It had been fourteen years since I last visited Nepal and this magical country has held a special place in my heart ever since. That fateful trip birthed this very blog which I have been sharing my journey ever since. In May 2024, I returned to Nepal with Community Homestay Network (CHN) for a whirlwind trip exploring the rural communities of Kathmandu Valley for a week-long trip.  This trip called Community Connect, brought together journalists, travel advisors, and others all passionate about the power of community tourism to change the face of travel.

Community Homestay Network (CHN) is a social enterprise that supports a network of community homestays in Nepal. CHN connects travelers with communities across Nepal, providing a unique opportunity to stay with Nepali families and immerse themselves in real Nepali life. At the same time, local host families can share their culture and landscapes with the world while gaining access to a sustainable source of income through tourism. The authentic experiences CHN offers travelers are created to positively impact Nepali communities, women, and families, as well as the travelers themselves.

The first day of our trip began with a short drive outside of Kathmandu to the historic Newari region of Bhaktapur, an area rich in culture and lavish Newari architecture, Hindu temples, heritage, and beauty. Our first stop was in Madhyapur Thimi, a village known for its pottery and ceramics where we took a pottery class and learned how the community supports themselves through this beautiful craft.  Thimi is one of the ancient cultural and historical villages along the ancient trade route from Bhaktapur to Kathmandu, and is known as the pottery capital of the region. Roughly 11 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, Thimi is easily reachable for a day trip and continues to play an important role in Nepali culture and tourism.

The first thing I noticed while walking the ancient streets of Nepal is that color is everywhere in Nepal and means everything. It can be found in its religion, culture, clothing, food, and of course, within the natural environment.

Everywhere I turned, the world around me tickled my eyes with its vibrant hues of crimson red, sunflower yellow, and saffron orange. Then you add in the mix of snowflake white, Robin’s egg blue, magenta pink, eggplant purples, and of course the earth tones, and you realize that the variety of colors in Nepal is endless.

As you enter the narrow streets of Thimi, it is evident that pottery is one of the main staples of the community’s economy and livelihood. Pottery is everywhere and is tended to by all. You can see rows of pots laying out to dry in the sun, women young and old tending to the pots, turning them to dry under the warm Nepali sun. You even can watch the locals making clay, chatting, and singing to make the time pass by. This is how the village survives and has done so for generations.  

Our group attended a class at the N.P. Ceramics Training Center where we each got the opportunity to make our own piece of pottery. It was not as easy as you’d think but a lot of fun.

The warm, welcoming smiles of the local ladies always captured my heart. This woman below explained that the tattoos on her legs were to symbolize that she was married and made her look unattractive to others. We all disagreed.

If only we had more time to explore all the winding streets filled with handicrafts and shops.

Afterward our visit to Thimi, we drove 6 kilometers east to the historical Newari Town of Bhaktapur. Founded in the 12th century, Bhaktapur served as the capital of Nepal during the first half of the Malla dynasty from the 12th century to 1482 when Nepal split into three independent kingdoms. While it suffered damage that could still be seen from the 2015 earthquake, its beauty still captivates the soul. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bhaktapur is a well-known destination to travelers and Nepali people for its well-preserved medieval Newari architecture, vibrant culture, and deep-rooted traditions.

We entered the magical world of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a former royal palace complex that housed the Malla kings of Nepal from 14th to 15th century and the kings of the Kingdon of Bhaktapur from 15th to late 18th century until the kingdom was conquered in 1769. Unfortunately, the complex was badly damaged by the earthquake of 2015, and there is still much restoration and cleanup work to be done. But the complex itself is quite impressive. Apparently, at the height of its power, the square contained 99 courtyards and only 15 remain today. It is hard to imagine what this incredible place must have looked like in the heydays of its glory!

The Newar people are known for their extraordinary, beautiful, intricately carved woodwork, which can be found in their rich architecture. Quite frankly, I am a bit obsessed by it. I wasn’t able to capture as many good photographs as I wanted given the light and shadows of the day, however, you can get a sense of the woodwork in the photos below. 

If only we had a little bit longer to explore the beauty and mystique of Bkaktapur.  Yet, our host mothers awaited for our arrival. It was time to head to our first community homestay in the village of Nagarkot, located 12 kilometers away in the foothills of the Himalayas.

 Check out my reel of the visit on Instagram!

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About the Community Connect

In a pioneering effort to promote community tourism, the inaugural Community Connect event was held in May 2024 by the Community Homestay Network. Community Connect was developed as a way to amplify the voices of local communities and promote community tourism on a global scale.  Organized with a vision to empower local communities and promote responsible tourism practices, the event featured four curated exposure trips highlighting distinct community experiences across Nepal, culminating in a main event in Kathmandu on May 26.