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This trip is full with local interaction. We use Homestays in many places, thus not only helping the local communities benefit fully from the economic opportunities of tourism but also providing the best cultural experience for our guests. The homestay service providers are dedicated to community self-reliance and have a mandate to achieve the goals of sustainable development in the fields of ecotourism and conservation. In this way, the spectacular environmental and cultural heritage of these areas can be protected and can meet the needs of local communities. Also the numerous village walks give you a good insight in the traditional life of the Lepchas and Buthias living in North-Sikkim.
Cultural activities in Sikkim are part of all our trips, in order to keep Sikkim’s age old culture lively. In Hee Gyathang, a cultural evening program is organized by the locals. Your interest in these performances teaches the locals not to forget about their cultural heritage and it encourages young kids to also learn the traditional music and dance arts. Hence ensuring that these cultural treasures are being kept lively in the future as well. Of course the artists are given a donation for their performance, supplying them with some extra income from tourism.
The Sikkimese people especially Lepchas and Bhutias are famous for their weaving and wood carving. Buying these souvenirs will not only give your family back home a special and exclusive presents, you also support the local craftsmen.
The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology we visit is promoting research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibetan cultural area which includes Sikkim. The NIT's library holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan works in the world outside Tibet as well as a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art. The library has published the Bulletin of Tibetology since 1964 and numerous books over the years. By visiting the institute en entrance fee will be collected. These funds are used for renovation and the exposure of works and artefacts.
In North Sikkim we work together with a local organisation promoting sustainable tourism. This ecotourism initiative was born from the desire of a group of Lepcha youth who had concerns for the upcoming generation of Dzongu. They were keen to explore alternatives for the educated youth that would help provide opportunities for self employment and in the process help the Lepcha community to protect their vanishing identity. To begin the work in Dzongu, partnerships were forged with NGOs, local authorities and community representatives. Several community consultations as well as awareness and training programs were conducted for the local residents. The extensive community mobilization process has brought about some changes in the thinking of local people and positioned them to conduct tourism that is locally operated and where benefits can accrue to all levels of the community.
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