I Stayed in a Homestay in Nepal: Here Is What to Expect

Want to know what it’s like to stay in a homestay in Nepal?

I stayed in a homestay in Nepal, actually, not just in one, but in three! All three homestays were in different parts of Nepal, and they all offered a different perspective about Nepal and Nepali culture.

I wasn’t initially sure if a homestay is for me because I like to have freedom to decide what activities to do, when and what to eat, but in the end, my experience was really nice getting to know Nepali culture better.

In short, the concept of homestays in Nepal is that by staying with a Nepali family, you get to experience everyday life in Nepal, and immerse yourself in Nepali culture, food and traditions.

The family running the homestay usually recommends a range of activities and can also accompany you on hikes or sightseeing trips. The family generally includes you in as many activities as you feel happy to be included in.

After staying in a couple homestays, I found it is a really unique way to see Nepal from a new perspective and learn more about Nepali culture and traditions.

What is a Homestay in Nepal?

Homestays in Nepal are a type of accommodation where you get to stay with a Nepali family, learn about Nepali culture and traditions, and experience everyday life in Nepal.

Homestays are a unique experience in Nepal as you get to learn so much more about Nepali traditions than as if you were just staying in a hotel.

There are homestays in both cities, towns and in remote villages, and each offer their own unique experiences.

Staying in a homestay in a village really gets you to understand life in Nepal, and is more about the simple ways of life and enjoying nature.

What’s it Like to Stay in a Homestay in Nepal

I found homestays in Nepal are really unique, and you get to learn so much about life in Nepal, Nepali culture, traditions and food.

The best is to stay in a remote village in a homestay as that way you truly get to see everyday life in Nepal. (Erm, and no, villages on a trekking route to EBC doesn’t really count as it’s still considered touristy in comparison to remote, non-touristy places)

Get to Learn About Nepali Culture

Staying in a homestay is great as you get to experience everyday life in Nepal. You learn so much more about culture, food and traditions when you are with a Nepali family than if you just stayed in a hotel.

The families usually offer a range of activities to do during your stay and you can decide what you’d like to do and when.

Activities vary but can include hiking, learning to cook Nepali dishes, or take you sightseeing to nearby attractions and explain about the history of the sites.

When I stayed at a homestay in Tansen, the family took me to a coffee farm. They showed me the process of making coffee, and in the end, I even bought coffee beans and the family helped me make proper coffee out of it!

Homestays have a different feel if you stay in town where there are many amenities or if you stay in a remote village where there is not much to do other than enjoying nature and peace, doing yoga and meditation, or doing some farming.

If your homestay is in a town, it’s more like a hotel where you can spend as much time with the family as you feel good. Homestays in remote places is really about connecting with people, being in nature and enjoying the peacefulness of the place.

Rooms in a Homestay

The rooms in a homestay are in typical Nepali houses. The rooms are sometimes in the same building as where the family’s stays, other times there is a separate building for guests on the same property.

The rooms are modest, with simple beds and place where you can keep your clothes. If your homestay is in a town, you may have an attached bathroom. However, homestays in remote areas usually don’t have an attached toilet and the toilet could be even outside.

When I first heard of homestays in Nepal, I imagined that the guests rooms are within the same living quarters as the owners/family. Actually, the guest rooms are really well separated from the family, so it’s not like you don’t have any of your own space.

Food at a Homestay

The food in Nepalese homestays are generally traditional Nepalese food, such as dal bhat.

Dal bhat is the main dish in Nepal and it is usually served for both lunch and dinner. There are slight variations to it but it’s more or less the same. It comes in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Homestays may include some or all meals (3 meals per day). Generally, if you are in a homestay in a village, then all meals are included as you have no other options to go and eat anywhere else.

If you stay in homestay in a town where there are restaurants, then sometimes the homestays only include breakfast and dinner. It can be nice as then for lunch, you can go to a restaurant and eat anything you feel like (even international dishes).

If the homestay doesn’t include all meals but you’d like to have all your meals at the homestay, they can usually include all meals but you’d have to pay for the meal. For example, if the homestay only includes breakfast and dinner, then you’d have to pay a small amount for lunch.

Staying in a homestay in a remote village is also a unique experience as you get to see cooking in a traditional Nepali kitchen in a village.

In cities and towns, people use gas to cook, but in villages the households cook on a mud stove. The mud stove uses wood to burn and it can create a lot of smoke in the kitchen area. It is unhealthy to breathe in all the smoke, but the mud stoves are very typical in villages in Nepal so it is interesting to see it.

Activities at a Homestay

The family usually recommends a range of activities that you can do that are famous in the area you are staying. Usually, one member of the family can come with you on the activity, if it’s like a sunrise hike or visit to temples.

The activities vary from place to place. For homestays in the hilly region (e.g. around Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bandipur, Tansen), the activities can include a lot of hiking and mountain views.

In the Tarai (southern region of Nepal), it can be more about the family recommending wildlife safaris and helping you find a guide or book a safari (e.g. in Chitwan, Bardia or Koshi Tappu).

Other activities you can usually do are village walk, cooking Nepali dishes, doing yoga and meditation or go on cycling trips.

Type of Homestays in Nepal

Village Homestay in Nepal

Village homestays in Nepal are the best to really experience what life in Nepal is like.

Nepal is not just about Kathmandu, Pokhara or trekking to Everest Base Camp. To really learn about Nepal and understand its culture and traditions, the best is to stay in a remote village.

It can be hard to find a homestay in a very remote area, but there are some homestays in villages that are somewhat close to bigger cities.

Riepe Village is a very popular homestay and it is located near the highway half-way between Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is a bit more pricey than usual homestays, but it is located in a really beautiful environment, offers high quality accommodation and lots of activities in the nature.

Community Homestays in Nepal

There are also community homestays in Nepal where you get to immerse yourself within the whole community.

There is a community homestay in Panauti where you get to live alongside the community, not just a family.

The community living center in Panauti really immerses you in the community. You can participate in community projects, or explore the nature and go on hikes and cycling trips.

Homestay in Kathmandu

There are also homestays in and around Kathmandu. If you are very short on time but want to experience living with a Nepali family for a few days, then a homestay in Kathmandu is fine, however, it is better to stay in a homestay in a village to truly get into Nepali life.

There are homestays in Panauti near Kathmandu that are not too remote but are located in a more peaceful environment then busy Kathmandu.

How to Book a Homestay in Nepal

Most of the homestays are available to book on booking.com or their website on google. Some of the remote homestays are not on booking.com but you can usually find them on google, google maps or through recommendations from other travellers and friends.

So, when it comes to booking homestays, most of them you can book through booking.com.

The homestays that are on google maps, make sure to check that it has good reviews, including reviews from foreign travellers. Then usually there is a contact number or link to website that you can use to contact and book the place.

Homestay Price Per Day

The prices for homestays are usually around Rs. 2,000-3,000 (USD 15-22) including meals.

Some homestays that offer more activities and has higher quality accommodation, can range between Rs. 3,000-7,000 (USD 20-50) per day.

FAQs: Homestays in Nepal

What is the concept of a homestay in Nepal?

The concept of homestays in Nepal is that by staying with Nepali family, you get to experience everyday life in Nepal, and immerse yourself in Nepali culture, food and traditions.

What is cheaper in Nepal, staying in a hotel or a homestay?

It depends, some homestays in very remote areas can be cheaper as not many foreigners visit, so the price is low for the accommodation and food.

There are some homestays in Nepal that offer high quality accommodation, lots of activities and all meals, and those tend to be more expensive.

If you want to save on accommodation, it is better to book a hostel or cheap hotel and then go to eat in cheap restaurants. You can save the most this way, although you can only find hostels in touristy places like Kathmandu, Pokhara or Chitwan.

Do homestays in Nepal include meals?

Yes, most of the homestays in Nepal include meals. Sometimes it includes all meals (3 meals per day), but some homestays only include 2 meals (breakfast and dinner).

Usually, the homestays in remote areas offer all meals as there is no restaurant in the area to cater to guests to have meals. Homestays in towns or cities may only include 2 meals as guests have the option to eat at restaurants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of homestays in Nepal is that by staying with a Nepali family, you get to experience everyday life in Nepal, and immerse yourself in Nepali culture, food and traditions.

The family usually recommends a range of activities and can also accompany you on hikes or sightseeing trips. The family generally includes you in as many activities as you feel happy to be included in.

While it’s a homestay with a family, you are not restricted to only hang out with the family. The guest rooms are usually well separated from the family, sometimes even in a separate building, so you have your own space.

The food offered at homestays are traditional Nepali dishes (dal bhat) and usually 2 or 3 meals are included in the price. In most homestays, you can also learn to cook Nepali dishes if you want!