Himalayan Home Stay

Day 01: Bagdogra Airport - Njp Railway Station - Kalimpong
On arrival at Bagdogra Airport / NJP Railway Station, (500Ft / 152 Mts) you will be met by our local representative who will assist you to board your vehicle to Kalimpong (3937 Ft / 1200 Mts, 85 Kms / 03 Hrs). For Himalayan Home Stay you check in and over night at Holumba Haven.

Holumba Haven - A garden home hospitality consisting of four wooden chalets in 2 acres of natural and botanical Eden having water supply from their private natural spring. It offers the nature and environment friendly tourists a quiet rest and leisure in quaint & affordable stay in wooden cottages.
It is located inside the premises of an expansive orchid nursery - "Nurseryman's Haven" (Estd. 1972) as growers & world wide exporters of Himalayan and Indo Burmese orchids species, Himalayan flora & exotic floriculture.

Day 02: Kalimpong - Rumtek
Today visit Flower Nurseries & Jang-Dong-Palriffo Brang Monastery. Afternoon transfer to Rumtek (85 kms / 3 hrs). Overnight at Tinteley Eco-Garden Resort.
Tinteley Eco-Garden - This little hideaway blends traditional architecture and interior design with modern amenities. A strict vigil is kept on preserving and conserving the environment. The Resort is spread out over six and a half acres.
Wake up every morning to a bird call or sit out on the balcony in the evenings sipping your drink and watch the night lights of Gangtok. A little further up the hillside is the Rural Banquet and Soiree Hall adjacent to The Sarva Dharma Temple where peace and tranquility resides. The adventurous youngsters can take pony rides. The place also has Table Tennis and can also play Badminton or Tennis. Invigorating morning walks through woodlands will give you an appetite rarely found in the cities.
The cuisine is traditional Sikkimese prepared with produce from the Resort's organically grown kitchen garden. The garden has special area of Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Dairy, poultry and fresh meat products are also provided from the Resort's farm. All the help and staff of the Resort are taken to traditionalise even the finer details such as the crockery and cutlery used in the Resort. While our chefs can cook both vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian delights. You can also pick vegetables of your choice and have them stirit up for you.
Acknowledged the "Award of Excellence" for the Best Eco Friendly Resort in 2008-2009 by the Government of Sikkim, Department of Tourism "TEEN TELEY ECO GAREEN RESORT", a pioneering eco-conscious resort is daintily perched amidst the slopes of Rumtek. Hidden amid well-maintained gardens and acres of lush green sub tropical forests; it is a perfect blend of nature and mature hospitality that will leave you feeling utterly relaxed and contented...!
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Day 03: Rumtek - Gangtok - Rumtek
After breakfast leave for a sight seeing tour covering Rumtek Monastery, Droul Chorthen, Research Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom (Closed on Sunday), Flower Show & Enchey Monastery. Overnight at Tinteley Eco-Garden Resort.
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Day 04: Rumtek - Namchi
Today transfer to Namchi (4700 Ft / 1435 Mts, 85 Kms / 03 Hrs) Namchi meaning 'SKY HIGH' is a small beautiful picturesque town, nestled among the hills of the young Himalayas. It is also the head quarter of the south district of Sikkim. One can have a panoramic view of the Mt. Khangchendzonga & Samdruptse from Namchi. Overnight at Seven Hills Resort.
Wish to run away from the scorching heat and enjoy nature at its best? Rush to the kaleidoscopic land of Phalidara, a place of divine beauty that will mesmerize your senses, and enchanting place that overlooks Namchi in the most splendid form. Lying pretty in the picturesque slope of Pahlidara is Seven Hills Village Resort. A winding, climbing road through the trees lead to twelve exotic cottages set serenely on the slopes of Phalidara the resort spreads out over six acres.
Every cottage faces the majestic vista of the mountains and has its own private veranda. Its historic heritage is reflected in the meticulously restored interiors, designed to capture the original architecture.

Day 05: Namchi
Today visit Rayong Sunrise View Poimt Situated at 18 km. Car-drive from Namchi on way to Ravangla one could enjoy breathtaking view of the sunrise throwing the first rays of the sun over the snowy peaks of Mt. Narshing, Mt. Jopuno, Mt. Kabur and Mt. Pandim. Then visit Nagdak Monastery, Ngadak means promise in Bhutia language. Situated at 3 km away from Namchi, this is the oldest monastery in Sikkim which was constructed during the reign of the Chogyal of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal at around 1700 AD. & Tarey Bhir, The dangerous for those who fear a height of 3,500 ft. but exciting for others who adore natural relief and mountain. It's a long ridge (length 10,000 ft.) with a breathtaking view point at the edge from where one can behold Sikkim's beautiful river valleys and forests. One can see the panoramic confluence of the Teesta & Rangeet River from here. Overnight at Seven Hills Resort.

Day 06: Namchi - Yangsum
Transfer to Yangsum (4920 Ft / 1500 Mts, 65 Kms / 03 Hrs). Check in and over night at Yungsum Heritage Farm.
Pema and Thendup, the owners of Yangsum Farm, are part of the fourth generation of one of the original fore-families of Sikkim. Grandfather Tsechutharpa, of mixed Bhutia and Lepcha descent, was headman of Yangsum Village during the King's rule. 30 family members occupied the original stone and thatched house at the farm. It was re-built in 1965 and, about 4 years ago, Pema and Thendup decided to open their home to visitors by further renovating the original house. Their grandfather donated much of the original 150 acres of farmland to the village to build a dispensary and school. Pema and Thendup now use the remaining 60 acres of farmland to cultivate a plethora of crops including corn, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, buckwheat, and fruit (including oranges, passion fruit, sweet limes, limes, mangos, pears, peaches, plums and avocados).

Day 07: Yangsum
Today you begin the village walk, starting to walk through Rinchenpong Village, reaching the aristocratic Lepcha House. Your guide will then escort you on a tour of this historical house. This will be followed by a walk up to Resung Monastery, followed by a picnic lunch with the mountains in view. The Resung Monastery, owned part of the Nygmapa Sect of Buddhism, was originally owned by a member of the Lepcha family. Although not fully active as a monastery, it is beautifully situated on top of a hill overlooking the mountain towns of Pelling, Tashiding and also the Kanchenjunga mountain range. On the way back you visit the Rinchenpong Monastery, where you maybe able to participate in a chanting session held daily at 4pm. Built in the mid 17th century it houses a school for almost 60 monks ranging in age from 10 to 22 years. The main statue is very interesting, as it represents a carnal pose of the Ati Buddha. Over night at Yungsum Heritage Farm.

Day 08: Yangsum - Yuksom
Today transfer to Yuksom (5840 Ft / 1780 Mts, 105 Kms / 05 Hrs). Via Pemayangtse Monastery belongs to the Nyingma-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built as a small temple in late 17th century by Latsun Chenpo. On the top floor there is a wooden sculpture portraying the Mahaguru's Heavenly palace Sangthokpalri & Kechopary lake (6000 Ft / 1829 Mts), Khecheopalri Lake is one of the sacred Buddhist mountain lakes where it is believed that whatever is wished in front of the lake comes true. Myth has it that when a leaf falls on the placid clear water surface is picked by a bird. A further drive takes you to Yuksom (the meeting place of three monks) - the first capital of Sikkim. This was the place where the first Chogyal (a ruling dynasty in Sikkim) was crowned. Overnight Himalayan Home Stay.

The home stay program was an imitative by Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC) in 2002 to cater to delegates attending the Himalayan Regional Meeting of Mountain Population in Yuksom. This program is a form of community-based tourism that allows for direct and intimate cultural exchange.

In addition, it provides the locals with sustainable source of income whilst allowing them to preserve the environmental and cultural heritage for future generations. Home stay operators are chosen from houses which are not large enough to be hotels, but are clean & comfortable Overnight Home Stay at Himalayan. The home stay operators have undergone various trainings in hospitality, hygiene and sanitation to cater to the needs of tourists.

Day 09: Yuksom
Early morning go for a hiking tour to Dhubdi Monastery (built in 1700 AD, the oldest monastery of Sikkim) The Monastery is located on a Hilltop above Yuksam surrounded by verdant forest. It can be approached by trekking only, negotiating steep slope. It is an ideal place for lamas seeking meditational recluse. After visiting Dubdi Monastery go for a further uphill walk to Hungari Monastery (03 Hrs one way). Evening Back to Yuksom & visit Tashi Namgyal (the stone throne for the first king). Overnight at Home Stay.

Day 10: Yuksom - Tinchuley
After breakfast transfer to Tinchuley (5800 Ft / 1768 Mts, 115 Kms / 04 Hrs).) via Tashiding where you go for a trek to Tashiding Monastery located on top of a hill (approx it will take 30 minutes one way steep climbing). Overnight at Gurung Guest House.
Tinchuley which literally means three Chulas or ovens is a Model Village and a Community Tourism initiative of local villagers and WWF-India (West Bengal State Office) in the Darjeeling Hills. You will be hosted by one of the oldest and largest joint families of Darjeeling hills (about 22 family members) here who has put together a guest house.

Day 11: Tinchuley
Visit organic farms and orchards to understand the livelihood processes of the local villagers, metre-square gardening process and vermi composting. Walk in the tea garden and visit local market in Takdah. Overnight at Gurung Guest House.

Day 12: Tinchuley - Darjeeling - Makaibari
Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (at around 4 am) to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). On way back visit Ghoom Monastery. Drive to Darjeeling where you will have your breakfast at a Local Restaurant. After breakfast visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Closed on Thursday), Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan Refugee self-help (Closed on Sunday) Center. After Lunch drive to Makaibari (853 Ft / 260 Mts, 55 Kms / 02 Hrs). Overnight at Makaibari Home Stay.

Makaibari has maintained a sustainable human environment. In 1994 a Joint Body was instituted by the Makaibari tea estate to regulate the activity of the seven villages and also take up developmental work. Each family on the estate is provided with their own cows, which they use for milk and manure. The manure converts its methane into cooking fuel called "bio-gas" - a non polluting renewable energy source on tap. This system benefits not only the environment and help save the forests. It also decreases the workload of the women who otherwise have to get up hours before they start plucking to bring firewood back to their houses. Surplus milk and manure can be sold outside the estate.

It is indeed this culture at Makaibari that not only liberates the land, but also its people-especially women. Makaibari has 450 children and currently maintains a negative birthrate. One woman supervisor has 20 men working under her--an extreme rarity on tea estates. Makaibari's Ladies' Joint Body is a group formed by elected members who are in charge of allocating funds to projects and programs on the farm.

In 2005, it was decided to accommodate the constant flow of visitors to Makaibari some villagers would open up their homes to them as paying guests. The 13 families who initiated the homestay programme formed a group called 'Hum Tera'. The villagers took the decision to install western style toilets in their homes to facilitate the homestays. The raw materials were provided by the management and the fitting was done by skilled masons. Hygiene improved dramatically

Day 13: Makaibari
Today walk or drive through the tea garden with one of our guides, who will give you an insight into how the tea bush is grown and looked after. Learn how to pluck the "two leaves and a bud" - that is later manufactured into the tealeaf that ends up in your teacup! During the winter season, learn about the different types of pruning that is undertaken to increase the yield of the coming season. Interact with the Estate people. Later visit the Tea Factory where you will be taken for a guided tour on how the leaf is brought in from the garden, weighed, and then taken through the processes of Withering, Rolling, Fermenting, Drying and finally Sorting. The day ends with a Tea Tasting Session, where one can discover the differences in aroma, flavor. Overnight at Makaibari Home Stay.
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Day 14: Makaibari - Bagdogra Airport - Njp Railway Station
Transfer to Bagdogra Airport / NJP Railway Station, (50 Kms / 02 Hrs) to board your flight for your onward connection.