Namaste! Warm Welcomes in Nepal

Today, you’ll be collected from your hotel in Kathmandu and transferred to the small town of Panauti, one of the oldest in the Kathmandu valley. Here you’ll find narrow alleys paved with stone, terracotta dwellings and red-brick temples. You’ll arrive in time for a traditional Nepalese lunch of Dhaal Bhaat – rice, potatoes, chicken, fried spinach, lentil soup, chapati and ginger tea. After lunch you can get involved with the community, helping out with the rice harvest or trying your hand at other farming activities. Amble through the streets or stay at home and help your hosts make delicious momos (Nepalese dumplings). After a full meal, you’ll crawl into your simple bed for a well-deserved sleep.

This morning, you’ll awake to the aroma of breakfast wafting through the house. You’ll eat the same breakfast as your hosts, so expect something quite simple such as eggs, bread and fresh fruit. Oh, and plenty of tea of course! After breakfast, you’ll have more time to get to know the local community. Hunt out some of the local haunts, play with the kids and watch the world go by with a cup of tea. After another hearty lunch, you’ll say goodbye to your new family and continue your journey through Nepal.

This homestay programme is part of a Nepali community project in which local women open up their homes to visitors. Not only does this allow tourists to learn more about the Nepali psyche and gain a better understanding of the local customs, but also provides these women with a much needed source of income. All the Home Stays are run by the local women for the local women; an initiative to empower all the women of the town.

If you’d like to spend more time Panuati, we can also arrange a two night stay here. This will give you time to explore the nearby sights of Khopashi, Namobuddha and Kanteshowri.