Get Up Close With The Kanchenjunga Peaks At The Yangsum Heritage Farm In Sikkim

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Planning a mini vacay during the long Independence Day weekend? We’ve found you this amazing heritage farm in West Sikkim with panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga.

What Is It?

Thendup and Pema Tashi manage this 44-acre farm built in 1833 and remodeled in the 90s with locally-sourced materials. Book a stay in any one of their five wood-panelled rooms – all have attached bathrooms with hot and cold running water. If you like to write, ask for the room with the pine writing table. The double room is for INR 5,500 per night and delux cottages with mountain view are INR 6,500 per night. All meals are included in the room rate. The food is amazing here, made with fresh produce from their organic farm which grows everything from maize, paddy, millet, to potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, ginger, turmeric, avocados, oranges, bananas, and more. Whew!

Why Should I Go?

There’s lots to do here. Go for a three-hour hike to local villages and monasteries, or a longer one through surrounding forests of rhododendron,  pine, Himalayan alder, schima, and chestnut. If you have time, do a trek to the nearby mountains. Or go river rafting on the white waters of the Teesta and Rangit. The rapids, rated according to the Colorado River standards, are grade 2 and 3. You can visit the monasteries around. Or the bikh pokhri (poisoned lake) which has an intesresting story behind it – the area saw a historical battle between invading British forces and the then King of Sikkim. The lake – a source of drinking water – was poisoned by locals, and almost half the invading forces died. If you want to relax, stay in and browse through the many books lying, have a cup of nettle soup, or some local cheese with their buckwheat bread and honey, or rice porridge and juices while gaping at the amazing views of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak.

 

How Do I Get There?

The farm is close to the towns of Rinchenpong and Jorethang. If you are flying in, Bagdogra is the closest airport. It’s about five hours by road from there. Or take at train till Siliguri, and drive down in a hired or shared car.

So, We're Saying...

We’ve just charted out a plan of all the great stuff you can do here, we’ve got you rooms with a view and great food, and you know the dates for this getaway {Independence Day weekend}. So just go ahead and book. Now.