Sikkim Homestay Tour
Homestay in Sikkim serve as the main hub to start the day, allowing guests to experience the rich biodiversity of the region. Rural accommodations are mostly family-run, offering local food and simple stays. Visitors can participate in daily household activities, explore the village, observe birds and butterflies, and even take part in rituals and weddings. They can also join in local food preparation for the entire family.
The village provides a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. Homestay facilities can be found in Bhutia, Lepcha, Nepalese, and other houses. Village tourism offers an exclusive and extraordinary experience for most travellers. Tailored itineraries can be created for about 10 days, depending on the travellers' cultural interests and preferences. Different communities provide services in line with their cultures and customs.
Trip Highlights & Attractions
Homestay in Sikkim offers an unforgettable experience and a great way to explore local culture and make new friends. Homestay trekking is a new concept in Sikkim's tourism industry that is gaining popularity. It provides trekkers with more opportunities to experience the local culture and lifestyle and is more cost-effective compared to camping trekking. Guests in the Himalayan homestay program stay with village families and enjoy meals prepared by the families. Local villagers also serve as guides, allowing guests to experience village life up close. Additionally, cultural programs such as dances and singing are organized to showcase local traditions and cultures.
Note...
- Remember that you are staying with a family, so please behave as a courteous guest. Always travel with a guide.
- Vegetation is fragile: fellow designated trails.
- Avoid littering and depositing garbage at designated places.
- Keep all pollutants away from streams and lakes
- Respect local culture by asking before taking photographs.
- Dress modestly. Be aware of the customs, manners and culture of the local people.
- It is customary to leave a donation at monasteries and to circle shrines in a clockwise direction.
Please, Do not...
- disturb wildlife or its habitat.
- buy endangered species or antiques.
- give sweets and pens or money to children; it only encourages begging.
- smoke, drink alcohol or talk loudly near sacred places.
- pick plants or flowers.
Trip Facts
- Trip id: SKTU-02
- Trip type: Sikkim Tour
- Trip grade: Easy
- Starting from: Gangtok
- Ending at: Gangtok
- Trip duration: 15 Days
- Base price: $$$$
- Max. altitude:
- Accommodation: Hotel/Tea House
- Group size: 2-16 Person
Sikkim Homestay Tour — Itinerary
Cost Includes
- All Transportation – All sightseeing, including pick-ups and Drops
- All internal taxes
- All Sightseeing as per Itinerary
- Parking Charges/Driver's Allowance
- Deluxe Hotels with Breakfast at Gangtok & Lunch
- Breakfast and Dinner Included at Homestay.
- Exclusive Non-A/C vehicle for transfers & sightseeing.
- Please note: that the vehicle will not be at your disposal. It will be available as per itinerary only (point to point basis)
Cost Excludes
- Expenses of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone, alcohol, etc.
- Personal insurance, however, covers immediate medical facilities
- Additional sightseeing or extra vehicle usage other than what is mentioned in the itinerary.
- Extra expenses due to unforeseen circumstances such as landslides/strikes/accidents/natural calamities
- Ropeway, airfare ticket, internal flight, tips, etc.
The Himalayan Homestay in Sikkim
Homestay operators ensure that visitors are comfortable in every way. It's important to keep the following points in mind to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Homestay hosts are trained to provide food and drinking water in a hygienic and palatable manner. Drinking water is boiled, and special dietary requirements can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Guests will be served traditional village foods unless they request otherwise. All homestay operators have been trained to provide clean furnishings and bed linens and can provide extra blankets or other items upon request. Additionally, all homestay operators are trained to clean and maintain acceptable toilet facilities for guests, and toilet paper will be provided. While some homes have Western-style toilets, many do not, so it's important to communicate your needs and remain flexible, as villagers are eager to learn about your culture just as much as you are about theirs.
Dzongu
Dzongu is the homeland of the Lepchas, the original inhabitants of Sikkim, located about 70km north of Gangtok. This picturesque valley offers panoramic views of Mount Khanchendzonga and is home to rare flora and fauna. The Lepcha people practice animism and Buddhism, and the area is surrounded by remote valleys, forests, and alpine zones. Visitors can enjoy invigorating walks, bird watching, and exploring thundering waterfalls. Please note that a Restricted Area permit is required to visit Dzongu.
Kewzing
Kewzing, a traditional Bhutia village 8km from Ravangla in South Sikkim, offers an ideal place to experience the traditional Bhutia (Buddhist) way of life. The Kewzing Tourism Department Committee (KTDC) arranges accommodation, meals, guided walks, and cultural activities. Visitors can enjoy village hikes, visit monasteries, explore cardamom plantations, and take an overnight trek to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. Sightseeing tours to nearby attractions are also available.
Pastenga
The picturesque village of Pastenga, only 70 minutes from Gangtok, offers a glimpse of traditional Sikkimese village life. Home to Kirat Rai, Bhutias, and Lepchas, the village is surrounded by rich farmland and forests teeming with bamboo. Visitors can explore traditional houses, cardamom plantations, cultural shows, and an herb garden. For the adventurous, a trek to the remote site of Khedi is also an option.
Yuksum
Yuksum, meaning "meeting place of the Three Learned Ones," is the first capital of Sikkim and holds rich historical significance. The village is a biodiversity hotspot, serving as a base for the famous Yuksam Dzongri Trail inside Khangchendzonga National Park. It is also a birders' paradise, with over 250 bird species and diverse vegetation. Yuksum is home to a diverse ethnic community, including Lepcha, Bhutia, Limboo, and Nepali. The village is a hub for experiencing cultural convergence through homestays promoted by ECOSS and KCC. Additionally, Yuksum provides easy access to other important sites in west Sikkim.