Travel guide · Nepal
Barpak Village
A large Gorkha hill village, epicentre of the 2015 quake, rebuilt around community homestays.
Barpak is one of the largest and most storied hill villages in Gorkha district — a tightly packed settlement of stone houses on a high ridge at around 1,900 metres, home mainly to Gurung and Ghale communities. It is best known as the epicentre of the April 2015 earthquake, which flattened much of the village; today, rebuilt and resilient, Barpak welcomes travellers through a community homestay programme that helps revive its economy. A visit here combines living hill culture with a moving story of recovery.
A village that rebuilt itself
When the 7.8-magnitude quake struck in 2015, Barpak — directly above the epicentre — lost a large share of its homes. The reconstruction that followed has reshaped the village, and community tourism has become part of how Barpak gets back on its feet. Staying in a family home here supports that recovery directly, in keeping with the spirit of responsible travel in Nepal and the wider community homestay villages of Nepal.
Culture and heritage
Barpak has a proud martial tradition and is remembered as the home village of Captain Gaje Ghale, a Gurkha soldier awarded the Victoria Cross. Its Gurung and Ghale culture shows in the food, festivals and dances you may share as a homestay guest. Rooms are simple and clean, meals are home-cooked dal bhat and seasonal produce, and evenings can bring traditional song and dance performed by the community.
Things to do around Barpak
The village sits amid terraced hillsides with views toward the Buddha Himal, Sringi Himal and Ganesh Himal ranges on clear days. Short walks lead to viewpoints, neighbouring hamlets and pine forest, and Barpak is also a trailhead for routes toward the Rupina La and the upper Gorkha valleys. Pair a stay with a visit to the historic Gorkha Durbar, the hilltop palace where modern Nepal was founded, lower down in the same district.
Getting there and planning
Barpak is reached by a long jeep road north of Gorkha Bazaar, the district headquarters; the drive is rough and best taken slowly. Arrange your stay through the village homestay committee or a local operator, and bring cash and warm clothing for the ridge-top chill. For more high-village hospitality, combine Barpak with Ghale Gaun in neighbouring Lamjung or the Tamang village of Briddim near Langtang.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Barpak?+
Barpak is a large village in the northern hills of Gorkha district in central Nepal, set on a high ridge at around 1,900 metres. It is reached by a long jeep road north of Gorkha Bazaar, the district headquarters.
Why is Barpak historically significant?+
Barpak was the epicentre of the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake of April 2015, which destroyed much of the village. It is also remembered as the home village of Captain Gaje Ghale, a Victoria Cross recipient. The village has since been rebuilt, partly around community tourism.
Can you do a homestay in Barpak?+
Yes. Barpak runs a community homestay programme through which travellers stay with local families in rebuilt homes, sharing meals and culture. It is part of efforts to revive the local economy and welcome visitors back to the area after the earthquake.
Who lives in Barpak?+
Barpak is a mixed hill village home mainly to Gurung and Ghale communities, with a strong tradition of military service. Its culture, dances and food reflect this Gurung and Ghale heritage.
