On May 27, 2025, Nepal will open a new chapter in tourism one rooted in stories, community, and shared humanity. Community Connect 2025, the second edition of the flagship initiative by Community Homestay Network (CHN), is set to reimagine how travellers engage with the country not through sightseeing, but through relationship-building.Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, this year’s program will feature three immersive journeys, welcoming 20 journalists and media storytellers along with 11 travel industry professionals to explore Nepal as co-learners and collaborators in local communities.

A Different Kind of Travel

From trekking alongside locals in Narchyang, preparing family recipes in Dhankuta, to exploring heritage crafts and oral histories in Kirtipur, each experience is designed to foster real human connection and mutual understanding. These journeys invite participants to step into the everyday rhythm of Nepali life, shifting the focus of travel from consumption to contribution.

Organized for Impact

The program is being organized by Community Homestay Network Nepal, with the support of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Planeterra Foundation, ICIMOD, Dhankuta Municipality, and Kirtipur Municipality. Business partners including Royal Mountain Travel, Traditional Comfort, Bricks Café, and Avata Wellness Center are also supporting the initiative. Together, they aim to promote a model of tourism that uplifts communities, preserves cultural identity, and supports local economies. Journeys That Reflect Nepal’s Diversity

Community Connect 2025 will feature three regionally diverse experiences:

Eastern Nepal – Dhankuta and Beyond: An eight-day exploration of the Nibuwa Tankhwa Watershed Area, focusing on the Aathpahariya Indigenous community and climate-resilient tourism practices.

Western Nepal – Narchyang and Hemjakot: A cultural and culinary journey into Magar and Gurung communities, where participants will live with local families, cook traditional meals, and walk village trails.

Kathmandu Valley – Cultural Mosaic: An urban immersion into the Valley’s cultural and artistic heritage through interactions with women-led enterprises, craftspeople, and storytellers in Kirtipur and Patan.

Community at the Core

Community Connect 2025 emphasizes community-driven tourism. Women and youth will play central roles as hosts and cultural ambassadors, demonstrating how tourism can empower rather than exploit. While Nepal Tourism Board promotes the model nationally, the heart of the initiative lies in its grassroots energy—where communities are not service providers but equal partners and narrators of their own stories.

A New Direction for Travel

More than a travel program, Community Connect 2025 is a movement. It invites a shift—from passive sightseeing to active engagement, from external observation to internal transformation.As Nepal prepares to launch this meaningful initiative on May 27, it carries a clear message: the most powerful journeys are those that connect us—not only to places, but to people.