Trip Overview

Namaste! Welcome to a Journey That Means More

At Community Homestay Network (CHN), we invite you to experience travel that goes beyond sightseeing. We are a social enterprise redefining tourism in Nepal by connecting travelers with local communities through immersive, responsible, and meaningful experiences.

Working with over 50 villages across the country, our Community Circuits offer curated, multi-day journeys that celebrate culture, food, and craft—guided by the very people who call these places home. Hosted in warm, welcoming homestays and guided by locals—many of them women—these circuits are more than just holidays. They are transformative exchanges that generate real impact. We had the immense honor to be recognized as one of Time Magazine's 'The World’s Greatest Places of 2025'! This honor has strengthened our commitment to provide authentic cultural experiences and responsible tourism in Nepal.

Why Our Circuits Matter: Travel with Purpose

Our circuit is thoughtfully designed to offer local experiences with local people at the centre while also keeping your needs and comfort in mind. This mix lets you enjoy the familiar amenities of hotels with their own unique character while also experiencing the warmth and hospitality of Nepali homes across diverse cultures. Every circuit you join contributes directly to:

Safeguarding Indigenous Cultures: From Newar to Brahmin communities, your journey helps safeguard traditional customs, languages, festivals, and ways of life.

Empowering Women: Many of our hosts, guides, and even drivers are women—challenging norms and leading their communities through tourism.

Strengthening Local Economies: We ensure fair wages and community ownership, meaning your money stays where it’s most needed—in the communities.

Promoting Sustainable Practices: We say use electric or hybrid vehicles where possible, and champion low-impact travel that respects the land.

Fostering Intergenerational Learning: Join locals in cooking traditional meals, learning age-old crafts, and hearing stories passed down through generations.

These aren’t just trips—they’re investments in people, culture, and the planet.

Real People. Real Impact.

In 2025 alone, we welcomed over 7,900 travelers from 45 countries, impacting 1,996 individuals, including 916 women across 28 communities. These travelers didn't just visit—they shared meals, built relationships, and contributed to long-term change.

Through tourism, we also provide training in leadership, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. To date, we've formed 46 partnerships with businesses, local governments, and impact-driven organizations to further inclusive, community-led development

By choosing this Community Circuit, you’re supporting livelihoods, celebrating culture, and becoming part of a movement.

Welcome to travel that transforms—for you and for the communities you visit.

More on the Trip:

This journey through Dhankuta, in eastern Nepal, brings together living culture, traditional hospitality, and community-led climate action especially timed around the Mangshire Festival of the Aathpahariya community. It is a celebration that honours deceased relatives and welcomes new members into the family. Families travel for three days to Barahakshetra for ritual bathing and worship, then return home to celebrate with traditional music and dance such as Dhol and Maruni. Along the way, you will visit Hile and Cholung Park, see traditional Limbu houses, and pick oranges at Sipting Community Homestay. A scenic hike from Chuliban to Khambela shows you how local communities are conserving water in the hills.

This is a lesser-travelled trail, shaped together with Dhankuta Municipality, Chattar Jorpati Rural Municipality, HUSADEC, Smart Paani, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). With these partners, we are building a tourism ecosystem alongside the Aathpahariya communities, one that promotes responsible travel and puts local traditions and environmental stewardship at its centre. You leave with a deeper sense of Nepal’s culture and landscapes, and of how its communities are responding to a changing climate.

“Responsible tourism in Dhankuta is being implemented through the HI-GRID Project, supported by the Australian Government and led by ICIMOD. This initiative is a collaborative effort between Dhankuta Municipality, Chhathar Jorpati Rural Municipality, Community Homestay Network, Smart Paani, and HUSADEC.”

What Sets This Circuit Apart

Electric and hybrid vehicles wherever possible for lower emissions

Women in leadership

Community Homestays owned and operated by local communities

Farm-to-table meals, organic gardens, and local wine

Slow-paced travel that fosters deep connection and reflection

Trip Highlights

i. Chase the Mangshire Festival with the Aathpahariya Community

Be part of the Aathpahariya community’s Mangshire Festival, where music, dance, and ritual come together to honour ancestors and welcome new members of the family. The traditional dance group can happen at any location so chase the tradition and watch it unfold alongside the families.

ii. Pick Oranges and Share a Cultural Feast

Spend time in Sipting, known as Orange Town, picking fruit at the community homestay and sitting down to a feast prepared by your hosts. It is a simple, hands-on way to taste the place.

iii. Walk the Haat Bazaar and Orange Town

Stroll through the local haat bazaar that happens weekly on a Thurday and the surrounding orange town on foot, where farmers, traders, and shopkeepers go about their weekly routines and you get a feel for everyday life in Dhankuta.

iv. Hike from Chuliban to Khambela

Follow a scenic trail through the Dhankuta hills from Chuliban to Khambela, with open views and village life along the way with a local guide from the community.

v. Learn How Communities Conserve Water

Along the hike, see how local communities are protecting their water sources and adapting to a changing climate, led by the same partners who are building responsible tourism in the region.

vi. Farm to Table at Kachide

Enjoy a farm-to-table meal at Kachide Farm, where food goes from the field to your plate and shows the region’s produce at its freshest.

Trip Cost Includes:

All the mentioned ground transfers

Airport Transfer Pickup for 25th and 29th November to/from hotel in Kathmandu

Escorting guide for 5 Days

2 Night at Sipting Community Homestay in Full Board Basis

2 Nights at Hotel in Dhankuta in BB Basis

Local Guide for Chuliban-Khambela Hike and Orange Town Excursion

Farm to Table Experience at Kachide

Lunch at Khambela

Sipting Cultural Feast and Cultural Program

Paper Lantern Making Experience

Entrance Fees

Trip Cost Does not Includes:

Any personal expenses

Any flight fees

Any visa fees

Any travel and medical insurance

Any entrance fees

Any experience, transport or meal not specified as included.

Additional Charges:
Kathmandu- Biratnagar: 129 USD (subject to change)

Biratnagar- Kathmandu: 129 USD (subject to change)

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1/ 25 November 2026: KATHMANDU TO DHANKUTA

Activities of the day	Morning Flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar, On the way visit to Barahchhetra and Namaste Falls Visit while driving to Dhankuta, Orientation Walk
Drive Duration	3-4 hours approx.
Accommodation	Hotel Murchunga
Meals Included	None
	You will be picked up early from your hotel in Kathmandu and transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Biratnagar. You will meet your tour leader along with your travel mates before alighting your flight. On arrival at Biratnagar airport, a vehicle will be waiting to take you to Dhankuta, a charming hill town in eastern Nepal known for its mix of ethnic communities, traditional houses, and lively local markets. Surrounded by tea gardens and green hills, it is a peaceful place with views of the Himalayas, and a cultural gateway to eastern Nepal where you can experience authentic Rai and Limbu heritage. On the drive, make a brief stop at Barahachhetra, a revered Hindu pilgrimage site. Pilgrims come here for ritual bathing and worship, and the site is also tied to the Mangshire tradition, as Aathpahariya families travel here for ritual bathing during the festival. Further along, stop at Namaste Falls near Bhedetar, an 80-metre waterfall named for the folded-hands greeting its shape resembles, where a rainbow often forms in the spray. After checking in at Hotel Murchunga, close to the main bazaar, take a short orientation walk around the neighbourhood to get your bearings. The rest of the day is yours to relax.

Day 2/ 26 November 2026: EXPLORING DHANKUTA- ORANGE TOWN

Activities of the day	Weekly Haat Bazaar and Orange Town Walk experience, Paper Lantern Making Experience, Kachide Farm to Table
Accommodation	Hotel Murchunga
Meals Included	Breakfast, Dinner
	Begin the day at Dhankuta’s weekly Thursday haat bazaar, where farmers and traders from the surrounding hills gather to sell produce and household goods. Led by a local guide, wander through the stalls and see how the market brings the region’s communities together. From the bazaar, continue on foot through the orange town, to see the architecture of the Newar and Aathpahariya communities. Along the way, visit the nearby Ganesh Temple and Nishan Temple, both of great religious importance to locals and visitors alike. The walk also shows how the town’s diverse ethnic communities have worked together to protect their heritage through architecture and tradition. Learn to make Paper Laterns- traditionally known as Matakala with the local experts. This decorative paper lantern was crafted in Dhankuta’s old town during Tihar to shield oil lamps from the wind when electricity was not available. Today, it has evolved into a decorative cover for electric bulbs, seen in many local homes, keeping this traditional craft alive while preserving the cultural heritage of the town. In the early evening, head to Kachide for a farm-to-table experience. Pick your own ingredients from the nearby garden, then cook dinner with your hosts, who will guide you through making each dish from scratch.

Day 3/ 27 November 2026: GETTING TO KNOW AATHPAHARIYA COMMUNITY

Activities of the day	Chuliban-Khambela Hike, Lunch at Khamebla, Transfer to Sipting Community Homestay
Accommodation	Sipting Community Homestay
Meals Included	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
	After breakfast, take a short drive to Chuliban, a scenic hilltop with views over Dhankuta, and then go for an easy hike on to Khambela taking around 2.5-3 hours approx. Along the trail, stop at a view tower, where on a clear day you can see the Tamor valley and the Kanchenjunga range. The scattered houses you pass belong to families of the indigenous Aathpahariya community. Khambela is a hillside village of the Aathpahariya community, where you can enjoy traditional organic meals served on leaf plates. The village is also known for sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting and spring revival, which have noticeably improved local livelihoods. After returning, travel to Sipting Community Homestay, where the Aathpahariya hosts will welcome you in their local tradition. The village has traditional stone and wood houses surrounded by green farmland, and your stay is a chance to learn about the community’s way of life and taste its distinctive cuisine. You will get to experience staying in rural village houses- with simple beds, washroom areas outside of the house and often equipped with a squat washrooms and bucket shower.

Day 4/ 28 November 2026:

Activities of the day	Sunrise at Dhoje Danda, Cholung Park Visit, Tapari Making, Community Feast, Sipting Community Homestay
Accommodation	Sipting Community Homestay
Meals Included	Lunch, Dinner
	Rise early and make your way to Dhoje Danda for a sunrise worth waking up for! A short but rewarding 30-minute climb up a flight of stairs takes you to a peaceful hilltop where, on a clear day, the majestic Makalu, Kumbhakarna, and Kanchenjunga ranges reveal themselves in all their glory. But this is more than just a beautiful sunrise. Along the way, discover how nature’s wonders and local climate action go hand in hand. Spot the water recharge ponds developed through the HI-GRID project, an initiative helping communities capture and replenish water while building resilience to a changing climate.. After breakfast, drive to Cholung Park, a tribute to the history and heritage of the Limbu community. Here you can see many traditional Limbu houses, along with a small museum displaying ancient manuscripts, coins, and tools. Return to Sipting after the excursion, and join your hosts for a tapari making session, learning to stitch leaves into plates by hand. Tapari is part of everyday life in the Aathpahariya community, where festive meals are often served on leaf plates. In the evening, the community will showcase their cultural dinner prepared by the host families, featuring their traditional snacks and drinks to close the night.

Day 5/ 29 November 2026: DEPART TO KATHMANDU

Activities of the day	Drive to Biratnagar Airport, Flight to Kathmandu
Drive Duration	4 hours approx.
Meals Included	Breakfast
	After an early breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts before you are transferred for your afternoon flight back to Kathmandu.

Additional Information

AccommodationIn Dhankuta, you will first stay at Hotel Murchunga International, which is easily accessible to Dhankuta Bazaar. The hotel rooms offer modern facilities with good beddings, Wi Fi and hot showers. It’s a peaceful yet well-connected base for exploring the nearby indigenous villages, and Koshi region landmarks.
Your second stay will be at Dhakuta Community Homestay, Sipting run by local indigenous Aathpahariya community. The accommodations are basic with simple yet clean beds and basic furnishings. The washroom areas is situated outside of the host family’s house, and you have to expect squat squat-style washrooms and bucket showers. The host can provide you with hot water if needed.

Meals

While staying at hotels in Nepal, guests can expect a wide variety of meals ranging from traditional Nepali dishes to popular international cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, and Continental. Most hotels offer buffet breakfasts and à la carte options for lunch and dinner, prepared by professional chefs with a focus on comfort and flavour. Depending upon the lunch place of the day, especially while you are on an excursion, the guide may suggest you some delicacies. The quality of meals prepared may not be of the quality like you may find in big cities of Nepal but they will be delicious and hygienically prepared.

At community homestays, meals are a warm and authentic part of the cultural experience. Guests are served freshly prepared home-cooked meals made with locally sourced ingredients. Typical dishes include dal bhat (lentils and rice), seasonal vegetables, pickles, and sometimes local specialities of the destination. Meals are often shared with the host family, offering a deeper connection to local customs and everyday life.

Transportation

In order to meet the safety standards, we make sure that the vehicles used during the tours are of high quality and they are in good condition. All safety requirements such as first aid box, fire extinguishers, and seat belts are available in every vehicle. The road captains annually receive First Aid Training provided by Red Cross Society of Bhaktapur, which is a branch of Nepal Red Cross Society. The drivers are well trained to make sure that your journey is safe and smooth.

Guide and Support Staff

The accompanying tour guides and trekking guides are all well trained and well educated. They all have gained their professional license from the Government of Nepal to do tours and trekking guide in Nepal. In addition to their professional license, they are trained to provide magical, unique and unforgettable experiences during their sightseeing tours in historical sites or while trekking. While on trek, our guides go the extra mile to make sure that your foods are being prepared hygienically.Like our road captains, First Aid Training is provided to all our guides. Our guides will not be handing you medicines in case of need but they are trained to provide you with all the assistance you may require in case of emergency until you receive professional medical help.

Health

There are no specific health requirements for entry into Nepal. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date information regarding vaccinations, high altitude medication and medications for any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst traveling in Nepal. We strongly recommend you to carry a small medication pack that you may need throughout the trip. Be aware that some drugs, including anti-malarial, have side effects at altitude. Please discuss this carefully with your doctor.

Money Exchange

As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and MasterCard but these are limited to major cities. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee.

Packing List

Please kindly find the link below to find the packing list:
https://travelnepal.com/travel-advice/nepal-packing-list/

Booking Terms and Conditions

In order to book any trip(s) with Community Homestay Network, please provide the following details in your email.
- Name or code of the trip(s) you wish to book
- The date you would like to commence your trip (s)
- Any additional night's hotel accommodation that you would like to book before or after your trip

For each traveler please provide
- Full name exactly and completely as it appears in their passport
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Nationality as per their passport
- Passport number and expiry date

Please read our booking conditions carefully. By booking with us you accept and are bound by these conditions. To confirm a booking, you need to pay a non-refundable deposit. Until your deposit is received your booking cannot be confirmed.

Payment may be made by bank transfer or credit card. Please note 4% additional bank charge will be applicable if you pay by credit card.

Responsibility

When booking with Community Homestay Network (CHN) you understand that CHN runs adventure/cultural trips and that the standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, telecommunication facilities, level of infrastructure development and medical facilities are not the same as those that you are used to at home or would find on a conventional holiday. This type of travel inherently involves a high level of personal risk, which you fully agree to assume.

You understand that during the course of the trip certain events may occur, including, but not limited to, accident or illness in remote locations without medical facilities, political instability and the forces of nature. You agree to assume all risks associated with the journey to the maximum extent permitted by law.
You acknowledge that travel on a CHN trip requires a degree of flexibility, and understand that the trip's route, accommodation, modes of transport and included activities are subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances. Should CHN deem it advisable to amend an itinerary for any reason, it may do so by shortening, varying or re-routing any trip. These changes are binding and additional expenses will be charged to you if the reason for any alteration is outside CHN direct control.

While traveling with CHN you agree to accept the authority of the leader or guide at all times. You are aware that travel within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical abilities of group members. You understand that CHN reserved the right to decline, accept or retain any person as a member of the group at any time.

You acknowledge that CHN contracts with a network of companies, government agencies and individuals to assist in the running of its tours. To the best of CHN knowledge, these third parties are qualified to perform the duties they are contracted to perform. However, CHN will not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behavior of these third parties.
CHN will not accept responsibility or liability for any traveler who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited.

Passports, Permits and Visas

You must carry a valid passport that contains at least 3 blank pages and remains valid for 6 months beyond the duration of the trip.

You must not change or renew your passport once you have supplied CHN with your passport details as these details will be used by CHN to apply for permits on your behalf. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate visas for your trip and CHN cannot accept responsibility if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct documentation or have failed to provide CHN with the correct details of your documentation.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation by Community Homestay Network

We understand that plans can change, and we aim to offer a fair and transparent cancellation policy. Please review the following guidelines for cancellations:

General Cancellation Policy

Cancellation by Guests: More than 30 Days Before Arrival: Full refund minus any transaction fees.
15-30 Days Before Arrival: 50% refund of the total booking amount.
Less than 15 Days Before Arrival: No refund.
Cancellation by Homestay Hosts: If a homestay host needs to cancel your booking, we will make every effort to find a suitable alternative. If no alternative is available or acceptable, you will receive a full refund.

Special Circumstances

Certain bookings may have different cancellation policies due to exceptional ci rcumstances or promotions. Please refer to the specific terms provided at the time of booking. Refunds will be at the discretion of CHN if you are involuntarily forced to leave a trip for any reason. No refunds will be made for any accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals or other services not utilized.

How to Cancel

Email: Send a cancellation request to reservation@communityhomestay.com with your booking details.
Phone: Call us at +977-01-4519039 to speak with our customer service team.
Online Account: Log into your account on our website, go to your bookings, and follow the cancellation instructions provided.

Refund Process

Refunds will be processed within 14 business days of receiving your cancellation request. The refund will be credited back to the original payment method used for the booking.

Non-Refundable Situations

Refunds will only be provided for no-shows or cancellations made at least 15 days before the scheduled arrival date. No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason after the trip has begun.

Changes to Booking

If you need to change your booking, please get in touch with us immediately. We will do our best to accommodate your request, but changes are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.

Contact Us

Email: info@communityhomestay.com
By booking with Community Homestay Network, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Inquiry and Cancellation policy and agree to the terms and conditions outlined herein.

Booking Amendments

Once your booking has been confirmed any changes to the itinerary and/or departure date may result in additional costs which will be passed on to the traveler.

Last Minute changes

Due to the procedures for applying for and obtaining permits and visa authorization, it may not be possible to make any amendments to your booking within 21 days of departure.

Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all CHN travelers. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, repatriation and personal liability. We also recommend that it cover cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will not be permitted to join any Community Homestay Network trip unless you can show proof of insurance. Loss of deposit applies to all cancelled reservations. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Thank You

Thank you for choosing a journey that uplifts people, preserves culture, and respects Mother Nature. When you travel with us, you support a movement, not just a destination.

Mangshire Festival Tour in Dhankuta