Sirubari

The attractive Gurung village of Sirubari is located in the Syangja district 50km southwest of Pokhara on the Siddhartha Highway. This was the first village in Nepal to specialise in homestay programmes which allow guests to stay in local people's homes and enjoy cultural experiences. This sustainable tourism project is run by the local community in an effort to preserve the culture and heritage of Nepali rural life. Set on a south-facing slope at 1,700 m above sea level the village enjoys long sunny days and is ideal for agriculture. The traditional wood tiled houses are bordered by a patchwork of fields and the friendly locals are keen to meet travellers staying in their village. For the more active it is possible to trek from the Siddhartha Highway up to the village of Arjun Chaupari and on to Sirubari, or you can drive all the way to the village. Hiking trails surround the village and there is a spectacular Himalayan viewpoint 2 hours' walk from the village. However the main attraction of Sirubari is the experience of getting to know the locals in their own environment and learning about the rich culture of the Gurung people.