Chalamthang, Sikkim's best tourism village
An award-winning agro village on the Shivalik ranges of South Sikkim — its name means "orange orchard" in Lepcha. Organic farms, living traditions and warm homestays.
01 · About Chalamthang & why it was chosen
An agro village that sustains, not destroys
Perched on the Shivalik ranges of the outer Himalayas, Chalamthang is rich in bamboo, animal husbandry, organic farming, rare flora & fauna and breathtaking open spaces. Beyond these tangible resources, its greatest strength is its willing people keeping traditional ways of life and celebration alive.
Community development, cohesion and capacity building — working towards sustainable employment and green livelihoods that showcase local traditions, customs, food and crafts — is the core principle of every engagement here, in line with the key areas of evaluation of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Awareness grew at multiple levels, from households to committees, and the village is well connected by road.
02 · Cultural resources — promotion & preservation
A melting pot of indigenous cultures
Residents of Chalamthang and its surrounding villages come from Chettri, Brahman, Karmi and Subba communities. Visitors join important festivals with traditional song and dance — mostly prepared and performed by the younger generation, dressed in traditional attire that creates a living pride in indigenous culture.
03 · Benefits through tourism
Social, economic & environmental gains
Economic
Social
Environmental
The Cleanest Organic Village
A project that changed livelihoods, inclusively
An eye-opener towards communities and conservation — working with a long-term vision of the Sustainable Development Goals, generating sustainable revenues with tourism cleanliness as the focus. The fully functional Chalamthang Tourism Development Committee (CTDC), with representatives from every cluster, works relentlessly towards community-based tourism: souvenir-making training created multipliers of rural development, the village welcomed 16 SHG groups from a neighbouring state to learn homestay operations, and in March 2021 hosted a rural tourism exposure tour by the National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NE Regional Centre). An ideal role model for community-based rural tourism — upliftment, employment and conservation.
04 · Gallery
Moments from the village
05 · Stay with us
Traditional homestays, warm Himalayan hospitality
Wake up to mountain views, share organic meals cooked on a village hearth, and live the rhythm of an agro village with your host family. Local guides from the community lead every experience.
