As you reach the village, members of the tourism committee and the mothers' group meet you at the entrance with marigold garlands, red tika on the forehead and a welcome drink. After a short introduction about the village and its rules, you are taken to your host family's home, shown your room and offered tea. Hosts in Sirubari are used to guests and many speak some English or Hindi, especially those with Gurkha backgrounds.
In the evening, the community gathers in a hall or courtyard for a cultural programme. Women in traditional Gurung dress, with velvet blouses, patterned shawls and gold jewellery, sing and dance pieces such as the ghatu, linked to ancient Gurung ritual, and the sorathi, a sung drama. Men play the madal drum. At the end, guests are pulled into the circle to dance, and nobody minds if you get the steps wrong.
Dinner follows with your host family, and the evening ends early, as village life starts at dawn. The fees you pay go to the family and to a community fund used for schools, paths and drinking water. A donation at the cultural programme is customary. This experience suits families with children, groups and anyone curious about rural Nepal. Keep evenings respectful: hosts rise early, and loud music or late returns disturb the household. Thank your hosts with a namaste and a small gift when you leave.
Good for
- Families
- Groups
- Couples
- First-timers
Questions travellers ask
What is special about Sirubari homestay?
Sirubari was Nepal's first model tourism village, launched in the late 1990s, where a community committee places guests with families, fixes rates and shares income. It is unusually organised and clean, with welcome ceremonies and cultural programmes. Many other Nepali homestays followed its model.
Is Sirubari good for families with children?
Yes. Children enjoy the welcome ceremony, the dances, farm animals and playing with village children, and the village is safe and quiet. Rooms are simple with shared bathrooms. The long road journey of 3–4 hours each way from Pokhara is the main challenge for young children.
Do Sirubari hosts speak English?
Many hosts speak some English or Hindi, particularly families with Gurkha service backgrounds, and younger people often speak English well. Our guide stays in the village and helps with translation. Learning a few Nepali words is appreciated and makes conversation easier.
