To truly experience Nepal, one has to try village tourism here. Nepal is predominantly rural, with 83% of the population residing in rural areas according to the population census of 2011. However, not all rural areas are equipped to host tourism, such as maintaining room quality, cleanliness, food hygiene, and security. With these in mind, some of the best village tourism in Nepal has been compiled below.

1) Sirubari village
The village is located in Nepal's western region at 1700 meters above sea level(masl) in the Syangja district. The trip starts with a drive or flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The next day after breakfast, a drive from Pokhara to Sirubarivis Bhatkhola with lunch at Darua and after a further few hours of the journey will finally arrive at Sirubari.

The village's best features are the rich Gurung culture experience, farm experience, and Scenic Mountain views of Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Dhaulagiri. The Gurung ethnic group inhabits this village. Gurung cuisine consisting of Dhido or Ato (a porridge-like alternation of maize, buckwheat, barley, or millet), Sukuti (smoke-dried buffalo meat), among others, can be enjoyed in this village.

The popular activities include hiking, learning about the local culture and religion, and enjoying the scenic beauty. The iconic place consists of the Thumro and Dahare hill for views of the mountains and village scenery.

2) Dhola Nalang Village
The village is located in the central region of Nepal at 1210masl in the Dhading district. The trip encompasses a drive from Kathmandu to Dhading Bensi, followed by a trek to Dhola- Pursu Village.

The village's best features are the cultural excursion, physical activities, and scenic beauty with views of the rhododendron covered forest and the snow-capped views of Annapurna and Manaslu. About five ethnic groups inhabit this village: the Newar, Brahmin, Magar, Kami, and Damai. Traditional Nepali food is served here, consisting of Dal Bhat, who is a combination of rice and lentil soup served with a variety of side dishes.

The popular activities include hiking, wildlife watching, and mountain biking, learning about the local culture and religion, and enjoying the scenic beauty. The iconic place consists of the Nalang and Shreeban, which both consist of nature camps.



3) Ghalegaun and Ghana Pokhara Village

The villages are located in Nepal's western region at 2016 masl and 2050 masl, respectively, in Lamjung district. The trip starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and Khudi with a trek the next day to Ghalegaun. Alternatively, one can drive or fly to Pokhara from Kathmandu and tour the next day to Pakhrikot/Nandighar and then to Pasgaon and finally to Ghalegaun/Ghanpokhara, reaching in the third day of the trek.

The best features of the village are the rich Gurung culture experience accompanied by old cultural dances like Ghatu, Krishna Charitra, Sorathi, and Jhyaure Nach and an opportunity to know about their history along with the scenic beauty of rhododendron forest, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks of Annapurna ranges, Lamjung Himal ranges and Manaslu mountain ranges. The Gurung ethnic group inhabits this village, and Gurung cuisine can be enjoyed in this village.

The popular activities include hiking, visiting honey-hunting sites, learning about the local culture and religion, and enjoying the scenic beauty. The iconic place consists of the Ghyabru Ghar and Kolasonthar, the ancestral home of traditional Gurung priests and Gurung kings' ancestral homes.

4) Balthali Village
The village is located in the central region of Nepal at 1730maslin Kavrepalanchok district. The trip starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel and then to Balthali. Alternatively, one can also take a 3-hour hike from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha, followed by another 3 hours hike to Balthali. A brief stop to Changu Narayan Temple, aUNESCO World Heritage monument on the way to Dhulikhel, could also be a worthy supplement.

The village's best features are the scenic beauty of the Himalayan range of Manaslu, Langtang, and Everest in the north, the green forest of Mahabharat range in the South, and numerous rice terraces in the west. The Tamang ethnic group inhabits this village, and Nepali cuisine can be enjoyed in this village.

The popular activities include hiking, learning about the local culture, and enjoying the scenic beauty. The iconic place includes the Danda Gaon and Pada Gaon, where a Buddhist community inhabits and has a majestic view of the whole Himalayan ranges to the north and beautiful green forest to Mahabharat Range.

5) Chepang Village
The villages are located in Nepal's central region at 1950masl(highest point of access) in the Chitwan district. The trip starts with a 3-hourdrive from Kathmandu to Hugdi, followed by a 4 - 5 hour trek to Hattibang, where you will stay the night. The next day follows a trek to Jautesh – Changa – Dinglang and an overnight stay at Jyandala.
The village's best features are getting a glimpse of the Chepang ethnic groups that lead a nomadic life in different remote regions of Nepal.Various Nepali cuisine can be enjoyed in this village.

The popular activities include hiking, wildlife watching, learning about the local culture, and enjoying the scenic beauty. The iconic place includes the Siraichuli known for sunrise and sunsets, Shaktikhor known for Chepang Museum, and Sinti known for waterfall and Chepang cultural exchange.

6) Tamang Heritage
The village is located in Nepal's central region at 3165 masl (highest point of access) in the Rasuwa district. The trip starts with an 8-hour drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubensi. The next day a6-hour trek from Syabrubensi to Gatlang via Goljung ensues. Alternatively, a drive from Kathmandu directly to Gatlung through Chilime can also be arranged.

The village's best features are exposure to rich Tamang culture and panoramic views of Langtang, Kerung, Ganesh Himal, and Sanjen ranges. The Tamang ethnic group inhabits this village, and various Nepali cuisine can be enjoyed in this village.

The popular activities include hiking, learning about the local culture, and enjoying the scenic beauty. The iconic place includes the Tatopani known for natural hot water springs, Thuman popular for its Shamanic performances and beautiful view of Langtang, Nagthali known for popular meditation center for the local monks and priests and Timure known for historical Rasuwagadhi, a fort as a historical reminder of the Nepal Tibetan relations that have existed for many centuries.

7) Bandipur Village
The villages are located in the western region of Nepal at 1030masl in Tanahudistrict. The trip starts with a 6-hour drive to Damauli, followed by a 3-hour hike to Bandipur village.

The village's best features are the sight-seeing, cultural excursion and panoramic views of the mountains, including Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, LangtangLirung, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal.The Newar ethnic group inhabits this village. Various Newari cuisine can be enjoyed in this village, such as Choila, a spiced broiled meat, bhuttan, which are fried intestine and other abdominal parts, Samay Baji, a meal made up of spicy chicken, lentil pancake served with beaten rice, among others.

The popular activities include hiking through the orchid trail, learning about the local culture, and enjoying the scenic beauty. The iconic place includes the Siddhi cave known for stalactites and stalagmites and Bindabasini and Maha Laxmi temple.


8) Indigenous Peoples (IP) Trail
The villages are located in Nepal's central region at 3146masl(highest point of access) in Ramechhapdistrict. The trip starts with a 6 - 7 hourdrive from Kathmandu to Kholakharka.

The trail's best features are the traditional folk dances and music presented by the local people in their colorful traditional dresses. The trail is inhabited by six different ethnic groups in various locations: the Sherpa, Newar, Thami, Tamang, Yolmo, and Majhi. Diverse Nepali cuisine can be enjoyed along the trail.

The popular activities include hiking, learning about the local culture, enjoying the scenic beauty, among others. The iconic place includes Kholakharka known for Sherpa culture, Surkey known for Newari home-stay and Thami culture, Doramba know for Tamang culture, Khandadevi is known for Khandadevi Temple, animal sacrifices, scenic landscape, sunset/ sunrise view, Hiledevi known for Yolmo culture, monastery visit and wilderness walk and Lubughat known for Majhi culture and water sports such as fishing and rafting.

9) Ghandruk Village
The village is located in the western region of Nepal at 1940masl in Kaski district. The trip starts with a drive or flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The next day after breakfast, a 1.5-hourdrive from Pokhara to Nayapul, followed bya 6-hourhike, takes you to Ghandruk. Alternatively, one can take a 1-hour drive from Pokhara to Dhampus, followed by a hike to Landruk. The next day, Ghandruk can be reached from a 4-5 hour hike from Landruk.

The village's best features are the rich Gurung cultural experience, where you also have a chance to wear traditional Gurung ethnic costumes. Likewise, scenic views of the snowcapped Himalayan range of Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (fishtail), Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Lamjung Himal, and Himchuli is also a major attraction to this place. Mostly, the Gurung ethnic group inhabits this village, and Gurung cuisine can be enjoyed in this village.

The popular activities include hiking, learning about Gurung culture, enjoying the scenic beauty, among others. The iconic place includes the Gurung museum, which includes a wealth of objects used by the Gurung people.

10) Sikles Village
The villages are located in the western region of Nepal at around2000masl in Kaski district. The trip starts with a drive or flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The next day a 30-minute drive to Bijayapur Khola followed by a 4-hour trek to Kalikasthan. The next day approximately a 4-hour hike to Lamakhet is conducted. Finally, the next day another 6 hours hike takes you to Sikles.

The village's best features are the traditional Gurung village along with scenic views of snowcapped Himalayan range Machhapuchhre (fishtail peak) and the Annapurnas. Mostly, the Gurung ethnic group inhabits this village, and Gurung cuisine can be enjoyed in this village.

The popular activities include hiking, learning about Gurung culture, enjoying the scenic beauty, among others. The iconic place includes the Sikles Park and Rising Dada, known for their mesmerizing mountain views, and Ice Lake - ‘Kapuche’ known for crystal clear blue water reflecting the shadow of the mountains and ice block floating along.