RARE India, which is emerging as the biggest community of boutique, experiential, community inclusive, planet sensitive and owner-run hotels and hospitality concepts in the subcontinent, has announced two new partners in Nepal – Nepali Ghar Hotel in Kathmandu and Sanctuary Resort in Chitwan. 

The 25-year-old award-winning Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge has been a member of the RARE Community for a number of years. With the addition of these two hotels, RARE India now represents three conscious and experiential properties in Nepal committed to offering transformative travel experiences that emphasise the positive impacts of tourism. These new members of the Community reinforce RARE India’s dedication towards responsible tourism, best practices, and authentic travel experiences in the subcontinent.

Shoba Rudra, the Founder of RARE India, said: “With the addition of Sanctuary Resort and Nepali Ghar Hotel, we continue to expand our journey in creating authentic experiences in Nepal. Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge exemplifies RARE’s ethos of sustainable, community-focused luxury, and these new members are a testament to our ongoing commitment.”

Nepali Ghar Hotel, a 61-room hotel nestled in Kathmandu’s vibrant Thamel area, elegantly combines traditional Nepalese architecture with contemporary comforts. The highlight of this property is Seto Ghar, an interestingly renovated 200-year-old building that was once the royal residence of Nepalese Brigadier Colonel Pahalman Singh Basnyat. Originally erected during the Rana regime, a dedicated team ensured its careful restoration, employing local materials and skilled artisans to preserve the period’s aesthetics.

30% of the land at Nepali Ghar Hotel has been left untouched so that groundwater can be recharged. The staff are local, and they are regularly trained and upskilled. Solar energy is used at the hotel, along with energy-efficient lighting.

Sujan Tandukar, Operations Manager at Nepali Ghar Hotel, expresses gratitude for the partnership with RARE India, highlighting the transformative impact on the travel community. He said: “This collaboration with RARE has enabled us to reach a broader market and has significantly contributed to promoting Nepal as a desirable travel destination.”

“Nepali Ghar stands as a sanctuary in the heart of Kathmandu, proudly embodying two distinct schools of Nepali architecture. The courtyards within offer a tranquil oasis, providing respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. We are committed to delivering modern, first-class facilities, accompanied by our dedicated staff who embody the essence of genuine Nepali hospitality.” he added.

Sanctuary Resort, spread across 6 acres of land on the edge of Chitwan National Park in Amaltari, offers a tranquil escape along the banks of the Narayani River. Designed around the centuries-old lives of the Tharu people, who have called this region home since the 10th century, the Resort, which has 27 rooms, provides an authentic destination experience inspired by the Tharu architecture and landscape. It seamlessly integrates with the local community by employing staff from the local community, using traditional craftsmanship, locally sourced materials, and handcrafted designs.

Sanctuary Resort guests can engage in various jungle activities, including safaris, canoeing, and jungle walks. Elephant rides are not offered by the resort, owing to ethical beliefs regarding the treatment of trained elephants.

Vijay Nanmaran S, Hospitality Advisor at Sanctuary Resort, values RARE India’s role in promoting authentic experiences and conscious, sustainable luxury. He said: “While Sanctuary envisioned “sustainable luxury” as its mission, we were obliged to live it consciously in every step we forwarded, from creating the overall guest experience to choosing our partners who could help us to achieve it. Primarily, our search was for a partner who could promote authentic Sanctuary experiences in the Indian subcontinent, and we found RARE was among the first movers who promoted destinations through experiences and asserted the need for conscious travel and sustainable luxury. We are happy and optimistic that our relationship with RARE will enhance our presence in the Indian subcontinent by communicating our stories of adventurous safaris, exciting river cruises, sustainable luxury initiatives, conservation policies, and the support we offer to the indigenous Tharu community.”