[ron82x3]

As the famous British travel writer Dervla Murphy said, "Sikkim is a tiny, mountainous, landlocked kingdom, wedged between Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and India." "It is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places on earth."
Sikkim is not just about its natural wonders; it is also a land of vibrant culture and traditions, with over 100 indigenous communities, each with their own unique customs, languages, and festivals.
Sikkim was an independent kingdom until it joined the Indian Union in 1975 and became the 22nd state of India. It is the only state in India with an entirely organic farming policy, which has been in place since 2016.

All of those things fascinate me, but as a college student, I wanted to break up the monotony of my college life by making a quick trip to the hills during my 7-day term break.My girlfriend, Shalini, accompanied me on the trip. Being our first road trip together, I wanted to keep this a leisurely drive and not really push the limits. She is an excellent driver who has been driving for nearly two years and has completed numerous 400+ km round trips in a single day.

Let's start by talking about the car that accompanied us on our trip.


Ford EcoSport 1.5 S TDCi

Meet us:


Shalini, a software engineer by day and a traveller at heart, has a passion for dance and is a talented dancer. While not overly interested in food, she enjoys trying out new cafes (she may not be pleased with this description of her not being much of a foodie).


I am Subhasish, a second-year MBA student nearing the end of my program. I enjoy taking road trips and bonding over the local cuisine.

About Sikkim:
Here is a intro about Sikkim, for those who are yet to visit Sikkim.

Owners of the respective copyright Tourist Map of Sikkim by Khorlo Tours & Travels

As shown in the map, there are 4 parts that show the popular spots:
1. North Sikkim: Lachen Lachung Yumthang Gurudongmar
2. East Sikkim: Gangtok, Tsongmo, Baba Mandir, Kupup, Nathang, Zuluk
3. West Sikkim: Yuksom, Pelling, Geyzing, Borong, Ravangla, Kaluk, and Richenpong
4. South Sikkim: Namchi, Damthang, Soreng, Temi
Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

Normally, travellers prefer to do the North Sikkim Circuit or the East Sikkim Circuit separately. West Sikkim and South Sikkim are done together.

However, north Sikkim, parts of East Sikkim (Gangtok acts as the base point), and parts of West Sikkim (Pelling acts as the base point) are frequently visited by people who are visiting for the first time.

It is preferable to visit Sikkim in three separate circuits rather than one combined trip.It is a beautiful place to visit. Cherish it.*

For people coming by air, there are 2 nearby airports, and the rest of the journey can be done by cab:

1. Pakyong airport
2. Bagdogra airport

Essentially, our itinerary was a 4-day trip in the hills, with 1 additional day at Siliguri acting as our night stop during Day 1 of our journey.

Day 1 (8th January, 2023) : Kolkata Siliguri
Day 2 (9th January, 2023) : Siliguri to Yuksom
Day 3 (10th January, 2023): Yuksom to Kaluk
Day 4 (11th January, 2023): Kaluk to Ravangla
Day 5 (12th January, 2023): Ravangla seight seeing
Day 6 (13th January, 2023): Ravangla to Kolkata

So with that, let's start our journey, shall we?

[ron82x3]

Day 1: Kolkata-Siliguri (600 KM/12 Hours)

Okay, I know that 12 hours for 600 KM is a lot, but I promise you that it's due to the roads. That being said, the roads have been constantly improving, and Kolkata to Siliguri in 10 hours is pretty much possible, especially on night drives.

This was my third time driving on this route, and the roads have improved, especially the Raiganj-Dalkhola section. It is currently the fastest section.

We followed the following route:
Home (Baranagar)->Dankuni->Mogra->STTK road via Mogra Flyover->Krishnanagar->Raigangj Siliguri

A bit about my passenger: She turns into a food-seeking missile when hunger strikes, so it's best to have food on hand at all times or risk facing her wrath.
Luckily, we were carrying breakfast.


Breakfast made by Shalini's mom and beautifully packed helped save us time, and this was one of the best breakfasts I had this winter. The highlight is the Green Pea-Hing Kachori with Aloo'r Dum.


The breakfast stop. We had tea from the nearby stall. But wait. Breakfast was not over, because Shalini was also carrying sweets. With that, we concluded our short breakfast halt.

We were excited and drove on. Our friends were also keeping track of us and called us en route.
Thanks to Mr. Dibyajnan (TBHP handle cdibya) and Dyutinmoy (TBHP handle Mountain_Deep), who kept track of our progress, suggested stops on the route, and also cautioned us about possible hiccups on the route due to the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra.

We soon joined the 4-lane National Highway after crossing Krishnanagar. There was some congestion, but Shalini was behind the wheel at that time. Soon after, we were crossing the bottlenecks of our routes. The Berhampore Bypass is one such area where I fear trucks, and another was the Farakka Bridge, which I heard was partly functional with only one side being open.
However, my doubts were soon dismissed, and both of these areas were smoother than ever.


We crossed mustard fields, smooth highways, and not so smooth highways until Mountain_Deep called us to suggest lunch options.

Previously, I had lunch at Pardesi Dhaba, located just past Farakka, but I was advised by him to try Banaful Dhaba, which apparently has exceptional mutton dishes.


Hence, I ordered Butter naan with single portion of mutton curry and Shalini ordered Chicken Thali. Pro tip: Don't order naan

To be honest, what I liked best about this restaurant is that the service is quick and the food is fresh. However, do note that these places, including Pardesi Dhaba, accept only cash as a method of payment.


Pic for reference: The last time I visited Pardesi Dhaba

We stopped for one final tea break at dusk, as the sun was setting, somewhere between the towns of Islampur and Kishanganj.

After that, we reached our destination for the day, the Hotel Niladri Galaxy, located near Sevoke Road. We arrived there at 7 p.m. The accommodations were pleasant, and the biryani we ordered for dinner (they don't have their own restaurant) was particularly noteworthy.

I wanted to mention that during the trip, my voice was affected by a cold that I caught from the car's air conditioning, and I almost lost my voice. This continued to be an issue for the next few days of the trip.

[ron82x3]

Day 2: Siliguri Yuksom via Pelling (170KM/9 Hours).

Route: Sevoke->Kalimpong-->Melli bazar-->Legship-->Geyzing-->Pelling--> Yuksom

It was finally our trip to the hills that have started. We were high in spirits and low on fuel as we were planning on filling up at Melli Bazar (Sikkim) where the fuel prices were lower. However, we did not risk it and filled a good amount of fuel at Teesta Filling Station (IOCL) and topped up to a tankful at Melli HPCL.


A quick stop to capture Teesta river


Teesta river, a ribbon of blue winding through the hills, a serene and tranquil view


And before hunger could strike, we had our mandatory momo breakfast before just before reaching Melli Bazar.

We had our next stop at Naya Bazar for shopping, and continued our journey to reach Pelling.

We visited Pemayangtse Monastery on the way, however forgot to halt at Rabdentse Ruins

Some snaps of the monastry:


Some steep roads leading to the monastery complex


The main shrine. It is a peaceful and historic site with intricate architecture and a museum inside. It has 3 floors


A beautiful view of Kanchenjunga is visible from behind the monastery grounds


Inside the ancient monastery

The journey could have been so much enjoyable if the roads were in better condition. As the afternoon approached and we began to feel hungry again, we stopped in Pelling for lunch.


We did resume our journey post lunch with some breaks for taking photographs

After some driving, we reached our stay for the day in Yuksom.


The beautiful Hotel Red Palace in Yuksom. Beautiful flowers adorn the compound along with beautiful mountain views.

The hosts were wonderful and ensured all our needs were met. Met Sonam, the owner's daughter and she greeted us well. We were the only guests to arrive in the last 5 days she informed us.


Checked in quickly and realised that the rooms were spacious and offered great views. It was a 5/5 experience.


Views from the room was good, but better from the courtyard on the cliff.

A bit of History on Yuksom:
Yuksom is a historical trekking hub located in the West Sikkim district of India. The village has a rich history dating back to the 17th century, being the first capital of Sikkim, when it served as the coronation site for the first Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. Visitors can explore the ancient Coronation Throne, known as the "Norkhang" and the holy lakes of the area, "Khecheopalri" and "Sangachoeling". Yuksom also has several ancient monasteries which are worth visiting, including the Dubdi Monastery which is believed to be the oldest in Sikkim. The picturesque surroundings of Yuksom, with its lush green forests and snow-capped peaks, make it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The serene and peaceful atmosphere of Yuksom is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors. It is the starting point of the famous Gochela trek that takes trekkers through some of the most remote and beautiful regions of the Himalayas. The trek starts from Yuksom and passes through dense forests, rocky terrain, and high-altitude passes, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Along the way, trekkers will have the opportunity to see various species of birds and animals, as well as visit remote villages and monasteries. The trek is known for its picturesque views of Mt. Khangchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world, and other peaks in the Himalayan range. The trek is recommended for experienced trekkers and those in good physical condition as it can be demanding.

But that being said, Yuksom is nothing but a remote village, and our property tried to provided us with all the amenities. Being off season, the restaurant was closed, but they offered to provide us with local food. So we ordered squash sabzi along with tawa rotis and omlette.
We ordered that well ahead of time, knowing that they will have time to cook. As there was still daylight left, we took the opportunity to visit the coronation throne.


The Coronation Throne, also known as the Norbugang is an ancient site where the first Chogyal (king) of Sikkim was crowned in the 17th century, and it holds a significant historical and cultural significance in the region.

This day concluded with some evening snacks from the local market and having dinner at our hotel, chatting with the lovely hosts, taking a walk in the property and having dinner later.

[ron82x3]

Day 3: Yuksom to Kaluk

Kaluk, a small village in West Sikkim, which is known for the views it offers of the Kanchenjunga Range.

Our plans was to reach Kaluk by evening, but little did we know the real challenge would be the hike to Dubdi Monastery. We thought we were just going for a sighting of a monastery leisurely just before breakfast, but turns out it was more like climbing some mountain peak. We even called our hotel to confirm if that indeed was the only path to the monastery and let our hotel know what time we wanted breakfast, as if that would make the hike any easier. As we were driving along, we saw a sign that read "Dubdi Monastery (710 meters) - but they forgot to add "straight up"! We had to park our car on the side of the road and start the hike, which felt like we were climbing a giant staircase to nowhere. But hey, at least we got a good workout in!

After a short break to catch our breath, we finally made it to the top of Mount Dubdi, err I mean the monastery grounds. Unfortunately, the monastery was closed, as the priest yet to arrive. But the journey was worth it, we got a workout and a great view of the monastery from the outside.


The path to the monastery (Captured while returning)


The main Monastery, which is believed to be the oldest in Sikkim, was recently renovated and is now incredibly beautiful. The colors are vibrant and it was the most beautiful monastery of the trip.


There were too less people to ask around and know what this place is


Maybe, this is the first ruins of the old Monastery


And it offered great views as well. Our mobile camera could not do justice to it

Soon we realised that breakfast would be ready by the time we reached, hence decided to visit Kathok Lake post breakfast.

Upon arrival, we were asked if we would like to have our breakfast served in our rooms.


Where else would you have breakfast?
I want to mention, every part of the breakfast was that good. Even the curd, which was sourced locally. It is so heavy in cream, it tasted more like butter. Omlettes were served later. What more? The breakfast was complimentary, and we booked the hotel at an amazing price.


Meet Enzo. He's the main attraction of the property, our hosts said.

After finishing breakfast and saying goodbye to our hosts, we resumed our journey.


Parked in the beautiful property for the last time. That bolero is of the owner of the property. Sonam is the daughter, and she was constantly in touch with us. We were more than satisfied, and hope we really visit the property again.


Kathok lake, our first stop


Kathok lake in Sikkim, known for its crystal clear waters and serene surroundings. It is a holy lake, like most lakes.


Our next stop was a bridge where we had the whole area to ourselves for a while. The sound and sight of the water rushing under the bridge was truly breathtaking and as a result, you could see Shalini standing outside, enjoying the view.


Kanchenjunga Falls, a popular destination from Pelling, was our next stop.


The Kanchenjunga falls is a peaceful and serene waterfall to visit, surrounded by lush greenery and a tranquil atmosphere that allows one to truly take in the natural beauty.

From there, our destination was the sacred Khecheopalri lake. This hidden gem was a true oasis of serenity and spirituality, surrounded by lush greenery and a peaceful atmosphere. It was an enthusiastic 30 min drive from Kanchenjunga waterfall (in my case ). For the first time on the journey, we were driving on butter smooth roads, and I was grinning the entire time.


The holy lake


Clear waters


It was a pleasant walk to leading to the lake

There was a beautiful Monastery which we found closed. Unfortunately we forgot to click any photos. So I'll link the one clicked by bhpian ABHI_1512 (Abhishek).


Also recommending his wonderful TL which influenced our travel:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...hotologue.html (Kaluk, Borong and Yuksom Diaries - A Photologue)


Chicken Taipo in left with chicken Shyabhale or Shapale was our mid meal snack


Time to hit the beautiful fast road, with Pelling as our next stop. Don't miss those beautiful flowers.

Well, with another 45 mins of bad roads, we reached our next destination of the day; Rabdentse Ruins

The Rabdentse ruins are part of Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit starting with the first monastery at Yuksom known as the Dubdi Monastery, followed by Norbugang Chorten, Tashiding Monastery, the Pemayangtse Monastery, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the Khecheopalri Lake - Source https://sikkimtourism.gov.in/


Although the hike to the ancient site was not as easy one, we did not feel challenged, having climbed Dubdi Monastery earlier that day, that too without any motivational messages as such along the way.


The ruins


Beautiful sight of Kanchenjunga is visible from this place. It was not visible that day due to the clouds. However, I was not complaining.


This is a popular place, and there were many tourists specially among foreigners. It was when someone offered to click us a photo when we were trying to click a selfie.

It was nearing dusk, by the time we left the place. However we still had some one and half our drive remaining to reach our resort in Kaluk. Bhpian ABHI_1512 has informed us earlier to request the hotel to get the Kanchenjunga room. It was the best room of the property, and we were glad that the hotel complied with our request.
The room had 2 balconies, one opening to the parking area where my car was parked, and the other with a sitting area, facing the mighty Kanchenjunga. Room heaters were also provided.

Ghonday Village Resort is a very professionally managed property, we were welcomed with the ceremonial khata/Tibetan scarf around our necks along with welcome tea.


After freshening up, we placed an order for dinner. Chicken thukpa and Chicken 65.
I was confused the entire time while having the chicken 65, because it tasted more like dry chili chicken. Not sure, whether that is their version of chicken 65. Chicken thukpa, although tasty, did not taste authentic. It was somewhat spicy and had way more ingredients than I would like.
But I have heard good reviews of their Chicken Momos being the juiciest. We thought, we'll order them for breakfast, however they don't serve them in breakfast, which we learnt the next day

[ron82x3]

Day 4: Kaluk to Ravangla

I set my alarm for 5:40am the night before because I wanted to see the sunrise and Kangchenjunga. But I was not very hopeful because there were no stars in the sky, which usually means cloudy weather.

However I woke up before my alarm can ring. Went near the balcony and saw the majestic views.


This was one of the balconies of the room.The other one was facing the parking area


View from the balcony. This one is with a mirrorless camera with its kit lens


This one is with iPhone camera.


Enjoying the views

Then we decided to visit Rinchenpong Monastery and Poison lake. However, we skipped the later, since the lake was reduced to a dry ground, which serves more of a place for the local kids to play games like cricket. But, Rinchenpong Monastery was a 3KM uphill walk from Kaluk, via Rinchenpong bazar. We were in two minds; drive there or walk and get a morning workout and enjoy the natural surroundings. This time, we chose the former.

Took almost an hour to walk to the Gompa. And Kangchenjunga view was visible during the entire walk.


Even the views from the Monastery were excellent.

While walking back, we took a short breakfast break in Rinchenpong bazar area. Thankfully it was a relaxing downhill walk, all the way.

Upon returning, we needed to freshen up. It was already 12 by the time we checked out.


We finally left after some photo session of the beautiful compound.


This also is a great breakfast spot for someone who choses it.

Now, our destination was Ravangla, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach. However, Pelling skywalk and Singshore bridge was still on our itinerary. Going via Pelling would take 4+ hours easily; meaning we'd reach our hotel in Ravangla pretty late. We also needed a lunch break on the way.

So after some discussion, on which way to take, we decided to visit Pelling Skywalk first. While we have both been to Pelling first; but we were visiting skywalk for the very first time. I must mention, the road to the skywalk was a steep climb and the road was not in a good condition. Anyway, it was a fun road.


While Kanchenjunga is very well visible from the skywalk, that day, it was cloudy


I was happy, given we did get great views of Kanchenjunga from Kaluk and expected more from our hotel at Ravangla


We skipped visiting Sanghak Choeling museum, which is adjacent to the skywalk

After our visit, we discovered that Singshore Bridge is located over an hour's drive away in the opposite direction, near Dentam, which is on the road towards Kaluk that we had already crossed

We had a late vegetarian lunch in Pelling chowk area, in Upper Pelling and were then off for Ravangla.

We were planning to arrive in Ravangla by 7pm and visiting the Singshore bridge would have delayed our arrival by an additional 2.5 hours. Therefore, we decided to continue our journey to Ravangla. However, we were yet to encounter a minor setback on the way.

To reach our hotel we needed to reach 14mile, in Ravangla and from there, we need to take the uphill road which separates from the main road. Not only does this uphill road has steep gradient and tight turns, but also the boulder laden unpaved road provided little traction. Momentum was the key in going uphill.

https://youtu.be/mt-wmb-pTfM

This is the attached video, taken next day. Will give you an idea of the kind of road. The gradient is difficult to judge, just by looking at the video, and the footage is amazingly stable, thanks to apple.

So what happened was, even though I was carrying some momentum, I look a narrow turn in the first hairpin, because there was downhill traffic. What happened as a result was that my wheels were spinning freely, without any progress in the middle of a hairpin turn.

After this hairpin, there was a KM of steep straight road (the part which is in the video). And there was little space to build momentum.
I had 4 failed attempts, and had not given up. I needed to back the car every time, and start again.

While this was happening, one time while reversing, I went too far off the road, for my comfort. I got out of the car to judge whether I was in trouble and get a better idea. At this point, I was a bit fatigued with the repeated attempts of climbing.
At this point one of the local drivers offered help. However with 3 attempts he had made no progress. Even he went off the road in a similar fashion. Then another local driver swapped, and within his 2nd attempt, we were able to make the climb.


I was also concerned about an idling problem with the car. After passing Teesta Bazaar, the idling RPM was higher than usual and did not improve even when the car was started cold. DPF regen was eliminated as the root cause for the same reason. This led me to suspect a possible power loss due to some blockage in the intake/exhaust. Also, this engine had an average low end, where any rmp under ~1700 rpm would lead to the power getting bogged down with increase in gradient.

Finally after reaching the hotel, I was a bit disappointed with myself. Called the experts whom I trust. Bhpian dip27in, Mountain_Deep, ABHI_1512. Got their insights on how to maintain momentum on such situations and other factors such that the power does not bog down.

This lifted my spirits and we enjoyed the rest of the evening. The hotel was completely made of wood. We again got the best rooms of the property and we were the only guests. Their hospitality was great.


We particularly liked having dinner in our property. It was a simple menu which we opted for. Chicken Kosha with Steamed Rice. The chicken item was worth mentioning.

[ron82x3]

Day 5: Ravangla seight seeing

We started the day with a sunny morning and having breakfast at our hotel. There was some kind of a deck which provided both views of kanchenjunga and Buddha Park, Ravangla.


The deck


This spot provides good view of Kanchenjunga and Buddha Park both


The hotel compound. Excuse the poor framing of the pictures. I woke up to clean the air filter. Also noticed frost on the windshield.


Taking some photographs before departing for a South Sikkim sightseeing

Our first stop was the most famous spot in Ravangla, i.e., Buddha Park/ Tathagata Tsal


It is indeed very beautiful with Mount Narsing in the backdrop


Taking in the beauty of Buddha Park. Would you believe that the statue is made of 60 Tonnes of Copper?


The inside of the shrine has some pictures of Buddha's life. You can also see different statues of Buddha in different poses and colors inside the temple.

Our next stop was the Ralang New Monastery which is about 6KM from buddha park


Its a beautiful monastery which is newly constructed. We took a look inside the monastery and it has an extensive collection of paintings.


Another snap of the Monastery

Next we visited the old Ralang Monastery which is a few KMs apart from the new monastery


The Monastery courtyard


Inside the Monastery


More shots from inside the Monastery

After completing this part of the circuit we were on our way to visit Sikkim's only tea estate, which is operated by Temi Tea Limited, a company that has been producing and exporting tea since 1969. It has been developed as a major tourist attraction, and there are also adventure activities to be enjoyed during peak season.


The path which leads behind is like a small hike. One can easily spend more than half an hour. It is beautifully maintained. We hiked all the way to the top, where it ended in a village settlement


A perfect location to enjoy a photoshoot


Loved the parking location with the food stalls around


Finally I was in the frame


Lunch consisting of momos. Had other local snacks too

Our next stop was at Char Dham in Namchi, South Sikkim. This also seems to be major tourist attraction. There were many tourists from West Bengal in this area.


The 108-feet statue of Lord Shiva in a sitting posture


Replica of the four shrines: Uttarakhand’s Badrinath, Odisha’s Puri, Tamil Nadu’s Rameshwaram and Gujarat’s Dwarka

As our trip concluded, we were driving back from Namchi. Our friends had called us who had arrived just some hours ago in Ravangla. So we went to meet them first. After spending an eventful evening with them, chatting and having local food we went to our property.

This time while climbing up the steep road to our hotel from 14th mile road, I faced no issues whatsoever and it was a cakewalk. Finally, I knew I had learnt something and had become a better driver by the time the trip ended.

After returning, we decided to repeat the same dinner from the previous day, ordering chicken kosha with steamed rice. To my surprise, I found myself craving non-local food. This meal was truly delicious.

[ron82x3]

Day 6: Ravangla to Kolkata

We woke up before the sun could shine brightly, and got ready in a jiffy. Coffee was ordered from hotel and by 7 in the mornig we had set off for the return leg of our journey.

We were in no hurry to reach Kolkata. Another full tank and some shopping spree was done just before crossing Melli check post. Breakfast was done shortly too.
Encountered some traffic in Sevoke road and while crossing Siliguri, after that the journey was a breeze.

Once back on the butter smooth highways, Shalini was back at the wheels.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ABcxrDXMjKM

Drove through smooth highways

We had lunch at Hotel Rajdarbar, in Dalkhola at 2pm.
I must mention, the chicken bharta which we ordered for Lunch at Hotel Rajdarbar was very stale. I immediately understood our mistake of ordering such a dish. I suspect, they have used up last day's unsold chicken from various dishes. Because we could taste different preparations of chicken in every bite. Never ordering a bharta dish outside again.

We entered Kitchen Sutra in Old Delhi Road by 11pm. The dinner was fantastic there.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hza8j_fyqHA

We did encounter limited stretches of heavy fog, but only during the return leg of the journey.

I'll leave with the parting shots:





Some stats of the journey:

Total Distance covered : 1,800KM
Total Fuel used: Rs 10,280 (113 litres)
Mileage: 15.93 KM/L
Kolkata to Siliguri (Day 1): 12 hours
Siliguri to Kolkata (Day 6): 11 hours

As you scroll through the pages of this travelogue, I hope you've been inspired to explore and create your own unforgettable memories. Remember to always keep an open mind, embrace new cultures, and savour every moment. Thank you for staying till the end.

Cheers,
Subhasish

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[Mile_Breaker]

Ron82x3 , very informative TL and great photos. Even though I have covered all major attractions of Sikkim, but still every photo or TL tickles that urge to visit again. You got a good view of Kanchendzonga. Have not been that lucky in my last two visits to the hills.

[haisaikat]

Excellent detailed write up of your Sikkim conquest Subhashis. Loved the narration along with the photos. What time did you start from kolkata for siliguri on your onward journey and when did you reach the destination? During my last visit to Pardesi Dhaba on our return journey from Jaldapara /Hollong trip, they did accept cards though.

Regarding losing your voice due to the car AC, I have had similar if not exact effect during our Himachal to Kolkata return and realized that for future will wrap a woolen muffler around the neck or direct the AC vents away from the face.

We had visited Temi around 2006 during our Ravangla trip when it was an Offbeat destination, but heard it's quite spot prime now. Some of your photos brought back old memories, may be the promise of good roads might steer me someday back to sikkim.

My hill driving experience is limited and to cover up my skills I chose to have a RWD vehicle for that extra incline advantage. But envy missing all the raw experiences of driving uphill like the adventure you had on that turn. Kudos to you and your companion for staying calm and also it's an advantage having back up driving hands on road trips which is why you are fortunate .

Keep sharing, eagerly waiting for the next one.

[ron82x3]

Originally Posted by Mile_Breaker

Ron82x3 , very informative TL and great photos. You got a good view of Kanchendzonga. Have not been that lucky in my last two visits to the hills.

Thank you Niladri Da for your kind words. Yes did get a good view of Kanchendzonga on 2 days.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

What time did you start from Kolkata for Siliguri on your onward journey and when did you reach the destination?

We started at 7am in the morning and comfortably checked in the hotel by 7pm in the evening.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Regarding losing your voice due to the car AC, I have had similar if not exact effect during our Himachal to Kolkata return and realized that for future will wrap a woolen muffler around the neck or direct the AC vents away from the face.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

We had visited Temi around 2006 during our Ravangla trip when it was an Offbeat destination, but heard it's quite spot prime now. Some of your photos brought back old memories, may be the promise of good roads might steer me someday back to sikkim.

Yes, it seems to a very developed spot for tourists now a days, with all the recreational and adventure activities.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

My hill driving experience is limited and to cover up my skills I chose to have a RWD vehicle for that extra incline advantage. But envy missing all the raw experiences of driving uphill like the adventure you had on that turn.

Thank you Saikat da. Yes, it is definitely an experience. I would recommend you to drive on that road, just to get a feel of it. Even the road from Jorthang to Zoom is a steep one. You can have some fun there too.

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Kudos to you and your companion for staying calm and also it's an advantage having back up driving hands on road trips which is why you are fortunate

Yes, Shalini was very calm all throughout the journey and her driving did help us carry momentum during the return leg of our journey, where we could return from Ravangla very comfortably, even after starting our journey a bit leisurely.

[H0RSEPOWER]

Awesome trip report Subhasish. Really liked it & glad that you had very clear views of Mt Kanchendzongha, which we missed just a few weeks back.
Hope you would make lot of more journeys with your partner in the future

[Travelmania]

Nice travelogue Ron82x3. Very Detailed information. Your Red ES is looking smart. As I also own a ES, so it is always a love for me. I have been to Pelling in winter 2021. Got a clear view of Kanchenjunga range.
few snaps from my bucket.

Mt Siniolchu

[ron82x3]

Originally Posted by H0RSEPOWER

Awesome trip report Subhasish. Really liked it & glad that you had very clear views of Mt Kanchendzongha, which we missed just a few weeks back.
Hope you would make lot of more journeys with your partner in the future

Thank you for your kind words Subhradeep da. I am eagerly waiting for you December North Sikkim TL

Originally Posted by Travelmania

Nice travelogue Ron82x3. Very Detailed information. Your Red ES is looking smart. As I also own a ES, so it is always a love for me. I have been to Pelling in winter 2021. Got a clear view of Kanchenjunga range.

Thank you Abhijit da. Coincidentally both you and Subhradeep da own EcoSport in that fantastic canyon ridge shade. I have been following your threads, and your Zuluk TL is an inspiration for me. Thanks for sharing the awesome pictures of the mountain ranges

[Samba]

Excellent!
NorthBengal and Sikkim never fails to amaze. The write-up is detailed, the pics you shared are beautiful, and your red Ecosport looks hot. Rated 5*

It's amazing, how quietly you were sitting on the left! Next time I meet her, am definitely going to ask, whether this silence was just for the sake of taking the video, or you are actually this cool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABcxrDXMjKM

On Sunday's Team-Bhp meet, I need a demo for this.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...0c7dc2f24.jpeg

Keep travelling and keep sharing such beautiful travelogues.