Nepal Homestay Circuit Tour

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, we will escort you to your first Community Homestay in Panauti. Your homestay host will welcome you and show you around this traditional Newari town. Panauti, originally a small state given by King Bhupatindra Malla as a dowry to his sister, remains largely unchanged over time. You will visit the Indreswor Temple and Durbar Square in the town center. Located at the confluence of the Rosi and Punyamati rivers, Panauti has long been an important religious site and is famous for its numerous temples and festivals dedicated to various deities.

Begin your day by meeting your local guide for the Community Hike from Sanga to Panauti, starting around 8:00 AM. This 3-4 hour hike takes you along an off-the-beaten path, where your private guide will share insights about the environment and local cultures. The route offers beautiful scenery, including heritage sites, statues, and nature. Once you reach Panauti, you’ll have lunch at one of the Community Homestays. After lunch, enjoy a tour around the Indreshwori Temple, a significant attraction dating back to the late 13th century. In the evening, your host family will give you a cooking class, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal with your hosts.

After breakfast, we will drive you to Bhaktapur, a short distance from Kathmandu. Bhaktapur, one of Nepal’s most fascinating World Heritage Sites, features three large squares filled with historic shrines and temples, Newar architecture, and fine art. Famous for its pottery, thangka painting, metalwork, and wood carvings, Bhaktapur retains its medieval charm despite the 2015 earthquake damage and subsequent repairs. You will visit the magnificent Golden Gate in Durbar Square, the Palace of 55 Windows, the Nyata Pola Temple, Newar houses, and Pottery Square.

In the afternoon, we will take you to your second Community Homestay in Kirtipur. This city, home to the ethnic Newari community, is located just 30 minutes from Kathmandu and is relatively unexplored by travelers. Your hosts will welcome you warmly with tika and Newari Sagun.

After breakfast, we will travel by road to Bandipur. This village resembles an open-air museum with beautifully preserved buildings reflecting the local Newari culture. In Bandipur, time seems to stand still, with no mass tourism or aggressive sellers. The 18th-century buildings are well-preserved, and motorized vehicles are not allowed, making the village peaceful and quiet.

After breakfast, we will drive to Pokhara, a journey of about 2.5 hours. Pokhara is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist destinations and serves as the gateway to the Annapurna region. Known for its spellbinding beauty, Pokhara offers pristine air, spectacular views of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna Range, and serene lakes like Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa. The city is often referred to as the “Jewel of the Himalaya” and is home to exceptionally warm and engaging people.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time for relaxation. In the afternoon, take a relaxing walk around the lakeside.

The drive from Pokhara to Hemja Phedi takes around 30 minutes, followed by a 1.5 to 2-hour hike through lush green forests to reach Hemjakot. Arriving at Hemjakot, the locals will welcome you warmly. Enjoy a traditional lunch while witnessing the mighty Annapurna Range right in front of your eyes. This is the perfect chance to observe the typical rural lifestyle and traditional homes.

From Hemjakot, we will drive approximately 5 hours to Narchyang, a village in the Myagdi District in the Dhaulagiri Zone of western-central Nepal. Narchyang is an awesome side trek on the way to or from Tatopani, offering beautiful valley views and the stunning Narchyang waterfall. Following the main road, we will make our way to Narchyang village and to a small bridge leading to the stairs that go up to the waterfall. It’s easy to find, as you can see the massive Narchyang waterfall from almost anywhere, making it the best waterfall on the Annapurna Circuit route.

A short walk (15-20 minutes) from your community homestay leads to a local holy site. You can admire views from the Narchyang viewpoint and see the historic old route to Mustang. Following a paved path, continue your leisurely hike to a couple of waterfalls and three temples. Your local guide will explain the historical and cultural significance of the sites in Narchyang Village.

We will drive approximately 5 hours back to Pokhara. Known as the “Lake City,” Pokhara is a famous tourist destination in Nepal. It is well-known as the starting point for numerous trekking trails and expeditions in the Annapurna region and is admired for its natural beauty and majestic mountain views. The richness of the valley’s natural beauty is one of the main attractions for visitors from all over the world.

We will drive to Tansen, a fascinating historic town set in the hills a few hours from Pokhara. Formerly the capital of the Magar kingdom until the rise of the Shahs, this was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Nepal. Although the power of the Magars waned in the 18th century, Tansen recovered as a Newari trading post on the busy route between India and Tibet and in the early 19th century became part of the Kathmandu kingdom.

Tansen is a compact little town with many interesting sites to explore, such as Durbar Square, which you enter via the huge Baggi Dhoka (gate), Sittalpati, a curious octagonal pavilion in the main square, and many temples with fascinating stories. Your homestay hosts will be delighted to show you around and share some of the town’s history.

We will drive down to the Terai region to Barauli Community Homestay, a small Tharu village near Chitwan National Park. Each of the 14 cottages is named after the housewife who owns and takes care of you. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with a traditional Barauli program, including songs and dances performed by women in traditional Tharu gowns. During your stay, you can sample local food and experience the Tharu lifestyle.

After breakfast, we will engage in various safari activities in Chitwan National Park. You will enjoy a jeep safari, jungle walk, canoe ride, visit to the Elephant Breeding Center, and bathing with an elephant.

In the morning, we will drive back to the Kathmandu Valley to Neydo Monastery in Pharping. Here, you will spend the night at the Neydo Tashi Choeling Monastery’s Guest House. This Tibetan monastery, home to up to 140 monks, follows the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery houses Nepal’s largest statue of the Amitabha Buddha, flanked by statues of Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani. You are welcome to join the monks for their early morning and evening ceremonies. Your stay at the monastery’s guest house helps support the monastery’s daily expenses.

If you feel energetic, you can take short walks to visit other smaller monasteries or the Asura Cave, where Padmasambhava meditated and achieved the highest realization.

On your final day in Nepal, our representative will escort you from your hotel to the airport for your departure.