terrain is steep, and just walking around the village is a good work-out. Visitors will gain a new appreciation for the fitness of Nepali hill-dwellers, as well as their ingenuity at creating flat farmland in such a steep area. And, on a clear day, visitors be treated to fantastic views of the real mountains on the horizon, snow-capped Mt. Jugal, Mt. Ganesh, and others.
Patlekhet’s climate is similar to Kathmandu’s, although without the density of people and buildings that makes the capital more uncomfortable. June to September are quite wet as they are the monsoon months. Autumn (October-November) is warm but comfortable, with clearer skies and little rain. Winters (December-February) are cool but crisp. Spring (March-May) is warm and increasingly humid.
Bardiya Community Homestay
Close to Bardiya National Park with its unspoiled wilderness of grassland and riverine forest in the mid-western Terai region, the homestay in Dalla offers a peek into the lives of Danguara Tharus and opportunity to explore the rarest of wildlife in Nepal. Living with the locals in their traditional mud and wood houses visitors can get a view of the way of life that has gone largely unchanged over time.
The homestay accommodation is basic, but meets travellers’ essential needs. The houses guests stay in are made the traditional way out of mud and wood, so they will really feel like they are having a rural adventure.
Toilets are located outside the accommodation, but not far away. Western-style toilets and toilet paper are available, for your comfort and convenience. Rooms come equipped with mosquito nets and fans. For much of the year it can get very hot in the Bardiya area, and the best tiger-spotting season coincides with the hottest time of year, so guests will welcome the presence of the fan.
The major attraction of the area around the Bardiya Community Homestay is Bardiya National Park. Less frequently visited than Chitwan National Park, travellers who do make the effort to venture out here are richly rewarded. There is a greater chance of spotting the King of the Jungle here, the Royal Bengal Tiger. Other animals also abound in Bardiya, including wild elephants, one-horned rhinoceros, and deers.
Travellers interested in nature, wildlife, and traditional culture are in lucky at the Bardiya Community Homestay, as there are various ways to experience these in the national park and the buffer zone surrounding it. From guided forest walks where guests can spot animals and birds, to easy Jeep safaris, to traditional Tharu dance performances, there are a range of activities to keep them interested, entertained, and learning new things. A particular highlight of this area is the opportunity to spend a night in a machhan (watchtower) in the forest, to experience the jungle and its wildlife at night, yet from a safe distance above the ground.
Some Major Attractions in Bardiya
- Bardiya National Park
- Khairpur Blackbuck Conservation Area
- Animal Breeding Centers
- Karnali Bridge Chisapani
- Thakur Baba Temple
- Climate and Weather
The climate of Bardiya is more similar to North India than the Nepali hills: extremely hot between March and September (upwards of 35° C), uncomfortably humid during the monsoon (June-September), and cool in winter (as low as 7° C, although daytime temperatures are usually much warmer). Most travelers will feel comfortable visiting between October and February, when the weather is cool or warm. The best months for spotting tigers, however, are February-July, when the animals come down to the watering holes for relief from the hot weather.
Ilam Community Homestay
Staying at the Ilam Community Homestay is an exciting way to experience a different side of Nepal. The Ilam area, in far eastern Nepal bordering Darjeeling in India, is an area of rolling hills covered in tea plantations, far from the bustling cities and jagged mountains visitors find elsewhere. They can hike and explore the countryside, rise early to get a glimpse of the world’s third-highest mountain, Kanchenjuna, at sunrise, and learn all about tea growing and production. Shree Antu is a small village in Ilam, surrounded by cultivated tea fields and beautiful gardens, and with the third-highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga (8586 metres) to the north. The people living in this area are ethnic Limbu, Tamang, Rai, Lepcha, and Magar. Staying at the Shree Antu Community Homestay is an opportunity to learn about these Nepali cultural groups, some of whom are spread throughout the country, but others live mainly in the eastern regions.
Regarding accommodation at Shree Antu Community Homestay, the homes are made of wood. Each has its own beautiful little garden growing flowers, especially orchids that grow in the nurseries beside the gardens. Bathroom facilities are simple but adequate: some homestays have toilets inside, while others have them separate from the room but not far away. Hot water can be provided in buckets for bathing. Meals are prepared by visitors’ host family from local ingredients. As well as the expected roti, rice, and curries, the visitors may be served local eggs, honey, milk, and of course, lots and lots of delicious Ilam tea.
Eastern Nepal sees far fewer travelers than central and mid-western areas, but those who do make it there are treated to scenic tea fields, nature hikes with a lot of birdlife, and views of the eastern Himalaya, including Kanchenjunga. The hosts of the Shree Antu Community Homestay are mostly farmers, and will be busy for certain periods of the year with their planting, tending, and harvesting. They will be happy to let the visitors join in and learn about their way of life and livelihood.
While Darjeeling—just over the border in India—is a household name in tea, Ilam tea is less well-known outside of Nepal. Whether or not the visitors re a tea afficionado, while traveling to Ilam the visitors can learn more about this important and popular crop. They will see it growing in the fields all around, have the chance to try picking some, learning about its production at a tea factory, and have plenty of chances to drink a hot cup at their homestay.
The cooler, drier months between October and March are generally the best times to travel around the hills of Nepal, including the Shree Antu Community Homestay.
While Ilam district has a large altitude range–from the plains to very high mountains–Shree Antu is located in the hills, at around 2300 metres, with a moderate climate. Winters (December-February) are cold, and the monsoon season (June-September) is very wet. In between these extremes, spring and autumn provide warm and generally dry weather. Due to the altitude, Shree Antu is generally cooler than Kathmandu.
Nagarkot Community Homestay
Inhabited around rich biodiversity and nature at Nagarkot Community Homestay, visitors can enjoy a calm environment with the panoramic scenes, fresh breeze on the lap of green forest, a soak in the waterfall, and the taste of delightful local cuisine, produced organically. Located on the way to the main town of ‘Nagarkot’, and a quick escape from the busy streets of Kathmandu, visitors can immerse themselves in mesmerizing interactions living with the locals and discover the wonders of nature. At the homestay, visitors can feel at home staying with the villagers as a family member, sharing their kitchen and daily activities.
Nagarkot is one of the most popular short-break destinations from Kathmandu, because when the weather is fine there are fantastic views of the Himalaya from here. By staying at the Nagarkot Community Homestay, visitors can experience the authentic side of the town, away from the touristy hotels. Visitors be staying with a local family, who will show them authentic rural life near Kathmandu, but also a world away.
The Nagarkot Community Homestay Network includes 13 homestays, all run by members of the extended Bastola family. The homestay accommodation provides a homely and authentic alternative to the modern hotels of Nagarkot, and visitors will be enjoy a much more personal experience.
As at all accommodation that’s part of the Community Homestay network, the visitors get a private bedroom but will be close to the family. This allows them to enjoy a great mix of private and communal time. They can relax and refresh in comfort, and also get to know their hosts better. They will also have a private bathroom with Western-style toilets, hot water, and clean towels.
A major highlight of Nagarkot is the view of the mountains, and the visitors can enjoy these directly from the homestay. Some accommodations have views from the room, whereas at others the visitors can go up to the rooftop terrace or balconies to admire the views.
Nagarkot is just 26 kilometres east of central Kathmandu, which takes about an hour to drive. As such, it’s a popular destination for a quick getaway from Kathmandu. Many travelers come on a day trip, but by spending a night or two visitors can better appreciate the natural beauty of the area, and enjoy Himalayan views in a variety of different lights. Sunrise and sunset each offer something different, and visitors can go to the Nagarkot view tower for some of the best views.
Most travelers go to Nagarkot for the views and see little beyond the central town and view tower area. But, by staying at the Nagarkot Community Homestay, visitors can experience village life beyond the touristy center. They can hike in the hilly area, through forests and farmland, or even go on a longer hike all the way to Namo Buddha or Changu Narayan. They can also visit the nearby waterfalls, as well as a couple of interesting and attractive temples, Jalpadevi Temple and Maha Manjushree Temple.
As well as these excursions, visitors can learn more about rural life in Nepal. Most people in the area are farmers, and visitors can help with daily activities like milking the cow, collecting firewood, and cutting grass to feed to the animals. There are many rural pleasures to be found here.
Some of the major Attractions in Nagarkot:
- Nagarkot View Tower
- Jalpadevi Temple
- Waterfall
- Maha Manjhushree Temple
- Climate and Weather
Nagarkot is higher than Kathmandu at 2175 metres compared to Kathmandu’s 1400 metres. That means it’s quite a bit cooler year-round. There is cold but generally clear winters (December-February), warm but humid springs (March-May), a wet and warm monsoon (June-September), and a warm and relatively clear autumn (October-November).
For clear views of the Himalaya, it is recommended to visit between September and November or March and May. Still, the rest of the year is a good time to visit as well as there are a lot of festivals taking place in Nagarkot year round and the climate is mild.