Travel to West Sikkim for Rural Experience -July

This monsoon season, you can travel to a quaint little village at stone throw distance from Pelling in West Sikkim. You can join me on this trip and see how ” I travel to places and create memories”

It is home to six major tribes of Sikkim called Bhutia, Limbu, Lepcha, Gurung, Rai and Nepali. Stay with the lovely Sikkimese family which has tastefully built their homestay on a hill overlooking a beautiful valley. You will be staying close to Pelling and Yuksom which gives you opportunity to make comfortable day trips. The mountains around are filled with secret adventure opportunities including visit to Khecheopalri Lake which is said to have magical properties in its waters.Your stay will be in lovely cottages inspired by traditional Limbu architecture using mostly reusable and biodegradable material. Sit in your rocking chair in the balcony and have herbal tea watching the clouds pass by the valleys.

We urge you to follow these Responsible Travel practices:

1. Our accommodations are run by local communities. We urge you to respect them
2. Our experiences take you to regions which are still close to nature and are clean
a. Minimize use of plastic. Dispose it in allocated areas
b. Consume locally produced goods
3. Respect the local community, their culture, food, religion, beliefs and ways of living. We facilitate meaningful connections and greater understanding of rural and sustainable lifestyle
4. You will be surrounded by rich flora and fauna. Please don’t pluck flowers or disturb animals
5. Drink responsibly. Irresponsible drinking has long lasting social impacts that not visible immediately
6. We extensively involve local communities who are also the decision makers, thus enhancing Community Based Tourism. Our local custodians of knowledge are experts in their skill and sustainable lifestyle
7. We thank you for choosing this flavor of travel. You help us develop local entrepreneurship. We urge you to share this type of travel with others

Dates:  5th -9th July, 2014

Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrive in Bagdogra/ New Jalpaigudi followed by road trip to Pelling in West Sikkim. Arrive at the homestay by afternoon. Visit Kanchenjunga waterfalls in evening. Relax at the homestay.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Homestay

Day 2:

After breakfast, leave for full day village walk with local expert. See traditional ways of bee keeping and weaving. Explore local flora and fauna, and organic farming practices of wheat, barley and corn. See traditional tribal houses. Visit remote monasteries in the mountains. Enjoy cooking dinner with the local family. Packed lunch will be provided for the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Homestay

 Day 3:

After breakfast, leave for full day trekking to Rani Dunga with local expert. Trek through thick forests and villages. The trail is less travelled and a paradise for nature lovers and bird photographers. Explore a historic Limbu tribal burial on the way. Enjoy the evening over local homemade Millet beer (Tongba) and bonfire (For groups only). Packed lunch will be provided for the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Homestay 

Day 4:

Visit the local school, Dubdi monastery (oldest monastery of Sikkim) and the Khecheopalri lake. There are local folktales around this lake the water of which is said to have magical powers. Visit Limbu or Lepcha tribal family for a meal. Visit local Shaman (founder of Yumaism).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Homestay

 Day 5:

After breakfast, leave for Bagdogra/ New Jalpaigudi to catch your flight or train

Meals: Breakfast

Cost:

The cost for this trip is Rs. 13,000 per person inclusive taxes. 

Minimum deposit to book seat: Rs. 5000

No charges for children below 6 years.Above 6 years it is an adult.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation Notice: Refund
More than 10 days 100%
More than 5 but less than equal to 10 days 50%
Less than or equal to 5 days No refund
No refund will be provided in case of no show or if the guests decides to abandon the trip in between.

Cost Includes:

1. Stay at the homestay for 4 nights
2. All homemade meals as mentioned in the itinerary
3. All village walks and fee of local experts
4. All treks, monastic walks and fee of local experts
5. Visit to the lake and waterfalls and transportation
6. Cooking experience
7. Bonfire and local Tongba (only for groups)
8. Travel cost from Bagdogra/ New Jalpaigudi to Pelling

Cost Excludes:

1.Any medical needs and personal shopping.
2. Anything else not mentioned explicitly in the itinerary above.

Please Note-We can do the train/flight booking  at an additional cost .

How you contribute to locals:

A portion of what you pay as tariff or for any activity helps in sustaining local families and in conserving local forms of art, culture, language and tradition. We thank you for that.

Payment Options:

 Credit/ Debit card: http://imojo.in/o4nz5

Cheque: (In favor of ‘Photokatha International’)

Internet Transfer:

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 *This trip is in association with www.thefolktales.com

Essential information for the travellers:

1. ATMs of multiple private as well as nationalized banks are easily available

2. Best time to visit is all around the year. Temperatures can vary from -5 degree Celsius in winters (December to February) to 28 degree Celsius in summers (March to May)

3. We will provide sufficient blankets to keep you warm. We still urge you to carry warm clothing for outdoor treks and adventures

4. For any medical emergency, assistance is available

5. Please carry any specific and special medication that your doctor may have recommended

6. Your stay will be in a local family environment rather than that of a hotel

7. There is no menu. Food will be homemade. Please feel free to request anything specific but with a days notice

8. Carry torch, mobile phone chargers, convertors (adaptors) and comfortable walking shoe

So what are you waiting for, book the trip with us and change your facebook display picture to great location.

Contact me on below : [email protected] or +917718844211