To promote trekking tourism in western Nepal, the Singdi Community Homestay located in Ward No. 5 of Kwhlosothar Rural Municipality, Lamjung, is set to be integrated into the newly declared Gurung Heritage Trail. This trail is being developed under the initiative of the Gurung Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association, Nepal (GTEAN) in coordination with Gandaki Province.
Singdi Community Homestay
The Gurung Heritage Trail aims to connect culturally rich Gurung settlements across Kaski, Lamjung, and Manang districts. According to Bobarjung Gurung, the founding president of GTEAN Gandaki Province and coordinator of the trail program, the route encompasses notable locations such as Kori, Kwhlosothar, Thulo Lek, Thurju, Dudhpokhari, Gurung Deurali, and extends up to Timang in Manang district.
“This trail is being developed not only to showcase the natural beauty but also to preserve and promote the ancient Gurung villages and their heritage,” he stated. The association has been conducting exploration and promotional activities in phases, and plans are underway to bring the trail into full operation by 2026, confirmed GTEAN President Kisam Kumari Gurung.
As part of the third phase of this initiative, the association launched an exploratory trek on Friday with support from the Nepal Tourism Board, Kwhlosothar Rural Municipality, and Marsyangdi Rural Municipality. The trek begins from Pokhara, passing through Singdi, Dudhpokhari, Gurung Deurali on the Lamjung-Manang border, Harsing Danda, and returning to Pokhara. “This initiative also aims to revive traditional trans-Himalayan salt routes and yak herding trails, transforming them into attractive trekking destinations,” Gurung added.
During a welcome program held in Singdi, Chairman of the Singdi Community Homestay, Hukum Bahadur Gurung, expressed enthusiasm about connecting homestay services with the trekking trail. “Although homestay operations began in 2019, we officially registered in 2024. We currently have 20 households providing lodging facilities and can accommodate up to 300 tourists per day,” he said.
He highlighted that unlike other villages, Singdi has not suffered from outward migration, making it a sustainable and vibrant community for tourism. He emphasized that visitors will not only enjoy homely accommodation but also experience authentic local food, natural landscapes, and Gurung cultural traditions.
Ward Chairperson of Kwhlosothar-5, Gita Bahadur Gurung, noted that Singdi is well-equipped with essential facilities, including clean drinking water and sanitation. Tourists are offered local delicacies such as kaguno rice, millet, and corn-based dishes.
The village also features religious sites such as monasteries and the Devisthan Temple, while cultural performances like Sorathi, Ghantu, and Krishnacharitra enrich the visitor experience. A stairway with approximately 1,300 steps has already been constructed to connect Singdi with the popular viewpoint Karpu Danda, with further development planned.
Though public transport from Pokhara to Singdi operates daily, it takes around four hours to reach the village. Locals stress the need to improve road connectivity for smoother tourist access. With the upcoming inclusion in the Gurung Heritage Trail, Singdi is poised to emerge as a prime trekking and cultural tourism destination, contributing to both heritage preservation and local economic growth.
