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-   -   Along the Forgotten Trail- Silk Route-East Sikkim [Pedong-Rishi-Aritar-Zuluk-Jelepla] (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/60100-along-forgotten-trail-silk-route-east-sikkim-pedong-rishi-aritar-zuluk-jelepla-3.html)

Superb pics, ADC!
You are truly one to be envied! :)

What a charming camp that is!

Absolutely you are most welcome, surely I will be to these places around mid March when there is quite enough snow for all the fun.

As of now I looking for 2 people for the Leh-Ladakh tour!!

Thanks and sure it is Mr Mathur. Sikkim and North Bengal is our "Himachal" out here, though as per my visits, the pine forests are very well maintained over here than in Himachal. Himachal had more of clusters and areas of forests whereas it is like a continous belt after Siliguri starting with Neora Valley and going along N Bengal and into Sikkim.

The camp as said really like rustic kind, made of bamboo and the rooms were quite small. Of course the rate was like cheap and the other one that had just opened was more expensive and we did not know about it before. Of course we had no regret staying here - and of course that the priceless machan!!

adc boss, Jiyo, What a place. I liked the Resort a lot !! Wonderful pics.

Sikkim Tourism should give you royalty for promoting such wonderful spots to rest of the India / Globe. Sikkim has been in my wishlist for so long, dont know when to complete.

Abhi

AAAH..!
ADC >> FANTABULOUS.:thumbs up
Ideas and inspiration for my Nov-Dec trip.
I hope you are not bailing out for the Sept trip to Leh ?
Im all ready with lock stock and 2.2 smoking barrels.

So on day#3 after a good breakfast it is now time to go first to Pedong, ie, go backwards so that we cover the silk route from that town itself and also see some of the different places of Pedong. And who else but Mr Sebastian Pradhan himself accompanying us and as we found out he is very well known in these parts due to the untiring efforts in devloping Pedong and its surrounding places.

Along the silk route to Pedong



St. George's Higher Secondary school is one of the most famous school of Pedong. Started by the Roman Catholic priests during the pre-independence days.


On towards Silent Valley --> 6 Km. from Pedong bazaar on the way to Ramitey. A small forest area with a grassy land of quietness





Mr Pradhan collects an orchid from the forest for his ecocamp


On towards Ramitey top: 6,400 ft. 10 Km. from Pedong bazaar. Jeep road thru the dense forest. Breathtaking panoramic view of the rivers all around and Kancenjunga. Longest view of Tista is available only from here.

Don't even try to tell me you drove over THAT!
Fantastic touring machine is fine but not this! :D

The greenery in that part of the country is to die for! Will I ever get there?

Around 4-6 days will be enough at least to go through at least one part of Sikkim, do try it next time when you are in Kolkata

My Leh tour is like in suspended state - as I am on the lookout for 2 people to share costs. But surely I wil try my utmost this Sept end itself - it would be great to do those routes together and may be the 4wd safari will have to pull out the 2wd safari as we do expect very inclement weather early October in Ladakh!


No way, thats a huge tree trunk securely embeded on the road edge, absolutely not possible to push that. But there was just enough space by the side to squeeze through with the Safari. Ramitey view point road is absolutely through the dense forest and it was a wonderful experience to drive through

amazing place very nice photos

Really Great Stuff... ADC!

I hereby declare you the official "Tourer of Bengal".:thumbs up (inspired from the concept of Tiger of Bengal).

I am planning to tour Kaza-Lahaul-Spiti this October following your route plan posted on the forum.
I should be covering the Kaza-Losar-Gramphoo-Manali on 16 or 17th October. If luck has it then we'll meet up on the way. :)

It'd be like english movies... three Safaris (yours, jays and mine) moving in line through the mountains.

ADC
Your Rishi reminded me of Srikhola of yesteryears. Green, pristine, quiet and a pleasure to just sit back and relax. Looking forward to more exciting photographs. I really salute your wander lust.
Sudipto

ADC, gr8 sikkim tour with cool pics, i travelled upto lachung and went till Baba mandir which you started off yours, amazing place to be in sikkim, i believe all of sikkim is simply awesome place to be.My next trip would be on eastern side towards lachen towards the base of kunchenjanga mountain.

In between had to be out of touch with tbph for sometime, which resulted in this abrupt break in the journey story and so let me now complete this long pending travelogue - will definitely be a good log for someone going to this absolutely uncommon place in Sikkim.

Day 3 contd. and Day 4 at Aritar and Day 5 at Zuluk homestay

Continuing with the Pedong and surroundings, from the Silent Valley green pasture we headed off to Ramitey through dense jungle just wide enough trails to Ramitey View Point

Quote:

Ramitey top: 6,400 ft. 10 Km. from Pedong bazaar. Jeep road thru the dense forest. Breathtaking panoramic view of the rivers all around and Kancenjunga. Longest view of Tista is available only from here.

After going back to Pedong town we proceeded to Cross hill, near Pedong



We were now headed to Kashyone village, the home of Mr Sebastian Pradhan, our ever helpful host and guide.




At Mr Pradhan's home at Kashyone village



And now again back to Sikkim across the Rishi bridge



We were now headed to Aritar by taking the very steep and old road and not the regular road. This used to be a branch off from the Silk Route via Rongli



First gear and full throttle up the high incline road.


On reaching Aritar we spent 2 days here relaxing and visting the Aritar Lake





After spending a good 2 days at Aritar we left early morning for your next halt at Zuluk. Just after leaving Rongli, we were the only vehicle on this route as this is pure Army territory. This uncommon roundabout route goes just past the China border as well as Bhutan territory and no private cars are allowed. But then we had managed the permits!!




At Lingtam check post


Enroute to Zuluk



At Padamchen check post


The roads were again very steep and as we neared Zuluk by afternoon, mist enveloped the road.


Finally at Zuluk, East Sikkim, homestay

Stunning adc !! As always, I'm blown away with your pics and narration. Thanks for sharing...waiting for more !!

About as much fun as can be had with your clothes on!! :D