Dhankuta, Syaule Sipting Homestay: A Symbol of Aathpahariya Identity and HospitalitySunday, November 9th, 2025

In the eastern hills of Nepal lies a village where visitors are not just guests, but become part of the family. On a quiet green hill above Dhankuta, when the golden morning sun spreads across Syaule Sipting, the story of pride and hospitality of Nepal’s endangered Aathpahariya Indigenous community begins.

According to Nepal’s 2021 census, the Aathpahariya population is 5,878. Believed to have originated between the Arun and Tamor river valleys, the community operates the Syaule Sipting Aathpahariya Community Homestay in Ward 3 of Dhankuta Municipality. The homestay was initiated with the support of ICIMOD and the Community Homestay Network (CHN), while cultural promotion and capacity-building were supported by the Nepal Tourism Board and the UNDP Sustainable Tourism Livelihood Recovery Project (STLRP) in collaboration with Dhankuta Municipality.
Though small in number, the Aathpahariya community is rich in cultural heritage. Their homestay has now gained recognition as a model of local tourism.

Here, hospitality is not formal or commercial, but deeply cultural and warm. Guests are welcomed with red tika, garlands, and smiles, followed by a sip of honey-infused water symbolizing purity and connection to the land. Visitors are introduced to the community’s history, traditions, and cultural identity, and then begin a journey of shared experiences in farming, culture, and nature.
The orange orchards are one of the first attractions for guests. Visitors talk with farmers, learn about orange farming, honey production, and local seed conservation, gaining insight into everyday life. According to Homestay Chairperson Hirabahadur Rai, the homestay welcomed 72 guests last year (24 international, the rest domestic), and the number has now increased to 82. With capacity for 17 guests, Syaule Sipting has become a model of cultural tourism. Every evening, traditional cultural dances are performed to preserve heritage and engage the youth.
Another highlight is the Saat Tale (Seven-Level) Waterfall and nearby cave. A 15-minute drive and an hour and a half walk from the homestay leads to this scenic waterfall. A foot trail built under STLRP has helped make the area more accessible and placed the region on the tourism map.

The Aathpahariya are one of Nepal’s endangered Indigenous groups with their own language, songs, dances, and customs. Modernization has raised concerns about cultural loss. “We learned from our ancestors, but the younger generation is moving away. To keep our culture alive, we conduct evening cultural programs,” said Rai. Tourism here is not just livelihood, but a means of cultural preservation. Guests experience a lifestyle rooted in land, shared labor, and community bonds.
Local youth are actively involved in guest hospitality and guiding. However, the community is requesting government support to improve road access to the homestay. After a site visit, STLRP Officer Khagendra Khadka said,
“Syaule Sipting Community Homestay is redefining cultural tourism in Nepal. When traditional drums beat and the Aathpahariya dance together with guests, culture, nature, and warmth come alive in one shared moment. This strengthens both the local economy and cultural preservation.”
Watching the Aathpahariya community sustain heritage through love, labor, and hospitality, one understands that Nepal is not just a place to see — it is a place to feel.

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