About the program
Live and work in Kewzing, a traditional farming village in India’s first fully organic state — Sikkim. Volunteers join local farming families to practice organic cultivation techniques and hands-on animal husbandry, from composting and crop care to livestock feeding and shelter management. You’ll learn sustainable farming methods passed down through generations, while contributing real labor to a self-sufficient rural community. Set against the Himalayan foothills with views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, this program blends meaningful agricultural work with deep cultural immersion — home-cooked Sikkimese meals, monastery visits, and village life far from the tourist trail.
Locale
rural, remote
Stipend
no
Open To
Everyone / Solo Women Travelers
Nationality
Only for Indians
No. of Working Days
4
Program Outcome
Skills exchange, Cultural immersion, Personal growth
6:00 AM – Wake up, morning tea with the host family
6:30 AM – Livestock feeding and shelter care
7:30 AM – Breakfast with farm-fresh, organic ingredients
8:30 – 11:30 AM – Fieldwork: planting, weeding, composting, or harvesting (season-dependent)
12:00 PM – Lunch and midday rest
1:30 – 3:30 PM – Continued farm/livestock tasks or learning session on organic techniques
4:00 PM – Free time: village walk, monastery visit, or rest
6:30 PM – Help with evening livestock check and dinner preparation
7:30 PM – Dinner with the host family, cultural conversation and storytelling
Evenings – Optional community gatherings, music, or quiet reflection time
Assist with daily organic farming tasks — sowing, weeding, harvesting, composting.
Support natural pest control and soil enrichment practices.
Help with livestock care — feeding, cleaning shelters, milking, and basic health checks.
Participate in seasonal farm activities (planting cycles, seed collection, drying/storage).
Assist in maintaining kitchen gardens and small-scale poultry/cattle units.
Support the host family with farm-to-table food preparation.
Help document traditional farming and husbandry knowledge for community records.
Participate in local farming cooperative meetings or village work-sharing traditions, where invited.
- Hours per Day:
- 6 Hours
- Days per Week:
- 4 Days
- No. of Days Off:
- 3 Days
- Schedule Flexibility:
- Fixed
Explore the Temi Tea Garden, Visit Ralong Monastery, Try local Sikkimese food and drink — tongba (millet beer), gundruk, Enjoy village walks with sweeping views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Pandim
Upcoming Batches
Select Month
Available Slots
Available Slot
20 July 2026 - 18 August 2026
Available Slot
1 - 30 September 2026
Available Slot
6 October 2026 - 4 November 2026
Experience Highlights
- Assist with daily organic farming tasks — sowing, weeding, harvesting, composting.
- Support natural pest control and soil enrichment practices.
- Help with livestock care — feeding, cleaning shelters, milking, and basic health checks.
- Participate in seasonal farm activities (planting cycles, seed collection, drying/storage).
- Assist in maintaining kitchen gardens and small-scale poultry/cattle units.
- Support the host family with farm-to-table food preparation.
Location
Nearest Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri (NJP), West Bengal
Nearest Airport: Pakyong Airport, Sikkim or Bagdogra International Airport, West Bengal
Nearest Bus Stand: Ravangla SNT Bus Stand
Pick Up and Drop: Not Available
Here's what your stay covers - from where you sleep to what's on your plate. The host provides these at no cost to you.
-
Accommodation - Dormitory
-
Bathroom - Outdoor
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Meal - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Dietary Provisions - Veg, Non-Veg, Vegan
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Local Transport - Provided for programme activities only
-
Equipment - Provided
-
Programme Outcome - Skills Exchange, Cultural Immersion, Personal Growth
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Programme Fee - Rs.0 (Fully Funded)
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Personal travel
-
Personal expenses and leisure costs
Who Should Apply?
Basic Requirements
These are the basics to check before applying - age, commitment, fitness, and language. Make sure you fit, so the experience fits you.
- Age
- 20 - 65 Years
- Commitment
- 30 Days
- Physical Fitness
- Not Required
- Language
- English, Hindi
- Nationality
- Only for Indians
Skills
What helps you thrive here - from the essential to the nice-to-have. Every programme is different, so take a gentle look and see if it feels like a match.
Required Skill
These are essential for this programme - please check that you meet them before applying.
Organic farming
Preferred Skill
Not required - but if you bring these, your contribution and experience will be richer.
Animal husbandry
If you don't have the preferred skill - don't worry. The host provides full training.
Top Qualities
These are the traits you must possess to be able to perform well in the program.
- Comfortable with basic and simple living conditions
- Comfortable with early mornings and physically demanding daily routines
- Culturally curious and sensitive
- Humble learner — takes direction well and asks good questions
- Patient — comfortable with slow progress and repetitive tasks
Health and Safety
What to know before you arrive - medical access, insurance, and anything specific to this location. Read this carefully.
- Vaccinations Recommended
- Not Provided
- Health Considerations
- Dust, Pollen / hay fever, Animal hair / dander
- Volunteer Insurance
- Not Covered
- Medical Facility
- Ravangla Primary Health Centre
- Safety Gear
- Yes
- First Aid Onsite
- Available
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