Experiences

With elevation of around 4,400 feet, Martam is a treasure trove of birds, butterflies, and medicinal plants. One can opt for a light trek to nearby forest or take a 5-km trek to Changey waterfall to sight butterflies and birds of different sounds and colours. You could even set up a base at the homestay roof-top terrace or at your room balcony and read or write amid bird songs.

Several villages including Gankha where we are located shape Martam, each village having its own monastery/shrine, temple, and other interesting natural sites around which the daily life of the people revolves. Spend a day in village walks interacting with the locals, learning traditional/organic farming, understanding their culture, and unravelling their forgotten history.

For serious trekkers, there’s a daylong steep trek to Jhyo Rathey hill or Teenjhurey via the Fambonglha Wildlife Sanctuary known for the elusive Red Panda, Sikkim’s state animal, pheasants, other birds and butterflies, barking deer, etc. Those wanting to do this trek should inform the host in advance for necessary arrangements. A guide is a must for this trek.

While at Martam, try your hands at organic/traditional farming. This depends on the season of your visit. If you are here during mid April through June, you could join our local farmers in activities that lead to rice plantation. In October-November, it is time for paddy harvest under the azure blue sky. You could also witness the people harvest cardamom (Sikkim’s cash crop) in September-October. You spell out your interest in farming, and we will have one or the other activities happening in our fields.

There’s no better way to unnerve your lethargy than this: An evening bonfire while sipping millet brew (swechhyang/chhyang) and watch local boys and girls present folk culture show.

Martam Village Homestays offers seasonal or locally grown vegetables and fruits, as well as locally reared mutton, pork or chicken. We specialise in many local dishes, especially Bhutia and Nepali dishes that have generated huge likes from past visitors. We also conduct cookery classes for interested guests.

All smaller monasteries or shrines in Martam are affiliated with Rumtek Monastery. You can either trek to these smaller monasteries in the villages and spend a day in chants or meditation or spend a day in Rumtek Monastery to understand the nuances of Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, yoga and meditation. We also arrange trips to both Rumtek Monastery and old Rumtek Monastery during the famous Black Hat Dance ritual festival or the Mahakala Garnag Mask dance. The dates are not constant in English calendar. If you want to make your travel plans during these monastic festivals, contact us for correct dates.