Day 1 (Kolkata to Kalimpong & Delo, 685 km, 15 hours)
Our meeting point was in front of Mother Dairy, Dankuni at 4 pm. Team Ecosport reached Dankuni 5 mins before time and to surprise us, Bhpian Mountain_deep came with his Duster AWD to wish us Bon voyage. He was sad, as he wont be a part of this trip due to his college projects. We were sad too, to leave him behind and proceed for the trip.
We started at 4-30 pm and took the road till Krishnanagar through Mogra, Kalna & Nabadwip. The road surface was smooth with decent traffic. Took us 2.5 hours to reach Krishnanagar from Dankuni. This stretch is approximately 125 km.
Krishnanagar to Berhampore took us 1.5 hours, with 90% of it being a 4 lane highway. At places there were few diversions. Before entering Berhampore, we took the riverside road and and joined back Nh34 just before the level-crossing. After the level-crossing, it's again 4 lane. Berhampore to Moregram was a breeze.
At 9 pm we were at Moregram Bp for dinner.
Post dinner the drive was smooth till Raiganj with a 30 minutes coffee break at Pardesi Dhaba, Malda.
Google maps showed congestion at Dalkhola, so we were contemplating to take the Botolbari road.
Heard many stories of robbery during night in this stretch. So we stopped at a small Dhaba at Raijang to inquire about the current scenario from the local drivers and shopkeepers.
Locals told us to proceed via Botolbari. They told us, in the recent past no robbery was reported and there is police posted throughout the stretch.
We entered Botlbari at 1-15 am.
The road was deserted. We stopped at the first police barricade within 5-6 km to inquire about the safety of this road in midnight. The policemen told us to proceed, there was nothing to worry.
Still we were a bit cautious and gunned through the empty roads. By 2-45 am we reached Dhantola.
Because of the Islampur bypass, Dhantola to Bagdogra was an easy drive. We stopped at Ghoshpukur Reliance to refuel both the cars. It was 3-30 am.
With 1.5 hours break and maintaining a steady speed between 70-90 km/hr, it took us 11 hours to reach Bagdogra from Dankuni.
We took another 30 mins coffee break at the petrol bunk and started by 4 am.
The Balason bridge at Siliguri was not operational due to maintenance work. Gps led us through Ghoshpukur- Fulbari road- Medical More- Matigara & connected us to Sevoke road. It was 5am.
Reached the Sevoke bridge at daybreak.
Due to the recent flood in North Bengal, road surface was not good till Melli.
A glimpse of Kanchanjungha just before Melli Bazar.
Took right for Kalimpong through Rishi road. The climb was steep and twisty. It was fun to drive.
By 7 am we reached our hotel at Kalimpong. But the check-in time was 2 pm and we reached by 7 am! On request they agreed to get us the room by 10 am.
We got a clear view of Kanchanjungha from their garden.
Hence we decided to drive till Delo, enjoy the majestic sight of Kanchanjungha, then return to hotel by 9 am, have breakfast and check in to our room by 10 am.
Delo was just 10 km from our stay, hotel Mayfair in Kalimpong. It took us 30 minutes to reach Delo.
The morning view was majestic. It was refreshing after a whole night drive.
After spending an hour, we returned to our hotel, had a fulfilling breakfast and checked in to our rooms. Slept for 4-5 hours.
Afternoon and evening was spent in the hotel.
Mayfair Kalimpong is an excellent property in a great location, with good food and proper parking. This property is highly recommended, though a bit expensive.