Shakti Sikkim Village Houses

The opportunity to stay in a village house is an authentic way to experience the wonderful countryside and hospitality of hill people in rural Sikkim. Rooms in the Shakti Sikkim houses are in three villages in this unspoint corner of the Himalaya and have been sympathetically renovated so that you can relax in relative comfort at the end of a day in the great outdoors. You can either use one house as a base for local walks and forays into the surrounding area, or walk between the villages to stay at different houses.

The cosy rooms are in traditional Sikkimese homes of wood and slate with spectacular views of the mountains and out-houses or attached rooms have been fitted out with western loos and a place to have a bucket shower in private (hot and cold water are provided). Sleeping might be on a traditional charpoy (string beds) but you will always have the luxury of a mattress, fresh cotton linen and local ‘duvets’ on top. 

Meals of local dishes such as momos (vegetable or meat stuffed dumplings), noodles, beef or pork curry are prepared specially for you by each house owner in the evening and washed down with a bamboo mug of tomba or chang, a potent brew of fermented millet. It’s supposed to aid sleep, but drink too much and you could wake up with a hangover, contrary to any local claims! After a simple breakfast a packed lunch is ready for you to take on the next leg of your walk, accompanied by a guide and porters.

As well as providing a comfy place to sleep, staying in a village house is an excellent way of experiencing a taste of life in the hills and putting something back into the rural community.