April 1, 2025—The Community Homestay Network (CHN), Nepal's leading advocate for immersive and sustainable travel, proudly presents Community Connect 2025. Following the overwhelming success of its 2024 edition, this second exposure visit in May 2025 will unveil Nepal's lesser-explored regions through three extraordinary journeys. Recognized as one of TIME's 'World's Greatest Places of 2025', CHN champions responsible tourism, empowering local communities while preserving Nepal's rich heritage.
At the heart of CHN's mission is fostering meaningful and transformative experiences for both travellers and the communities they visit. The organization aims to elevate Nepal's tourism by showcasing destinations off the beaten path, encouraging a more responsible and sustainable approach to travel. Community Connect 2025 seeks to expand the global appeal of lesser-known places such as Dhankuta, Narchyang, and the Kathmandu Valley, creating an opportunity to discover new experiences, cultures, and landscapes.
The Power of Community-Based Tourism (CBT)
Community Connect 2025 is an exposure visit and an immersive exploration of Nepal's unique, community-led tourism model. The event will host 20 journalists, media personalities, and 11 travel industry professionals this year, offering them an in-depth look at Nepal's cultural diversity and the sustainable impact of community-based tourism. This curated experience offers participants a rare opportunity to dive deeply into the lives and traditions of the Gurung, Magar, Newar, and Aathpahariya communities, ensuring that the essence of Nepal's rich heritage and local wisdom is shared and understood.
As travellers experience Nepal beyond its more tourist-heavy spots like Everest and Kathmandu, the Community Homestay Network showcases how tourism can catalyze sustainable development. By focusing on lesser-explored areas, CHN hopes to relieve pressure on overcrowded tourist hubs while creating new avenues for economic growth in rural regions. The initiative supports local economies and helps preserve cultural traditions, ensuring that the benefits of tourism flow directly to communities. These include empowering women, supporting Indigenous groups, and giving local communities a voice in tourism.
Three Unique Journeys Awaiting Travelers
1. Eastern Nepal: The Road Less Taken – Dhankuta and Beyond
In the breathtaking Nibuwa Tankhwa Watershed Area (NTWA) of the Lower Koshi River Basin (LKRB), Dhankuta emerges as a hidden gem for cultural and adventure tourism. This eight-day journey starts in Kathmandu and leads travellers to the heart of the Aathpahariya community through homestays, eco-craft workshops, and scenic hikes. The trip culminates in Janakpur, where travellers will explore Mithila art and the renowned Janaki Temple.
Dhankuta’s appeal lies in its pristine landscapes and rich traditions. However, it faces pressing climate change challenges, particularly water scarcity. Through the HIGRID project, funded by the Australian Government, ICIMOD, Dhankuta Municipality, Chhathar Jorpati Rural Municipality, Smart Paani, and the Human Rights Social Awareness and Development Center (HUSADEC), CHN is transforming Dhankuta into a model for sustainable tourism. Travelers will learn about water-smart conservation practices while experiencing the beauty of responsible travel.
2. Rural Life with the Locals: A Journey Through Narchyang and Hemjakot
For those seeking a break from Nepal’s mainstream trekking circuits, this eight-day adventure explores the tranquil villages of Narchyang and Hemjakot. The journey begins in Kathmandu before heading west for a blend of adventure, culture, and culinary experiences. Travellers will hike through lush forests, discover waterfalls, cook traditional Gurung and Magar dishes, and stay with local families for an authentic rural experience. The trip ends with a relaxing lakeside retreat in Pokhara, where travellers can enjoy local wine and serene landscapes.
Despite being overshadowed by the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Narchyang and Hemjakot showcase Nepal’s hidden tourism potential. Here, travellers will engage with remote communities, learning about age-old traditions while contributing to local economies. This journey aligns with CHN’s mission to diversify Nepal’s tourism offerings, easing pressure on overcrowded destinations while ensuring authentic, meaningful travel experiences.
3. Hidden Gems of the Kathmandu Valley: Culture, Crafts, and Nature
The Kathmandu Valley is more than a bustling capital—it is a treasure trove of ancient craftsmanship, culinary delights, and natural beauty. This eight-day itinerary takes travellers beyond the usual sights, offering an immersive experience in Newari culture. Travellers will craft with artisans in Bungamati, participate in a traditional momo-making class in Kirtipur, and hike to the scenic hilltop of Nagarkot. Staying in homestays provides an intimate look at Newari life, blending heritage with breathtaking landscapes.
In parallel, this journey also highlights Tharu cultural traditions in Bhada, Bardiya, and Barauli, where travellers can witness Indigenous dances and traditions firsthand. By supporting artisan workshops in Bungamati and Bhaktapur, travellers directly contribute to the preservation of endangered crafts and the livelihoods of local artisans.
This trip redefines Kathmandu, proving that even Nepal’s most visited region holds hidden stories waiting to be discovered.
Why Community Connect Matters
Community Connect 2025 is more than just an exposure visit; it’s a movement towards sustainable, inclusive tourism. While Nepal’s tourism has traditionally revolved around Everest and Kathmandu, CHN is shifting the focus to lesser-known destinations such as Dhankuta, Narchyang, and Bardiya. This approach combats over-tourism while ensuring that tourism revenue reaches communities that need it most.
Media Coverage: Amplifying Community Voices
Community Connect 2024 not only brought together travellers, journalists, and tourism professionals—it also drew widespread media attention, helping amplify the voices of Nepal’s local communities and spotlighting the transformative power of responsible tourism.
From national news outlets to international travel features, our familiarization trips through Dhankuta, Narchyang, the Kathmandu Valley, and beyond were covered in a variety of inspiring stories. These stories brought to life the experiences of artisans, homestay hosts, and community leaders who are redefining Nepal’s tourism narrative.
Visit our Media Coverage Page to read how Community Connect 2024 was featured across print, digital, and broadcast media. These features showcase the vibrant cultures, immersive experiences, and local innovations that make community-based tourism in Nepal so impactful.
As we gear up for Community Connect 2025, we welcome new storytellers, journalists, and media partners to join us in sharing authentic narratives that support community-led change.
Collaboration and Responsibility: A Community-Led Initiative
The success of Community Connect 2025 hinges on the collaboration of various stakeholders—local communities, government bodies, NGOs, and travel industry partners. CHN works with these partners to create experiences that benefit travellers and local communities. The trips are co-created with local residents, ensuring that their voices shape the tourism offerings and that the economic benefits of tourism remain within the community.
Key partners such as the Nepal Tourism Board, Planeterra, ICIMOD, and Dhankuta Municipality play a vital role in the initiative. Through their contributions, CHN can implement skill-building programs and marketing support to amplify the initiative's impact. Additionally, business partners like Royal Mountain Travel, Traditional Comfort, Bricks Café, and Avata Wellness ensure smooth trip execution, guaranteeing high-quality experiences for participants.
CHN believes that tourism should benefit travellers and local communities. It strives to make the travel industry more responsible, educating visitors on the importance of sustainable travel practices and encouraging them to make ethical travel choices. As a CHN spokesperson notes, "Choosing responsible travel shouldn't fall solely on travellers. We must diversify our products, educate visitors on their impact, and transparently show where their money goes."
Panel Discussions at Community Connect 2025
We're excited to host three insightful panel discussions before the event; each centred around pivotal themes in community-based tourism and sustainable travel:
Collaborating for Impact: Scaling Sustainable Community Tourism
Join Aayusha Prasain, CEO, as she explores how strategic partnerships can amplify the impact of community tourism. Aayusha will focus on empowering local communities, enhancing visibility, and expanding the reach of sustainable travel initiatives to drive long-term change.
The Role of Media in Communication
Led by Rubik Joshi, Marketing Lead, this panel will delve into the media's decisive role in advocating for sustainable tourism practices. Rubik will discuss how media can highlight community-based travel's positive economic and cultural impacts, shaping public perception and encouraging responsible tourism.
Community Speakers Session
Bikal Khanal, CPO, will facilitate a dynamic discussion with community leaders who are actively involved in tourism and development. This session will offer valuable insights into the challenges and successes of creating authentic, sustainable travel experiences that benefit travellers and local communities.
We look forward to an engaging and thought-provoking set of conversations that will inspire new ideas and partnerships in sustainable tourism.
A Vision for the Future
As Community Connect 2025 approaches, CHN sets a new benchmark for responsible tourism in Nepal. With 30 industry professionals and journalists participating this May, this initiative will showcase the power of community-based tourism in shaping a sustainable future.
With over 50 curated experiences across 23 destinations, CHN’s portfolio includes 40 community homestays and 10 artisan-led cultural programs. Whether through multi-community circuits or immersive stays with a single family, every journey fosters personal connections, artistic appreciation, and local economic support.
Following this exposure visit, CHN is confident that travel industry partners will recognize the immense value of community-based travel, further strengthening their commitment to sustainable tourism.
In a world where responsible travel is no longer optional but essential, Community Connect 2025 is a beacon of change. CHN is not just promoting destinations; it champions community tourism, empowers communities, preserves cultures, and ensures a sustainable legacy for Nepal’s tourism.
Join Us on Social Media Handles for Exclusive Insights
We invite you to connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to stay updated with the latest travel news, immersive experiences, and inspiring community stories across Nepal.
Explore the beauty of Nepal through our vibrant feed filled with real moments from community homestays, local traditions, and cultural experiences. Get inspired by reels, stories, and photos that showcase the heart of responsible travel.
Stay informed and engaged with updates on upcoming events, blogs, and behind-the-scenes stories. Our Facebook community is a space to learn more about sustainable tourism and how you can be part of the movement.
Discover beautifully curated boards featuring Nepal’s hidden gems, cultural crafts, and eco-conscious travel ideas. From planning your next adventure to understanding the impact of community tourism, Pinterest offers a visual journey into our world.
Let’s explore, connect, and create travel that truly matters together.
Join the Movement
Visit communityhomestay.com for more information or to book a trip. For sales inquiries, email [email protected]. Let’s connect with Nepal’s communities and create travel that genuinely matters.
