Located in West Sikkim, North East India, Yangsum Heritage Farm is a 44 acre mountain farm, situated in the remote countryside with a backdrop of the famous Khangchendzonga (or Kanchenjunga) mountain range and the skyline of the Singalila Ridge, known for offering one of the best treks in the world. The Yangsum Heritage Farm deservedly features in our Green Showcase, as it embodies the values and core principles of sustainability. Originally built in 1833, it was restored and remodelled in 1966 into a four-bedroom home stay by Thendup Tashi, the great grandson of the owner.

Restoration features

• Local carpenters and masons were employed to reconstruct the stone walls using locally available materials and the traditional dry-stack technique of construction. The stone walls retain the sun’s warmth, an important consideration as the farm is at an altitude of nearly 1900 metres.
• The indigenous style of architecture has been retained to preserve and honour the culture and heritage of the century-old farmhouse building.
• The guestrooms have been repurposed from the erstwhile warehouse that was used for storage purposes. These have been decorated in the traditional Sikkimese style.
• Locally sourced wood has been used for wall panelling, flooring and ceiling, to provide insulation against the cold
• The kitchen is a converted barn that was once used to prepare fodder for the farm animals.
• Overall, modern intervention has been minimal, restricted mainly to the bathrooms for better functionality and hygiene standards.
• Green is the reigning mantra at Yangsum Heritage Farm, with environmental, operational, purchase and labour policies and practices reinforcing sustainability.
• Energy efficient practices include the use of CFL bulbs and keeping the geyser thermostat at minimal temperature.
• Eco-friendly bamboo foot mats are used in all guest rooms.