Homestay comes into operation along trekking route to Chepang village

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 26: In order to bring foreign tourists to the remote hilly areas of Chitwan, Chepang homestay has been brought into operation along the trekking route.

With financial support of Sapana Village Social Impact, Sauraha, homestay has been brought into operation by the local Chepang community of Chitwan on the trekking route from Hugdikhola in Dhading to Sauraha in Chitwan.

Dhruba Giri, founder chairperson of Sapana Village Social Impact (SVSI), said that Chepang homestay has been operated in Ichchakamana-2, Tobang and Ichchakamana-1, Bharang.

He said that they have assisted the locals in operating Chepang homestay targeting the tourists who trek from Hugdikhola in Dhading under Prithivi Highway via Ichchhakamana-2 Tobang, Hattibang, Siraichuli, Bharang of Ward No. 1 and Shaktikhor of Kalika Municipality to Sauraha.

He said that SVSI will provide financial support and training to operate more homestays to increase the income level of the Chepang community. He said, "In order to improve the economic standard of the Chepang community here, we will provide financial support and training to those who are interested in operating homestay. Our plan is to train the Chepang community to maintain cleanliness and exhibit culture, religion and lifestyle of the Chepangs to tourists and their polish behaviour to welcome the tourists."

Talking to The Rising Nepal, Giri said that the trekking route and homestay have been brought into operation since Sunday on trial and more homestays in the Chepang villages along the trekking route will be added gradually. 

Marius Appelman, owner of Dutch Travel Company, Riksja Travels, inaugurated the homestay run by local Tilu Chepang and his family of Ichchhakamana Rural Municiplaity-2, Tobang recently.

He said that he is very happy to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Chepang community. He expressed his belief that this trekking route has the potential to become one of the best in Nepal.

"This trekking route has the potential to become one of the best in Nepal. We, the visitors, can be aware about the culture and lifestyle of the Chepang community," he said.

Meanwhile, homestay director Tilu Chepang thanked Sapana Village Social Impact, Sapana Village Lodge and Riksja Travels for fulfilling his dream to run a homestay.

Tilu said, "Today I am very happy. I had a desire to operate a homestay in the village to promote tourism and local resources in Chepang Hills. With the help of Sapana Village, my dream has come true today."

Tilu and his family are running a beautiful homestay with two comfortable and clean rooms. The SVSI visited Marius Appleman, Dutch Travel Company, Riksja Travels, last year to study the feasibility of this trekking route.

President Giri said that this route spans two nights and three days.  Sapana Village Lodge offers Chepang Hills trekking and homestay packages. He said that this trekking route is being promoted with the aim of bringing in tourists from the Netherlands, Germany, UK, France and other countries.

He said that the income level of the Chepang community here will increase as the flow of tourists increases. The SVSI is conducting various programmes, including education and health, for the upliftment of Chepang community in Chitwan.