Imagine clouds drifting past your window, reshaping the view every few minutes, while the Eastern Himalayas become the backdrop to your Zoom calls. Add the scent of pine in the air, the hush of forest walks, and even a glimpse of the mighty Kanchenjunga on clear mornings. This is everyday life in Yakten, a quiet hamlet in East Sikkim’s Pakyong district that has emerged as India’s first Digital Nomad Village. But what sets Yakten apart is not only its beauty but its purpose. With support from the Pakyong District Administration and a non-profit organisation, the village is developing a community-first model of tourism that sustains local families throughout the year, rather than relying on a brief travel season.

Check out this photo story on some of the most splendid places to visit in Sikkim.

I spent a month in Yakten as its first digital nomad, where morning mist replaced traffic jams and shared meals with my host family redefined my idea of remote work. This guide explores Yakten village as a conscious alternative to the familiar workation circuits of Goa and Himachal Pradesh.

Stay in Yakten, India’s first digital nomad village

Yakten does not offer luxury resorts or boutique hotels. Instead, the village has eight community-run homestays operated by Limbu and Bhutia families where travellers share a slice of everyday village life. Rooms are modest yet thoughtfully equipped with a work desk, hot water, power backup, an attached bathroom, and reliable Wi-Fi, making long stays and remote work surprisingly seamless.

I stayed at Guras Homestay, named after the rhododendron flower. On clear mornings, the windows revealed Gangtok glimmering in the distance, framed by rolling green mountains.

Also read | Savour These Breathtaking Himalayan Treks When The Rhododendrons Are In Full Bloom

A community manager assigns rooms to the guests, ensuring every homestay across the village benefits equally. Each property has its own character and views, but what truly defines a stay in Yakten village is the hospitality of the hosts, from shared meals to unhurried conversations that leave visitors feeling at home.

How can I become a part of the digital nomad community in Yakten?

Being part of the digital nomad community of Yakten promises a meaningful, affordable, and off-the-beaten-path experience. You must apply through this form, and the team will contact you after reviewing the application.

Important features include 100 Mbps Wi-Fi, 24/7 power backup, hot water, comfortable private rooms with attached washrooms and work desks, and home-cooked meals (available at approximately INR 600 a day for three meals).

How much does it cost?

Various options in Yakten Village include stay, Wi-Fi and community access:

• Day-long bookings: INR 1,100 per day
• Week-long bookings: INR 6,000 per week
• Month-long Bookings: INR 15,000 per month

If you’d like a plush stay before reaching Yakten, check out the best resorts and hotels in Gangtok.

Living the Yakten way

Life in Yakten village is less about visiting and more about becoming part of the community. My Limbu hosts treated me like family, and though I had travelled solo, I never once felt alone. Mornings began quietly on a bench outside my room, where birdsong and the rustle of pines replaced the noise of the city.

Days fell into a slow rhythm. The coworking space opposite my room framed panoramic Himalayan views and soon became the centre of my routine, a place to write, reflect, or simply watch clouds drift across the mountains.

What stayed with me most was the warmth of the people. My host first called me “Ma’am”, but soon began addressing me as Bahini (meaning “younger sister” in Nepali), a gesture that transformed formality into kinship. Now and then, we came together in the kitchen to make momos, folding dumplings as laughter rose with the steam. From birthdays to village gatherings, I was always included, ​​with a generosity that made each moment feel like belonging.

The taste of Yakten village

Food in Yakten is inseparable from its traditions and its soil. At the homestays, meals are cooked in family kitchens and typically reflect the broader Himalayan palate shaped by Nepali influence. My mornings often began with nutty flatbread Kodo ko Roti paired with the tang of Churpi cheese. In the evenings, my host would bring out plates of Sel Roti and crisp Khapse, which were best enjoyed with a warm cup of tea. Other staples such as Kinema, a soybean dish; a steaming bowl of Gundruk, soup made from fermented greens; and Sisno ko Jhol made from stinging nettle leaves offered both nourishment and novelty throughout my stay.

Much of what is eaten here comes directly from the surrounding fields. Dalle Khursani, the fiery red chilli with its own GI tag, thrives alongside corn, cucumbers, squash, cabbage, and plum trees. With Sikkim recognised as the world’s first fully organic state, every meal in Yakten village feels like a direct connection to the land and the people who cultivate it.

Local beverages add another layer to the culinary experience. Rhododendron wine is brewed in the village, while Tongba, a fermented millet drink, is served in bamboo mugs and sipped slowly through bamboo straws. These are less about indulgence and more about rituals that bring people together.

Things to do in and around Yakten village

• Walk through the pine forests: Just steps from the village, trails wind through tall pines, a perfect spot for strolls and birdwatching.
• Hike to Jhandi Dara: A 40-to 50-minute trek leads to a viewpoint with sweeping Himalayan panoramas, and on clear days, offers glimpses of Kanchenjunga.
• Explore local flora: Walks with local hosts reveal a surprising variety of non-native flowers such as Peruvian lilies, Fuchsias, African lilies, and Pansies that brighten the village paths.
• Heritage trail to Budaang Gari: A half-day trek takes you to the ruins of Budaang Gari, an old Bhutia fort that once served as a defensive outpost in East Sikkim.
• Take a day trip to Gangtok: About an hour’s drive away, the state capital offers a lively contrast with its markets, monasteries, and cafés before you return to the quiet embrace of Yakten. For buying gifts for your loved ones, explore this guide to souvenir shopping in Sikkim.

Tips for visiting Yakten village

• Carry your essential medicines, as the nearest health centre is in Pakyong, about a 30-minute drive downhill.
• Bring enough cash for daily use, as there are no ATMs in the village. However, most homestays and taxis accept digital payments.
• Stock up on essentials and snacks before arriving, as there are no grocery shops in Yakten.
• Pack a reusable water bottle and avoid single-use plastics, as the community is striving toward a zero-waste model.
• Keep a motion-sickness tablet handy, as the winding Himalayan roads to Yakten can be challenging for those prone to motion sickness.
• Respect local customs and traditions, and remember that your presence supports a community-first approach to tourism.
• A stay in Yakten village is more than a change of scenery. It is an invitation to slow down and to discover a way of travel that honours both people and place.

Best time to visit

Each season in Yakten reveals a different side of village life, and the best time to go depends on what you want to experience.

• March to May: Rhododendrons blanket the hillsides, skies are clear, and the pleasant weather makes it an ideal season for long walks, birdwatching, and sightseeing.
• June to August: The monsoon turns pine forests and fields into a lush carpet of green, though road travel can be challenging. I visited during this season, and while exploring beyond the village was limited, its quiet rhythm made it an ideal setting for focused work and reflection.
• September to November: This is the most popular season to visit with clear post-monsoon skies, crisp mornings that often reveal Kanchenjunga, and the Pang Lhabsol festival adding cultural colour across Sikkim.
• December to February: Winter is serene with short days and still nights that slow the pace of daily life. For travellers who can bear the cold, it is an ideal season for solitude.

For more detailed information, follow our feature on the best times to visit Sikkim for the ultimate seasonal getaway.

How to reach Yakten village

• By air: The nearest operational airport is Bagdogra (IXB) in West Bengal, roughly four hours by road from Yakten village. Most travellers hire a private car for a direct ride through the Himalayan foothills into East Sikkim.
• By rail: The closest station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), also about four hours away. From here, travellers usually continue the journey in a private car directly to Yakten.

For those on a budget, shared cabs run from Siliguri toward Rangpo or Pakyong. From either town, the final 45-60 minutes to Yakten village can be best completed by a local taxi.

(Feature image credit: Komal Virmani)

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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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