Village · Zuluk, Sikkim
A night in a Zuluk homestay
Spend a night with a family in Zuluk, eat home-cooked dal, rice and greens by a warm stove and wake before dawn for sunrise on the road above. Rooms are simple, but the welcome and the location make it worthwhile.
Photo: Jakub Michankow · CC BY 2.0 · CommonsZuluk's homestays are family homes with a few guest rooms, often wooden and sometimes with attached bathrooms. Meals are home-cooked: rice, dal, vegetables, eggs and, on request, chicken. Hot water is usually provided in buckets. Thick quilts make up for the lack of central heating.
Evenings are quiet: there is little to do but talk, eat and watch the light fade over the valley. Ask your host about the village, the old trade road and life through the seasons. Most hosts will also arrange the pre-dawn drive to Thambi and Lungthung for sunrise.
Bring a warm sleeping layer, a torch and a power bank, as power cuts are common. Tell your host about dietary needs in advance. Carry cash; there are no ATMs or card payments in Zuluk.
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Photo: Jakub Michankow · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
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Questions
Before you book
Are there hotels in Zuluk?
No, Zuluk has homestays rather than hotels. Rooms are simple, with meals included, and are usually booked through your agency.
How cold is Zuluk at night?
Very cold from November to March, often below freezing, and cool even in spring and autumn. Pack thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a cap.
Do Zuluk homestays have attached bathrooms?
Some do, some share. Ask your agency when booking if this matters to you.