Nepal-based Community Homestay Network (CHN) is embarking on an exciting initiative by inviting travel agents and tour operators to experience its unique community tourism model firsthand. With two dedicated fam trips planned for 2026, CHN aims to bridge the gap between local culture and global travel.
Having experienced a year of significant growth and awareness in 2025, CHN is now accepting applications for two immersive fam programs. These trips are specially designed to showcase a side of Nepal that transcends its famous trekking and mountaineering allure, instead prioritizing cultural connections and community engagement.
The first fam trip, “Stories from our Himalayas,” will occur from May 10–19, while the second, “Valley of Festivals,” will take place from August 25 to September 1, 2026. These trips promise travel agents and operators an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into CHN’s homestay experiences, community-led activities, and partnership possibilities.
Shiva Dhakal, the founder of CHN, emphasizes the focus on evolving trade relationships in the coming year. “There is work to do with both agents and operators in terms of enhancing and changing perceptions of Nepal and the experiences Community Homestay Network offers travellers,” Dhakal stated. He highlighted that travelling with CHN provides a different perspective of Nepal beyond the well-trodden paths, supporting local communities and especially women in less-explored regions.
Central to CHN’s mission is its community tourism model, which aims to empower local people while offering travelers authentic experiences. Agents and operators participating in these fam trips can integrate CHN’s offerings into their existing itineraries, enriching their programs with community-centric accommodations and hands-on experiences, such as cooking classes and artisan workshops.
Dhakal underlines the collaborative nature of CHN’s approach: “We co-create community-led interactions that seamlessly fit into existing itineraries alongside destination management companies, offering full logistical support as needed.” This flexibility ensures that both travel partners and their clients receive immersive experiences that benefit local communities.
Travel agents engaging with CHN can sell these unique experiences directly, backed by the organization’s dedicated Nepal-based team. This team provides invaluable support through storytelling and destination insights that help frame Nepal’s rich cultural narrative through its communities.
The “Stories from our Himalayas” itinerary begins in Kathmandu, providing an initial cultural immersion before travelers venture to Pokhara and the Magar village of Narchyang. Participants will have the chance to hike to Upper Narchyang, explore local waterfalls and natural hot springs, and engage with village life. The journey continues to Mustang, where attendees will explore Jomsom, Thini, and Lubra, home to one of the last remaining Bon monasteries. The experience concludes with a Gurung homestay in Hemjakot before returning to Kathmandu.
On the other hand, the “Valley of Festivals” itinerary offers an eight-day cultural extravaganza, kicking off in Kathmandu amidst the Newar Buddhist pilgrimage month of Gunlā at Swayambhunath. Travelers will explore Patan, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, and Panauti, engage in hands-on activities like momo cooking and Paubha painting, and participate in major celebrations such as Janai Purnima and Gai Jatra, alongside immersive village visits.
Agents interested in these enriching experiences should note that applications for the two fam trips will close on February 27, 2026. The primary goal is to equip travel partners with a deeper understanding of impactful, community-based travel experiences that can be woven into their future offerings in Nepal.
For partnership inquiries and specific rates, agents and operators are encouraged to reach out to CHN directly and explore the possibilities of enriching their travel programs with meaningful and community-focused experiences.
