Shakti Sikkim Village Experience is unique journey, off the beaten path, allowing insight into the rural Village life of Sikkim. Our village houses are built in the traditional way, maintaining the authenticity but the interior’s have been spruced up to provide deep comfort. Activities include Sikkim trekking tours in the local villages through the day with picnic lunches in beautiful locations organized by our team for you. Our itineraries are completely flexible and tailor made to suit each guest individually.
The following itinerary is our classic Shakti Sikkim journey; Starting with 2 nights at one of the village houses, followed by 1 night at the second village house and 2 nights at the third village house. The walking can be tailored depending on a guests fitness levels.
Delhi
Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi/Kolkata airport, proceed to board on flight to Kolkata.
On arrival in Bagdogra you will be met and driven 5 hours to Hatti Dunga, your first village house. Located near Rinchenpong, Hatti Dunga which literally means “Elephant rock” is a charming village; The village house is an authentic three-bedroom wooden house, aged more than 70 years old and set in a tiered garden, with uninterrupted views down the valley. In the early evening, you will be given an introductory briefing of your tour by your Shakti guide.
A gradual walk up will lead you to an old traditional Lepcha house which is 150 years old. Continue to walk and come across a typical mountain village market in Rinchenpong and reach the village of Yangsum. You may also be driven to Yangsum; this will shorten the walk by 45 minutes. Passing Yangsum village through a forests, you will walk 45 minutes further to Maggi Dara and enjoy a picnic lunch nearby. After lunch, you will have the option to walk or be driven back to Hatti Dunga
Rise early and walk or be driven 5 minutes to Rinchenpong Monastery for early morning prayers. Then visit a 200 years old family monastery. You will follow the trail down via the Rinchenpong monastery, continuing through the village of Bhasmay and then enter Jowbari where you will be served lunch. As you continue you will reach the Bermiok monastery and then the charming village of Hee – your next village house. Hee house belongs to a local family;The house is a small structure facing the owner’s fields and the mountains. It has two renovated bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.
This morning if the weather is clear, you can wake up early to view the sun rising with Kanchenjunga in the background. Today you will walk uphill through the Red Panda wildlife sanctuary till your trail reaches a stream, follow the path ahead for 2 hours and you will reach your village house at Radhu Khandu. The house at Radhu Khandu is a charming traditional Sikkimese house with three en suite bedrooms. The location is sublime and there is nothing better than having tea in the sit out room which has amazing views of the area.
Explore the laid back village of Khandu, walk through the cardamom fields and take a tea break at one of the local houses owned by a retired school teacher whose life long experiences become a point of great conversation. Then you will follow a path which leads to the beautiful 150 years old monastery and follow a path to the rhododendron ridge for a delicious picnic lunch. Walk back to your village house. Enjoy your farewell drinks and dinner at the house tonight.
After breakfast, you will walk back down to the road head (around twenty minutes). From here you will be driven for about 5 hours to the Bagdogra Airport for your onward flight to Delhi/Kolkata.
