Stay guides
Responsible Travel in Nepal: Staying with a Local Family at Sacred Trails
Where you sleep decides where your money goes. How a stay with the Giri family supports local people, and simple ways to travel lighter in Nepal.
By Shiva GiriPublished 4 min read
Photo: Nrik kiran (opens Wikimedia Commons in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons
Tourism is one of Nepal's most important sources of income. Staying with a local family is one of the simplest ways to make sure more of what you spend stays with local people.
How we host responsibly
- We're a family home: the Giri family lives on site and looks after every guest personally.
- Breakfast is cooked in the house by the family.
- We work with licensed local guides, drivers and porters we know personally.
- Clear, honest prices: what's included, discounts and cancellation, shown before you book.
- When you book direct there's no booking-site commission — your money goes to the family hosting you.
Ways to travel lighter
- Refill your water bottle with filtered water instead of buying plastic bottles.
- Reuse towels and switch off lights, heaters and fans when you go out.
- Eat at local restaurants and buy from small shops and workshops.
- On treks, carry your rubbish back down and use licensed guides.
- Learn a few words of Nepali — "Namaste" and "Dhanyabad" (thank you).
Frequently asked questions
Is staying in a family homestay a responsible choice in Nepal?
Yes. A family-run homestay keeps more of your spending in local hands, especially when you book directly and use local guides.
