Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, the Dooars and Bhutan · a planner replies within one working day

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KalimpongHomestayBudget tier

Rishop village homestays

Family-run homestays and small cottages in Rishop, many run by Sherpa and Lepcha families, with rooms facing the Kanchenjunga range. They are simple, warm and the main way to stay in the village.
Rishop village homestays
Photo: Pinakpani · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rishop has no large hotels. Instead, a few dozen families rent out rooms in their own houses or in wooden cottages beside them. Rooms are basic but clean, with thick quilts and, in better places, a geyser. Meals are home-cooked: rice, dal, local greens, eggs, chicken and, if you ask, momos or thukpa.

The best rooms face north-west towards Kanchenjunga. Ask about the view, the bathroom and heating when you book, since standards vary from house to house. Power cuts happen, so carry a torch and a power bank. Most hosts can arrange a car or a guide for the walk to Lava.

Why we book it

  1. Wake up to the mountain view from your room
  2. Home-cooked meals included in the price
  3. Money goes straight to village families
  4. Hosts know the forest paths and sunrise points

Questions travellers ask

Good to know

What does a Rishop homestay include?

Most include a room with an attached bathroom and all meals: breakfast, lunch or packed lunch, evening tea and dinner. Expect about ₹1,500–2,200 a person a night, indicative. Hot water may come by geyser or bucket. Heaters cost extra where they exist. Confirm what is included before you pay an advance.

Are Rishop homestays warm enough in winter?

Nights between December and February drop to around freezing, and houses are not centrally heated. Hosts give thick quilts, and some provide electric heaters for a fee. Bring thermals, a warm hat and socks for sleeping. A hot-water bottle helps. Ask about heaters when you book, since power cuts can switch them off.

Can I book Rishop homestays online?

Some are listed on booking sites, but many are booked by phone or through drivers and local agents. We book homestays we have checked for clean bathrooms and honest pricing. If you book yourself, ask for recent photos of the room and bathroom, and confirm the meal plan and the road access for your car.

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