Community Homestay Network (CHN), Nepal’s pioneer of community-based tourism, has launched a new multi-day itinerary in the country’s remote western region, combining wildlife experiences with authentic cultural immersion.
The program, titled Live the Tharu Way: Journey through Culture, Wildlife and Rural Life, offers travellers a chance to stay with local families in Bhada and Bardiya—villages home to the Indigenous Tharu people—while exploring the region’s pristine landscapes and rich biodiversity.
Wildlife and cultural encounters
The Tharu, whose ancestry traces back centuries to northern India, are known for their unique traditions, language and cuisine, which blend influences from both Nepalese hill cultures and North India. Guests on the new itinerary experience daily life alongside the Tharu community, joining cooking classes, learning traditional crafts and sharing meals at the Bhada and Bardiya Community Homestays.
Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy Jeep safaris in Bardiya National Park, where elephants, rhinoceros and the elusive Bengal tiger roam freely. Unlike Nepal’s more developed Chitwan region, Bardiya remains largely untouched by mass tourism, offering visitors a more tranquil and authentic wilderness experience.
Empowering women and youth
The new itinerary supports CHN’s mission to spread the benefits of tourism to under-visited regions while empowering local residents—particularly women and youth. By hosting travellers, community members gain new income streams and employment opportunities, helping reduce urban migration and preserve traditional ways of life.
Founded by Nepalese tourism advocate Shiva Dhakal, Community Homestay Network now partners with 50 communities across 23 destinations, offering 40 community-run homestays and 10 artisan-led cultural experiences. The organisation was recognised this year by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Greatest Places of 2025.
