Amazing Hospitality at Five Homestays

– Basanta Bhatta

Having escapades with Gurung’s invaluable natural smiles in their warm hospitality towards guests, tourists, trekkers is something that you would never forget in your lifetime once you have made a sojourn at traditional homestays run by Gurung tribes.

Homestay is a new phenomenon and is gradually developing into exciting tourist destinations, for the inhabitants of Lamjung these days.

The traditionally built Gurung tribal houses and local entrepreneurs ‘extreme enthusiasm to boost up tourism via the launch of homestays has doubled the possibilities of creating opportunities for the advent of outnumbered tourists towards homestay facilities.

These homestays run by Gurungs really make you feel at home by giving you spectacular hospitality with their natural smiles and customary hospitality manners of serving delectable local organic foods that you might not have tested in any other star hotels or restaurants.

Few traditional homestays are Ghalegaun and Bhujung of Kholasodhar Rural Municipality.  Siurung and Rainaskot of eastern Lamjung. Kaulepani and Khasur homestays in Besisahar municipality.

Ghalegaun: Symbol of Smiling Hospitality

Ghalegaun is a beautiful tribal village of Gurungs. The hospitality of smiles in traditional tribal attire naturally captivates all the guests and tourists which makes your sojourn a difference in taste, comforts, and experience.

Total houses of 80 Gurungs and 54 Dalits render this village a unique and fascinating view for the new arrival of explorers and tourists.  It is nearly 200 km far from Kathmandu.

It is walking distance from Besisahar is about 5 hours and distance via vehicle is just 2 hours.

The highlights of the homestay are winding Marshyangdi river, Gurung museum, tea garden, Jaldevi temple, view tower and cascading view of Himalayan mountain peaks, besides lovable hospitality of Gurungs.

Kaulepani: Glimpse of historical town

Kaulepani is at a walkable distance of one hour and 30 minutes travel by vehicle from the main town of Besisahar. The best homestay services lure the tourists to sojourn here.  The view tower nearby, Kaulepani temple and a glimpse of ancient historical town are major highlights of this homestay.

Siwrung: Organic food stuff of different taste

Siwrung Homestay (1900 meters) is well known for is organic foodstuff and traditional cultures that add an extra feather to Nepal’s overall cultural entity.

It lies to the northern side of Marshyangdi Rural Municipality. Reachable at  3 hours travel by a vehicle, Siwrung has glimpses of Gurung’s tribal cultures. Places to visit are lush green landscape related to Bhakti Thapa, Harsingdanda, Kandachaur, Bhendigoth and Alaichi kheti (agriculture of cardamom)

Khasur: Must Visit -Women’s Snack kitchen

Situated at a height of 950 meters above sea level, Khasur is the most coveted tourist destination for its exemplary community homestays.

The traditional village having clean stone-paved lanes has homestays well managed by rural women belonging to around 130 families of Gurung tribe.

A collective women’s snack kitchen is another attraction of this homestay.

It also lies at a walkable distance of hardly one hours and vehicular travel in 30 minutes from Basisahar.

Rainasakot : Known for paragliding sports

Rainasakot is a historical place which lies at a height of 1750 meters from where clear views of Ganesh Himal, Baudha, Himalchuli, Manaslu. Annapurna, Macchapuchre can be observed.

The scenic beauty of sun set and sunrise can be seen and enjoyed along with paragliding sports.

The homestay hospitality of just 15 households of Gurungs really remind you of a well-managed destination for the tourists.

Besides, 500 years old temple of Siddha, temple of Mahadev Kalika and other historic place of archeological importance can be seen here.

Rainakot is slowly becoming vibrant with life after reconstruction efforts were expedited.