OKHALDHUNGA, Oct 22: The first-ever homestay started in Thadey of Siddhicharan Municipality-6, Okhaldhunga, is awaiting proper promotion and arrival of guests.
On the main road leading to northern mountainous district of Solukhumbu from Okhaldhunga, nine families of the local Magar community have started home-stay facilities, targeting domestic and international tourists who travel to Solukhumbu.
More Mustang locals into homestay business
The guests here are provided with local dishes like potato dhindo (rilduk), gomarlik (wheat powder cooked in milk), syakpa, white beans, maize, and buckwheat dhindo. But locals have not been able to welcome guests at their facilities yet.
According to Paras Magar, chairperson of Thadey Magar Community Homestay, seven of the homes provide food service, of which two are organic. He said local items such as potato, maize, millet, buckwheat, nettle, mushroom, local chicken, dhindo, and gundruk are special attractions for tourists.
In the evening, local artisans showcase traditional dances like maruni.
Thadey bazaar lies 2,900 feet above sea level. Situated near Pataley of Solukhumbu, it offers magnificent view of the world's highest mountain range. According to Magar, it is the appropriate place to observe Mt Everest and other mountains of the Himalayan range.
From Okhaldhunga headquarters, it takes around 45 minutes in bus to reach Thadey bazaar. Electricity is yet to be connected to the homes. Magar complained that the homestays, starting with big investments, are compelled to use solar power as the national grid isn't connected here. According to Manoj Magar, a local social worker, lack of basic facilities is posing challenge to develop the Thadey area as a tourist spot.
The homestay facilities, targeting the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign, were inaugurated by Yagya Raj Sunuwar, member of federal parliament. Sunuwar said the Thadey area could be developed as a model village providing homestay facility.
