Homestay immersion tour in Nepal – Planeterra
One of the most comprehensive packages, this trip takes you from the city sights to the jungle for safari, then up to a hilltop resort town for sunset views, then down to the peaceful lake district of must-see Pokhara, followed by a trek up in the mountains for mind-blowing mountain views. And that’s not all, there’s more! Homestay Circuit
A tour of the bustling valley of Kathmandu introduces you to the melting pot of many cultures. Yet Kathmandu city is the epicentre of Newari culture, with many other ethnic groups adding to the rich tapestry of religions. We stay in Patan, a city of skilful craftsmanship where Buddhism still thrives. We move on to the Tarai (plains) to discover the ancient way of life of the Tharu people, the only indigenous group of the Terai region, sharing in their activities such as fishing and dancing, besides going for elephant rides or canoeing on the river. The beautiful mid-mountain resort towns of Bandipur and Pokhara are an opportunity to get immersed in the lifestyle of the friendly Gurung people living in villages that cling to the hillsides of the Annapurna and Manaslu regions.
Back in Kathmandu, we head for the settlement of Panauti and find ourselves amid true Newari culture, especially their food, easily the richest in Nepal. Hikes and discoveries of Tamang villages and Buddhist monasteries will complete our day.
This journey, in harmony with a number of Nepali ethnic groups, ends on a spiritual note at a Tibetan monastery in the company of pilgrims who perform their daily circumambulations at Boudha.
- Nepal Country
- Culture and discovery Thématique
- Easy Difficulté
- 13 days Duration
- 4 days Hiking days
- 2 000 m Max. altitude
- Yes Guide
- Kathmandu → Balthali then back to Panauti Departure / Arrival
- Pokhara – Kathmandu Domestic flights
Itinerary
Airport pick-up, transfer to hotel and check-in.
We start with a visit to Patan, one of the three ancient royal cities of the valley, whose inhabitants are mostly Buddhists, known for their excellent statue-making. The Durbar Square, Patan Museum and the many shrines are great attractions. In the afternoon, we drive to Swoyambhu Stupa known among tourists as the “monkey temple”, which overlooks Kathmandu. An important Buddhist pilgrimage site, there are always people circumambulating the base of the hill.
Vehicle and English-speaking cultural guide
We leave the Kathmandu Valley and drive down to the Chitwan National Park in the Tarai plains. Arrival at the Community Lodge near a Tharu village. This lodge is located near the river where the Tharu people come for fishing. It is possible to share in this activity or to take part in cooking and dancing workshops.
Full board ; Duration of drive: 5 hr
The entire day is dedicated to safari activities: canoeing in the river, bird watching at sunrise, Safari to search for animals like rhinoceros, an exciting way to discover the jungle’s secrets, its wildlife: deer, wild boar, bear … and sometimes, if you’re lucky, even tigers! In the evening, watch the spectacular Tharu war dances show.
We drive to Bandipur, a delightful resort village of Newari traders. Enjoy superb views of the Himalayan range. Good short hikes and amazing sunsets! We overnight in a homestay: in simple rooms near the residence of our host.
Duration of drive: 3 ½ hr
We take a pleasant hike from Bandipur to Chirkini passing through a traditional Magar village of Ramkot. Then, drive down to Pokhara where we will spend the night in a hotel at Lakeside.
Duration of drive: 3 hr
The morning begins with a transfer (45 min) to Khoramukh (1000 m). From the bridge, we take a short nature walk on a lot of steep steps to reach the beautiful Gurung village of Luwang (1,460 m.) that specializes in tea culture. Nice view of the valley and surrounding villages. To the north, we see a panoramic view of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhare and Annapurna III. In the afternoon, we get a warm welcome at the homestay where we spend the night.
After enjoying a scintillating sunrise on the Mardi Himal and Lamjung Himal, we embark on a half-day trek through a hillside rhododendron forest to reach the Gurung village of Dhampus. Stop for lunch; then make a steep descent to Phedi where our vehicle awaits to drive us back to Pokhara. The late afternoon is free.
Catch the morning flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara Airport; an opportunity to admire a bird’s eye view of the sparkling Himalayan range on the way. We then drive to the charming old city of Bhaktapur, 15 km from Kathmandu; the most beautiful of the three royal cities of the valley. After a tour of the city on foot, we overnight at a guest house. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance of Bhaktapur after all the visitors have left!
An early morning stroll through the alleys of Bhaktapur reveals its old-world charm. Then drive to Changu Narayan, the oldest pagoda temple still standing in the valley. Dedicated to Vishnu, the temple displays many interesting stone carvings. Then, transfer to the Newari village of Panauti, located at the confluence of two rivers, where rich Newari cultural heritage has been well-preserved. Every twelve years, the town hosts a large “Mela” (Fair) which then attracts a massive crowd of pilgrims. Overnight at a Newari host’s residence where typical Newari dishes will be offered by means of a cooking workshop.
We take a round hike from Panauti, across a rural setting to reach Namobuddha, a Buddhist pilgrimage site and monastery. A small stupa commemorates the site where a Bodhisatva donated his own flesh to a hungry tigress and her cubs. We walk up to visit the Namobuddha Monastery and then descend through the forest and cross a suspension bridge before climbing up to the village of Balthali. There, we get a grand view of the Himalayas and the surrounding green countryside. We end the loop at Khopasi and return to Panauti.
We head back to Kathmandu and drive to visit the historic jewels of the Kathmandu Valley. We start the journey by visiting Pashupatinath, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, dating back to the 12th century. The river banks here serve as the cremation grounds for Hindus and pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred Bagmati River. Driving further on we come to the giant stupa of Boudha, a monumental landmark of Kathmandu. It is surrounded by many Buddhist monasteries and attracts hordes of devotees every day. Visit the Shechen Monastery nearby. Overnight at a guest house attached to the Tek Chok Ling Convent.
Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight End of our services.
Practical Info
What is included
- All transfers by private vehicle, according to the program
- 2 nights at Newa Chhen or similar in Patan on a B&B basis
- 2 nights at Lake View Resort or similar in Pokhara on a B&B basis
- 1 night at Shiva Guest House in Bhaktapur on a B&B basis
- 1-night homestay in Bandipur on a B&B basis
- 1 night in Dundrup Guest House comfort room on a B&B basis
- 2 nights full board at the Tharu Community Homestay in Chitwan and activities related (elephant, canoe, dances, fishing ...)
- 2 nights full board at the Panauti Community Homestay in Panauti and activities related (trekking, cooking classes ...)
- Trek 2 days full board homestay in Lwang
- The trekking team: 1 carrier for 3 people
- Carrying baggage up to 8 kg/person during the trek
- Staff insurance
- Domestic airport taxes.
- English-speaking cultural guide for 11 days
- Entrances of the sites in the valley
- ACAP Permit
- Domestic flight Pokhara – Kathmandu
What is not included
- Meals in Kathmandu, Bandipur, Pokhara and Bhaktapur, excluding breakfast
- Visa for Nepal to get at the airport ($30 + Photo)
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, hot showers, recharging batteries during the trek etc.
- International flight
FAQ
This journey begins with a plunge into the historic soul of Nepal, in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley, a concentrate of spirituality and heritage. From Patan, a refined royal city of Newar architecture, to the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and the great Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, every site visited is UNESCO-listed and bears witness to a thousand-year harmony between religions and peoples. More than a simple visit, this is a sensitive discovery, to the rhythm of rituals, craftspeople and history-laden alleys.
The heart of this journey beats inside Nepalese homes, where hospitality is a way of life. In Chitwan with the Tharu people, or in the Gurung mountain villages, you will be welcomed as a member of the family, taking part in simple, meaningful activities: net fishing, making momos, harvesting the vegetable garden and traditional dances. These moments of sharing give this trip a unique human dimension, far from conventional hotels.
Between two cultural immersions, the Himalaya reveals its majesty. From the ridges of Namo Buddha or the heights of Bandipur, sunrises light up the snowy giants of the Himalayan range. In Pokhara, the reflections of Machhapuchhare in Phewa Lake create suspended moments. The village of Lwang, nestled between forest and mountains, offers one of the finest panoramic views of the Annapurnas — an ideal setting to savour the peaceful beauty of Nepal’s landscapes.
Leaving the mountains for the Terai plain, you enter another Nepal: tropical, green and alive. Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to exceptional biodiversity. On a dugout canoe trip or a jungle walk with a local guide, you may be lucky enough to observe one-horned rhinos, deer, crocodiles and tropical birds in their natural habitat. A nature break that enriches this journey with a wild, sensory interlude.
