Explore Sikkim

You can say like...it's a planned trip with friends.
Plans are included only hotel stay and flight from Kolkata to Bagdogra.
As flights were very costly we thought like we will make it Kolkata by train or car. But Car was prefered.. as we were 4 members.
So from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata we drove by car till Kolkata Airport. On 23rd we had flight from Kolkata to Bagdogra (Siliguri Airport).
Usually Bagdogra to Gangtok is 5 hrs of journey, which Coste 3500 to 4000. but that day a big landslide happened on that route.. so we had to reach Gangtok in a long route by Darjeeling. It costs 8000 straight.
As we booked hotel on prior for full trip (includes Gangtok, Lachen, Lachung, Pelling with cost of 13k per 2 persons).
To reach Gangtok it took 8 hrs and we directly went to Hotel on MG Marg. We had nice local Dinner.
On this Marg you will get all verities of Food from all corners. Photos are on the way to Gangtok from Bagdogra.

The next day we had advance booking of Bikes as we wanted to ride and see the beauty of Sikkim

This day was planned for Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake, New Baba Mandir, Old Baba Mandir.
We were 4 friends and Booked 3 bikes (2 Royal Enfield Himalayan and 1 hero Xpulse). We booked for 7 days as Himalayan cost 1600 per day and Xpulse cost 1400 per day.
RideOn motorcycle is a shop provides rent bikes, but these above cost only applicable, of you have bookings on advance. (Price may very as per time).
Along with bikes they will provide all permits. As these are Cinenese border, everyone needs a permit to visit these locations. Permit for Nathula, Lachen and Lachung are different and Same will be provided by Bike person. If someone is traveling by his own vehicle they can either directly apply on Tourism Office or they can take help of Hotel Owners.
For Permits we paid arround 4600 (1400+ 1400+1600) in total for all places, which includes North Sikkim and Nathula.

We got our bike in good Condition. We started towards Nathula. Nathula is closed on every Monday and Tuesday. so you need to plan accordingly. Even if you are going on other days, then you need to reach by 1 pm.
So as soon as you get your permit, you can first go to Nathula. TSOMGO lake comes on the way. Nathula Pass is International boarder of India-China. Where you can see best views Himalaya exist on China 😉.
Both countries have their Check post watching each other.
Sikkim police and Indian Army will ask you to show the permits. Please co-operate with them.
After Nathula you can Go to New Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir. There is nice story of Babaji, available in Google. Generally most taxi returns from here to Gangtok.
But from here Old Baba Mandir is about 9 kms. you can alos visit this place. But Permits required for this too and Indian Army Persons should allow. For us we were allowed to go there ans Beyond this too. Beyond old Baba mandir there are Small villages. The Himalaya View is one major thing, which will make you to ride. But you go to these villages time will.be major concern. So we returned from Old Baba Mandir. As Sikkim 🌞 Sun sets at 4.55 pm in these days. It will be dark by 5.30 pm.
If You reach Nathula early, these will easy to complete. But we did so late, as we were enjoying the View.
While coming back to Gangtok you can also see Tsomgo Lake.
We reached Gangtok by 7.00 pm. Rest time you can hunt for local food, Markets, Pubs, and many more. Local market closes at 8 or 8.30 generally. And Restro opens till 9.30.
Food : Meggie, Wai- Wai , Bread Omlet are common food everywhere. For main course they eat Rice and some side dish.

We got a new permit for North Sikkim from the rent  bike person.
Generally tourists visits 1st Lachen, 2nd Lachung and it takes minimum 3 days to Cover North Sikkim.
But we had a reverse plan 1st Lachung and then Lachen. There two ways two ways to get in Lachung/Lachen  from Gangtok.
1. By Dikchu Dam - Mangan - Chungthang - Lanchung/Lachen...longest route
2. Another one is shortest but Off-road. Where u can skip Dikchu.
Dikchu Dam is visiting place. You can choose that one too. On the way there are many water falls you can visit. SEVEN Sisters water fall, Naga Water fall and many more.
For bikes it is suggested that fill you bike tank at Gangtok and then fill at Mangan as Mangan is the last place to get Petrol. Gangtok to Mangan arround 65km. We did the same as Himalayan bikes, they just drink Petrol 😜. At Mangan we filled out tank and got extra Fuel of 16 lts.
You will get Barrels and banji Cable there. Barrels are of 2 lts to 15 lts available.
After Mangan, Chungthang is next town. In between we were checked by our Permits. We left all our plastics water bottles there only.
After Chungthang there will be a check post, where right turn towards Lachung and Left turn towards Lachen. We headed towards Lachung. It was a Ghat and Pitch dark.
And we had a PUNCTURE one  of our Himalayan Motorcycle.
If you don't have any spare tube or PUNCTURE Kit, then it is Next Level of Advanture 😜.
As we rented the bikes, so we almost Forgot about these pre-check. And the puncture was so big, I was able see holes on the Tire. We moved the bike to nearest check post. And Removed the rear wheel  , so that we can take it to nearest villages and get the puncture fix. There are only two place, where where puncture shops available. Lachung and or you have to come down to Mangan. Both shops open till 6 pm.
We kept our tire less bike in front of check post and started towards Lachung as per plan though we have more two motorcycles and carried the Puncture Tire. We reached Lachung around 8.30 pm. We had booking for hotel. So we stayed and had our Dinner.
At both Lachung and Lachen, you will get three time meals inside hotels as part of Hotel Stay included with Price.
Food : for Breakfast - Bread Jam is included. You can have Meggie or bread omlet on extra budget.
For Lunch/Dinner- Rice, Dal, Veggies, Chicken/ Egg Curry.
Hotel :- Hotel Dynasty Lachung.

This day, we had plan to visit Zero Point and Yungthan Valley. And Katao was on Optional.
We woke of by 5.30 am and the view out side of was amazing. As most people will go same spot, so you need to start early to avoid traffic. After hotel breakfast, we started with two bikes. We gave our puncture tire in Shop for fix, so that while coming back we can collect.
After Lachung there is a check post, where everyone submits the paper. Then we rode through the hills with enjoying the beautiful mountain view.
We reached Yungthan. First place is Hot water spring. There we got Snow shoes too 50/- per pair.
To reach Hot water Spring, we crossed a Bridge with walkable distance. The next place is Yungthan Valley. This place is also known as Valley of Flowers. Actually the season for Flowers is March and April. But this time too valley was amazing.
Last place is Zero Point, which was covered in SNOW. Each feet we rode to this point, temperature drops. Once we reached. There was huge traffic for Taxi. As the road is small, we had to park out bikes before the point. There is small area covered with snow where you can plan walk and take photos.
Before you can have tea, Coffee, Meggie , Rum, whiskey, Brandy. As temperature is in -ve, you are allowed to have small pegs to warm up your body.
I had 3 pegs of India Classic OLD MoNK. And just went to Snow side to enjoy.
We played, walked and many more. There was a small water cross flowing through the snow. I sat there and tasted the cold and clear water.
After some time taxi 🚕 started to return. But we had previlage of bikes, we started riding up hills till the road was clean. We almost rode 2 kms. Then the road was covered with 1 feet of snow, so we had to stop and return. We had some pics. And returned to Yungthan Valley. We returned out SNOW shoes and rode to Lachung. As we thought of the Mechanic would fix the puncture, but not he had just kept Tire and tube without fix. He said this tube is gone and can't be fixed. Please get new tube. For Himalayan generally you won't get tube easily is any small town, so how we would get there. So we told do whatever, please fix it, that we can go to next destination. He gave us different size 2nd hand tube, which already had 4 punctures. 500/- for this. Some we got the fixed tire by hoping. We can move forward. I took old tube with for backup. As it was too late we couldn't make it to Katao. But of you are planning for Katao, wake up early and start.
We checked out from hotel and started to Lachen. From Lanchung arround 17km down, we had parked our bike near a Forest checkpost. I put on the tire to bike and we started with full of Positivity towards Lachen. Around 8 pm we reached Lachen Hotel Eco Nest. We got out dinner and took rest, as we had to woke up early 4.30 in next morning for Gurudongmar Lake.
At Lachen also Hotel was good. And you will get all  three meals like Lachung.

Places to Visit : Gurudongmar Lake, Kala Pathar.

As planned we woke up at 4.30 am. Got ready by 5.30 as we had to pack our bags and keep them in one room. We filled out bikes with extra fuel. Though it requires 140-150 kms of travel from Lachen to Gurudongmar Lake and back to Lachen and there is no Fuel Tank. And due to 18000 feet above sea level and Bike will consume more fuel on low oxygen level.
So we started. Around 30 km, we had our breakfast. Meggie, Wai Wai, Bread Omlet, Tea are common breakfast. Lal Tea is a special local tea, which you must try. Then we reached a Checkpost where police will check your permits. The check post counter opens from 7.30 am to 10.39 am only. If you reach Beyond this, you are allowed to move forward. We are allowed to go further, but one of the officer adviced, " please don't try hard to reach there as roads are not in good condition and Drive very carefully as Already 7 bikes were stuck above the day before yesterday day due to their bike problem". So we started and ride to next point Goigong village, which is the last checkpost to check permits.  And as per the climate condition Indian Army may allow to proceed or May not. Army will collect your permits and return once you will come back from Lake.
We were lucky enough, that day They allowed many tourists to visit Gurudongmar Lake. Last about 12 kms, where at some place. Roada cover by SNOW. As many vehicles drive through them, the snow becomes slush. Which is very dangerous to ride or drive. Even we some bikers fell down due to slippery condition on the road. I must tell you guys " please drive or ride carefully and do not get over confident". We reached finally. And the view again made us to watch and watch continuously to all around. Oxygen level is low there. While climbing the view point, you may face problem. But it's ok y
If take small small rest and try to climb. Once you reach the point, then all pian will go. Even we forgot about low oxygen issue. We just gave ourselves to Nature. And rest Natural will take care of you. We stayed.almost 30 mins. And started to get bach Lachen. We collected our permits and had some food under Army Canteen, which is also open for public. I had a Delicious Dosa.
We decided not to go Kala Pathar as, we had to return Gangtok on same day. So we didn't wa t any delay to reach. So we started riding towards Lachen. And See what 🥺 before 2 km from Lachen, again a Puncture for same bike. The puncture had a very slow leak, as small part is screw entered into tire. I decided to ride the bike till Mangan. I told.my friends to get the bags from hotel and come to Mangan.
Manga is arround 56 km from Lachen. I reached Lachen and the tire pressure almost gone. There is no puncture shop at Lachen to fix it. A local helped me by giving his manual Air Pressure machine. I try to give some pressure. Then I started to get out from there. As I was coming down through the hills, I was using the rear break at extremely. The rear Break pad, cylinder got hot and the break failed to work. I still tried to ride it. But then the road was blocked due to Locals were working on Road. I waited for 15 mins and all tire pressure gone 😂. Many riders were waiting that side of the road..I went asked fot puncture kit or Tire pressure Machine. Luckily one person helped me. Then i rode around 12 km till the pressure vanish. But again lucky enough I reached a truck puncture shop. But shop person said, they only deal with truck tires not with bike tire. They helped to fill the pressure and said go fast to Mangan, where.i will get it fix. And next it Chungthang 6 km. Again I filled the pressure. I could only Cross 10 km. A biker Group helped me to fill the pressure. Then I managed to cross 5 to 7 kms. And Mangan was just 10 km from the spot. And my friends also joined me. So I decided to remove the tire and take it to manga by a other bike. Because It was 5 pm. We reached the tire shor exact 5.50 pm, the shop was about to close. They helped me to fix the original tube puncture as i had kept with me. And tire got fixed but the fear was still there for next puncture 😂. We could not capture any Moment from tire puncture.

We put on the tire to bike and had our dinner at Mangan. And it was 7.30 pm. The way we choosed to get back to Gangtok, it was quite dark and horrible. But with fear of puncture we came back to Gangtok Hotel by 11 pm. Around 68 km we crossed. My suggestion, please ride till 5.30 or max 6 pm in Sikkim. So, plan accordingly.

We were so tried due the bike, we did not go to next destination Pelling as per plan. We gave the bike for servicing. And this day we discovered Gangtok. In Gangtok has also many things to enjoy like different food, MG Marg, Lal Marg, Para Gliding, Rope way. Ganesh Temple top and some view points. We started out with Para Gliding. Per person it was 3200/- for 5-10 min midium ride. Which is also depends upon whether condition. Another option also there for para Gliding which is cost 6400/-. But for this you need to book in advance as  requires govt. Permission. But it is not sure too, you can do it after advance booking. So best is medium Flight. For that day whether was good, so we booked. The condition is person weight must less than 90 kg.  I was fortunate to have 88 kg. The. We were assigned to two pilots, who took us to hill too for the flight. Initially I was feared, but as my chance was 2nd, and after I saw my friend's take-off, I lost my all fear. I did the para Gliding. I saw the top view of Gangtok city. City was beautiful. The pilot was also very co-operative,I pleased him not to take it down so fast. So.he decided stay above for some time untile the wind take us to down. It was around 10 mins of flight. You can use your GoPro or else their GoPro video will charge 500/- per person. I have a GoPro but I am very incompetent to handle it(as I rarely use GoPro for any Advanture activity. And they are the experts to record the video. So I didn't use mine) I decided to get the video from them.
Then we went Ropeway. From here also you see most part of Gangtok city.
I explored some local food. And then we managed to see Ganesh Temple and one View Point. We had good dinner and slept tight.

As we planned to Pelling but it did not happen. So we decided to visit Budha park at Ravangla. We woke up late by 9 am and ready to see it. There are two ways to reach Ravangla. The long one is by Namchi. And short one by Temi. So we decided to go by Namchi as the road side views are stunning. Namchi has also good places to visit but we skipped and reached to Ravangla Budha park. There is huge Budha Statue and surrounded by Mountains. This is also a good place to visit. Normally people go to Pelling and while coming back they visit this place. There are nice hotels Front of the Park, where you can stay over. But we returned as we had to get back to Siliguri next day.
While coming back, we choosed the Temi route. But route is shortest but not in good condition. Even we saw a land slide. Where locals were clearing the route. We waited for 1 hour for that.
We reached Gangtok by 8 pm. Temi is world famous for its Tea garden and Tea Leaf. We returned to Hotel and did party 🎉 for the trip.