Homestay at Mulkharka

Details

Placid rural life in a surreal backdrop far away from the humdrum of urban chaos…

Mulkarha village is nestled in mountains rising from the Neora Valley National Park, diagonally opposite to Rishyap, and Lava, spanning over the forests of the national park, Rishi river and adjoining villages at the foot hills.

The extensive Alpine pastures or ‘bugiyal’ is another beautiful feature of Mulkharka village. Talk to the hosts to guide you along any village trail to this bugiyal, you’ll love it for sure.

Animistic practices are prevalent in this tiny hamlet which explains for the extraordinary man-nature relationship.

It can be accessed from New Jalpaiguri via Rhenock, from there through Pithamchen, Lingsey.

Through out the day, it’s seemingly hard to take your eyes off the dazzling, snow-capped peaks of Mt. Kangchenjunga. Shimmering silver against the brilliant blue sky, the spectacularity seems quite near by. But the surreal sunrise over the snow laden peaks of Kanchenjunga at wee hours of the day is the crowning glory. As the cobalt blue skies get fainter, the eastern horizon blushes in soft pink, hold your breath, suddenly the first rays of the morning sun renders it’s golden touch upon the crests of Kangchenjunga. The eternal Goldsmith pouring down molten gold over the snowy mountains.

For once, hold back your camera, feel the magic, and let your eyes feast upon the panorama, so as to make a lasting impression on your heart. For this magical moment lasts for a few precious seconds. Turn up again next dawn, this time don’t forget your tripod and lenses.

Amidst this blessed landscape…

There’s a nice, comfortable homestay near the Mulkharka holy wishing lake with very basic amenities but clean and well maintained. It’s the ‘Mulkharka Homestay’. The ambiance is homely and the hostess is genuinely happy to have guests who understand and appreciate their rural culture and traditions. Her ever smiling face and warm hospitality makes you fall in love with the place at once.

Here organically grown, garden fresh vegetables are cooked in their traditional style on open fire, which is so simple yet so tasty. May be it’s their honesty and sincerity towards their guests that make everything so likeable.

The homestay has 4 spacious bedrooms each to accommodate 4 persons, with attached bath and a nice verandah. A few yards away 4 similar spacious bedrooms are for trekkers with bathrooms beside them. There’s even a small grocery shop in the same compound which comes quite handy.

The views from the rooms are really nice. The rolling hills and a burst of chlorophyll, every where you turn around. And not to forget the lungful of pure oxygen one gets here for free.

Room Notes:
Quad room - The rooms are simply furnished, clean and spacious enough to comfortably accommodate 4 guests. All the rooms have attached western style bathrooms and have common varandah with a view of majestic snow capped mountains.

The hostess with the mostest

That’s what you’ll find once you reach there. There’s no luxury lounge, spa, star rated restaurants or even swimming pools, uniformed bearers. But a lot of welcoming smile, homely ambiance, banter and fun, and an easy way of life adorned in simplicity and honesty.

Forget worrying about those basic needs that generally seek attention, you are in safe hands. The soft spoken, extremely hard working, caring and polite hostess is sure to look after her guests like true relatives.

Simplicity is the greatest style, but it’s very difficult to be simple. Here in Mulkarkha, they have achieved this simplicity with such elan, that we all yearn for.