Sirubari spreads across a south-facing ridge in the Middle Hills of Syangja, with stone-paved lanes, whitewashed and ochre houses roofed in slate or tin, and terraces of rice, millet and maize falling away below. It is predominantly a Gurung village, and many families have a tradition of service in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments; retired soldiers were among those who started the homestay programme, which is why the village feels so organised and spotless.
The idea, launched with government and community support in the late 1990s, was simple: rather than building hotels, guests would stay in village homes, spreading income across many families while keeping culture alive. A tourism committee assigns visitors to host families, sets prices and organises welcome ceremonies and cultural evenings. Sirubari's model was later copied by hundreds of community homestays across Nepal. The committee rotates guests among households so that the benefits are shared fairly.
Visitors come for the people rather than for any single sight. You are greeted with garlands and tika, share dal bhat in a family kitchen, watch the women's group perform Gurung songs and dances such as the ghatu and sorathi, and walk to a viewpoint above the village where, on clear mornings, Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre line the northern skyline. It is quiet, slow and very different from Pokhara's Lakeside.
What to see and do
- Gurung family homestay
Each guest or couple is placed with a host family and given a clean private room in their home. You eat with the family, learn about their farm and their Gurkha history, and leave with a sense of village life no hotel can give.
- Welcome and cultural evening
Arrivals are greeted with garlands, tika and a welcome drink. In the evening the village mothers' group performs Gurung songs and dances such as ghatu and sorathi, and guests are invited to join in. Donations are customary.
- Himalayan view at sunrise
A short climb above the village to a ridge-top viewpoint shows Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhre on clear mornings, with the terraced hills of Syangja in the foreground. Mornings from October to February are clearest, and the climb takes about 30–45 minutes.
- Spotless lanes and houses
Sirubari is known for its stone-paved lanes, whitewashed houses and flower-lined courtyards, kept tidy by village rules. Walking the lanes in the late afternoon, you meet farmers returning from the fields and elders on stone platforms.
- Farm and kitchen life
Hosts are happy to show you how they plant millet, milk buffalo, grind grain on stone mills and cook over a wood fire. Seasonal work changes the scene, from rice planting in June to harvest in October.
Experiences in Sirubari
How to reach Sirubari
Road
From Pokhara, drive south on the Siddhartha Highway towards Syangja, then turn onto local roads towards Arjun Chaupari and Sirubari: about 3–4 hours by private jeep depending on the route and road condition. Public buses from Pokhara take 4–5 hours to the trailhead. The final section is a rough hill road, so a four-wheel drive is best.
On foot
Depending on road access, the last stretch into the village may be a short walk of 20–60 minutes on stone paths. Village trails also link Sirubari with neighbouring Gurung villages for day walks of 2–4 hours with a local guide.
Where to stay
There are no hotels in Sirubari. Guests stay in family homes organised by the village tourism committee, each with a clean private guest room, bedding and access to a family or shared bathroom. Meals are taken with the host family. The committee rotates guests among households so income is shared, and the rates are fixed. Facilities are simple but well maintained, and hot water is usually available from solar heaters. Before and after Sirubari, our guests stay in Pokhara at Lakeside hotels such as Hotel Barahi or Temple Tree Resort & Spa.
Tips from our trip managers
- Bring a small gift for your host family, such as fruit, tea or school supplies, rather than sweets or cash handed to children.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering homes and kitchens.
- Learn a few Nepali greetings; 'namaste' and 'dhanyabad' are much appreciated.
- Tell the committee in advance about vegetarian, Jain or other dietary needs.
- Carry cash in Nepali rupees, as there are no ATMs in the village.
