Ikigai | Wellness Retreat | 3.5 hrs from IXB

Our remote location offers you a slice of rural life, slow living and clean mountain air. The Ikigai cabin is ideal if you desire such out-of-the-way places, with luxurious amenities. The mattress is premium, the linen is soft, and the washroom will surprise you. A large balcony offers a being-among-the treetops feel. There's ample space for your spouse or buddies to chill in individual spots. We serve veg and non-veg meals. The space The Ikigai cabin comes with a spacious bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is a showstopper. It is over 100 sq ft, and has been appointed with a full length mirror, a suitcase rack, a clothes hanger and ample space to store your knick knacks. The idea is to stow away all clutter in this washroom/closet space while keeping your bedroom airy and tidy. The bedroom, meanwhile, is super minimalist. There are spacious side tables to place your devices, spectacles and books. We left the bottom of the queen bed and side tables exposed so that our guests can be assured of a super clean space. Often, the padded beds and elaborate night stands you see in regular hotels are large repositories of dust, grime and cobwebs. Yes, we speak from experience! The Ikigai cabin also has its dedicated dining cum working space. There's a four-seater dining table there, a bar for your beverages, a mini fridge, an RO water filter, an electric kettle, and an assortment of various teas. This isn't all. You even have your exclusive outdoor bonfire/barbecue area. There is also a kitchen counter to prep your marinade and a sink to place your used utensils in. In simple terms, you have about 800 sq feet of space solely for you and your travel companions. The cabin accommodates a maximum of three guests. Guest access The following is a brief list of places you can visit nearby 1. The closer river is called Geil Khola and it takes about 20-25 mins to get to it. If you're okay to hike longer (3-4 hours), there's a more secluded riverside called Roshan Khola. 2. There's a beautiful stretch of road between Tinchuley and Lopchu. It is bordered by tea gardens on both sides with beautiful mountain views as you drive along 3. We have our own monastery that you're most welcome to visit, especially if meditation is an interest 4. You will also enjoy walking around the village. Located 10 mins (walking) away from Ikigai is one of the most well maintained plant nurseries I have ever come across. They have a wide variety of exotic plants 5. Takdah is located about an hour (driving time) uphill from our location. There's a small botanical garden there, and a century old clubhouse that is now maintained by the government. If history is an interest, you will enjoy these sites in Takdah. The Takdah area was once home to an army base during British rule. 6. If adventure sports are an interest, you can opt for white water rafting on the Tista. The rafting start point is Melli. It is about 1 hour 20 mins from our location 7. Darjeeling town is 2 hours away and Kalimpong town is 1 hour 20 mins away. From the cabin, you can see Kalimpong on an opposite hill 8. We offer woodworking sessions. Other things to note For meals, our charges are as follows: 1. Breakfast ... 250 per person 2. Lunch and dinner (veg) ... 300 per person 3. Lunch and dinner (non-veg) ... 350 per person Our barbeque chicken and veg momo are specialities. The barbecue chicken is priced at 750 per kg, while a potion of veg momo (8 pcs) is priced at INR100. The Ikigai cabin is located along a hill side. From where your vehicle will be parked, you will have to walk uphill for about 3 mins, depending on your fitness level. This is a typical forest trail and will require you to be nimble on your feet. Should you be a senior guest, and you have weak knees, we can assist you in slowly walking up the trail. My 73-year-old Mum is able to comfortably walk up, although at a very slow pace. As for luggage, we'll help you haul it all up. We suggest not carrying large suitcases that can often weigh over 20 kgs. A medium sized suitcase is ideal, with backpacks being the easiest to carry.