“Nepal’s beauty lies not just in its landscapes but in its people.”

Just 20 miles east of Kathmandu, in the foothills of Nepal’s Himalayas, sits Bastola, a small village in Nagarkot municipality. Overlooking terraced rice fields and the Kathmandu Valley, it’s home to a close-knit community where Laxmi Bastola and her family have been hosting guests in their canary yellow, three-story home through the Nagarkot Community Homestay program since 2011.

Nagarkot is renowned for its panoramic views of Nepal’s highest peaks, drawing travelers who want to experience the Himalayas and hillside villages without venturing far from the capital. Recognizing tourism’s potential, the community realized that despite the influx of visitors, local residents weren’t benefiting. With limited resources for hotels, the Bastola family initiated the community homestay program to provide travellers with unique experiences while uplifting the community and empowering women.

From Disaster to Resilience

Founded in 2011, Laxmi and her five sisters-in-law run the homestay program in Nagarkot, which started with simple accommodations and cultural activities. Then, disaster hit. In 2015, a devastating earthquake destroyed their village, forcing years of rebuilding. Just as they recovered, the 2020 pandemic shut down the program for nearly two years. Despite these setbacks, they persisted. Today, they welcome over 600 guests annually, strengthening their community’s economy and providing travelers with one-of-a-kind experiences.

Nagarkot is one of 36 homestays supported by the Community Homestay Network (CHN), a  platform which promotes sustainable tourism to preserve culture, conserve nature, and empower women. The network spans 362 households across 36 communities, directly benefiting over 1,700 people.

“With decades of experience organizing rural tours, I’ve seen tourism’s transformative power,” says CHN founder Shiva Dhakal. “Nepal’s beauty lies not just in its landscapes but in its people.” Dhakal, who also runs Royal Mountain Travel, believes community tourism can uplift rural areas often overlooked by tourists.

Empowering Women and Preserving Traditions

Each homestay offers a distinct cultural experience while sharing common benefits for communities and travelers. For women, participation has been life-changing, particularly from an economic standpoint. Income from the program allows mothers like Laxmi, who has a 16-year-old daughter named Dilasha, to send their children to school.

“In Nepal, women traditionally work at home while men earn the income,” says Shila Amatya, president of Panauti Community Homestay. “With CHN, we can spend money on our children’s health and education. We no longer have to ask our husband’s permission to buy something. We even have our own bank accounts. It has been incredibly empowering.” Beyond finances, the program has elevated women’s roles in their communities, granting them leadership and respect in a patriarchal society.

Villages like Barauli, near Chitwan National Park, once saw little benefit from tourism. The Barauli Community Homestay changed that, giving women opportunities and pride in sharing their Tharu culture. “We were once too shy or embarrassed to speak, but now we confidently share our traditions with guests,” says secretary Isha Mahato.

Sustainable Tourism Across Nepal

The program also promotes sustainable tourism by steering travelers to lesser-known destinations, reducing pressure on crowded areas. Premati Buduja Pun of Narchyang Community Homestay near the Annapurna Trek says CHN helped her village attract trekkers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Premati Buduja Pun, treasurer of the Narchyang Community Homestay located near the popular Annapurna Trek says the program has been life-changing. 

“My village is a beautiful place nestled among mountains and hills. It is also located on a popular trekking route but has been overshadowed by nearby destinations like Tatopani. CHN helped us attract tourists and set up homestays to support 5-6 households while offering trekkers an off-the-beaten-path hike,” she says.

As young people leave their villages for work and education, traditional ways of life stand to disappear.

“Nepal has over 142 ethnic groups and castes all with their own language, dress, and food,” says Aayusha Prasain, CEO of CHN. “Each one is different and must be preserved, which we are trying to do.” CHN mamas, as the women are called, design programs to promote and safeguard traditional arts and cuisine. 

“My biggest dream,” confides Shila Amatya, “is that after my daughter Amy receives her master’s degree, she will come back.” 

During my stay in Nagarkot, I participated in activities like making tapari (leaf plates) and bati (wicks) using age-old techniques. A cooking class in my host’s outdoor kitchen introduced me to dal bhat (curried lentils with rice).

On my last night, beneath the stars overlooking Kathmandu Valley, I sat with Laxmi and her daughter Dilasha. While Dilasha sang the “Dandelion” song in her beautiful melodic voice – a song about heartbreak and teenage angst – I couldn’t stop myself from smiling and thinking of my own teenage daughter, thousands of miles away. Both girls shared similar hopes and dreams for their futures. It was this magical moment in time, this very special bond, that I will never forget. And that is the priceless beauty of community tourism. It changes lives. Not only Laxmi’s, but my own. 

How to Visit

Community Homestay Network offers 36 homestays across Nepal, from mountain villages to rural settings. Nagarkot, Panauti, and Kirtipur are easily accessible from Kathmandu. Prices range from $33–36 per night, with some activities available at an additional cost.

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Author Nicole Melancon is a freelance travel writer based in Minneapolis, MN. Nicole writes about sustainable, community based and adventure travel on her 14-year-old travel blog and has been published on BBC Travel, National Geographic UK, The Toronto Star and more. To view her work, check out her portfolio and follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram.