A night in a Rumtek village homestay
Rumtek village has a few families and small guesthouses that host travellers. Rooms are simple, with thick quilts and hot water, and meals are home-style: rice, dal, local greens, eggs and sometimes pork or chicken. Many hosts are Bhutia or Nepali families who have lived alongside the monastery for generations.
After the day-trippers leave, the village is quiet. Walk to the monastery for evening prayers if they are being held, watch the lights of Gangtok come on across the valley, and be back at the gate early next morning. The hosts can also arrange a taxi onward to Gangtok or Tsomgo.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How do I book a homestay in Rumtek?
Most Rumtek homestays are small and list on booking websites or take bookings by phone. A Gangtok travel agent can also arrange one. Choice is limited, so book ahead in April, May and October. Confirm whether meals are included and how far the house is from the monastery gate.
Is Rumtek quieter than Gangtok at night?
Much quieter. Once the day-trip taxis leave in the late afternoon, the village has little traffic and few shops open. That suits travellers who want rest, but there is little to do in the evening besides walking, reading and eating with your hosts.
Can I use Rumtek as a base for Tsomgo Lake?
You can, but it adds about an hour each way compared with staying in Gangtok, and your permit is still arranged through a Gangtok agent. It works best as a single night between Gangtok stays rather than a base for several days of excursions.
Also in Rumtek
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