SIKSIN
Siksin is a small Himalayan village of Darjeeling sub division in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is believed that the name Siksin is derived from the word ‘Shifting’. In the past during the British era, the British tried to shift an entire village settlement to a valley, from the word shifting, the name Siksin is derived. Siksin is a Nepali inhabited village and it is settled at an altitude of 4000 feet. Siksin is also referred to as Reshep village. Siksin village lies within the periphery of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary. Siksin village is characterized by rising mountains, deep valleys, thick natural vegetation and wide farmlands. The main economy of Siksin village is mainly Agro based and the locals use to grow vegetables like potato, cauliflower, radish and other seasonal vegetables through organic farming. Apart from that Siksin village is also abundant in Cinchona plantation. Recently down the past few years with the development of tourism in and around Siksin village some of the villagers have also started renting their houses to cater tourists with staying options in the form of homestays which has also boosted their economic structure. On a clear day Siksin offers stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga and others. Siksin village is an ideal gateway to experience rural village.
Activities and attractions around Siksin Village:
Siksin being a small Himalayan village offers tourists with bunch of activities and attractions to experience located nearby.
- Mungpoo Visit: Mungpoo is a popular tourist spot located at a distance of 06 km downward from Siksin village. At Mungpoo tourists can get around and visit the local watchable like Surrel Bungalow, Mungpoo Monastery, Maitri Devi Bhawan, Mungpoo Orchid Center and others.
- Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary visit: From Siksin village in a day tour tourists can opt for a visit to Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary. The trekking from Siksin village to Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary is about 1.5 hours. The route proceeds by the narrow dirt road along the mountain forests on one side and the ditch on the other side.
- Bird Watching and Wildlife Sighting: As Siksin village is nestled within the periphery of Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary hence tourists will get ample chances to witness wide species of Himalayan birds those inhabit the region. Apart from bird watching, Siksin village also offers tourists with rare chances of wild animal sightings like Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Wild Boar and others.
- Village Trail: On a leisure day at Siksin village tourists can opt for a village walk by the village trails and meet the local people and get deep insight of their daily lifestyle. Tourists will also get to witness the process of organic farming by the local villagers of Siksin. In the night Siksin village also offers stunning view of glittering lights of different hill towns to the far distant.
- Local Sightseeing: From Siksin village in a full day tour tourists can either opt to visit Darjeeling (21 km) and its surrounding spots. Or tourists can also opt for a visit the other nearby places like Lamahatta (18.4 km), Tinchuley (23.9 km), Takdah (34 km), Peshok Tea Estate (26 km), Sittong (36 km) and others.
- Trekking and Hiking: Siksin village is an ideal place for shorts treks and hiking in and around the village. From Siksin village few trek routes have emerged those leads to different directions. Tourists can easily avail these trek routes with a local guide from Siksin village.
- Sunrise View: Siksin village offers stunning view of the morning sunrise at the backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges.
- Camp Fire: In the evening after sunset tourists can opt to lit up camp fire on an open area and enjoy the night beauty of Siksin village. As being close to Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary in the night tourists can frequently hear the calling of the wild animals deep inside the forest. As the sun sets down the whole village of Siksin gets wrapped in thick blanket of darkness and the night sky glitters by the shining bright stars.
How to reach:
By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Siksin village located at a distance of 66.3 km away via NH10. Bagdogra Airport is well connected by regular flight services with Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. From Bagdogra Airport tourists will get reserved vehicles on hire to reach Siksin village.
By Train: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station is the nearest rail head to Siksin village located at a distance of 60 km away. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station is well connected by good railway networks with Kolkata and other major cities of India. From NJP railway station tourists can either opt to hire a reserved car to reach Siksin village directly or for small groups opt to travel on shared basis need to hire shared vehicle upto Mungpoo and from there by another vehicle by the dirt road one can reach at Siksin village.
By Road: Siksin village is well connected by good motor-able road with other nearby tourist spot. The route to Siksin village from NJP railway station or Bagdogra Airport passes via 03rd Mile, Rambhi Bridge and a small market area. Tourists will easily get vehicles on hire to visit the nearby tourist’s spots from Siksin village. From 03rd Mile crossing around 17 km away is Siksin village.
Best time to visit Siksin:
Siksin can be visited throughout the year, but winter is the best time to witness the stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Bird’s activity also rises during winter season as wide species of migratory birds comes to Siksin village from the higher altitudes. Summers at Siksin village are quite comfortable and tourists can easily travel to the nearby spots. Monsoon is a poor tourist season and most of the tourists avoids monsoon as it becomes hectic to visit the different places located nearby Siksin village.
SIKSIN HOMESTAY
Siksin Homestay is a small homestay accommodation available at Siksin village nestled amidst lush greenery all around. Sikin Homestay has very few rooms operational for tourist’s accommodation. Each room of Siksin Homestay can accommodate four to five people at a time. Tourists at Siksin Homestay are served with organic home cooked meals which are grown in their own farmlands. All the staffs of Siksin Homestay are very well behaved and are very courteous towards the guests. Siksin Homestay is maintained by a local family of Siksin village and tourists will find Siksin Homestay a home away from home.
Amenities available:
Rooms are all semi wooden furnished with attached western toilets.
Geyser facility available for running hot water.
Pick up and drop facility available (chargeable).
Camp fire and Bar-B-Cue facility available (chargeable).
Arrangement of car for local sightseeing.
Meals served within the homestay premises.
Tariff:
INR @ 1300/- per day per person (both food and lodging included).
Tariff includes both staying and meals (full day).
Meals include: Morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, snacks and dinner.
HOW TO BOOK: Call us at 9831311606 , 9830381306, to get the current availability status or use the query form furnished below with all you travel queries and submit, we will call/ contact you directly. Or, you may also directly book from our Kolkata office at: 8C Shanti Ghosh Street, Kolkata – 700003. Nearest Landmark: Manindra Chandra College and Shyambazar Metro Railway Station (Gate No: 3).
