Okhrey Sherpa village homestays, Okhrey

Name: Okhrey Sherpa village homestays
Address: Okhrey

Short answer

Homestays run by Sherpa families in Okhrey, a village of about 2,300 m below Hilley, the road gateway to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Wood-lined rooms, Sherpa and Nepali home food and a Nyingma monastery up the hill make it the best budget base for Barsey.

Okhrey is a mainly Sherpa village, and over the last two decades many families have opened rooms to travellers heading for the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Houses are typically two or three storeys, with wood-panelled rooms that stay warm, attached bathrooms in most newer rooms and meals in the family kitchen: rice, dal, vegetables from the garden, eggs and, on request, Sherpa dishes such as thenthuk or potato-based meals. Ugen Thondroling Monastery, built in 1950 and following the Nyingma school, sits above the village.

Hilley, where the 4–4.5 km trail to Barsey begins, is about 8 km up the road, so most guests take a car at dawn, walk to the ridge and come back for a late lunch. Rooms fill in late March to May when the rhododendrons bloom, so book early for those weeks. October to December brings clearer views of the range and fewer people.

Why we book it

What it does well

The closest village base to the Hilley–Barsey trail
Sherpa family homes with a 1950 Nyingma monastery up the hill
Budget prices that include dinner and breakfast

Questions travellers ask

Questions about Okhrey Sherpa village homestays

Why stay in Okhrey instead of Hilley?

Okhrey has many more homestays, more food choice, a village to walk around and a monastery, while Hilley is little more than a checkpost and a few houses. Okhrey is also lower, at about 2,300 m against 2,750 m at Hilley, so nights are a little milder. The drive up to the Hilley trailhead is only about 8 km, 30–40 minutes.

When are Okhrey homestays fully booked?

Late March to early May, when rhododendrons bloom in the Barsey sanctuary, is the busiest period, and spring weekends sell out first. Book four to eight weeks ahead for that season. October to December is quieter and better for mountain views. From June to September most travellers stay away because of rain and leeches on the trail.

How cold is Okhrey in winter?

From December to February, night temperatures can fall to around 0–4 °C and frost is common; snow falls on the higher Barsey ridge in some winters. Homestays give thick quilts but rarely have heaters, so bring thermals, a warm hat and socks. Days are usually clear and sunny, which makes winter good for views if you dress for it.

Packages

Trips that use this stay

Every package

Budget Top3,000M

Okhrey, Hilley and Barsey rhododendron walk

3 nights, 4 daysBalanced

Okhrey · Hilley · Okhrey

From, per person₹9,000

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Okhrey Sherpa village homestays