Ramkot Homestay Sees Surge in Tourist Arrivals

Bandipur. Tourists coming to Bandipur in Tanahun are increasingly attracted to the nearby tourist village of Ramkot. In recent times, the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists at the community homestay in Ramkot, located about eight kilometers west of Bandipur bazaar, has increased significantly.

Although homestays have been in operation in Ramkot, which has a dense Magar community and traditional stone-roofed houses, since 2075 BS, tourist activity was low in the initial years due to lack of adequate publicity and infrastructure.

In the last year, domestic and foreign tourists have started coming in significant numbers. Currently, 15 to 20 tourists come daily, and more on holidays. Foreign tourists visiting Bandipur are also starting to go to Ramkot. Tourists are being attracted by Ramkot's traditional houses, Magar art-culture, and organic dishes.

“Earlier, very few tourists used to come. Now, many tourists have started coming. Tourists coming to Bandipur come saying, ‘Let's visit Ramkot once’,” said Nirkaji Ale, chairman of Ramkot Community Homestay. “Ramkot is developing as a second destination after Bandipur. Publicity has also increased. We are happy, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”

Recently, the operation of 'Village Safari' service from Bandipur to Ramkot has made it easier for tourists to reach. Village Safari operator Basanta Poudel said that tourists coming to Bandipur are becoming eager to go to Ramkot.

Out of 95 houses in Ramkot, 48 are affiliated with the homestay group. Among them, homestays are operational in only 15 houses. Currently, up to 30 tourists can be accommodated per night. The fee for one night's stay and food is Rs 1,200 per person, and an additional Rs 3,000 is charged for cultural performances.

With the increase in the number of domestic and foreign tourists in recent years, employment opportunities in the village have also expanded. Women, who were previously busy with grass and firewood collection, now welcome tourists dressed in Magar attire, saying 'Jhorle' in a line. There is a tradition of welcoming guests with white flattened rice, flower garlands, and 'Sagun' in steel glasses.

The Jhyauare, Kaura, and Chutka songs that echo in the village in the evening, due to collective unity and local culture, particularly attract tourists. In the evening, local organic dishes, millet and buckwheat dhido, gundruk pickle, and local chicken meat are served to guests. Local women are active in cooking, while men assist.

Tourists are provided meals in one house and accommodation in separate houses. In the morning, they have breakfast including kodo roti, vegetables, pickle, and tea at the house where they stayed. Upon departure, each tourist is bid farewell with white flattened rice and a flower garland.

Ramkot, located at an altitude of about one thousand meters above sea level, is considered a living museum of Magar culture. Tourists who want to experience a peaceful environment and traditional village life visit here. Ramkot is becoming a tourist choice because panoramic views of the mountain range can be seen from here.

The stone-paved alleys of Ramkot are clean and attractive. The neatly arranged piles of corn, firewood stacks, and stones laid in the courtyards further enhance the beauty of the village. Since the operation of homestays, locals have started earning additional income through poultry, goat, and pig farming, vegetable cultivation, and local liquor production. Local women say this has made it easier to meet small financial needs. The habit of saving has also developed among women with the operation of homestays. Locals are happy that the homestay, established with the aim of preserving Magar culture and increasing local income, is becoming successful.

Ale, chairman of Ramkot Community Homestay, says that with the increase in tourist arrivals, young people are starting to see potential in the village. According to him, the goal is to prepare infrastructure to accommodate 200 tourists in a single night by 2083 BS. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on conserving and reviving the disappearing Thado Bhaka and Maruni dance by engaging youth in the village.

Surendra Bahadur Thapa, chairman of Bandipur Rural Municipality, said that the municipality is coordinating and moving forward with the work of paving the alleys of Ramkot with stones and other infrastructure development. He informed that preparations are underway to create a 'Homestay Circuit' by connecting homestays within Bandipur and Vyas Municipality to bring tourists for a night's stay in Ramkot.

Ramkot is located 5.5 kilometers from Bandipur via Muchuk, eight kilometers via Seratar, and seven kilometers from Chirkine on the Prithvi Highway.