How remote is Chongri, and how do we get there?

Chongri is a mountain village in West Sikkim, accessible by road from Gyalshing or Pelling. The final stretch is scenic and slightly offbeat, but vehicles can reach the village comfortably.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in traditional homestays with local families. Rooms are clean and cozy, with basic facilities, offering a genuine rural experience rather than luxury.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

Not at all. The activities involve light walking, short hikes, and hands-on cultural experiences. A moderate fitness level is enough to enjoy the journey.

What about food and dietary preferences?

Meals are freshly cooked using local ingredients — rice, lentils, vegetables, cheese, and traditional delicacies. Vegetarian options are always available, and dietary needs can be accommodated with prior notice.

What makes this experience unique compared to regular tours?

This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s an immersive cultural exchange. You live, learn, and celebrate with yak herder families, gaining insights into a way of life rarely seen by outsiders.

Chongri; The Life of the Yak herders

Transportation
Car/Inova, ScorpioN, Swift, WagnR & Bolero
Accomodation
Standard-Five Stars Hotels/Homestay's
Best season
Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct & Nov
Tour type
Eco-Tour, Hiking
Meals
Breakfast and Dinner
Language
English, Hindi & Nepali
Fitness level
Easy to Moderate
Group Size
2-15
Minimum Age
12
Maximum Age
65
Group Size
2 - 8

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Overview

Here in Chongri, yak herding isn’t a profession, it’s a way of being. About 11 herder families still live the traditional lifestyle, following the ancient rhythm of the mountains: moving yaks to high alpine pastures in the summer and returning to the village for winter. Travelers who venture here don’t just watch this life from afar but they live it.

Wake before sunrise to milch, churn fresh butter, and help make cheese the way it has been done for generations. Learn how to load a Dzo, a unique hybrid of yak and cow, used to transport goods and supplies over high passes.

Watch as these gentle giants begin their day, carrying weight across steep trails, just as their ancestors did long before roads existed.

Highlights

Trek to the world-famous Everest Base Camp
Enjoy the amazing view of the Himalayas from Kala Patthar
Travel through the Sherpa villages of Namche, Khumjung, Khunde, and Dingboche
Visit Tengboche the biggest and oldest monastery n the region.

Itinerary

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Your five-day journey in Chongri is a gentle blend of culture, nature, and mountain life — beginning with a warm welcome in a village at the edge of the world, where stories and songs by the fire set the tone. Each day brings new experiences: waking up to milk cows, churning butter, and walking with the Dzos along forest trails; wandering through herbal forests alive with birdsong; fishing in clear rivers; and learning the art of weaving yak wool. Evenings are filled with laughter, Tongba, and traditional dances under the starlit sky. You meet elder herders, hear their stories of migration and mountains, and share slow, hearty meals prepared with love. By the final morning, as the sun paints the valley in golden light, you carry home not just memories, but the stillness, warmth, and timeless spirit of the Himalayas.

Day 1 :

Arrival – Welcome to the Village at the Edge of the World

Arrive in Chongri and receive a warm welcome with butter tea and smiles. Stroll through wooden homes, listen to folklore, and spend your first evening by the fire, embracing the warmth of mountain hospitality.

Day 2 :

Life with the Herders – Milking, Butter, Cheese & Dzo Trails

Join the herders in their morning rituals — milking cows, churning butter, and cheese-making. Learn about the resilient Dzos and hike along scenic trails before enjoying a sunset viewpoint and a hearty dinner.

Day 3 :

Forest Walk, River Fishing & Handloom Traditions

Walk through forests rich with herbs and birdlife. Try traditional river fishing and return for a weaving session — spinning yak wool and learning dyeing techniques. End the day with a cultural evening of songs, dances, and Tongba.

Day 4 :

Deep Dive into the Herders’ World

Meet elder herders who share migration stories, mountain myths, and ancestral wisdom. Experience wool spinning, storytelling, and a slow community feast that reflects the heart of Chongri’s culture.

Day 5 :

Farewell with a Heart Full of Mountains

Take a sunrise walk or simply sip morning tea as golden light floods the valley. Bid farewell to your hosts and leave with stories, stillness, and a piece of Chongri in your soul

Chongri; The Life of the Yak herders

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Itinerary

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FAQs

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Overview

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