What we say

When the pioneers of Dhulikhel accommodation finally had enough of watching their beloved destination succumb to over tourism and unscrupulous hoteliers, they didn’t just walk away – they walked uphill. Quite literally.

Arun Shrestha, son of Vishnu Shrestha who introduced the resort concept to Nepal, has created something extraordinary at Prakriti Organic Farm and Stay. This is a labour of love from one of Nepal’s true sustainability pioneers.

Perched at 2,000 meters within Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Prakriti feels like a secret that’s almost too good to share. You can walk here from Kathmandu – a spectacular 12-kilometer hike through waterfalls and fern-lined trails – or arrive by 4WD.

I arrived just days before their Travelife Gold Certification audit – all 143 sustainability criteria. Preparations were in full swing, well, I say full swing, there’s no shortcut to passing that audit. But having been shown around the farm, kitchen, wastewater harvesting, waste management (I mean there’s virtually zero waste), I was convinced, even if they were panicking, that they’d absolutely smash it! And they did.

Activities include cooking classes using organic ingredients, guided jungle safaris, hiking to serene Dhaap Lake, visits to Everest Tea Gardens, and wildlife spotting. Trails range from gentle 6-kilometer walks to challenging 34-kilometer adventures.

Budget to deluxe accommodation options feature Nepal-made furniture, traditional sukul carpets, and windows framing spectacular farm fields against tea gardens and hills. On clear days, the Himalayan views are breathtaking.

This is what happens when someone who understands tourism’s power chooses regeneration over exploitation.

Our three words:

Regenerative. Authentic. Visionary

Philippa…