Village life · Rinchenpong

Farm walk from Rinchenpong to Yangsum

A guided half-day on foot through the farms below Rinchenpong to Yangsum, a family farmhouse built in 1833. See how maize, millet, cardamom and oranges are grown on these slopes, and why Soreng's farmers mix crops rather than plant just one.

Rinchenpong1,650M

Photo: Greenchild · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Below Rinchenpong the slope drops in terraces of maize, millet and paddy, broken by stands of alder that shade large cardamom. The walk follows village paths rather than the road, past houses with orange trees, cowsheds and drying racks. Soreng district is known for oranges, ginger, large cardamom, vegetables and flowers, and a guide from the village explains what each terrace grows in which month. Sikkim has farmed organically by state policy since it was declared India's first fully organic state in 2016.

The destination is Yangsum Heritage Farm, about 2 km from the bazaar, where a family farmhouse built in 1833 and remodelled in 1966 sits on a 44-acre organic farm. If you are not staying there, ask your guide or us to arrange a visit in advance; it is a private home, not a museum. Even from the path you see how a large farm here works, with fields, forest and water channels side by side.

Allow about three hours at an easy pace, including stops. The return is uphill, so older travellers may want a car to collect them. Wear shoes with grip and carry water. From June to September the paths are muddy and leeches are common; October to May is better. A guide costs about ₹800–1,500 for a small group.

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Questions travellers ask

Before you book

Can we visit Yangsum Heritage Farm without staying there?

Only by arrangement. It is a private family farm and homestay, so ask in advance, either directly or through us, whether a short visit or a meal is possible on your date. Do not walk into the farm buildings unannounced.

Is the farm walk suitable for children?

Yes, for children who can walk two to three hours with breaks. The path is mostly gentle going down, but the return is uphill. Carry water and snacks, and arrange a car for the way back if the children are young.

What crops will we see around Rinchenpong?

Maize, millet and paddy on the terraces, large cardamom in the shade of alder trees, ginger, seasonal vegetables and orange trees around houses. What you see depends on the month: maize stands tall in summer, oranges ripen from November to January.

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