Trade Invited to Experience Community Tourism in Nepal Firsthand

Community Homestay Network to expand reach with travel trade

 

16 February, 2026 – After a defining year of growth and awareness in 2025, Nepal-based Community Homestay Network (CHN) is expanding its reach via the travel trade in 2026 by announcing two dedicated fam trips for agents and operators.

 

The community tourism trailblazer is now taking applications to join an eye-opening fam trip to experience local culture in Nepal, from either May 10 – 19 or August 25 – September 01, 2026.

 

Community Homestay Network is looking to expand its travel agent sales and is also collaborating with tour operators looking to add community-centric trip itineraries, homestay accommodation and / or curated day experiences – such as cooking or learning an artisan craft – to their existing portfolios of Nepal tour offerings. 

 

The founder of Community Homestay Network, Shiva Dhakal, says the social enterprise has completed its most successful year in terms of growth and awareness since it began in 2017, and affirms it is time to turn its attention to evolving trade relationships in 2026.

 

“There is work to do with both agents and operators in terms of enhancing and changing perceptions of both Nepal and the experiences Community Homestay Network offers travellers. Travelling with us means seeing a completely different side to the country, beyond trekking and climbing, in a way that supports and empowers local people, particularly women, in lesser-known parts of Nepal. 

 

“As well as selling community-centric itineraries, accommodation and hands-on experiences through our agency partners, we work with operators looking to differentiate or expand their presence in Nepal. Our model is designed for us to co-create community-led interactions that integrate smoothly into established itineraries with existing DMCs, and we also work as a DMC to arrange logistics in the absence of a local supplier.

 

“CHN is collaborative and flexible in terms of meeting the needs of agents, operators and most importantly, customers, to deliver immersive experiences that ensure local people benefit and travellers take home lifelong memories to share,” says Dhakal. 

 

Community Homestay Network’s experiences can be sold directly by travel agents, with on-the-ground knowledge and logistical support delivered by the Nepal-based team, which is passionate about incorporating existing or developing tailormade experiences for clients. 

 

The team also shares honest and inspiring stories from communities that agents and operators can confidently share with travellers, helping to sell Nepal by seeing it through the eyes of its people.

 

The best way to understand a place, however, is to live it, and applications can now be submitted by agents and relevant tour operator staff to join one of CHN’s two fam trips being hosted during 2026. 

 

The two trade fam trip opportunities are as follows. In every conversation, every shared meal, and every ritual witnessed, these fam trips offer the rare gift of belonging, reminding participants that meaningful travel is built not on distance covered, but on human connection.

 

Stories from our Himalayas – (10 – 19 May, 2026) 

• This 10-day journey begins in Kathmandu with a sound bath and welcome dinner at Avata Wellness Center. Fly to Pokhara and travel by jeep to the peaceful Magar village of Narchyang. While there, hike to Upper Narchyang, visit waterfalls, and soak in natural hot springs. Next, travel north into Mustang to explore Jomsom and optionally hike to the remote village of Thini. The following day goes deeper into the high Himalayan culture with a visit to Lubra, home to one of the last remaining Bon monasteries. Returning south, experience the warmth of Gurung hospitality in Hemjakot through a hands-on cooking workshop in the homestay with other local activities. To finish, unwind in Pokhara before flying back to Kathmandu.

 

Valley of Festivals – (25 August – 01 September, 2026) 

• This eight-day cultural journey begins in Kathmandu with a grounding sound bath and welcome dinner before joining early-rising devotees at Swayambhunath the next morning to witness Gunlā, the sacred Newar Buddhist pilgrimage month filled with music, prayer, and processions. From there, the itinerary unfolds across the historic towns and peoples of Patan, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, and Panauti. Learn to cook momos with local women, try Paubha painting, and visit ancient temples during Janai Purnima, the Hindu festival of renewal.  In Bhaktapur, experience the playful, satirical, and emotionally powerful Gai Jatra celebration. A tuk-tuk ride to Namobuddha and a village hike add a gentle outdoor element, and your final evening includes a community reflection session over a shared meal.

 

Applications of interest for the two fam trips can be made at this link by February 27, 2026 

 

For more information on Community Homestay Network, please visit https://communityhomestay.com. For sales and agent partnership inquiries and rates, please email info@communityhomestay.com.  

About Community Homestay Network

Community Homestay Network was developed to bring tourism to Nepal responsibly and sustainably, and to encourage entrepreneurship in local communities significantly benefitting women, youth, and marginalised communities while safeguarding local culture and tradition. With a strong focus on co-creation, Community Homestay Network (CHN) collaborates with 51 communities across Nepal, actively engaging local residents to assist in developing and managing their tourism services. Locally owned and operated, the award-winning Community Homestay Network currently offers 51 different experiences for travellers to book. These are made up of 41 community homestays and 10 experiences focused on spending time with local artisans.. Last year, Community Homestay Network was named as one of TIME’s ‘World’s Greatest Places of 2025’.