Eka Experiences

Gorkhey Khola Village Trail

"a relaxing walking holiday through dreamy rural settings, perfect for families or small groups"

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The Gorkhey Khola Village Trail is crafted as a local walking holiday experience, involving short forest treks, gorgeous village visits and lovely local homestays. It explores the scenic villages along the Gorkhey Khola stream, a small mountain creek that marks a natural border between Sikkim and West Bengal. 

Snuggled between the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and the Singalila National Park, these rural hamlets are rare offbeat places still relatively untouched by commercialization. 

Our walking trail winds through these charming mountain villages, wooded valleys, birding trails and terraced rice fields, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding hilly landscapes. This leisurely hiking tour is senior and child-friendly and is especially designed for families, couples or small groups who prefer active holidays in peaceful natural environments. It’s a rejuvenating mountain vacation with an immersive culture and community experience.

  • Duration: 5 days (Siliguri to Siliguri)
  • Region: Gorkhey Khola, Sikkim-Darjeeling Border, India
  • Time: October to April
  • Start/End: Siliguri/Bagdogra Airport
  • Type: Guided Village Hiking + Local Homestay Experience
  • Grade: Easy
  • Age Group: 7 to 60
  • Accommodation: Local Homestays

Day 1: Morning Pick Up from Siliguri ( Bagdogra Airport/NJP Railway Station);

  • Go on a scenic drive through the hills to Bhareng Village in Sikkim
  • Total distance: 135 km | Drive Duration: 5-6 hrs
  • Overnight in Bhareng homestay

Day 2:  Bhareng to Samanden village

  • After breakfast, start a short rural hike to Samanden village
  • Walk on a trail of Pine forests and terraced farms (Hike Duration: 2-3 Hrs)
  • Overnight in Samanden Homestay

Day 3: Leisure Day at Samanden village

  • Immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful villages of the region
  • Explore the place for a unique rural cultural immersion
  • Optional hike deeper into the forests of Singalila National Park
  • Overnight in Samanden Homestay

Day 4: Samanden to Gorkhey village

  • Short hiking down to the village of Gorkhey (Hike Duration: 2-3 Hrs)
  • Gorkhey is another pristine little hamlet with an impressive natural envrionment
  • Spend the remaining day at leisure, resting and relaxing amidst serene rural settings
  • Overnight in Gorkhey Homestay

Day 5: Gorkhey to Siliguri via Bhareng

  • Walk through nature trails from Gorkhey to Bhareng village (Hike Duration: 1-2 Hrs)
  • Bid goodbye to the team and drive back to Siliguri/Airport/Railway Station

Experience Highlights

1. A Walking Holiday through offbeat mountain villages

Mother with Child trekking - Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Kids trekking near the village Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Trekkers including children entering the forests Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Kids nature learning session Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Children playing and practicing archery at the village_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Kids trekking on a line near the village_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Trekker walking through forest trail_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences

The Gorkhey Khola Village Trail is designed to be a relaxing walking holiday in the mountains. The time is spent exploring some of the most scenic mountain villages in the region and involves leisurely forest walks and short hikes. 

Compared to a conventional trek, it is conducted at a slower pace and over relatively short distances. 

The focus of this active experience is to explore beautiful lesser-known villages, facilitate a deeper connection with the natural surroundings and to enjoy cultural or community interaction.

On this route, we hop from one pretty village to another taking in the sights and sounds of their picturesque environs. These quaint little villages with no motorable roads are only accessible on foot. 

Lying off the tourist radar, they are nestled deep in the forests in some of the most soothing and tranquil natural settings. Spending time in these peaceful locales is a rejuvenating experience for any visitor. 

This 5-day experiential hiking tour is suitable for all including families with kids or seniors. Spending time in nature, learning about forests and outdoor sessions with our trip leaders can prove to be a great experience especially for any children. 

No wonder, the trail classifies as a kids’ favourite. Overall, it’s a refreshing mountain vacation that allows all travellers to fully immerse themselves in unique rural communities and magnificent mountain villages.

 

2. The Gorkhey Khola Village Trail​

The Gorkhey Khola Valley is a narrow valley remotely situated in a biodiverse region between the Barsney Rhododendron Sanctuary and the Singalila National Park.

The isolated valley is drained by the Gorkhey Khola stream that originates from the upper reaches of the Singalila mountain ranges. The Gorkhey Khola stands as a natural border and marks a small section of the boundary between the states of Sikkim and West Bengal. 

The rivulet cuts its way to meet other streams which together combine to join the river Rangeet downstream at Jorethang. 

The valley harbours some of the most dense forests in the Eastern Himalayas. Home to a variety of trees and wildlife, including colorful birds, the area is an unexplored natural paradise with a peaceful atmoshperere. 

The little settlements situated on both sides of the Gorkhey Khola valley are some of the most scenic villages in the region.

Remote village_Singalila Pass Trek_Singalila National Park
Solo trekker entering the forests Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Clear stream water Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Rest Point in Singalila National Park Trek
Singalila National Park Villages Trek
Trekkers on the way Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Samanden village in Singalila National Park Trek
Himalayan Forests_Singalila Pass Trek

3. Memorable Local Homestays

Himalayan Villages - Singalila Pass Trek
Village Homestay with sunset_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Parents and Children sitting on field_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Village scenes_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
A dog looking at a camping trekker with tent_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences
Village Homestay_Gorkhey Khola VIllage Trail Eka Experiences

Our holiday trail covers small hamlets located in the foothills of the great Himalayan ranges. Encircled by lush greenery and hilly landscapes, these distant mountain villages offer basic local homestays. 

Our nights are spent in these local accommodations that provide basic, comfortable and clean facilities. These handpicked village homestays are hosted by friendly, hospitable families from within the local resident communities. 

They are knowledgeable and sociable and provide visitors with invaluable insights on their region that simply aren’t available from a guide book. 

Sharing the homes of local residents also allow guests to taste the delicious home-cooked food and the authentic local cuisine, which is often a direct farm-to-table experience. Time spent here invites cultural exchanges, cross-cultural understanding and a chance to unveil an authentic side to a rural Himalayan region. 

Our guides and hosts also regale the visitors with local folklore and community stories, allowing for an intensely immersive experience which can yield lasting memories.

Book now

TRAVEL REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS

Reviews Platform Logo
EXCELLENT
138 reviews on
EXCELLENT
104 reviews on
"We had a great time during our West Sikkim trip and can absolutely recommend Eka for unique experiences far from the usual touristy crowd! The home stays were great and the families there were more than welcoming. Although we got surprised by rain, the organisers quickly adjusted the schedule so that we could still make the most out of the trip. From breathtaking mountains, lush green jungles, beautiful monasteries and amazing food (not to forget the traditional drink Chang 🙂 ), this trip really had everything!"
Jenny Poser
Jenny PoserGermany/Goa
"Did the ‘Nomad trails of Changthang Plateau in Ladakh’ curated by Eka Experiences during July 2022...Right from guiding the team members during the preparation stage, to food, tents & other misc amenities...every minute detail was well taken care of...Full credit to Jeet for keeping us engaged with different games, group activities, stories, anecdotes etc etc. The sessions were an absolute blast..... Thank you Eka for providing such a wonderful experience. I am filled with happiness and gratitude when I remember those moments. Looking forward to planning the next outing with you guys."
Ankur Gupta
Ankur GuptaBangalore
"A group of us successfully completed the Kashmir Great lakes trek in July 2022 under the guidance of the Trek Guide, Indrajit and his very experienced support team. This trek is NOT for beginners. Its scale of difficulty ranges from moderate to difficult. This is one of the more challenging treks I hv done. Thanks Indrajit for everything that made this as very awesome experience for me and made us feel safe!. Looking forward to more treks with your company."
Jayakumari KM
Jayakumari KMSingapore
"..On high altitude Himalayan trek we are more concerned about safety than anything else....I was trekking with son and daughter. After interacting and discussing with Abhirup we were confident that we are in right hands. Soft spoken, energetic, dependable and best of all well qualified in mountaineering, high altitude crisis handling, emergency medication, etc. Assisted and treated my daughter when she fell sick on the first day itself. Kept whole trek group in good humour throughout and was continuosly sharing all information about the Himalayas, surrounding mountains...."
Ravilochan Achar
Ravilochan AcharMangalore
"they try to strike a balance between sticking to the targets and reaching the destination while making every bit of the journey filled with exciting experiences. You have the liberty to enjoy your solitude, yet have the opportunity to mingle and melt into a variegated group of people. They give you a holistic experience encompassing learning, adventure, thrill, cultural life, delicious local food, homestays, camping, scenic views and many more on the list.. The experience is unparalleled, transcendental. Guys, go and grab your own EKA experience!!"
Simantini Pattanayak
Simantini PattanayakDehradun
"Abhirup is a very talented individual with an unparalleled understanding of the Himalayas, a keen star gazer and a very knowledgeable bird watcher too... Trekking with him as the leader is one of the best experiences one can have - he takes people high up on the alpine ranges but most importantly brings everybody back safely."
Sayantan Mandal
Sayantan MandalHyderabad
"Highly recommend Eka experiences for offbeat trails...recently been to the West Sikkim trail. Very well organized by Abhirup right from the transport, very good homestays in all places , amazing local cuisine and great trekking experiences. Would definitely love to do more adventures with Eka in future."
Shruti Raiturcar
Shruti RaiturcarGoa
"...A wonderful person with a great experience. The treks are fun and adventurous. We went to such beautiful places which we could just dream of. Photos would not make enough justice to the places. The treks are well organised, on time, with all safety measures in place. We were taken care of the best we could get in such remote places. Abhirup was always around to help, to take care. We were checked each day of our health, of our vitals both before and after the trek. Overall a wonderful experience, which we can never forget!!"
Krishnan KN
Krishnan KNBangalore
"You know it's an incredible experience when it leaves an imprint on you. We did the Kashmir Great Lakes trek with Eka Experiences and i keep going back to it ever since I got back about a month back. The team at Eka experiences is experienced, quality centric and passionate about what they do....Indrajit and Abhirup are onto something here. Carving niche experiences within an industry that's crowded and easily motivated to provide substandard experiences in the race to scale their businesses. Eka experiences ensured that each trip is curated. Looking forward to our next trip. "
Pritesh Kamani
Pritesh KamaniBangalore
Previous
Next

TRAVEL REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS

Reviews Platform Logo
EXCELLENT
138 reviews on
EXCELLENT
104 reviews on
"We had a great time during our West Sikkim trip and can absolutely recommend Eka for unique experiences far from the usual touristy crowd! The home stays were great and the families there were more than welcoming. Although we got surprised by rain, the organisers quickly adjusted the schedule so that we could still make the most out of the trip. From breathtaking mountains, lush green jungles, beautiful monasteries and amazing food (not to forget the traditional drink Chang 🙂 ), this trip really had everything!"
Jenny Poser
Jenny PoserGermany/Goa
"Did the ‘Nomad trails of Changthang Plateau in Ladakh’ curated by Eka Experiences during July 2022...Right from guiding the team members during the preparation stage, to food, tents & other misc amenities...every minute detail was well taken care of...Full credit to Jeet for keeping us engaged with different games, group activities, stories, anecdotes etc etc. The sessions were an absolute blast..... Thank you Eka for providing such a wonderful experience. I am filled with happiness and gratitude when I remember those moments. Looking forward to planning the next outing with you guys."
Ankur Gupta
Ankur GuptaBangalore
"A group of us successfully completed the Kashmir Great lakes trek in July 2022 under the guidance of the Trek Guide, Indrajit and his very experienced support team. This trek is NOT for beginners. Its scale of difficulty ranges from moderate to difficult. This is one of the more challenging treks I hv done. Thanks Indrajit for everything that made this as very awesome experience for me and made us feel safe!. Looking forward to more treks with your company."
Jayakumari KM
Jayakumari KMSingapore
"..On high altitude Himalayan trek we are more concerned about safety than anything else....I was trekking with son and daughter. After interacting and discussing with Abhirup we were confident that we are in right hands. Soft spoken, energetic, dependable and best of all well qualified in mountaineering, high altitude crisis handling, emergency medication, etc. Assisted and treated my daughter when she fell sick on the first day itself. Kept whole trek group in good humour throughout and was continuosly sharing all information about the Himalayas, surrounding mountains...."
Ravilochan Achar
Ravilochan AcharMangalore
"they try to strike a balance between sticking to the targets and reaching the destination while making every bit of the journey filled with exciting experiences. You have the liberty to enjoy your solitude, yet have the opportunity to mingle and melt into a variegated group of people. They give you a holistic experience encompassing learning, adventure, thrill, cultural life, delicious local food, homestays, camping, scenic views and many more on the list.. The experience is unparalleled, transcendental. Guys, go and grab your own EKA experience!!"
Simantini Pattanayak
Simantini PattanayakDehradun
"Abhirup is a very talented individual with an unparalleled understanding of the Himalayas, a keen star gazer and a very knowledgeable bird watcher too... Trekking with him as the leader is one of the best experiences one can have - he takes people high up on the alpine ranges but most importantly brings everybody back safely."
Sayantan Mandal
Sayantan MandalHyderabad
"Highly recommend Eka experiences for offbeat trails...recently been to the West Sikkim trail. Very well organized by Abhirup right from the transport, very good homestays in all places , amazing local cuisine and great trekking experiences. Would definitely love to do more adventures with Eka in future."
Shruti Raiturcar
Shruti RaiturcarGoa
"...A wonderful person with a great experience. The treks are fun and adventurous. We went to such beautiful places which we could just dream of. Photos would not make enough justice to the places. The treks are well organised, on time, with all safety measures in place. We were taken care of the best we could get in such remote places. Abhirup was always around to help, to take care. We were checked each day of our health, of our vitals both before and after the trek. Overall a wonderful experience, which we can never forget!!"
Krishnan KN
Krishnan KNBangalore
"You know it's an incredible experience when it leaves an imprint on you. We did the Kashmir Great Lakes trek with Eka Experiences and i keep going back to it ever since I got back about a month back. The team at Eka experiences is experienced, quality centric and passionate about what they do....Indrajit and Abhirup are onto something here. Carving niche experiences within an industry that's crowded and easily motivated to provide substandard experiences in the race to scale their businesses. Eka experiences ensured that each trip is curated. Looking forward to our next trip. "
Pritesh Kamani
Pritesh KamaniBangalore
Previous
Next

For Trip Booking, Costs and More Details, Please Contact Us:

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A personalized itinerary can be crafted based on your group’s interests, expectations, and preferred dates and time duration. For tailoring a suitable Gorkhey Khola village trail experience just for you, please Call/Whatsapp on +91 8951064013 or mail us at contact@ekaxp.in