Recently, the number of people seeking a quieter environment than the hustle and bustle of the city has increased dramatically. The resorts and homestays in Tansen and the surrounding areas of Palpa, which are close to the Terai, have become more crowded with the onset of summer.

Recently, after the government granted Saturday and Sunday as holidays, more domestic tourists have been visiting resorts and homestays in search of a quieter environment for two days. The art, culture, local cuisine, and the pleasant atmosphere of the mountains have also been attracting people.

The operators say that even Indian tourists have recently chosen resorts in rural areas with a quieter environment.

‘I came looking for a nearby destination after getting bored with my daily work in the scorching summer,’ said Kamlesh Yadav of Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, who was met at Sittal Farm Resort, Tansen-1, Dhrubghat, ‘It is a great pleasure to come to the mountains and get cool air.’

He, who came with his family, said that it was nice to stay in a quiet environment a little away from the hustle and bustle of the city. He also said that many people do not know that such cool air can be found just 60 kilometers from Bhairahawa. Many people do not know this and have not come to the resorts and ‘homestays’ in the mountains. Not everyone has access to the internet, and even if they do, they do not know.

The number of Indian tourists in Palpa has also increased significantly in the last two to three years. Domestic tourists from Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and Nawalparasi also come to stay in the resorts and ‘homestays’ in the villages of Palpa.

‘It is a special pleasure for those who live in the heat and crowds to come to their villages,’ said Tara Poudel, who came from Kapilvastu to Ranibas Community Homestay, Rambha Rural Municipality-2, Phoksingkot, ‘The art, culture and local taste also attract everyone.’ Stating that she came in a group of 35 people, she said that everyone was happy.

There are more than a hundred hotels and restaurants in Palpa. Only 15 are affiliated with the Palpa Hotel Association of Nepal. But almost all hotels are not crowded with domestic and Indian tourists. Nevertheless, the hotels only receive guests who do not stay at the village resorts and ‘homestays’. ‘People who travel also have different preferences,’ said Laxman Basyal, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Business Association, Palpa. ‘Some say resort in the village and some say homestay, but for those who cannot go far, the hill station Tansen is also very enjoyable.’

He has the experience of considering Tansen as a rural area despite being a city located on a hill. Among the tourist places worth visiting, Tansen in Palpa and nearby villages are visited. It has been found that those who go out to travel first look for homestays and only then for hotels. In recent times, hotels in Tansen market as well as resorts operating nearby are now full. ‘Ours is mostly full of Nepalis,’ says Ramesh Karki, proprietor of Sittal Farm in Dhruvghat, Tansen-1, ‘20 percent are Indians, the rest come from Butwal and Bhairahawa.’ His resort is located 4 kilometers from Tansen Bazaar in a rural settlement.

He shared his experience of not being able to accommodate more than 50 people on holidays than on other days during the summer. ‘Even though it is close to the Terai, they really like it,’ he said, ‘After seeing the peaceful environment and open space, one tells another, and the number of people coming has also increased.’ Karki said that guests come on the basis of ‘one to another’ rather than on our website. He said that his resort can accommodate up to 110 people if they come in a group. He said that he only accommodates 60 people for family outings.

The Sirjana Farm Resort in Ribdikot Rural Municipality-3, Khasyauli also gets very crowded after the onset of summer. But here, the crowd increases during the holidays throughout the year due to research or sightseeing. Bishnu Adhikari, the manager of the farm resort, said that Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are the most crowded. According to him, even though there are 14 cottages with rooms, they are booked for two-three days a week. Nepalese citizens come on Fridays and Saturdays and Indians on Sundays. Here, the peaceful environment and the old house have been converted into modern rooms. There is a capacity to accommodate at least 40 people. Since Indians like it, they book 50 percent. 'Many people come after one person informs another,' he said, 'This causes more crowding.' Even though it is 13 kilometers away from the district headquarters, they try to reach there.

The Sirjana Farm located in Hirapokhara of Ribdikot Rural Municipality-3, Khasyauli is a favorite of both domestic and foreign tourists. Adhikari said that it is the first choice because it offers food and accommodation in a village-style environment. Just like in hill villages, you can enjoy food cooked on firewood and even do household chores. The manager Adhikari said that it is very surprising to see people carrying a cart on the hillside to cut grass, grind wheat in a mill, weed vegetables and many other farming tasks. ‘There is collective investment from the younger generation,’ he said, ‘It seems that the farm, which was run by friends and brothers in Raharairahar, has now become everyone’s favorite.’

The Sirjana Farm, which was started in 2068 BS, still rears goats and cultivates vegetables. Artificial insemination of Boer goats was introduced from here. From organic vegetables, seasonal fruits to chicken, goat meat, and cow and buffalo milk, dishes made from organic vegetables and seasonal fruits are served to the guests. He said that those who want to enjoy village life come to stay for a long time. Domestic tourists who are tired of work come to the farm.

There is a rush of people reaching the village house (Eco Farm House) located in Deurali, Tinau Rural Municipality-6, three kilometers from Dumre, from the Siddhartha Highway. According to its operator, Samundra Ghimire Chhetri of Butwal Sub-metropolitan City-8, more than 30 guests have had to be turned away daily in recent times. ‘We should turn away more during the holidays,’ he said, ‘Our capacity has become small, but many people have come to like us.’ The eco-friendly house was initially built with an investment of Rs. 5 million. The wooden house is spread over an area of ​​17 ropanis. Wooden utensils and old equipment are kept in the house.

He said that since the village environment has been prepared, those who come once will come again, saying that it is an environment that makes them happy. Coffee, lemon and vegetables have been planted in the orchard. It has become a choice for many because it is environmentally friendly. Namaste design accommodation reflecting Nepali hospitality has been made for accommodation. The package includes a separate room with food and snacks for 3,500 rupees. Apart from the package, dishes are prepared according to the menu for the taste of the village. Since millet, phapar, sisno, local chicken, duck, local potatoes, green vegetables, curd, mahi, milk, fish, etc. are available, there is no shortage of guests as they tell each other.

Every stone and every piece of wood here seems to have some message written on it. The stones have messages like 'Say No to Drugs', 'Nature for Peace', 'How long have you been living in Europe and the Gulf, let's explore opportunities in our own country's fields and gardens' written on them. Jangi Adda Resort, 9 kilometers away from Tansen Bazaar, is also a favorite of not only the youth of Butwal and Bhairahawa, but also Indian tourists. Jangi Adda, located about one and a half kilometers from the Tansen-Tamghas road, has 17 rooms. Its operator, Bikash Poudel, said that due to the large number of guests and tents are also arranged according to preference.

According to him, there are times when guests cannot be accommodated on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. People come here to escape the heat of the Terai and the noise of the city market. Nepalis and Indians come to this resort, which has an investment of about 30 million rupees, repeatedly. ‘Those who love us will tell their friends,’ he said, ‘More often than not, friends come by giving us a location.’ This has also been good for us.’ He said that in recent times, the culture of visiting resorts opened in the village and staying in a peaceful environment seems to have increased. Initially, it was the choice of the youth, but recently, rooms and food that are suitable for everyone have been provided.

Not only the village resorts, people also visit nearby homestays for their unique culture, local produce food, cleanliness and original scenery. Advance bookings have started for 15 days at the homestays in Rambha Rural Municipality-2, Foxingkot’s Ranibas and Purbakhola Rural Municipality-2, Jalpa. Although there are homestays in Palpa in Baughagumha and Chapgaun of Tansen Municipality, Jantilung of Tinau, Oles of Mathagadhi and Khandar of Nisdi. But domestic tourists have increasingly preferred Ranibas and Dholimara homestays. Tourists who come once have said that the food, cleanliness and original culture are good.

Homestay operator Chitra Bahadur Kanwar said that those who have reached Dholimara in Jalpa for the first time enjoy the nature and culture. He said that they get lost in the natural scenery from Chulidanda, which is a 15-minute walk uphill from the village. ‘Dholimara village and Chulidanda are truly amazing places,’ said Jeevan Adhikari, who came from Tilottama Municipality-13 in Rupandehi. ‘It was very enjoyable because the mountains and hills can be seen from everywhere.’

He said that not only the mountains, but also a long part of the Terai and the Himalayas can be seen in the lower part. Homestay operator Pahal Singh Gharti said that Chulidanda in Dholimara has been made a tourist spot to showcase its natural beauty. They have now made the hill covered with forest and covered it with Amriso and Tejpat by making it a Kabuliyati forest. There is a large mountain to the east. Ward Chairman Neer Bahadur Saru said that in the west, you can see Tansen and Dolpa. Those who reach the homestay here enjoy the natural scenery when they reach Chulidanda. ‘Homestays have become attractive in recent times,’ he said, ‘Although they have a capacity of 50 people, I have found that they manage more than a hundred.’

Wild animals such as deer, antelope, and ghoral can be seen up close. There are two naturally formed caves in Dholimara and Sakine in Jalpa. There is a flat area inside that can accommodate more than 50 people. People who come to the homestay are told that they can see the cave. The number of people visiting Dholimara, located 40 kilometers east of Tansen, has increased. The occupancy rate at the Ranibas Community Homestay in Rambha Rural Municipality-2, Foxingkot has been 100 percent since a week ago.

Locals are surprised that the homestay has started to receive a rush of tourists in a short time after its operation. Homestay operator Bhovisara Saru said that the local culture, including local millet bread and dhindo, soybeans, corn bread, local chicken meat dishes, Jhamre, Salaijo, Maruni dance, etc., as well as the respect and dignity and natural beauty attract tourists.

According to him, the natural beauty and the climate here have won everyone's hearts. The daily life of the locals has changed after tourists started coming throughout the year. ‘We have to be busy with welcoming and entertaining guests, managing and cleaning the rooms, picking and decorating flower garlands,’ said local homestay operator Deukumari Saru. ‘The homestay also has a package of Rs 1,000 for evening meal, meat-based meal, sleeping and breakfast, which has increased its appeal.’