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Aussie travel agents have until 30 October to apply for a 12-day trip through Nepal, where the best welcome comes from the people who live there.

Nepal has faced a grim few months. Floods have hit homes, roads and local trade. Now one travel group wants to show Australian agents why the nation still has so much to offer.

Community Homestay Network (CHN) says places are still open on its Upper Mustang: A Trans-Himalayan Community Experience fam trip, set for 5–16 December 2026. It wants agents who sell small-group trips, local stays and rich cultural tours.

The group says agents must apply by 30 October. Places are few. CHN will cover ground arrangements, but agents must pay for their flights. Those chosen should check what is and isn’t covered before they book.

Nepal with a human face

Forget the well-worn Everest pitch for a moment. Upper Mustang sits north of the Annapurna range. Here, green hills give way to red cliffs, deep gorges and old villages near the Tibetan border.

The main draw is Lo Manthang, the walled town that once ruled the Kingdom of Lo. Old temples, quiet lanes, and a way of life shaped by trade and faith define it. The region is also home to the Bon faith, with deep roots.

The trip starts in Kathmandu with a welcome meal and a walk near Boudha Stupa. Then it heads west towards Pokhara. From there, the route climbs into Mustang by four-wheel drive. Stops include Narchyang, Kagbeni, Ghami and Lo Manthang.

Agents will meet local hosts, visit the Chhoser sky caves and learn about village life. The return route runs through the Kali Gandaki Valley, with stays near Hemjakot and time by Pokhara’s lake.

Yoga and sound-healing sessions are also part of the plan. With views like these, the real challenge may be putting the phone down long enough to enjoy them.

More than another pretty mountain

For CHN founder Shiva Dhakal, this is as much about the people as the place.

“Travelling with Community Homestay Network means seeing a different side of Nepal, in a way that supports and empowers local people in lesser-known parts of the country.”

That gives agents more to sell than a list of sights. Guests can eat with families, sleep in local homes and hear stories from their hosts. CHN says the aim is to help tourism income reach people beyond the main visitor hubs.

The group has also launched eight set-route trips for agents to sell. It says more than 100 multi-day departures are now bookable through December 2027. Its local team can help advisors with plans, rates, and on-the-ground advice.

For clients who want more than a quick photo and a fridge magnet, the pitch is clear: go further, stay longer and spend closer to home someone else’s home, that is.

The road back is not all smooth

This new push comes at a hard time for Nepal. Major floods struck in August. More rain in September hit the Beni–Jomsom road, the main land route to Mustang. Travel was cut off for more than two weeks.

The Kathmandu Post reported on 19 October that Mustang had logged 69,403 visitors from mid-July to mid-October, down from 118,685 a year before. Repairs had reopened the road, the report said, but trips had not yet returned to normal. That is a steep fall for a region where visitor cash helps keep small firms afloat.

There is also no room for loose claims that all roads and services are fine. Australia’s Smartraveller advice still urges a high degree of caution in Nepal. It warns of flood and landslide risks, with higher alert levels in some areas.

Then there is the season. December is cold in Upper Mustang. Snow and ice can make high roads hard to use. The Nepal Tourism Board warns against winter treks due to poor weather. This fam is a road-based tour, not a long trek, but agents still need clear plans for bad weather and route changes.

Upper Mustang is a restricted area, so special permits apply. Advisors should ask CHN to spell out permit costs, insurance needs, high-altitude care and backup travel plans. Good advice has always been part of the trade. It matters more than ever on a trip like this.

A place on the fam: how to apply

CHN says the closing date is Friday, 30 October 2026. The trip runs from 5 to 16 December, with ground arrangements covered and flights at the agent’s cost.

Agents can apply for the Upper Mustang fam trip or read the full route and trip outline.

For trade rates and sales help, email [email protected] or visit Community Homestay Network.

Nepal’s next chapter will be written by more than snow-capped peaks. People at guesthouse doors, guides on village trails, and families who welcome strangers to the table will shape it. The best way to tell their story is to go and hear it with care.