Small Village, Grand Experience: 8 Incredible Things To Do In Kewzing – Sikkim’s Little Gem

Tue, May 12, 2009
Featured, Sikkim, Things To Do

Main photo credit: Creative Commons

Kewzing might not be on most tourists’ itinerary but that’s what adds to its charm.

Gracious people, untouched scenery and an experience of a lifetime.

We bring you nine things to do in Kewzing that live long in your mind after you leave.

1. Trekking
Kewzing seems to have jumped out of an artist’s canvas, such is its picturesque, placid beauty. The best way to experience this bounty of nature is by trekking it. Armed with a good pair of shoes and with a friendly local guide you can trek to the local monastery, through the cardamom fields and along the village, as he enlightens you about the village’s history and culture.

2. Festivals
Festivals are an integral part of the Sikkimese culture. Celebrations are ongoing, almost all year round, throughout the state, and Kewzing is no exception. Festivals are celebrated here with great vigor and joy. Guests are encouraged to join in the festivities. Special cultural programs, which include music and dancing, are enthusiastically organised for those guests who have the misfortune of missing the festival season.

3. Organic Food
Most homes in Kewzing grow organic vegetables in their fields, which are unbelievably fresh and juicy. They redefine what organic food is supposed to be like and almost ruin the food experienced in big cities. With a little help and guidance from your hosts you can learn how to turn these delicious vegetables into remarkable dishes using a clay stove. A true pleasure for those who appreciate the rare and exotic, because these recipes are rarely found in a cookbook.

4. Local Drinks
Sikkim is known for its unique locally produced wines, beers and spirits. While bars in the city stock beer brands like Hit and Dansberg, in the countryside one can savor brands like Roxy. But in Kewzing, most homes produce their own homemade millet-based drinks that have a distinct and rich flavor. They have to be tried.

5. Hot Stone Baths
Imagine being surrounded by mountains and soaking in a traditional hot-stone, open-air herbal bath. This relaxing and curative bath is arranged for guests every winter and allows them to laze in a hot water while cloaked above by the nippy air of Kewzing’s winter.

6. Village Life
A typical day in a local’s life involves getting up at the crack of dawn to the milk the cow, feed the animals, tend to the fields and pick fresh vegetables to prepare for meals. Villagers realise that partaking in these activities is a novelty for most visitors, so if you’re staying in a Homestay your host will be happy to include you in these errands, teaching you their ways.

7. Photography
The idyllic and enigmatic surroundings of Kewzing are almost custom-made for budding as well as professional photographers. The sunsets, sunrises, vibrant hues of green and ever-smiling people are inspiration to start clicking away.

8. Nothing
Do nothing. In today’s world, where it’s hard to know when or how to stop, doing nothing has become a luxury. And a cottage in Kewzing in the company of a hot cup of chai is perhaps the perfect place to do that.

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himalayas, Homestay, homestays, india homestay, kewzing, Organic food, Photography, sikkim, Things To Do

10 Comments For This Post

Muneera Says:
May 19th, 2009 at 12:46 am

My husband and I, spent a couple of days in a Mahindra Homestay in Kewzing last year, and it was the highlight of our Sikkim trip. It felt great to get away from the scores of tourists flocking the capital- Gangtok!. Our hosts were a newly married couple who shared some amazing insights of life in the mountains with us.

They lit a wonderful bonfire for us and offered us their homemade beer (called Thongba) made from fermented millet. It was offered to us in a bamboo cask with a straw and the trick was to suck it in slowly through the front teeth.

The next day I tried my hand at milking a cow and realised that it was definitely not as easy at it seemed. Nevertheless, I tried and was rewarded by having freshly made cottage cheese the next day! We went shopping in the fields for our veggies, picked what we liked and our lovely hosts were only too happy to cook it for us.

Our whole experience with the family was wonderful and novel. A definite must see and must do for all.

Shahnaz Says:
May 20th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

Our trip to Sikkim was over 30 years ago when Sikkim was a separate kingdom! We had travelled from Calcutta (Kolkata was not yet conceived!) & the drive was breathtaking. Even after so many years I can close my eys & visualise the trip ever so clearly.

What immediately struck us city slickers besides the spectacular scenery was just how “clean & fresh” the surroundings were….the people we met along the way were ever so friendly, open & trusting & eager to guide us to the next destination.

Gangtok was a delight – the capital of a country & it seemed little more than a town!!This was every woman’s shopping paradise & the Rupee was king!Food was no issue as it is very similar to Indian cuisine of the neighbouring states…

Worthy of mention are the Orchids of Sikkim…..Along the way we saw the most amazing display of natural orchids! What a variety of colour!We were informed that Sikkim was home to 600 species of Orchids!

We are all looking forward to visiting this beautiful state in the near future – homestays seem like a great way to discover the hidden splendours of Sikkim

artee Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 5:35 pm

Hi Shahnaz and Muneera,

Thanks a lot for your comments.
Looking forward to you further sharing your thoughts in reference to the blog with us.

Artee

dina james Says:
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:55 am

sounds amazzing. regret coming back from north east without seeing this “gem”

mohit Says:
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:02 am

Have heard a lot about Sikkim. Would soon plan a trip to dis lovely place to se, as the brilliant writer says the place that has jumped out of an artist’s canvas. Would love to drink local drinks, eat organic food, participate in local festivals, and will surely enjoy DOING NOTHING…Cheers to Mahindra Homestays.

nupur Says:
June 8th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

been to sikkim twice…..how did i miss this?

Captain Adityang Wahi Says:
July 25th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Amazing portrayal of the place. articles like these remind us of the power of words. in this case i really believe the place will live up to the visualisation.

along with my family i have been to many parts of the country that are untouched yet deserve recognition. i applaud your effort in bringing attention to these places.

Hope to see some more articles by the writer on Kashmir and Ladakh.

Cheers! and God Bless

Richa Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 10:15 am

Hi ,

We will be travelling with my in laws and would like to know if it is wiould be comfortable for them . Do they have attatched western WC s …that is what is important for comfort sometimes when you travel with elders.

Please do reply.

Richa