Discover Sikkim by Staying in Sikkim Homestays

Sikkim homestays offer an excellent opportunity to observe and understand the life style and customs of local communities and provide an unique opportunity to stay with the local people in their homes.

Travellers can witness the everyday life of local communities at close quarters by participating in the day-to-day activities of the host family. Besides, they indicate a spirit of entrepreneurship amongst local communities, ushering a new and sustainable channel for economic benefits. Here are some villages that offer the best homestays of state- Sikkim

Best Homestays in Sikkim

·       Hee-Bermiok

·       Lingee-Payong

·       Darap

·       Dzongu

 

1.  Hee-Bermiok

Bounded by Kalez Khola in the North, Hee Khola in the West, Rangit Khola in the East and Samdong reserve forest in the South, Hee-Bermiok constituency in West Sikkim has a beautiful setting.

The village has a strong Limboo community and one can experience the Limboo culture in all its glory. Sirijonga Yuma Samyo Mangheem, the Limboo temple is the only one in Sikkim. The Chettri family home stay is located in the beautiful village of Martam at Hee Bermiok. It is a heritage house built in 1970 using a mixture of stone, wood and bamboo. Three generations of the Chettri family live under its roof making it extremely interesting to interact with the friendly family members. For generations the family has cultivated the land around the house, growing tomatoes, peas, beans, radish, and chilly peppers. Most of the food is cooked by making use of produce grown in their own garden.

Access
Hee-Bermiok can be reached either from Pelling or Jorthang. It is 140 kms from Silliguri via Jorthang and Soreng route. From Gantok one can take either of the two routes

·       Gangtok → Singtam → Rangpo → Jorthang → Hee-Bermiok or

·       Gangtok → Singtam → Ravangla → Pelling → Hee-Bermiok.

Activities
Participate in the daily activities of the family, like:

·       Working in the fields

·       Understand Limboo culture

·       Take short walks around the village or to other neighboring villages

·       Undertake short treks to Barsey or Uttarey

 

2.  Lingee-Payong

For those who want to tread off the beaten path to experience the true flavours of a rural Sikkimese village, would find the twin villages of Lingee and Payong a perfect hideout. Tucked away in a remote corner of Sikkim at the base of Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, it is pretty much cut out from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The twin villages consist of a heterogeneous mix of Nepali communities like Chettri, Rai & Gurung, peppered with a few Lepchas. This gives one an opportunity to absorb the different cultures of Sikkim. Agriculture being the mainstay of the village, gives you an opportunity to work in the fields with your hosts.

Currently both the villages offer seven homestays with basic facilities. But the simplicity of their home is more than compensated by the genuine warmth and hospitality of its owners.

Access
Lingee Payong is an hours drive from Singtam, on the North Sikkim highway. One can get shared jeeps for this village from the Singtam taxi stand.

Activities
Join the family in farm related activities like

·       Harvesting, tilling, milking a cow

·       Learn to cook local delicacies

·       Short day treks in the surrounding areas

·       Bird Watching and Butterfly observation

 

3.  Darap

Darap is a very culturally diverse village with Limboo, Bhutia, Gurung and Rai residing next to each other. Gently sloped terraced fields with panoramic views of snow capped mountains welcome you to the village. It is an ideal base for those who want to explore Pelling sans the hustle bustle of the hotels.

Experience the warm hospitality of Shiva Gurung’s family as they make you feel at home. Enjoy Mrs. Radha’s delicious food and play with their kids. For those who like to explore, there are some nice one-day treks from the village.

Access
Darap is 8kms from Pelling on the Yuksam – Khecheperi road.

Activities

·       Understand the village life by taking a walk through the village

·       Short day treks in the surrounding mountains

·       Day excursion to Pelling and Khecheopalri lake

 

4.  Dzongu

Cascading waterfalls, verdant valleys with glacial streams truly make Dzongu the Hidden Paradise or ‘Mayal Lyang’ as the Lepchas say. An almost virgin territory with a scanty population, it is a beautiful land of dense jungle groves and pristine glacial streams that nurture both the human and natural habitation around. The area is remote and surrounded by formidable jagged peaks that reach out to the sky. Sparsely populated, the areas steep hills pitching into deep ravines portray a picturesque setting of solitude and calm.

This region has been the homeland of the Lepchas since ages, with many legends and stories associated to it. Staying with a Lepcha family either in the village of Thingvong or Pasingdang is a unique opportunity to experience the lifestyle of this peace loving community. The tranquility and beauty of the place will completely absorb you.

Access
A two hour drive from Gantok gets one to Mangan, the district headquarters of the North and the entry point for Dzongu. From Mangan a further one hour drive through verdant forests accompanied by stunning views brings us to the quaint village of Tingvong.

Activities

·       Relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding mountains

·       Short walks through cardamom fields

·       Trek to Thoulung gompa

·       Cultural show

·       Interact with the villagers to understand the Lepcha culture

Taste the perfect flavor of delicacies, Talk to the real people, laugh with the farmers and dance with Sikkimie children. Feel the real fragrance of fresh air, stay at a home stay here in Sikkim.