Most popular staple food: Sikkimese Daal

Daal is certainly one of the most popular staple dishes in India and there are probably as many recipes as there are communities in India.

The local version is very simple. Aside from a a kind of pulse, water, and turmeric only the following ingredients are used to spice it up: tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, chili, and salt. But this does in no ways mean that there is not a lot of work behind that dish. In the Bamboo Retreat Hotel the ingredients are sourced directly from the property’s purely organic garden. A local variety of beans (marshyam daal) is used and collected by hand.

After drying in the sun for two days the beans are shelled – also by hand.

The beans are then soaked for a couple of hours and gently cooked together with turmeric powder. The powder is home-made from the turmeric grown in the property’s garden.

Turmeric roots are harvested once a year. They are washed and sliced to be fully dried in the sun and then ground into turmeric powder.

Why turmeric plays an important role

Turmeric is used prominently in the different cuisines in India. Besides its strong colouring effect it has well-known health benefits. Curcumin is the main active ingredient and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. It is also said to lower the risk of heart diseases and cancer and alleviate the symptoms of arthritis as well as depression. Turmeric is becoming an increasingly important crop of Sikkim. It has similar cultivation practices as ginger and is grown as both pure crops as well as mixed with maize, chilly, bean, and vegetable. Compared to other crops Turmeric is more resistant to pests and diseases and therefore easily suitable for organic cultivation.

Back to our daal: The finely chopped onion, chili, tomatoes, and ginger are roasted in soy oil and turmeric powder is added. Squashed garlic is roasted separately and together with the spice mixture added to the daal. The daal is left simmering.

Meanwhile fresh coriander leaves from the garden are chopped and sprinkled on top. Daal is served almost daily to the Bamboo Retreat Hotel’s guests and staff.

It does not take a lot to make a good daal. But as the saying goes, the best things in life are the simple things..!

We found some information at:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric

http://www.sikkimorganicmission.gov.in/cash-crops/

Trekking Routes in Sikkim

Sikkim is the land of the mighty Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is also one of the hotspots in India for trekking as it boasts of some of the best Himalayan trekking routes. From mountain peaks, flower valleys, forests, waterfalls, exotic birds, wildlife; there is everything you could wish for. It is considered a visual feast by trekkers. From beginners to professionals; Sikkim has something to offer for everybody. So if you are a fan of nature or not, these trek routes will make you a fan for life. So, if you are planning to visit Northeast India, then one of these treks should definitely be on your itinerary. Which one would you choose?      

Green Lakes Trek

This trek takes to you to the base of Mt. Kanchenjunga at a height of 5050 m. On the way you get to see the Zemu Glacier, stunning waterfalls, rhododendron forests and catch amazing glimpses of the eastern himalayas especially Mt. Kanchenjunga. This trek normally takes 12 days and the best time to do it is March – April or October – November. This trek is comparatively challenging compared to the other treks and is not for beginners. The trek starts in Lachen, North Sikkim at 2750 m.   

Goecha La Trek

The most popular trekking route in Sikkim by a long distance; the Goecha La trek gives you chance to view more than 10 breathtaking Himalayan mountains peaks. The trek can be completed within 10 days. The best time to do this trek is October – November. It is a photographer’s paradise as one gets to see some unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. Starting from Yuksom at 1780 m, you get to pass through lush rhododendron forests till you get to the top at nearly 4800 m. An interesting fact is that the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga from Goecha La is used on the back of the Rs. 100 note in India.     

Dzongri Trek

This is a comparatively easy trek that can be completed within 7 days. On the way you will see a number of Himalayan trees; from oak, maple, pine, etc and pass through rhododendron forests on your way to the meadows of Dzongri. But it will be the sight of Mt. Kanchenjunga that will blow you away. Your journey will begin in Yuksom at 1800 m and the highest point will be at 4030 m. The best time to visit is between October and March to get a good view of the snow clad peaks. This is the most popular trek among tourists with no trekking experience.

Tosar Lake Trek

This is a slightly offbeat trek taking you through yak trails up to the Tosar Lake at 4000 m. The trek starts at Naga village at an altitude of 1800 m. You get to pass through coniferous forests and also get to see exotic flowers, birds and obviously beautiful mountain ranges. The Tosar lake lies between the Chola and Mangan ranges. The best time to visit is between March-June and September-November. It’s a comparatively easy trek and can be completed in 7 days. It is a must for photographers who wish to capture nature at its finest.    

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

The ultimate experience for adventure seekers, Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek attracts trekkers from across the world. This trek starts at Yuksom and takes you up to 4950 m. It can be easily completed in 9 days. The best time to visit is between April – June and September – November. You will see the best of Sikkimese Himalayas in this trek. The magnificent Mt. Kanchenjunga on this trek will be the highlight of this trek but there will many other mountain peaks to see.    

Singalila Trek

This trek route will test your limits but also reward you with unforgettable views, including that of Mt. Everest. This trek starts in Uttarey, West Sikkim at 2320 m and takes to as high as 5000 m. You will pass through quaint villages, thick forests, lakes, rivers and steep passes on this journey. As you will be walking close to the Indo-Nepal border, you will be able to see more than 15 major peaks of the Himalayas and 4 of the top 5 highest mountains in the world. This trek can be completed in 15 days and is best attempted between April-June or October-November.

Make the Bamboo Retreat your base before out! We can help with transportation and guides as well as ensure your comfort and relaxation after accomplishing you trekking.

Your unforgettable trip to Sikkim

To be able to truly experience a place, one needs to immerse themselves in the culture and history of the place. Interacting with the local people and getting information first hand is the best way to learn about a place. When it comes to Sikkim, people often are wonder-struck by the amazing views and the regular tourist circuit that they forget to dig deeper. Sikkim is a Himalayan state that has rich culture with unique architecture, dances, songs and cuisine. These are the must do activities in Sikkim that will ensure that your trip will turn out to be really special and memorable.

1> Lepcha Cultural Experience

Lepchas are the indigenous people of Sikkim. A peak into their lives will give you a great insight into Sikkimese culture. You can go on a one day pre-arranged trip to experience the Lepcha way of life. It includes a visit to the village monastery and interaction with the local monks and village shaman. Next, you get to witness a cultural program with all the traditional Lepcha dances, songs and instruments. You also get to visit a traditional Lepcha house and eat a traditional Lepcha lunch. This is one of the best experiences you will get in Sikkim.

2> Learn Buddhism

Sikkim is a land of monks and monasteries. Buddhism is a deep part of Sikkim’s history. Also, here you can get a good idea about Buddhist history and traditions. You can learn from the monks themselves, ask questions and clear all your misconceptions once for all. Once you realize the beauty of the teachings, you will only be inspired to learn more. But, most importantly you will take back something really invaluable from Sikkim.

3> Ethnic Cooking

India has a large variety of cuisines. Every state and region boasts of a unique preparation style and an army of flavours. You can get a crash course to the basics of the Lepcha cuisine, unique to Sikkim. Also, you can learn to cook a number of Bhutia, Nepali, Lepcha dishes. This is knowledge that you can showcase to your friends and family. So, the next time you miss Sikkimese food, all you have to do is make it yourself and enjoy it.

4> Village Walk

When you move away from downtown Gangtok, you will discover numerous quaint villages and meet friendly villagers. You can go on a guided tour to beautiful villages and walk through scenic routes that are not on the tourist map. As you stop by the villages, you get to taste different snacks and even stop for a full meal. This enriching trip into the heart of Sikkim will stay with you for a long time. You will also get to see firsthand the laid back lifestyles of the Sikkimese and envy the views they get to see everyday.

5> Hot Stone Bath

Popular among the country-folk in Sikkim, the traditional hot stone bath is an experience unique to the Himalayas. Spring water is collected into over-sized wooden tub. Heated stones are added to the water. Locally available herbs are added for their medicinal value. A special vegetable soup called ‘Kowri’ is served during the bath. This is such a relaxing experience that you will crave for it every time you return home from a busy day at work. So, you need to experience it as many times as possible during your stay in Sikkim.

6> Meditation Workshop

Meditating in the the Himalayas is a whole different experience. With nature to give you company and no noise to disturb you, this is the best place to connect with yourself. You can get a qualified instructor (Buddhist monk, nun or teacher) to do a personal workshop for you. This will be an opportunity to learn tips and ways to improve your meditation experience. Also, you can learn about how Buddhist monks meditate and the philosophy behind it. This would be a great opportunity to renew and revitalize yourself.

7> Monastery Tour

Monasteries in Sikkim are part of the tourist circuit. But, a lot of the quaint and smaller monasteries are often ignored. For a true understanding of Sikkimese history and culture, one has to go on a comprehensive monastery tour that takes in all the historical monasteries with legends attached to them. This will give you the big picture about the historical significance of Buddhism in Sikkim. This will also make you among the 10% of the people who go on the complete monastery tour in Sikkim. In the process, you can talk with locals, monks and nuns and get insights about Sikkim that you can’t find in books or the internet.

All of the above activities can either be experienced at or be organized by the Bamboo Retreat. We would be more than happy to host you during your stay in Sikkim.