This is the startup journey of Biraj Khadka’s Methang Permaculture Farm — an inspiring story for anyone building their own venture in Nepal.
Why He Left Australia to Start a Homestay in Nepal
Leaving a stable life in Australia was not easy for Mr. Biraj Khadka. He had a steady job, and his wife worked as a registered nurse. Together, they had built a comfortable future. On weekends, Biraj worked as an MC and event host. This was a skill he developed during his time as a VJ on Call Kantipur, a popular live TV show in Nepal. Still, something was missing.
In 2020, they visited Nepal for a family vacation. They traveled to Janakpur and Kalinchowk, spending time with relatives. During the trip, Biraj’s father reminded them of their ancestral village, Khopachangu. They decided to visit it. The beauty of the village and the connection to their roots made Biraj and his wife rethink their future. They felt a strong pull to return home.
How a Returnee Built a Thriving Homestay Business in Nepal
What was meant to be a short visit turned into a life-changing stay. After reaching Khopachangu, Biraj and his wife were captivated by the calm and natural beauty. Their parents went back to Kathmandu, but they stayed longer. Then COVID-19 hit. They chose not to return to Australia. Instead, they used the time to start their dream project—Methang Permaculture Farm and Homestay.
Biraj used his global experience and media skills to create a homestay that shows Nepal’s rural charm. He wanted to offer visitors real Nepali hospitality and support local communities. The farm became a space where travelers could enjoy nature and culture. For Biraj and his wife, it was more than a business. It was a way to live a meaningful life connected to their heritage.
Discovering the Potential of Homestays in Nepal’s Tourism Revival
Mr. Khadka and his wife Rikma noticed a clear shift in Nepal’s tourism landscape when they were in a mission to establish their own organic and cultural firm. Travelers were no longer looking for luxury hotels, but for authentic cultural experiences that connected them to real Nepalese life.
Homestays had become a cornerstone of Nepal’s tourism revival, offering immersive stays in villages where guests could eat local food, participate in traditions, and build genuine relationships with host families. He saw a chance to preserve our heritage, empower rural communities, and promote sustainable tourism.
Homestays weren’t just accommodations but they were experiences, and he knew this model could thrive with the right vision and execution.
Challenges Faced as an Australia Returnee Entrepreneur
Starting a business in Nepal came with its fair share of challenges and opportunities for them after living abroad. As an Australia returnee entrepreneur, the couple quickly realized that the systems they had been used to efficient services, streamlined processes, and reliable infrastructure which is always lacking in Nepal.
But they were here to accept the challenge and fulfil their dream. They have faced various obstacles while registering the homestay and to establish basic amenities like consistent electricity and internet in a rural village. Additionally, there was skepticism from some locals who doubted whether foreign tourists would truly be interested in staying in a village setting.
However, their international experience and support from their friend’s circle gave them the resilience and problem-solving mindset needed to adapt, overcome these obstacles, and build something meaningful from the ground up.
By the way, for anyone planning to return to Nepal and start a business, the journey may have similar challenges. Estartup Nepal is here to help with startup registration and support, making the process easier for new entrepreneurs building their dreams at home.
Building a Homestay from Scratch: Their Step-by-Step Story
The couple’s dream of spending their life in village of Nepal after retirement came early in the form of Methang Permaculture Farm which tested their persistence, passion, and purpose during the entire journey. They are so lucky that grandparents had left them the ideal village for their dream with natural beauty and reach in culture.
Once they found the right location, they focused on renovating their traditional Nepali home, carefully preserving its cultural charm while integrating modern facilities like clean bathrooms, solar power, and internet access. Since they had zero experience of village, it wasn’t easy to manage local logistics but they win the community trust in no time.
Each challenge became a stepping stone in the success story. The personal dream has now grown into a thriving homestay that welcomes travelers from all over the world.
Renovating a Traditional Home: Blending Nepali Culture with Modern Comforts
They don’t leave any stones unturned to create an authentic Nepali homestay experience. It is not just offering a place to sleep but about preserving the soul of a traditional home while making it comfortable for modern travelers. They retained the original mud walls, carved wooden windows, and open courtyard to reflect the essence of rural Nepali architecture.
At the same time, they introduced essential upgrades like clean bathrooms, electricity, and Wi-Fi to meet international expectations. As part of the experience, they also set up their own organic agriculture in the backyard—growing seasonal vegetables and grains without chemicals.
This farm provides fresh, healthy meals for the guests along with showcasing Nepal’s farm-to-table lifestyle in the most genuine way. The result is a space where tradition meets comfort, and guests truly feel connected to the land and its people.
Marketing The Homestay: How They Attracted Guests
The couple focused on mouth publicity from friends and family circle to attract guests to the homestay in Nepal. They have got good positive reviews and words of appreciation in social media platforms where stories are shared.
They like to list their homestay on popular travel platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Homestay.com in future. They want to develop their homestay as a brand where they put all the efforts, knowledge and personal recognition of their life. Additionally, they encouraged satisfied guests to leave positive reviews, which played a huge role in drawing new guests.
By consistently promoting the homestay in Nepal online, they are able to connect with a global audience and turn the small local home into a thriving hospitality business.
Financial Freedom & Community Impact: Empowering Local Families
Homestay not only brought financial freedom to their own family but also created opportunities for others in my village. Those who are looking to get settled in cities or abroad for stable life are getting some hopes in the local place. By offering authentic cultural experiences, they are attracting a steady flow of guests, which generated a sustainable income the people of our local place.
Local farmers began supplying fresh produce, artisan’s handmade crafts, and neighbors helped with cooking and guiding tours—turning tourism into a shared livelihood. It empowered families who previously relied on seasonal or low-paying work, giving them a stable source of income year-round.
Lessons Learned: Advice for Nepali Returnees Wanting to Start a Startups
Starting a startup in Nepal as a returnee from Australia taught Mr. Khadka that local context matters just as much as global experience. While skills and ideas gained abroad are valuable, success here depends on understanding the market, building local networks, and being patient with every processes. One of the key tips for fellow startup owners is to start small, test your idea locally, and collaborate with communities instead of just importing foreign models. Nepal has unique challenges, but with the right mindset and adaptability, it's full of untapped opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth.
If you have started a startup in Nepal and want to get feature in our startup stories, you can reach out to our team.