Not Goa or Himachal—India’s first digital nomad village is in Sikkim

Yakten, nestled in the alpine hills of East Sikkim, blends serene Himalayan views with digital-age connectivity—India’s first official digital nomad village. (Representative Image)

A remote Himalayan village redefines the future of work with community-led coworking, fast Wi-Fi, and home-cooked meals—no beanbags, no burnout.

Far from Delhi’s coworking cafés and Goa’s overbooked hostels, India’s boldest experiment in remote work is quietly unfolding in an unexpected corner of the country—deep in the mist-laced hills of East Sikkim.

Yakten, a modest village near Pakyong, now holds the title of India’s first official digital nomad village. But don’t expect glass-walled offices or ergonomic chairs. What you’ll find instead are broadband-ready homestays run by local Buddhist and Limboo families, orchards stretching behind kitchens, mountain trails replacing traffic, and conversations brewed over sel roti and nettle soup. It’s not a retreat—it’s a reimagining of how we live and work.

Yakten is a small, peaceful village in Sikkim, India. It is surrounded by green alpine forests and offers stunning views of the Himalayan Range. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this village is just 35 km from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.

A Quiet Revolution in the Hills

Far from the sterile cubicles of city skyscrapers and the hum of urban co-working hubs, a subtler shift has taken root. The village of Yakten, long known for its stillness and sun-drenched mornings, has been reimagined as a space where modern work culture and rural rhythm align.

With fast broadband, homely workspaces, power backups, and kitchens that serve steaming nettle stew instead of café lattes, Yakten is not built for tourists but for temporary residents—digital professionals seeking presence, not escape.

Why Now?

The pandemic redrew the world’s work boundaries. As cities emptied and Zoom replaced boardrooms, remote work evolved from a perk to a permanent shift. Professionals began scouting for locations where productivity wasn’t traded for well-being—places where a deadline could coexist with a view.

Recognizing this shift, the Government of Sikkim, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), developed Yakten as a model for remote work, sustainable tourism, and local community development—all rolled into one.

What Makes Yakten Different?

Yakten isn’t just internet-ready—it’s soulfully designed. Homestays double as coworking spaces. Families host remote workers not with hotel polish but with genuine warmth. There are fields of ginger and cardamom behind the houses, and every path in the village eventually leads to a forest.

The meals are communal. Breakfast might include sel roti and fresh butter tea; dinners lean toward seasonal stews. Everything is grown locally, cooked slowly, and served with stories.

Designed for Connection—Both Digital and Human

Each homestay offers mobile broadband and backup systems to ensure continuity. But the real network is human. In between calls and coding sessions, guests might find themselves joining a nature walk, helping harvest mushrooms, or sharing local legends over a fire.

Yakten isn’t merely equipped for solo professionals—it’s designed for intentional living. Whether you’re a startup founder on a writing retreat, a UI designer chasing deadlines, or a freelance consultant in search of silence, Yakten offers a framework for work-life balance that’s neither performative nor prescriptive.

What to See and Do in and Around Yakten

Yakten is more than just a quiet place to work—it's an open-air museum of biodiversity and a gentle introduction to Himalayan culture.

• Nature Trails & Birdwatching: Yakten is ideal for quiet walks through alpine forests and farmland, with frequent sightings of rare bird species, butterflies, and wild orchids.
• Jhandi Dara View Point: A scenic 7-km trail winds through pine forests to this ridge, offering panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga.
• Cultural Evenings: The Yakten Village Community occasionally hosts folk music and dance performances for guests, offering a peek into local traditions.
• Budang Gari Fort Ruins: A shorter trek leads to this centuries-old Bhutia fort—now mostly in ruins but rich in atmosphere.
• Village Walks: Wander past terraced fields, greenhouses, and community gardens where seasonal vegetables grow.
• Local Monasteries and Caves: Nearby are small Buddhist monasteries and natural caves that invite quiet reflection.

Yakten may be the first of its kind, but it sets the precedent for many more. India’s vast countryside is ripe with quiet corners, many of which can be thoughtfully transformed into digital-age hamlets without eroding their roots. In the years to come, villages like Yakten could lead India’s response to decentralised, post-pandemic work culture.

With just over a dozen broadband-connected homestays and collaborative spaces, Yakten remains small by design. Its success isn’t measured in footfall, but in the quality of experience and the mutual respect between guests and hosts.

How to Reach Yakten

Yakten is located approximately 10 km from Pakyong Airport, which offers direct flights from major Indian cities. From the airport, it’s a 30-minute drive to the village by private taxi or shared vehicle. Roads are well-maintained and motorable year-round.

Best Time to Visit

While Yakten is open throughout the year, the most favourable months are March to June and September to November, when the skies are clear, the mountain air is crisp, and outdoor activities are especially rewarding.

More Than a Place—A Possibility

In Yakten, remote work is not reduced to Wi-Fi speed or desk ergonomics. It’s redefined as a holistic way of being. Here, productivity is measured not just in output but in balance. You log off not to escape, but to listen—to the rustle of pine needles, the laughter of children on the path, or the silence that arrives with dusk.

India’s first digital nomad village is not an answer to burnout. It is an invitation to begin asking better questions—about space, time, and how we choose to spend both.