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Slow living with a shot of empowerment in the Himalayas

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THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

When you book a sojourn at Himalayan Ark homestay, or trek with one of their guides, you support a community in its efforts to protect the environment, as well as maintain a sustainable way of life. 

Himalayan Ark’s homestay hosts keep 80 per cent of the revenue, and voluntarily contribute 5 per cent towards community development — 2 per cent goes to the van panchayat, while 3 per cent goes to a fund that offers interest-free loans for community members to upgrade their homestays. In 2019, tourism brought in over 50 lakhs (US$75,000) to the community.

If travel is not an option, you can also support Himalayan Ark by purchasing their crafts through their community-run Instagram page, @voicesofmunsiari

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Savour the joys of slow living with a community-led tourism initiative that preserves rural values amid urban demands
Slow living with a shot of empowerment in the Himalayas
Slow living with a shot of empowerment in the Himalayas
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Getting There
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The closest international airport is in Delhi, 291km away. Take a taxi or an overnight train to Haldwani/Kathgodam. From Kathgodam/Haldwani, you can hire a taxi for the 285km journey through the hill section to Munsiari. During the monsoon, June to September, you may need to enquire which road is open. 

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During some seasons, there are also flights from Delhi/Dehradun to Pantnagar (half an hour’s to from Haldwani) and Pithoragarh (five hours’ drive to Munsiari). 

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Plan at least 10 to 12 hours for travel.

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Traveller's Notes
Traveller's Notes
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The high altitude of Munsiari means pleasantly cool to cold weather year-round. 

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Each season brings experiences suited to different travellers. May to June is ideal for those seeking to escape the summer heat, while the spring and autumn months would be the choice of trekkers and climbers. 

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The monsoon arrives in July and August. While the rainfall may obscure the panoramic views, the season will delight those keen on botany, with the alpine meadows in particular being at their verdant best. 

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Winter brings crystal clear skies and toasty sunny days, the slanting winter light casting a pale glow over the snow-covered landscape. It is the best time for photography, reading, and for long meditative walks.

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Munsiari is a remote rural mountain destination. While our village community has modernised to a degree, our homestays retain their rural charm and offer a slice of slow living to those interested in learning about the local culture and heritage and forming a bond with their hosts. 

Fusion cuisine that supports school for all

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Eat X Dignity
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Treat yourself to a modern mix of cuisines at Eat X Dignity, where proceeds go towards supporting the education for underprivileged children. The restaurant also has a community garden that is used by students of its schools, providing a space to teach gardening skills, as well as produce that is used by its kitchens. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

The cafe is an initiative of the Dignity for Children Foundation, which runs schools and learning centre for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as social support like meals and transport. At the cafe, youth supported by the foundation can also pick up training and work experience to equip them with life skills. 

A meal at Eat X Dignity enables the foundation to continue their work. 

Check out our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas! 

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Treat yourself to a modern mix of cuisines at Eat X Dignity, where proceeds go towards supporting the education for underprivileged children.
Fusion cuisine that supports school for all
Fusion cuisine that supports school for all
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Getting there
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Since the parking can be limited in the day time, try and use public transport to save yourself the trouble of waiting for a parking space. The nearest LRT station is Sentul Timur, which is about a 10-minute walk away from the cafe. 

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The cafe only accepts cash, so make sure your wallet is ready!

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A yummy barbecue set is worth a try, but note that it is only available only on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Check out their outdoor Kitchen Garden, which doubles up as an outdoor classroom for the foundation’s students. It’s also a good time to spot the greens that will make their way into your dishes and drinks!

A vegetarian cafe that gives back with skills

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De’Divine Cafe
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De'Divine provides work experience to disadvantaged youth - while also serving up a drool-worthy selection of cakes and local delights.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

De'Divine is a social enterprise programme under MySkills Foundation, a non-profit set up to empower at-risk youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with vocational and life skills. When you grab a delicious bite at this cafe, you provide the youth with a chance to learn and uplift themselves. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas!

De'Divine is a social enterprise programme under MySkills Foundation, a non-profit set up to empower at-risk youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with vocational and life skills. When you grab a delicious bite at this cafe, you provide the youth with a chance to learn and uplift themselves. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas!

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De'Divine provides work experience to disadvantaged youth - while also serving up a drool-worthy selection of cakes and local delights.
De’Divine Cafe
A vegetarian cafe that gives back with skills
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Brickfields is known as the Little India of Kuala Lumpur, and is a fascinating, colourful neighbourhood full of history. Be sure to explore the area if you are visiting the cafe!

De-stress while empowering the blind

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About the host 

Paralympian Lee Seng Chow founded the centre after becoming well-versed in massage and acupuncture, and wanted to establish an entity for the blind to learn to do the same. 

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PB Blind Massage
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Founded by Paralympian Lee Seng Chow, the centre uses traditional Chinese massage to help customers unwind, performed by trained blind therapists.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Employment for people with disabilities continues to be a challenge for many. Your visit supports the work of the centre to provide empowering and dignified livelihoods for people with disabilities.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas.

Employment for people with disabilities continues to be a challenge for many. Your visit supports the work of the centre to provide empowering and dignified livelihoods for people with disabilities.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas.

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Founded by Paralympian Lee Seng Chow, the centre uses traditional Chinese massage to help customers unwind, performed by trained blind therapists.
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De-stress while empowering the blind
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Getting there
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PB Blind Massage is in the colourful Brickfields district, and is easily reached by monorail. Get off at either KL Sentral or Tun Sambanthan station. 

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https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Massage-Therapist/PB-BLIND-Massage-892503667616762/

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Located in Brickfields, it's a great spot to unwind after exploring the neighbourhood.

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Its unassuming shopfront doesn't promise much, but reviews of this spot are glowing, so don't judge a book by its cover.

A sustainably stylish boutique hotel

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Sekeping Tenggiri
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Tucked behind lush greenery, this rustic property reduces its carbon footprint through natural ventilation and recycled materials.  

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

All Sekeping properties are built to minimise waste and maximise efficiency, with an emphasis on using local and recycled materials, and not disrupting the environment. 

You lower the carbon footprint of your travels by staying this low-impact hotel, and support a more sustainable way of building.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas.

All Sekeping properties are built to minimise waste and maximise efficiency, with an emphasis on using local and recycled materials, and not disrupting the environment. 

You lower the carbon footprint of your travels by staying this low-impact hotel, and support a more sustainable way of building.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas.

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Tucked behind lush greenery, this rustic property reduces its carbon footprint through natural ventilation and recycled materials.
Sekeping Tenggiri
A sustainably stylish boutique hotel
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Bangsar LRT station is the nearest stop to the hotel, a 20-minute walk away. Consider taking a taxi from the station. 

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Don't expect a conventional hotel – the decor is rustic and minimalist; think bare concrete and brick walls, low lighting and lots of open space. 

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Make good use of the hotel pool to cool off after a muggy day exploring Kuala Lumpur.

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The Bangsar area has plenty of restaurants and cafes, so you will find plenty of options within a 10-minute walk 

Cycle to see Kuala Lumpur's hidden gems

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About the host

Elena is an avid cyclist who wants to make Kuala Lumpur a bike-friendly city. Passionate about her city's heritage, her tours reveals facets of the city often missed by visitors.

Meet Elena of Bike with Elena 

Elena
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Bike with Elena is an eco-friendly way to explore Kuala Lumpur, led by an avid cyclist who wants to make the city more bike-friendly.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

You explore Kuala Lumpur in a way that doesn't leave a large carbon footprint, while also helping to promote cycling as a means of transport.

Part of the tour proceeds goes towards the conservation of a 100-year-old Kampung Baru home.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas.  

You explore Kuala Lumpur in a way that doesn't leave a large carbon footprint, while also helping to promote cycling as a means of transport.

Part of the tour proceeds goes towards the conservation of a 100-year-old Kampung Baru home.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas.  

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Bike with Elena is an eco-friendly way to explore Kuala Lumpur, led by an acid cyclist who wants to make the city more bike-friendly.
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Cycle to see Kuala Lumpur's hidden gems
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Starting points of each bike tour vary depending on the nature of the tour, so ask Elena before the tour. 

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Tours with Elena can be booked through her website, or through LokaLocal. 

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Breaks are factored into the tours, so don't worry if you need a break.

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The tours often take you through small alleyways and neighbourhoods with friendly and curious locals. Don't miss the chance to interact with them!

Explore batik that weaves new livelihoods

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About the host

Batik Boutique was founded by Amy Blair, an American living in Malaysia who became friends with Kak Ana, who was teaching her Bahasa Melayu. Discovering that Kak Ana, a single mum, had a gift for sewing, Amy hit upon the idea of setting up a social enterprise selling batik items made by women earning fair wages, giving them a chance to uplift themselves and their families. 

Batik Boutique
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Batik Boutique sells beautiful batik items made by women from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with an equitable, sustained livelihood.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Batik Boutique trains women to become seamstresses, and then hires them to create batik items for the boutique, providing a fair and sustainable income for women living in poor, urban conditions in Kuala Lumpur. 

The sewing centre, located where the women live, has childcare, which allows the women to work without worrying about their children or travel arrangements.

When you shop at Batik Boutique, or participate in one of their craft workshops, you not only learn about a craft with a rich heritage, you also empower their women workers and enable them to help more people.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas.

Watch our story on Batik Boutique to see how Batik Boutique changed the lives of women.

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Batik Boutique sells beautiful batik items made by women from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with an equitable, sustained livelihood.
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Explore batik that weaves new livelihoods
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Getting there
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Consider taking a taxi or ride share, as the area is limited in terms of access to public transport. 

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Traveller's Notes
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Making batik making is time intensive, so choose a simpler project — like a journal, serviette, scarf or pareo – if you want to take it home on the same day. Larger items may need to be collected on a separate day.

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Also, inform the instructor beforehand so the studio can arrange for instant fabric dyes.

A boutique hotel helping the good old days shine

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Ren i Tang
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Painstakingly restored by a sustainability-minded duo, Ren i Tang is not only reviving its own history, but wants its neighbourhood to thrive too.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Meticulously restored from a derelict former Chinese medicinal shophouse, Ren i Tang is helping to revitalise its community and helping Penang's historic heart preserve its heritage. It serves guests food purchased from surrounding coffeeshops to support local businesses, and its rooms are stocked with eco-friendly soap made by people with disabilities. A stay at Ren i Tang enables it to keep supporting the local community. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas!

Meticulously restored from a derelict former Chinese medicinal shophouse, Ren i Tang is helping to revitalise its community and helping Penang's historic heart preserve its heritage. It serves guests food purchased from surrounding coffeeshops to support local businesses, and its rooms are stocked with eco-friendly soap made by people with disabilities. A stay at Ren i Tang enables it to keep supporting the local community. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas!

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Painstakingly restored by a sustainability-minded duo, Ren I Tang is not only reviving its own history, but wants its neighbourhood to thrive too.
Ren i Tang, a boutique hotel converted from a old medicine hall shophouse
A boutique hotel helping the good old days shine
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The rooms are accessed by steep stairs, so it may not suit those with mobility problems. Suitcases are sent up to the rooms via a pulley system. 

A disability arts workshop that empowers

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Stepping Stone Work Centre
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Stepping Stone is a crafts workshop employing Penangites living with disabilities. Visit the workshop in Balik Pulau to check out the soaps, yummy baked goods and pottery made by trainees, who are taught skills ranging from hand-weaving, to baking to gardening. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Stepping Stone’s trainees would otherwise struggle to find work as they lack opportunities to develop their skills. Through its programmes, the non-profit hopes to help people with disabilities lead independent lives. Buying their products supports their cause, and also helps the trainees gain confidence.

The centre also has an artist residency programme, which artists can enroll in to work together with and mentor the trainees. 

Your visit will support these programmes and encourage greater inclusion of people who live with disabilities. 

Meet Shahell and Aina, the people of Stepping Stone 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas!

Stepping Stone’s trainees would otherwise struggle to find work as they lack opportunities to develop their skills. Through its programmes, the non-profit hopes to help people with disabilities lead independent lives. Buying their products supports their cause, and also helps the trainees gain confidence.

The centre also has an artist residency programme, which artists can enroll in to work together with and mentor the trainees. 

Your visit will support these programmes and encourage greater inclusion of people who live with disabilities. 

Meet Shahell and Aina, the people of Stepping Stone 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas!

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Stepping Stone is a crafts workshop employing Penangites living with disabilities. Its store sells soaps, baked goods and pottery made by these employees.
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A disability arts workshop that empowers
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Stepping Stone’s centre in Balik Pulau is a charmingly rustic experience that is worth a visit. But if you can’t make it out of George Town, visit 41 Living Story to browse and buy their crafts. 

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Look out for workshops to pick up from craft skills of your own; conversely, ask about becoming a live-in artist-in-residence to guide staff in improving their skills.

A Chinese clan settlement that has survived modernity

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Clan Jetties
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These waterfront communities, home to Chinese clans that settled here in the late 19th century, are the last of an indelible part of Penang's multi-cultural heritage.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Visiting the jetties help preserve the history of the area, and infrastructure has improved as a result of interest from travellers. Local communities also earn some income from selling souvenirs to visitors. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas!

Visiting the jetties help preserve the history of the area, and infrastructure has improved as a result of interest from travellers. Local communities also earn some income from selling souvenirs to visitors. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas!

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These waterfront communities, home to Chinese clans that settled here in the late 19th century, are the last of an indelible part of Penang's heritage.
Clan Jetties
A Chinese clan settlement that has survived modernity
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Getting there
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Located near the ferry terminal, the Clan Jetties are an easy walk from or bicycle ride from George Town.

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You can also hop on a trishaw - it’s a fun way to see the city without breaking a sweat, plus you’ll support a fading industry – reportedly less than 80 of these vehicles survive in Penang. 

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Traveller's Notes
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The Chew Jetty is the most tourist friendly, with the longest walkway, pop-up stalls and a floating temple. But note that the jetties are still homes, so respect the residents’ privacy.