Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival – A Detailed Guide

The Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival is becoming a popular event for travellers who love Himalayan culture, rural life, and homestay experiences. This year the festival will take place from 6th to 8th December 2024 in Kolkata. I feel this is a great platform for people who want to explore real Himalayan villages and learn more about local families who run small tourism initiatives.

The festival mainly focuses on rural Himalayan tourism, especially those areas where community-based tourism is growing fast. Many Himalayan states like Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and even Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions of West Bengal take part. Each region brings its own culture, dance, food, and homestay ideas. Because of this variety, the festival has become a good spot for travellers, bloggers, and tourism professionals.

Aim of the Festival

The main aim is to promote homestays, local products, village experiences, and sustainable travel practices across the Himalayan belt. Nowadays many travellers want to stay close to nature and experience the local lifestyle. These rural homestays offer that real feel. So this festival helps them connect with travellers and tourism companies.

Why it is called “Orange” Festival

The festival gets its name from the famous Himalayan oranges, which grow mainly in the eastern Himalayan states. December is the season when oranges are fresh and sweet. Because of this, the organisers keep “orange” as the symbol of friendship, hospitality, freshness, and natural beauty of the hills. Many stalls also display orange-based products like jams, pickles, squash, and handmade items from farmers.

What to Expect at the Festival

The festival comes with many activities, and every corner tells a Himalayan story. Here are some things you will experience:

Cultural Performances

Every day there are cultural shows from different Himalayan states. Traditional dances from Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Meghalaya create a beautiful vibe. The music and costumes give you a mini-Himalayan experience right in Kolkata.

Rural Tourism Stalls

These stalls showcase homestay owners, local guides, women self-help groups, and village tourism organisations. They explain their village attractions, trekking routes, cultural traditions, and local food. Travellers can directly book homestays or plan future trips with them.

Handicraft & Handloom

The Himalayan region is famous for unique handlooms and handicrafts. You will see woollen items, traditional jewellery, bamboo items, carpets, woodwork, and handmade decor. These products support local artisans, so buying something from here becomes meaningful.

Food Corner

A separate section serves food from the hills. You can enjoy momos, thukpa, millet dishes, local teas, traditional sweets, pickles, and orange-based desserts. For food lovers, this part becomes a highlight.

Workshops & Talks

There are also small workshops about sustainable travel, women-led tourism, responsible trekking, organic farming, and adventure tourism ideas. Many experts and homestay owners share their real experiences.

Importance for Rural Himalayan Tourism

Rural tourism is increasing all across the Himalayas. However, many small villages do not get the exposure they need. Because of this, many good homestays remain hidden. This festival helps them reach a wider audience. It also encourages travellers to choose village stays instead of big hotels, which supports local families directly.

What Makes This Festival Special

The biggest speciality of the festival is that it brings the entire Himalayan belt under one roof. You don’t need to travel to every state to know about their culture and homestay options. You get everything in one place. Because of this, it becomes a helpful platform for tourism bloggers, travel agencies, and nature lovers.

Venue & Dates

The Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival 2024 will be organised in Kolkata from 6th to 8th December. The final venue details are usually announced closer to the event by the organisers.

Who Should Visit

This festival is perfect for:

• Travellers planning Himalayan trips

• Bloggers and YouTubers

• Students of tourism

• People who love culture and folk traditions

• Anyone searching for authentic homestay experiences

• Tour companies looking for new collaborations

Conclusion

The Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival is not just an event. It is a celebration of Himalayan culture, nature, and rural life. If you want to explore untouched villages, meet local families, and understand real Himalayan tourism, then this festival will help you a lot. Moreover, December is a great time to enjoy the winter vibe of Kolkata along with the freshness of Himalayan oranges.

A small festival like this can make a big impact on rural tourism and help local communities grow stronger.