Staying with a family is the best way to understand everyday life in Nepal. You eat what they eat, sit by their kitchen fire, help with the harvest if you like, and learn a few words of their language. In return, your money goes directly to the household and the community. Over the past few decades, community homestays have spread across Nepal, from Gurung villages in the Annapurna foothills to Tharu villages on the edge of the jungle.
Quick answer: Nepal has many registered community homestays, where several families in a village host guests under a shared programme. Popular areas include Ghandruk and other Gurung villages near Pokhara, Sirubari, Panauti and Bandipur near Kathmandu, and Tharu villages around Chitwan and Bardia. Expect a simple private room, home-cooked dal bhat and cultural evenings. Prices are modest, usually including dinner and breakfast. Book through a reputable agency or the local homestay committee.
What is a community homestay?
In a community homestay, a group of households in a village registers together, follows agreed standards for rooms, hygiene and food, and shares guests between them. A local committee manages bookings and often organises welcome ceremonies, cultural programmes and village walks. Part of the income usually goes to a community fund for schools, trails or other projects.
Nepal's village tourism movement is often traced back to Sirubari, a Gurung village in Syangja district that began hosting tourists in the late 1990s. Since then, hundreds of villages have followed.
Where to find homestays
| Area | Community | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ghandruk and Annapurna foothills | Gurung | Mountain views, Gurung culture, short treks from Pokhara |
| Sirubari (Syangja) | Gurung | One of the first village tourism projects in Nepal |
| Panauti | Newar | Medieval temple town near Kathmandu |
| Bandipur | Newar and Magar | Hilltop bazaar between Kathmandu and Pokhara |
| Around Chitwan and Nawalpur | Tharu | Jungle, village life, Tharu dance and food |
| Bardia (Thakurdwara) | Tharu | Tiger country, very local and quiet |
| Tamang Heritage Trail | Tamang | Mountain villages (check access after the 2026 flood) |
| Helambu | Hyolmo | Buddhist villages near Kathmandu |
What to expect
- Rooms: a simple, clean private room in the family house or a guest building, usually with shared toilet.
- Food: home-cooked meals, usually dal bhat with seasonal vegetables, pickles and sometimes local specialities. Vegetarians are easily catered for.
- Welcome: many villages greet guests with flower garlands and tika.
- Activities: village walks, cooking lessons, farm work, cultural dances in the evening.
- Language: hosts may speak little English; your guide helps translate.
- Facilities: hot water and Wi-Fi vary; electricity cuts can happen.
Homestay etiquette
- Take off your shoes before entering the house and the kitchen.
- Don't enter the kitchen unless invited; in many homes the hearth is sacred.
- Use your right hand for eating and giving things.
- Dress modestly, especially women and in religious areas.
- Ask before taking photos of people and inside homes.
- Accept food and drink politely; if you don't want more, cover your plate and say "pugyo" (enough).
- Don't touch people's heads or point your feet at people or shrines.
- A small gift such as fruit, sweets or school supplies for children is welcome, but not essential.
Our responsible travel guide has more tips.
Costs
Homestays are good value. Prices are usually set by the community and include dinner and breakfast, sometimes lunch. Cultural programmes or guided village walks may cost extra. Through an agency, homestays are often included in a tour or trek package with transport and a guide.
Homestays on treks
Many trekking routes now offer homestays as well as lodges, especially in quieter areas. On treks such as Ghandruk, Helambu and Phoksundo Lake, you may stay in family homes for some nights. On a Bardia safari, a Tharu homestay is an excellent alternative to a lodge.
Are homestays right for you?
If you want comfort, private bathrooms and a menu, a lodge or hotel is better. If you want to understand how people really live in Nepal, and don't mind simple rooms, a homestay will probably be the highlight of your trip. We can add a homestay night to most of our tours and treks. Contact us to arrange one.