Ghale Gaun and Lamjung Himal: Inside Nepal’s Model Homestay Village

Besishahar is renowned as the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit Trek, but the journey does not have to end with the trekking trail. Just a short uphill detour from Beishahar takes you to Ghale Gaun, Asia’s model tourism village.

Perched amid the hills of Lamjung, Ghale Gaun treks offer more than spectacular views of the Lamjung Himal but it invites you to experience traditional Gurung culture, warm village hospitality, authentic local food, and peaceful mountain life. Away from the busy trekking trails of the Annapurna Circuit Trek, this picturesque village is an ideal place to slow down, connect with local communities, and discover a different side of Nepal.

Lets dive deeper into our blog for insight of what makes this Gurung Village a must visit destination in Western Nepal.

Where is Ghale Gaun?

Ghale Gaun is located in Kwholasothar Rural Municipality of Lamjung District, in Gandaki Province, central Nepal. Ghale (Village) Gaun sits at an elevation of 2,100 meters above sea level.

This pristine Gurung village is more than 8 centuries old and is famous as the model tourism village of Nepal. It is also a part of Annapurna region and lies perfectly in the foothill of Lamjung Himal.

The road distance from Besisahar to Ghale (Village) Gaun is only 24 kilometers which can be completed within 6 to 7 hours of hiking. The Ghalegaun is situated approximately 172 km northwest of Kathmandu and 110 km Pokhara via Besishahar.

History of Ghale Gaun

Ghalegaun has royal origin and Ghale were the descendants of former Ghale Kings, ruler of the region before Prithivi Narayan Shah unified the small kingdom into a single Nepal in 1743 CE. It was initially called as “Koili” in Gurung language.

Once a remote village in Lamjung’s hilltop transformed successfully into a world famous destination for community based tourism in Nepal. It was inaugurated as the SAARC Village tourism museum by Bidhya Devi Bhandari in 2017.

Ghale are one of the four important high castes clans of the Gurung community who have been living in this village. Ghale people’s language and festivals are different from Gurung people.

Ghale peoples celebrate Li:La Lhosar in 1st of Magh whereas Gurung people celebrate Tamu Lhosar in Poush 15 every year .

Why is Ghale Gaun Called a Model Homestay Village?

Ghale Gaun village is called a model homestay village because of its well-organised community based tourism and strong local participation. It is one of the smart villages where locals have been offering homestay services while continuing their centuries old lifestyle woven in between agriculture and animal husbandry.

Furthermore, the villagers have been following a homestay rotation for the Ghalegaun homestay program so that every household receives equal guests and earns an equal amount of income. The Ghale (village) Gaun is home to more than 130 households and serve as a living museum of the indigenous Gurung community.

It also got the title of “Nepal’s Best Homestay Village” by the Village Tourism Promotion Forum in 2008. Ghalegaun also earned the recognition of one of the first small villages in December 2019.

Since then, it has been continuously attracting the hearts of travelers who are in search of authentic village experience in remote regions of Nepal. Ghale Gaun has become a notable example of how rural tourism can support local livelihoods with its well-organised homestay system, community participation, and cultural preservation while preserving traditional village life.

Why Visit Ghale Gaun in 2026?

Ghale Gaun (village) is one of the popular Gurung village homestays in Nepal. The hilltop location, authentic village experience and best views of Himalayan panoramas of Annapurna and Manaslu has been attracting the hearts of travelers from all around the world.

Scenic Mountain views

Its perfect location on the slopes of the green hills offers best views of panoramic mountain ranges such as:

• Lamjung Himal (6, 932 m)
• Mt. Machhapuchare (6993 m)
• Mt. Annapurna (8091 m)
• Mt. Annapurna II (7939 m)
• Mt. Annapurna IV (7525 m)
• Mt. Manaslu (8163 m)
• Mt. Ngadi Chuli (7871 m)
• Mt. Himal Chuli North (7331 m)
• Mt. Himal Chuli (7893 m).

Authentic Village Homestays

Ghalegaun is home to Gorkha warriors and you will get one of the best homestay experiences. Local Ghale and Gurung people welcome you with flowers, garlands, tika, and make sure that guests are treated like gods (अतिथिदेवो भव ).

Deeper Cultural Immersion

As a guest, you will be sharing the same roof with locals, you get a closer insight of their day to day life. You will be part of them and can witness morning prayer and ritual to how they manage their farming life while serving you with warm and fulfilling meals on time.

You can also learn how to wear their traditional attire and some Ghale language while participating in their festivals.

Short Trekking Experience

You can do the Ghalegaun trek to reach this hilltop Gurung settlement. During your Ghalegaun trek, you will begin walking from Besishahar and will traverse across small ancient villages, lush green forest, cascading waterfall, grasslands, terraced fields before the landscape transforms into the picturesque Gurung village of Ghale Gaun.

Throughout the trek, you will get an insight of rural life, culture and lifestyles of different villages. Within 6 to 7 hours of walking from Beishahar, you will complete your Ghalegaun trek.

Best Sunrise and Sunset Views

The Ghalegaun’s Gorkha Army Park view tower offers one of the best sunrise and sunset views. The golden sun rising behind the snowcapped mountain peaks and sunset halos in the evening are the main highlight of the Ghalegaun.

What to Expect in Ghalegaun Homestay?

Ghalegaun homestays are the main highlight of the Ghale Gaun trip. Here, you will be living with local family in a homestay which is managed by villages’s community tourism system.

Here, you will find simple rooms with twin beds and warm blankets. If you are in a group, dormitory style rooms will be best for you.

You will be sleeping in a homestay made from stone and metal roof without any heating facilities. Most homestays have Asian squat type toilets in the yards and offer hot shower facilities.

You need to definitely pay extra for using hot showers. Though in recent years, you may find options of hotels but we suggest you to book homestays for authentic experience.

Food

When in Ghalegaun homestays, you will get to eat meals prepared from locally produced grains and you will be eating dinner while sitting in Gundri, a traditionally woven mattress made from dried rice straw.

You will get to eat food items like:

• Dal Bhat with vegetable or non-veg curries and seasonal pickles
• Vegetables made from corn-soybean, potatoes, and other seasonal vegetables
• Momo
• Chowmin
• Millet pancakes and Sel-roti
• Milk tea and coffee
• Pickles made from Gundruk and bhatmas

For lunch and breakfast, you can eat in an outdoor setup while enjoying the beautiful panoramic views of snow-capped mountains.

Also, you may get invited to evening cultural shows like Ghatu, Sorahi, and Jhyaure dance. During your departure, the homestay’s owner do the farewell by flower garlands and applying rice tika on your forehead.

Must Visit Places in Ghalegaun

Ghalegaun village is not only famous for its authentic homestay experience but also offers peaceful places which you should once visit when in Lamjung:

Tea Garden

If you head upwards from the Ghalegaun village, you will find a tea garden with more than 200 plants where you can stroll and enjoy the greenery of tea. Here, you can take photos and capture the videos of surrounding hills.

Museum

Another place which you should visit when exploring Ghalegaun is SAARC Village Tourism Museum. It is also known as the Ghalegaun Museum or Tamu Museum where you can see the items which reflect everything which is used from birth to death such as:

• Kuto
• Spade
• Weapons
• Musical instruments like Jhyali or Jhyamta
• Ornaments and traditional clothes.

Ghale Park

Ghale park is located only 2 minutes walk from the main entrance gate. Here, you will see the statue of the last king Kalpo of the Ghale kingdom.

The wide park offers 360 degree views of surrounding hills and snow covered mountains. The golden sunset hour is best for photography enthusiasts.

Uttar Kanya Temple

Uttar kanya Temple is a sacred religious site where Kumari devi is worshipped. The temple’s most interesting feature is a natural spring water which flows in the north direction. This is why it is named Uttar Kanya meaning North virgin/goddess.

When visiting a temple, you can ring the bell and as animal sacrifice is prohibited, devotees flow pigeons wishing peace, happiness, and prosperity to their family. There are seven wells near this temple which were once used by villagers as a source of drinking water.

Talangyo Lake

This is a small lake which is located in the middle of Ghalegaun and Ghanpokhara village of Lamjung district. If you are a bird-watcher you should definitely visit this lake.

Explore Koibo Dhin

Koibo Dhin is connected with Gurung cultural heritage and traditional religious practices. The site provides an opportunity to understand some of the cultural institutions and beliefs that have shaped the community over generations.

How to Reach Ghale Gaun Homestay in Lamjung?

You can reach Ghale Gaun Homestay in Lamjung via the following way.

• Kathmandu → Dumre → Besisahar → Baglungpani/Kapur Gaun → Ghale Gaun
• Pokhara→ Dumre → Besisahar → Baglungpani/Kapur Gaun → Ghale Gaun

From Kathmandu to Besishahar

If you are in Kathmandu, you need to first take a bus, microbus which leaves for Besishahar from Lhotse Mall bus park everyday. You can also hire private vehicles like jeeps or taxis, but it may cost you a lot.

The road journey from Kathmandu to Besishahar usually takes 6 to 7 hours by micro bus whereas in a private vehicle, you will reach Besishahar within 5 to 6 hours. Micro bus fare changes whether it runs in diesel or via electric. The road distance from Kathmandu to Besishahar is around 175 to 180 km.

From Pokhara to Besishahar

When in Pokhara, you can take a micro, public or tourist bus which leaves Besishahar everyday from Prithivi buspark. Pokhara is 108 km away from Besishahar. Within 4 to 5 hours, you will reach Besishahar.

Besishahar to Ghale Gaun

From Besishahar you can reach Ghalegaun via two ways one is via road and another is via trekking.

Via Road

The jeep leaves Ghalegaun chowk, near Hotel Tulsi home for Ghalegaun everyday. You will reach Ghalegaun bypassing Baglungpani and Kapur Gaun on a bumpy off-road. The road distance from Besisahar to Ghale Gaun is about 12 to 15 km and takes roughly 3 hours as it has quite narrow and bumpy off-road conditions.

By Trek

At first you will take a short drive from Beishshar towards Khudi and then, you will start your hike. From Khudi village you will walk alongside terraced agricultural fields, suspension bridges, seasonal waterfalls, and dense lower-altitude forest until you reach Ghalegaun.

You will arrive after 3 to 6 hours of uphill hike.

Suggested Ghalegaun Trek Itinerary

If you are planning to visit Ghalegaun by trekking make sure you plan your trek with following itinerary:

• Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar (825 m)
• Day 2: Trek from Besishahar to Khudi (790m)
• Day 3: Trek to Ghalegaun (2100 m)from Khudi
• Day 4: Explore Ghalegaun

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• Day 5: Trek from Baglungpani to Laxmi Bazaar (1,300m)
• Day 6: Trek from Laxmi Bazaar to Begnas lake (650m) and then drive to Pokhara
• Day 7: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Packing List for Ghalegaun, A Model Tourism Village in Nepal

Ghalegaun do not demands extreme level of packing list but having following thing make your journey more enjoyable in 2026:

Final Thoughts on Ghale Gaun, Gurung Village Homestay in Nepal

Ghale Gaun offers a different way to experience the Nepal Himalayas. The village offers Gurung heritage, family-run homestays, traditional food, cultural performances, local handicrafts, peaceful mountain trails and views toward Lamjung Himal and the surrounding Himalayan ranges.

Ghalegaun village is not only attracting visitors with its beautiful Himalayan scenery but with a rare authentic village experience. Here, you will get a chance to spend time within a community where tourism has become part of village life.

From staying with a local family, sharing meals, walking through the settlement and learning about Gurung traditions, you will have one of the memorable adventures in the hilltop of Lamjung district. It’s easy access from both Kathmandu and Pokhara is best suited for those culture enthusiasts who are in search of short escape in 2026.

So, when in Nepal, make sure you explore this model tourism village in Nepal and experience authentic Ghale gaun homestay. And, do not forget to plan your trip with Awesome Holidays Nepal so that you can have best memories in Ghale gaun that will last till lifetime.