Moonbeam Farm Stay
Nestled amidst the serene, rolling green hills of Tunglabong, Gorubathan in the Kalimpong district, Moonbeam Farmstay offers a truly enchanting escape. Just a 20-minute ride from the bustling town of Gorubathan, this ancestral home, affectionately known as "Thulo Ghar" (A Big House) by the locals, is far more than just accommodation; it's an immersive experience designed to connect you deeply with nature and the vibrant heritage of the Lepcha tribe.
Moonbeam Farmstay is lovingly run by a Lepcha family, renowned for their genuine warmth, humility, and deep connection to the earth. As the indigenous inhabitants of the Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Siliguri, Dooars regions, and parts of Nepal, the Lepchas are custodians of a rich cultural tapestry.
At Moonbeam, the hosts are dedicated to preserving and sharing these ancestral practices, from traditional agricultural methods to unique cultural customs and authentic local cuisine.
Guests at Moonbeam are invited to become active participants in this vibrant farm life. You can wander through flourishing organic vegetable gardens, explore the family's private tea garden, and discover the sprawling paddy and millet fields, gaining a firsthand understanding of the farm-to-table journey. Every meal becomes a celebration of fresh, locally sourced flavors, offering a true taste of rural living. Beyond the farm, opportunities abound for invigorating hikes, allowing you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of the region, from scenic riversides to ancient Lepcha sites.
What truly sets Moonbeam Farmstay apart is its profound commitment to offering an intimate encounter with local cultures and rural life. The charm of Lepcha hospitality is interwoven with the narrative richness of cultural tales passed down through generations. Your hosts, often master storytellers themselves, will share captivating oral folk stories, weaving a vivid tapestry of traditions, beliefs, and ancestral wisdom. Here, guests are not mere observers but active participants in a living narrative, gaining invaluable insights into the values and customs that shape the local identity.
The farm is trying to go Zero-waste and looking forward to implement Permaculture principals in the farm. We are trying to live a Sustainable and regenerative way of life and find ways to sustain our roots, which seems to be the need of the hour.
Evenings at Moonbeam are particularly magical, often spent by a cozy fireplace, listening to elders share their captivating tales, creating memories that will last a lifetime. You'll have the chance to engage in daily farm activities, learn about traditional herbal remedies, and even visit nurseries managed by the strong, independent women of the village. For the adventurous, rock and tree climbing await, while those seeking tranquility can find peace in the quiet stillness of the surrounding forest. Children are encouraged to play freely, exploring the farm and its friendly animals, far from the distractions of screens and virtual worlds. Moonbeam Farmstay truly offers a transformative journey through time and storytelling, inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the simple, profound joys of life rooted in nature and authentic human connection.
Farm Owner
Hi, I am Farden Lepcha and I run Moonbeam Farmstay. I have completed my schooling from Kalimpong and Darjeeling and have graduated from Calcutta University. From working in NGO's, in private sectors, to preparing for competitive examinations and flying to Dubai to work, i ended up in my ancestral farmland growing my own food and also growing organic Darjeeling tea and so after few years i started with the farmstay. I prefer life in a village surrounded by nature, growing my own food, peaceful and simple life. I love to meet new people and host them and let them spend a good time in our farm and make them feel comfortable and create memories.
I have great interest in farming, permaculture, classical hatha yoga, meditation, reading books, listening to soothing music, driving 4×4 vehicles and spending time admist Nature and forest.
I would be your happy and always ready to help you host.
I have my two aunties living in the farm with me, they are my father's elder and younger sisters and they are also there to guide you, if you need any help and yes share awesome old lepcha stories and they speak fluent Lepcha language, they can teach you as well.
We have our cook daju Mr Dilliram Chettri, who is our farm's head chef. He has a lot of interest in cooking and he cooks in all big ceremonies in the village, while cooking here and there he had moved to Kolkotta to expand his knowledge, interest and experience in cooking and worked in may other indian cities as well but now he has been tired of working far away from his home and family, so now he works in our farm. He is a awesome gardener as well and he loves working with flowers as well and above all he a very good human being and not to mention, has magic in hands in terms of cooking. He will be more than happy to help you and serve you.
Along with me, my aunties, our cook Dilliram Daju, we have with us Ongden Lepcha (Saila daju) and his wife Nimkit Lepcha, they take care of our cattle and our food crops and Ongden Lepcha aka Saila daju is a loves music and sings and plays various instruments and he also is a Lepcha Bungthing (A Healer and does various pujas of the Lepcha tribe), and his wife is also expert in farming and cattle rearing and everyone in our farms are expert in musroom ( recognising which one to eat and where can we find various mushroom). They would be always happy to help you anytime in the farm.