Village tourism, a recent innovation, is successfully demonstrated
at Sirubari in Syangja a half day s distance from Pokhara. It is a three hour walk from the road-head just 30 kilometers from Pokhara.A management committee takes responsibility for visitors, their welcome, accommodation, sightseeing and guiding. The village consists of 60
households of which many are offering guest accommodation. It is a very neat and clean village, the accommodation is simple, but comfortable, with good bedding, as well as clean toilet facilities. Meals of daily fresh food are eaten with the family, and each evening there is entertainment provided by the community, which is usually Gurung dancing and singing.
 

There is a Buddhist monastery/Gompa in the core of the village; it has a vibrant Gurung culture, and they are a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu or Shaman. The region abounds with flora and fauna, with two hills nearby providing stunning views of Nepal s western Himalayas. Trails and steps are formed and paved, and many shrines and pilgrimage sites dot the landscape. The season is September to June, and while staying there visitors can visit cottage industries such as traditional handicrafts and paper making; and a plant nursery covering 380 hectares of flora, including one million trees and plants. There are two small lakes nearby and bird watching and wildlife observation are possible. Sirubari won the PATA Gold Award 2001 in the Heritage & Culture - Heritage Category.

In the Gorkha District of Nepal a community tourist program is in its third year of operation. The area is full of natural beauty, panoramic views, green mid-hill trekking, unspoilt jungle areas, lakes, caves, waterfalls and flora (medicinal, scented and edible plants).

Accessible from Kathmandu and Pokhara, there is a one day walk to the model tourism village . Village treks can be undertaken while experiencing village and rural life, as well as visiting the majestic hill-top palace of Gorkha Bazar. Accommodation is in individual guestrooms with host families, or in between villages, in tents. During trekking meals are provided by professional teams, and
in the villages visitors can try a delicious, hygienically prepared Nepali Daalbhaat consisting of locally produced rice, lentils and garden fresh organically grown vegetables. The guestrooms are simple, but clean and cosy, with latrines available and a water tap close by. (Electricity, hot showers and separate bathrooms are not available so far).

In the mid-west of Nepal in the Shyangja District, another model tourism village project is underway. This is an agricultural and animal husbandry based community with no other income source; the intention is to carry out infrastructure development, heritage conservation and renovation, plus training and development of the villagers in the region. Located to the north east is Dahare Deurali, a famous religious site, and a beautiful location for viewing Himalayan peaks like Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhare. It is at an altitude of 3,900 feet with a population of more than 6,500 people in the village and surrounding area.

SirubariVillage
Sirubari village is a totally unspoiled Gurung settlement set in the hills at an altitude of 1700 metres above sea level. The climate is ideal at any time during the September to June season with warm days and cool nights.

The village is a short drive and walk from Pokhara, the major tourist centre for the Annapurna region. It is reached from the road to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.

You will be welcomed into the community and invited to stay in the home of one of the village families. The accommodation is simple but comfortable with good bedding and clean toilet facilities. The food is delicious and you will be eating as one of the family. Each night there will be entertainment provided by the community. This will be in the form of traditional Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing, you can join in if you like!

As the locals are all Buddhist, the village gompa, a simple but beautiful temple, will be feature of your stay. There will be the chance to get a blessing from the resident lama before you leave.

Just because you are not trekking it doesn?t mean that you won?t see the mountains. An easy walk above the village is a viewpoint at Thumro. At 2300 metres this is the highest point south of Pokhara and the views on a clear day are spectacular .

Spread before you are rolling foothills dotted with isolated farming communities and crowned by an array of snow peaks that will leave you breathless. From Langtang in the east, through Machhapuchare and the Annapurnas and around to Dhaulagiri the Himalayan giants all line up for your camera to capture.
 
During your stay you will be able to feel what it is like to live the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family while they go about their daily chores, tending animals, tilling the fields, going to school with the children, or just sitting in th sun talking to neighbours.

Feel free to wander, safely, by yourself and look at all of the developments that the community have supported and funded; the primary health centre with its? doctor, the agricultural service centre, the veterinary hospital, the plant nursery and forest plantation. The list goes on..

And, at the end of your stay, you will be overwhelmed by the farewell that your new family will give you. If you never come this way again the village and its people will remain in your heart forever.

Mountains
Just because you are having only soft adventure not trekking it does not mean that you won?t see the mountains. An easy walk above the village is a viewpoint at Dahare Deurali. At 2300 meters this is the highest point south of Pokhara and the views on a clear day are spectacular.

Spread before are rolling foothills dotted with isolated farming communities and crowned by an array of snow peaks that will leave you breathless. From Manaslu in the east, through Machhapuchare (Fishtail) and the Annapurna and around to Dhaulagiri the Himalayan giants all line up for your camera to capture.
 
Village Life
During your stay you will be able to feel what it is like to live the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family while they go about their daily chores, tending animals, tilling the fields, going to school with the children, or just sitting in the sun talking to neighbors.

Feel free to wander, safely, by yourself and look at all of the developments that the community have supported and funded; the primary health center with it?s doctor, the agricultural service center, the veterinary hospital, the plant nursery and forest plantation. The list goes on.

And, at the end of your stay, you will be overwhelmed by the farewell that your new family will give you. If you never come this way again the village and it?s people will remain in your heart forever.

What You Won?t Get?
Hot showers, electricity, television, bottled beer, hamburgers, rubbish on the trail, thousands of tourists.

What You Will Get?
Delicious local food and drink, comfortable accommodation, a welcome likes you never had before and the cultural experience of a lifetime.

2 nights/3 days package normally start and end in Pokhara. Once you leave town all your expenses are covered by the package price.

The standard package as mentioned below starting after breakfast at Pokhara and finishing back in Pokhara late afternoon on day 3 . Extensions are always possible on request. Helicopter transfers can be arranged provided at least 48 hours notice is given.

Ghale Gaun and Ghan Pokhari
Ghale Gaun - An unique experience of Nepalese Culture & lifestyle: Ghalegaun? is an exotic pristine village endowed with an unparallel scenic grandeur and a home to ?Gheles? the famed Gurungs the legendary mid-hill people of western Nepal. Repository of a unique ethnic culture ?Ghelegaun? is a true microcosm of stunning natural beauty mixed with an unspoiled ethnic life style.

Located is the district of Lamjung, Ghale Gaun is approximately 20.5km north west of Kathmandu and 12.5 km north east of Pokhara ? the picturesque hill town of western Nepal. Perched atop a ridge at an altitude of 2016 meters from the sea level, Glalegaun is probably the only place which commands a superb breathtaking view of majestic western Himalayas including Machhapuchhare(6693m) Annapurna(8091m), Annapurna II (7939m) Annapurna IV (7525m), Lamjung Himal, Bouddha Himal((6974m), Himalchuli(6747m) and many more smaller peaks.

Taking advantage of such a unique location, Ghalegaun- a picturesque hamlet of about 95 Gorung style houses, has recently been marketed as a new destination to experience ?Village tourism?. Accordingly quite a number of houses have been prepared for domestic and international visitors with comfortable basic amenities.

Besides the scenic extravaganza of the peaks, the warm and sincere hospitality of the Gurung people is also bound to overwhelm the visitors. Here food items such as grain, vegetable, meat, milk, eggs, are all locally produced and are indeed for any chemical fertilizers. In addition, the life-style of the village truly reflects an exotic living ethnic tradition handed down since ages. The social life is replete with interesting rituals of life cycle; birth wedding, death etc., religious events and a lively cultural tradition of dance and music and it is well augmented by interesting locally produced exotic handicrafts and utensils.

Activities around Ghalegaun include bird watching at Talangyo Lake and visits to the Utter Kanya Temple, Pempro Fall, Batase Cave and the Khudi hydroelectric dam site.

Cultural Attractions
Ghalegaun -Ghanpokhara are model villages for experiencing the typical culture and lifestyle of the Gurung people. Traditional customs are still followed during births, deaths, marriages and at other important times in a person?s life. Age-old cultural dances like the Jhyaure, Serka, Dohori, Ghantu, Ghyabring, Krishna Charitra and Jhakri are performed on various occasions accompanied by different musical instruments with the dancers in traditional dress.

Visitors to Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara are welcomed with offering of garlands and tika while music and dances are performed and traditional farewell songs are sung when guests depart. Nepali New Year and Buddha Jayanti are celebrated with traditional dance called Ghatu.

Handicrafts
The people of Ghalegaun-Ghanpokhara keep goats and sheep and use wool from these animals to make woolen products. They make clothes and bags from nettle fiber (allo cloth) and scarfs, towels and shawls from the wool of angora rabbits. Ironsmiths make different iron products. Craftsmen produce a whole range of different products from bamboo. 

Lodging and fooding
Comfortable rooms with clean restrooms are available at selected Gurung houses. Although there is no electricity in the village, lamps and water heating system facilities are available through solar power. There are a few Pahuna Ghar (Guest House) belonging to the Aama Samuha (Mother?s Community) that also provide accommodation. More than 100 tourists can be accomodated both in Ghalegaon and Ghanpokhara seperately. Good camping sites are also available at both Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara.

Organic local food like cereals, vegetables, milk products, eggs and meat prepared in traditional way is served to visitors. Basic menu includes plain rice, vegetable curry, vegetable fried rice, chicken curry, dal-bhat, egg curry, dhendo soup, chapatti, garlic soup, bread, vegetable mixed soup and momo.

Village tourism package

Packages.
Our Sirubari packages start and end in Pokhara. Once you leave town all of your expenses are covered by the package price. Customized packages can be arranged on request.The standard package is three nights/four days starting after breakfast at Pokhara and finishing back in Pokhara late afternoon on day four. Extensions are always possible on request. If you are starting your journey from Kathmandu we can arrange accommodation and transport to connect with your village visit. Helicopter transfers can be organized provided at least 48 hours notice is given.We can arrange extended trekking and sightseeing itineraries that also include the village visit, ask us for details.

WHAT YOU WON’T GET
Hot showers, television, beer, hamburgers, rubbish on the trail, thousands of tourists.

WHAT YOU WILL GET
Delicious local food and drink, comfortable accommodation, a welcome like you have never had before and the cultural experience of a lifetime. Recently, the Pacific Asian Travel Association (PATA) conferred their Gold Award 2001 to Sirubari in recognition of the efforts being made to preserve traditional Nepali culture and heritage by the country’s first model tourist village.

Option 2

Until now, tourism in Nepal has meant city based sightseeing or days, or even weeks, of strenuous trekking.

"What is village tourism?"
Our guests are taken to unspoiled villages where they spend a few days living with the local people and being treated as honored family guests. While staying in the villages, guests enjoy comfortable accommodation, delicious local food and drink and a welcome that will remain a happy memory for a lifetime. While they are with us our guests can rest assured that they are always in a secure and safe environment.

Local attractions, both scenic and cultural, are shown to our guests by our well trained ethnic guides who always do their utmost to make the guest’s stay a memorable experience. Many of our villages are close to unspoiled natural areas where wildlife may be seen undisturbed. This can be a feature of our packages for special interest groups.

The traditional culture of the different ethnic groups is a highlight of all of our village visits. These warm and friendly people are always ready to perform their music and dance and to give an insight into their religion. Examples of local handicrafts will be on display, and for sale, to guests.

"What is provided in the cost of the package?"
Almost everything. Our packages include all transport from the designated starting point, all guide wages and insurance, all food and drink, all the facilities in the village including sightseeing, cultural programs and community donations and any permits or entry fees that may be required. The only extra that you can possibly spend are on the purchase of locally made handicrafts.

"Where does all of the money go?"
Our packages are costed to ensure that a major proportion of the income is directed to the village communities. In this way we are able to support the preservation of the priceless heritage that is Nepali culture while improving the lifestyle and well-being of the local people. We are also funding an on-going research project aimed at locating other suitable sites and conducting local hospitality training.

"How do you book?"
You can book direct with us at Blue bird travel and tour P Ltd (Nepal) or through one of our many agents in Nepal and worldwide.
Our packages can be added to any other program that you are planning in Nepal or we can tailor a complete package combining a village stay with some of the many other attractions of this fascinating country. For detailed itineraries please contact our head office in Kathmandu.

Destinations.
Our first village destination to be operational is the Gurung village of Sirubari, near Pokhara. Other villages, representing different ethnic groups, are being developed and we expect to have several more sites available during 2000.

Sirubari Village.
Sirubari village is a totally unspoiled Gurung settlement set in the hills at an altitude of 1700 metres above sea level. The climate is ideal at any time during the September to June season with warm days and cool nights.
The village is a short drive and walk from Pokhara, the major tourist centre for the Annapurna region. It is reached from the road to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.

You will be welcomed into the community and invited to stay in the home of one of the village families. The accommodation is simple but comfortable with good bedding and clean toilet facilities. The food is delicious and you will be eating as one of the family. Each night there will be entertainment provided by the community. This will be in the form of traditional Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing, you can join in if you like!

As the locals are all Buddhist, the village gompa, a simple but beautiful temple, will be a feature of your stay. There will be the chance to get a blessing from the resident lama before you leave.

Just because you are not trekking it doesn’t mean that you won’t see the mountains. An easy walk above the village is a viewpoint at Thumro. At 2300 metres this is the highest point south of Pokhara and the views on a clear day are spectacular .
Spread before you are rolling foothills dotted with isolated farming communities and crowned by an array of snow peaks that will leave you breathless. From Langtang in the east, through Machhapuchare and the Annapurnas and around to Dhaulagiri the Himalayan giants all line up for your camera to capture.

During your stay you will be able to feel what it is like to live the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family while they go about their daily chores, tending animals, tilling the fields, going to school with the children, or just sitting in the sun talking to neighbours.
Feel free to wander, safely, by yourself and look at all of the developments that the community have supported and funded; the primary health centre with its’ doctor, the agricultural service centre, the veterinary hospital, the plant nursery and forest plantation. The list goes on..

And, at the end of your stay, you will be overwhelmed by the farewell that your new family will give you. If you never come this way again the village and its people will remain in your heart forever.

Packages.
Our Sirubari packages start and end in Pokhara. Once you leave town all of your expenses are covered by the package price. Customised packages can be arranged on request.

The standard package is three nights/four days starting after breakfast at Pokhara and finishing back in Pokhara late afternoon on day four. Extensions are always possible on request. If you are starting your journey from Kathmandu we can arrange accommodation and transport to connect with your village visit. Helicopter transfers can be organised provided at least 48 hours notice is given.

We can arrange extended trekking and sightseeing itineraries that also include the village visit, ask us for details.

WHAT YOU WON’T GET
Hot showers,  television, beer, hamburgers, rubbish on the trail, thousands of tourists.

WHAT YOU WILL GET.
Delicious local food and drink, comfortable accommodation, a welcome like you have never had before and the cultural experience of a lifetime.

TARIFF
(Standard three night package)

Overseas agencies are welcome to contact us for special wholesale rates.

Sirubari wins award for culture and heritage preservation.
Recently, the Pacific Asian Travel Association (PATA) conferred their Gold Award 2001 to Sirubari in recognition of the efforts being made to preserve traditional Nepali culture and heritage by the country’s first model tourist village.

For non standard packages, helicopter transfers or combined village holiday/trekking packages please contact us at: