Karmi Farm was recommended to us by our friends Oli & Mags. Mage has been traveling from the UK to Karmi Farm as a volunteer nurse for over 4 years now, and she raves about Andrew who owns and runs the guest house and community health clinic, and the people and countryside of the Karmi Farm location. All I can say is that my wife and I were not disappointed.

Andrew the owner knows all the local farmers and as we stomped across the side of the mountains with views to the eastern himalaya and Sikkim to see some patients recently discharged from hospital, he waved, chatted and passed time with people as we went. He knows the area like the back of his hand and also knows where to walk, stay etc. He organised the jeep pickups and the drop offs, and had all the rooms nicely prepared when we arrived.

The staff are great, very accommodating, smiley and happy to help! The accommodation is also very comfortable; we stayed in an outhouse with two adjacent rooms, and en suite bathrooms. Everything is fairly rustic, for example the hot water is heated in part by log fires, and that adds to the charm.

Food was the right combination of Nepali, Chinese, Indian - mild curries, paneer, potato chips, noodle soup. All vegetarian as a matter of course. Delicious and plentiful!

Dinner is served in the kitchen table, warm and cosy. Andrew talks about the history and the region of the farm, and has great stories to share about his family and the history of the region.

Breakfast and lunch are taken on the big wide verandah, with views to the himalaya on a clear day and a thatched roof. It is great for watching the clouds zoom by at eye level or the rain stream down from the trees.

All in all, quite the most delightful people, place and location. I am already planning on heading back in October, Thank you!

The things to think about though: it is a full 4.5 hours driving, more with stops, from Kalimpong airport. It is secluded and quiet - no bars restaurants etc. so bring good books and a pair of walking boots/running shoes. Bring cash - there aint no means to pay by card here (at least i don't think so!). Snuggle up in the sitting room and read a book in front of the log fire!