YAKTEN, EAST SIKKIM – 135 KMS FROM SILIGURI

• Weekend Tour

High up in the Himalayas is a small village called Yakten which stays shrouded in mist and caressed by the soft chilling winds. Located just 35 kms from the bustling city of Gangtok in Sikkim, Yakten is surrounded by pine forests with magnificent views of the lush rolling Himalayan foothills. A 10-minutes walk through the pine forest would take you to a view point from where you can catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Almost eight home stays with adequate modern amenities welcome guests at Yaakten.

Places to see in Yakten: The centuries-old pine forest at the backdrop of Yakten Village is one of the best places to take short treks. A 10-min walk from the home stay through the pine forest would take you to a viewpoint from where you can catch a magnificent view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Yaakten is a village blessed by a healthy population of butterflies, birds and rare orchids. Although, few areas of Yaakten village are cultivated following the unique step-cultivation pattern most of Yaakten is covered in forests. Yakten Village also has a greenhouse with a very good collection of rare orchids. The upcoming airport at Pakyong is just 10 kms from Yakten.

Nearby Attractions of Yakten: A 07-kilometer trail through the pine forests would take you to Jhandi Dara View Point which offers a breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. You can also take a shorter trek to the ruins of a Bhutia Fort called Budang Gari. In the vicinity, you can explore the local monasteries like and natural caves.

Things to do in Yakten: If you are fond of bird watching, then Yakten will not fail to surprise you. There are few bird watching trails which pass through the forests and farmlands and yield some of the rarest sightings. Located at around 5300 feet above sea level, Yaakten Village is also home to rare butterflies and orchids. Apart from treks to Jhandi Dara, you can enjoy taking long village walks and butterfly watching hikes along the edges of the green hills of Yakten. The Yakten Village Community can also arrange for cultural shows in the evenings if you want.

How to reach Yaakten: Yakten is around 35 kms from Gangtok, which is the nearest town. You can hire cars from Gangtok to Yakten. The nearest rail head is New Jalpaiguri (which is around 140 kms.) and the nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB), which is around 145 kms away. However, when the Pakyong Airport becomes operational, this destination would be easily accessible.

Best time to visit Yakten: You can visit Yaakten anytime of the year. However, if you are fond of hiking and trekking, then avoiding the rainy season is recommended.

Lodging and dining facilities at Yakten: There are 08 homestays presently operational in Yaakten. Out of these, two homestays have been funded by Sikkim Govt. and the rest are privately owned. All homestays are equipped with electricity, attached bathrooms and commands a view of the surrounding hills and the distant city of Gangtok. You have to take a short 10-mins. walk through the pine forest to reach an opening from where you can catch a view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. The homestays at Yaakten are known for their warm traditional hospitality and some sumptuous local cuisine. The regular Indian cuisine is served in the homestays and the ingredients are locally sourced and fully organic.