Volunteers in Sikkim
Culture Week in Sikkim
Volunteers in traditional dress in Sikkim

Volunteers in traditional dress in Sikkim

Hiker in Annapurna
Annapurna
Admire the views of the Annapurna mountain range.

Admire the views of the Annapurna mountain range.

Buddha Park, Ravangla, Sikkim, India
Buddha Park
This Buddha statue is the fourth-tallest statue in India.

This Buddha statue is the fourth-tallest statue in India.

Tourist Women in Cultural Custom
Traditional Dress
Experience the local customs and traditional costumes

Experience the local customs and traditional costumes

Kids in Sikkim, India
Drums
Kids practising drums in Sikkim

Kids practising drums in Sikkim

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Overview

The Culture Week is designed to introduce you to the local Himalayan culture, to give you an understanding about the local traditions, and to take you on a variety of sightseeing tours around Sikkim such that you will get in-depth knowledge of Sikkim and also experience the beauty that Sikkim has to offer. Not only that, each day is perfectly designed so that you will have a relaxed and an experiential journey appreciating impressive Buddhist Monasteries, learn cooking local food, and learn a bit of the local language which will help you to interact with local people throughout your stay.

The activities that you will be introduced to during this week is more described in the itinerary below.

Objectives

  • To introduce you to the local Himalayan culture and immerse you into the beautiful Himalayan state.

Impact

Volunteer experiences have a direct and positive impact on local communities by injecting money into the local economy through the purchase of food, transportation, and tourism activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the comunity and make a difference in the world. Depending on the type of volunteer experience you are interested in, your time can be spent improving educational resources and opportunities, providing medical services to underserved communities, or promoting environmental conservation and sustainable farming techniques.

One Tree Planted logo

25 trees will be planted on your behalf for every experience purchased, via our partnership with One Tree Planted.

See more at onetreeplanted.org

1% for the Planet Logo

1% of gross sales will be donated to 1% for the Planet-approved charities via our partnership with 1% for the Planet.

See more at onepercentfortheplanet.org

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Location

Sikkim, India

An area of unspoilt natural beauty, framed by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, reflects this tiny state’s extraordinary ethnic diversity. In the crowded city which spills precariously down a ridge, Lepchas (the region’s original inhabitants) live alongside Tibetans, Bhutias, Nepalis and Indians from the plains. Though now full of modern structures, Gangtok’s “Shangrila” aspects can still be experienced in pockets of the city and in its alpine environs.

Until 1975, Sikkim was a kingdom with the status of an Indian Protectorate. It was ruled by the Chogyals Buddhists of Tibetan origin, whose dynasty began in the 17th century. However, the British Raj’s policies of importing cheap labour from neighbouring Nepal for Sikkim’s rice, cardamom and tea plantations drastically changed Sikkim’s demography, soon Nepali Hindus constituted 75 per cent of the state’s population. In 1975, the population of Sikkim voted overwhelmingly to join the Indian Republic, ending the rule of Palden Thondup, the last Chogyal.

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Itinerary

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Sunday - Arrival

Arrive Sunday at Pakyong Airport, Sikkim (PYG) or Siliguri Bagdogra Airport, Bagdogra (IXB) in our pickup window of 08:00 to 20:00

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Monday

The day will begin with introductions to your fellow participants. And then with an orientation session which will introduce you to the Sikkimese Nepali culture, do's and don'ts, social behaviour norms, cultural sensitivity as a traveler in Sikkim and safety precautions during your travel. Get to learn the language and talk about the project. Then we go out to visit the MG Marga - MG Marg of Gangtok, also known as MG Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road) is the town center and the main market area. It's a long stretch of an open-air mall. And then an orientation tour around the market area.

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Tuesday
Hike to Tashi View Point - located in Tashi and about 8 km from Gangtok town. It offers a sweeping view of the Kanchenjunga snow peaks on a clear day. In fact, the view of the sunrise from here is unforgettable, you will see the peaks dazzling with changing colors and get to visit Ganesh Tok the other viewpoint.
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Wednesday
Today is the day to learn typical Sikkimese Nepali food and visit the local market called Lal bazaar.
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Thursday
Today we visit Saramsa Garden which is 14 km east of Gangtok, Gangtok Ropeway, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.
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Friday
Today we visit the old Place in Sikkim and go to see the Flower Exhibition Centre (White Hall) and different monasteries.
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Saturday - Departure
Leave the accommodation on Saturday morning. Take a jeep or bus to the airport. It takes 45 mins drive to Pakyong Airport and 5 hours drive to Bagdogra Airport from the accommodation.
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Inclusions

  • Shared Accomodation
  • All meals included
  • Free beverages
  • Wifi in public areas
  • Arrival Transfer (included with 2 wk+ trips)
  • Departure Transfer
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Options

  • Extra night accomodation (before experience)$60
  • Extra night accomodation (after experience)$60
  • Pick-ups outside of the regular pickup window$60
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More Information

Requirements

  • minimum age18
  • minimum english levelBasic
  • CRB RequiredOn signup
  • passport copy requiredOn signup
  • resume copy requiredNo

Other Requirements

  • Participants below the age of 18 should have parental consent.
  • Participants above the age of 65 should have medical clearance.

Food

The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.

Accommodation

In our center, there is a mini library, a dining room, a lounge area where you can hang out with fellow participants and a beautiful garden to relax.

Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.

Cancellation Policy

Bookings can be amended and cancelled 30 days before the program start date without any costs. Bookings that are cancelled less than 30 days before the program start date will be charged the first week of the booking.

Culture Week in Sikkim, India

CategoryLearning
Stylebackpacker
AvailabilityOpen
Price per person$430/week
Minimum Duration1 week
$undefined/week