Bon Farmhouse is a working guesthouse farm run by a Bhutia family in the village of Kewzing, in southern Sikkim. Around three hours' drive from Gangtok, this property combines wooden and bamboo buildings, cardamom plantations, livestock farming and birdwatching. A rural retreat for those seeking an authentic immersion in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Why stay here

• A genuine working organic farm, not a reconstructed backdrop
• Home-cooked cuisine that shifts with the harvest seasons
• The traditional Dotho bath, made with heated volcanic stones and medicinal herbs
• Chewang the owner's ornithological expertise
• Several Buddhist monasteries within walking distance or a day's outing

Atmosphere

The place feels like a family home. The wooden and bamboo buildings sit within a landscape of verdant hills, ancient forests and hamlets perched on the slopes. Hot water is produced by solar energy, materials are local, and daily life follows the rhythm of the agricultural seasons.

Chewang, the proprietor, is an avid ornithologist. He is happy to guide visitors along the surrounding trails to spot the Himalayan Barbet, Grey Magpie, Green Magpie, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon or Black Bulbul. At dawn, the garden fills with birdsong.

At day's end, the Dotho bath—water heated by volcanic stones and infused with medicinal herbs—is part of the rituals the family offers to guests.

Rooms

Accommodation is spread across several wooden and bamboo buildings. The rooms are spacious, light-filled and simply furnished. Each opens onto gardens, fields or hillsides. Some have a balcony, others a sitting area. All have a private bathroom and solar-heated hot water. Comfort remains modest but complete.

Dining and services

Meals come almost entirely from the farm. Agriculture here is organic and seasonal: rice in summer, corn in spring, peas, buckwheat and potatoes in winter, along with cucumbers, radishes, beans, squashes and passion fruit. The farm is surrounded by two hectares of giant cardamom, a highly aromatic local variety. In the wet season, neighbouring forests supply bamboo shoots, wild ferns and edible mushrooms.

On the livestock side, Jersey cows produce milk, butter and fresh cheese, complemented by hens and goats. At table, you might savour squash curry, pea soup or rice fragrant with wild herbs, depending on the season. The family happily shares recipes and traditional uses of plants.

Guests who wish can take part in daily activities: harvesting vegetables, caring for animals, making pickles, baking local bread. Nothing is mandatory.

Location and access

Bon Farmhouse is located in the village of Kewzing in southern Sikkim. The nearest airport is Bagdogra, in West Bengal, approximately 124 km away. From Bagdogra, plan for a shared taxi or private vehicle journey to Gangtok, then a mountain road of around three hours to Kewzing (duration varies depending on conditions).

Nearby

• Doling Monastery: less than 30 minutes' walk away, for dawn prayers
• Ralang Monastery: colourful frescoes and ritual dances during major festivals
• Tendong Hill: a full-day trek with panoramic views of valleys and Himalayan peaks
• Neighbouring Bhutia villages, where people happily share salted butter tea

Depending on the calendar, you may witness a local festival punctuated by dances, sacred chants and traditional costumes.

Frequently asked questions

Continue your journey

Bon Farmhouse fits naturally into a deeper itinerary through Sikkim and northeastern India. To build your tailor-made stay, consult our travels in India or explore other properties such as Red Earth and Woodville Palace Hotel.