PaliGhar is a farmstay near Kalimpong in West Bengal, India, that combines cultural immersion and a slow travel mentality with multiple options for guided walking excursions in the Himalayan foothills of Ladakh, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim and Nepal. Owners Kabir and Ahana left their careers in luxury travel and lifestyle/travel journalism to return to their hometown, where they’ve created a sanctuary which serves as the perfect base for exploring this region. Cooking lessons, nature walks, spiritual sojourns to nearby temples, learning about floriculture, day hikes in Darjeeling and Nepal — these are all possible with PaliGhar.
Review of PaliGhar
With PaliGhar, you have several options. You can choose to stay as a guest in one of their 2 cottages, opting to do as little or as much as you wish by choosing your own activities which are detailed on their site. Accommodations are comfortable, spacious and private, and can include all meals (which is what we recommend). Their website has excellent photos showing what to expect and several reviews on TripAdvisor include photos of mouthwatering Nepalese meals.
PaliGhar also offers multi-day tours in the Himalayan region focusing on Ladakh, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim and Nepal. These PaliGhar Experiences focus on culture, cuisine and getting off the regular trails for a more slow and immersive walking holiday. All tours are customized for guests and are accompanied by the owner or local experts from their network of tour guides.
“Our walking holidays usually involve guests being driven to 4 or 5 destinations, spending 2-3 nights in each place and discovering the region through day walks. We usually conduct these immersive tours in the rural countryside where walks lead through villages, small patches of forests, farmlands and a mix of terrain. These walks give a great insight into the local way of life through interactions with families over meals and touch upon places of interest (monasteries, temples, educational institutions) for a better understanding of life in the hills. Accommodations range from colonial properties, family-run heritage homes, rustic farmstays, luxurious boutique stays and tea-garden plantation bungalow, depending on the region.” ~ Kabir
Prices for lodging and food are listed on the site but you will need to contact them for tour pricing.
Things to like about PaliGhar
- Locally owned farmstay created by travel industry veterans with years of experience within this region
- Strong partnerships with local tour operators and locally owned properties that have been tried and tested
- Constructed their buildings using local resources and skilled craftsmen
- Actively practices sustainable tourism and contributes to local economies by using local guides and accommodations
- Consistent 5-star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor
- Can provide full-board (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Offers unique itineraries and a good mix of leisure and activity
Route types
- Center-based hiking
- Trekking (hut to hut)
Destinations include
- India (Ladakh, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim)
- Nepal
Great choice for
- Those seeking travel to rural locations who want authentic, immersive experiences and want comfortable, quality accommodations
- Anyone seeking walking holidays in India’s Ladakh, Darjeeling, Kalimpong or Sikkim regions; especially those who want to combine cultural and culinary experiences
- Multi-gen travel or small groups who want a mix of activities for different physical abilities and interests
It’s easy to see why PaliGhar earns our Local Choice for walking holidays in the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal. This is rural tourism at its best, with a chance to experience genuine hospitality and daily life in India.
Established in 2017
last reviewed July 23, 2024
