Backpacking India 79/129: Eating Freshly Made Roti at Darap Village Homestay, Sikkim India

Backpacking India 79/129: Eating Freshly Made Roti at Darap Village Homestay, Sikkim India

When it comes to traveling in the state of Sikkim, India, for me, mr.hotsia, it’s not just about visiting big cities or famous viewpoints. Experiencing the real life of villagers in a small village like Darap is a charm that’s hard to find in my backpacking trips.

Darap is a small village hidden in the Himalayan mountain range of Sikkim, located not far from Namchi - the main city of South Sikkim that I have written about before.Read more about Namchi citySure, traveling to Darap is quite convenient because you can take a jeep from Namchi which takes about an hour. The atmosphere along the way features lush green mountains and light mist floating around the peaks, making you feel like you’ve entered another world.

I, mr.hotsia, chose to stay at a community homestay here, which is a completely different experience from staying at a regular hotel. This place is not just accommodation but an open home welcoming and sharing the lifestyle of the authentic Lepcha people, passed down for hundreds of years. What impressed me most was trying to make traditional fresh roti with the host, which is different from the roti I’ve eaten in big cities because here the roti is thin, crispy, and fragrant with homemade fresh butter. The spoken language is a mix of the local Sikkim dialect and northern Indian languages, which is delightful to listen to.

The time I spent making roti with the villagers was simple yet meaningful. Every step, from kneading the dough to frying it on a hot pan, showed me how much care they put into their food, preserving a culture that the Darap villagers hold firmly.

The atmosphere around the homestay is very relaxing because in the morning you can hear birds singing and smell the fresh air from the Himalayan mountains surrounding the village. I recommend waking up early to walk and watch the sunrise, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see the Kanchenjunga mountain standing majestically as a beautiful backdrop.

Experiencing the lifestyle of the Lepcha people in this small village made me, mr.hotsia, feel like I traveled back in time to a world that remains pure and simple, unlike tourist spots crowded with visitors and noise.

For anyone interested in following my footsteps, visiting Darap can easily be combined with a trip to Namchi city because there are regular jeep services connecting Namchi and Darap village. You can also plan to continue to Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, which I have written about in another article.Traveling to Gangtok, Sikkim, IndiaConveniently

If you love eating and deeply learning about food culture, Darap village and its homestay are an answer you shouldn’t miss. Besides the fresh roti I tried, the village also offers other interesting local dishes, such as Nepali-style fried rice accompanied by Nepali songs from street singers in Pelling, a nearby town.Read more about Pelling cityandListening to street songs in Pellingwhich I have also recorded.

Additionally, if you want to hear warm folk singing from a small village in Sikkim, I recommend this clip:She, the beautiful singer from a small village in Sikkimthat will let you truly experience the local atmosphere.

Finally, I, mr.hotsia, want to say that Sikkim is not only about beautiful nature or majestic mountains, but diving deep into the real lifestyle of villagers and tasting freshly made food at small homestays like Darap village will make your trip meaningful and unforgettable.

If you are planning a trip to Sikkim, don’t forget to visit and stay at Darap homestay and try making fresh roti as I, mr.hotsia, experienced. I guarantee you will have a deep and fun food and travel experience.

For more information about traveling and accommodation in Sikkim, you can read the articles:Backpacking Sikkim, IndiaandHomestay with Locals, Namchi City, South Sikkim, Indiawhich are resources I, mr.hotsia, have compiled from my own experiences.