About Us - Yuksam Pala's Homestay

Welcome to Yuksam Pala’s Farmstay

YUKSAM PALA’S HOMESTAY, A Mini Farmstay is in Yuksam valley which is a small beautiful town in a west district of a North-East Indian state of Sikkim. It is beautifully perched right under the lap of Mt Kanchendzonga (third highest peak of the world). The name of home stay is derived from words, ‘YUKSAM’ name of the valley where it is located and “PALA” means Father in bhutia/ Tibetan language.( here Sonam Pala, head of the very family who owns it).

The home stay is owned and run by the local bhutia community who belongs to a sikkimese Himalayan nomadic family. The family had a long history on living at the mountain belt of mt Kanchendzonga rearing Yaks and dzos. The homestay highlights the Bhutia and Tibetan cultures of sikkemese people.

Why Yuksam Palas Home Stay

As the family has well rooted to sikkimese Himalayan nomadic family one can experience rich culture, tradition and environment of local sikkimese bhutia family. One can experience a different local dishes and other activities like farming, rearing cattle such as cows, Yaks & dzos, horse riding etc. During the stay the guest can have a traditional and cultural exchange of a local people. The home stay provide well equipped modern as well as traditional rooms and cottages for individuals , couples and family. All rooms are comfortable with attach toilet and bathrooms. It provides a free parking facility for cab. The homestay has it huge backyard vegetable garden for organic farming, the family also own a dairy farming from where dairy products such as local milk, cheese and curds are produce. Overall the home stay offers the guest to experience a close view to a village life in hilly areas.

Head of the Family Mr “SONAM PALA” “ The Yak Man

As the homestay is named after Sonam Pala. Mr Sonam pala 67 years old is owner and the head of the family. He is locally popular and well known in the field of rearing Yaks and Dzos. He had been rearing Yaks and dzos from the age of 14. He along with his family had spent their initial years as a Himalayan nomadic family. He was the pioneer on managing pack animal (dzos/ponies) to the trekking team for dzongri –goechala trek. He had worked for well-known and great personalities like sir Tenzing Norgay Sherpa(first person to conquer Mt Everest) , under Nawang Gombu ( first twice climber , Mt Everest) RIMO EXPIDETATION ( re-known Delhi based company), HIMILAYAN MOUNTEERING INSTITUTE TEAM DARJEELING and many more famous company. In the age of end 60’s he is still fit and active and ready to serve you with great interest.

YUKSAM VALLEY

(about the the town)

Yuksam valley is a beautiful town perched just below the mount Kanchendzonga at the altitude of 1780m, in west district of a north-east Indian state of Sikkim. Yuksam is the main and oldest getaway to the world famous Trekking trail to Mt Kanchendzonga . (Dzongri-Goechala trek) Every year huge number of domestic and foreign tourist visit the place for trekking and touring purposes . The Yuksam valley itself has various tourist attraction sites. The small town attracts the visitors through its natural biodiversity , wildlife , historical monuments , lakes, Yaks, culture and traditions , rural home stays etc. The people of Yuksam are friendly, helpful and provide warm hospitality. The valley is surrounded by one of the highest National park of the world ( Kanchendzonga National Park) which has been declared as World Heritage Site by UNO. People here are well aware about wildlife and nature conservation, so they follow and support eco-friendly lifestyle.

Historical Back Ground of Yuksam

The name of this beautiful valley “YUKSAM” is derived from the Lepcha word “Yuk mun sam” which means meeting place of Three learned saints. Lhatsun Namkha Jigme chenpa , Kathok Rigzin Chenpo and Ngadak Sempa Chenpo. It is of great historical importance to the sikkeemese people because it is the place from where the whole history of Sikkim begins. It was in the year 1642 AD that the first king (chogyal) of Sikkim was crowned at Yuksam under the guidance Of great Buddhist saint Lhatsun Namkha Jigme chenpa and declared Yuksam as the First capital of Sikkim. The crowning site named as Norbu Gang ruins can be still witnessed at Yuksam which is now under the care of Archaeological Site of India(A S I ).

How to reach Yuksam

AIRPORT: the nearest Air port is Bagdogra Airport in Silguri. West Bengal which is around 155 km from Yuksam. It takes 6-7 hours drive . one can hire a private cab from Bagdogra to Yuksam (Rs 6000 aprox for a cab) or take a share taxi from Siliguri town to Jorthang and Jorthang to Yuksam.( but you must leave silguri before 9am). Recently the state has its own newly established Airport at Pakyong ) one can make an enquiry about the flight. Pakyong to Yuksam 5-6 hours drive.

BY TRAIN: The nearest railway station to Yuksam is the New Jalpaiguri in silguri,West Bengal . which is 153 km away from Yuksam.

Reach Yuksam through road

Yuksam is well connected by road from various places.

DARJEELING , west Bengal . from Dareeling drop down to Jorthang via single . (26km) and Jorthang to Yuksam : 50 kms. (2hrs 30minutes drive)

Gangtok to Yuksam : 140kms ( 4hr 50 kms)

PELLING TO YUKSAM: 36KMS 1hrs 20Minutes drive