Mayal Lyang Homestay
Sikkim, India
- Culture
- Mountains
- Wellness
- Waterside
- Foodies
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A three-room family homestay in the protected Lepcha reserve of Dzongu
Mayal Lyang is a family-run homestay above the Teesta river in the restricted Dzongu region of North Sikkim, a reserve in North Sikkim set aside for the Lepcha people, and one of the least-visited corners of the Himalaya.
Homeowner Gyatso is known locally as the river man for his activism against damming the region's rivers, and his family's five-room home, opened to guests as one of the first homestays in Dzongu, has since inspired around 10 others in the village. Spend time here trekking to nearby Lepcha villages, helping with the rice harvest, or simply swimming in crystal clear waters.
Sustainability
Climate & conservation
- Homestay was founded to fund the Lepcha community's campaign against hydropower dams on local rivers
- No bottled water and wet waste composted
- Motion-sensor solar outdoor lighting, no bathroom geysers
- Most vegetables grown in the homestay's own fields
Community & culture
- Run directly by a Lepcha family from Dzongu, a protected tribal reserve
- Income supports a community that has campaigned for years to protect its rivers from damming
- One of Dzongu's first homestays, inspiring around 20 others in the village
- Local Lepcha youth work as guides for hikes and river camping
- Founded by Gyatso, known locally as the River Man for Teesta dam activism
Commercial
- Indigenous-led
- Renewable energy
Sustainable Development Goals
- Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
- Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
In brief
- Price bracket
- £
- Type of property
- Family homestay
- No. of rooms
- Small (1-10 rooms)
- Max guests per room
- Up to 2 guests
- Activities
- Hiking, Cultural visit, Birdwatching
- Setting
- Mountains · Rural
Best time to visit
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
October to May brings the clearest weather for trekking, avoiding the summer monsoon.
Accessibility
Not equipped for guests with reduced mobility; located on unpaved roads with shared, separate bathroom facilities.
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Sikkim, India
Guide price · £ <£100 · ££ £100–300 · £££ £300–800 · ££££ £800+ pp / night