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Mumbai-Gangtok-Mumbai-: A 5000 km road trip in my Ford Figo diesel

18th March 2025, 13:32 by Deepankar Sadekar

As we drove through the highways, the excitement kept us energized. The Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 700 km-long expressway, helped us cover a major chunk of the distance quickly.

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Journey Overview:

Introduction
Preparation for the Trip
- Medical Preparations
- Car Preparation
- Essential Tools and Equipment
The Journey Begins- Day 1: Mumbai to Jabalpur
Day 2: Jabalpur to Patna
Day 3: Patna to Siliguri
Day 4: Siliguri to Gangtok
Acquiring the Nathula Pass and Tsongmo Lake Permit
Exploring Gangtok
Return Journey: Gangtok to Mumbai
Total Expense Breakdown

Introduction:

Let us take you through our unforgettable journey of an 11-day, 5000 km road trip from Mumbai to Gangtok and back with my wife in our 2015 Ford Figo Diesel, covering five different states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim. This road trip was not just about reaching the destination but about experiencing different cultures, landscapes, and the thrill of driving long distances. From the smooth highways to the winding mountain roads, each part of the journey had something special to offer. In this travelogue, we will share our day-by-day experiences, the places we visited, and in the end, we will break down the total expenses of this trip so that you can plan your own adventure with ease.

Preparation for the Trip

Before setting off on such a long journey, we made sure to be fully prepared.

Medical Preparations

We visited our family doctor and got a list of essential medicines for motion sickness, altitude sickness, fever, headaches, and other possible health issues. Being prepared for the worst situation gave us confidence to take on the long drive.

Car Preparation

Since our Ford Figo was going to cover 5000 km, we ensured it was in top condition. We got the car serviced at the Ford service center where we always maintain it. During the service, we replaced the gear lever and gear knob due to some play in the mechanism. Other routine maintenance included an oil change, oil filter change, and a complete check of the brakes, tires, and suspension. We also added special stickers on our car for this road trip, making it even more memorable. The stickers showcased our journey and added a personal touch to our adventure.

Essential Tools and Equipment

We packed a separate toolkit bag with all the necessary tools for emergencies. This included a car jack, puncture repair kit, portable tire inflator, wrench for removing and replacing tires, and some extra fuses. Having these essentials gave us peace of mind, knowing we could handle minor breakdowns on our own.

The Journey Begins: Day 1 Mumbai to Jabalpur

With our bags packed and our car fueled up, we set off early in the morning at 5 am with excitement. Our plan was to cover long distances each day while enjoying the journey. The first target was Jabalpur, about 1000 km away.

As we drove through the highways, the excitement kept us energized. The Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 700 km-long expressway, helped us cover a major chunk of the distance quickly. The smooth roads and less traffic made the drive enjoyable. As the night approached, we started feeling tired but pushed ourselves to reach Jabalpur.

Distance covered: 1040 km
Duration: 20 hours
Stay: Hotel Polo Max, Jabalpur (INR 2,000)

We reached Jabalpur at around 1 AM. Tired but happy with our progress, we checked into a small hotel for a short rest. A quick nap of 4-5 hours was all we needed before setting off again the next morning.

Day 2: Jabalpur to Patna

Distance covered: 700 km
Duration: 16 hours
Stay: Hotel Buddha International, Patna (INR 1,800)

Day 3: Patna to Siliguri

The next morning, we left Patna and made our way toward Siliguri. The drive was scenic, with lush green fields and tea plantations welcoming us to West Bengal. The roads were better, and the cool weather added to the joy of driving. In Siliguri, we took some time to enjoy the local food, including delicious Bengali fish curry and rice. We spent the night at a comfortable hotel, excited for the final stretch of our journey.

Distance covered: 460 km
Duration: 10 hours
Stay: Hotel Royal Vanilla (INR 2,500)

Day 4: Siliguri to Gangtok

This was the day we had been waiting for! The drive from Siliguri to Gangtok was breathtaking. The winding mountain roads, the sight of the Teesta River flowing beside us, and the fresh mountain air made every kilometer worth it. Driving through the hilly terrain was challenging but fun. When we finally reached Gangtok, it felt like an achievement. The long journey had brought us to this peaceful hill town, and we couldn’t wait to explore it.

Distance covered: 120 km
Duration: 4 hours
Stay: Club Mahindra Le Vintuna, Gangtok (4 nights Stay in Membership, Rs.13k spent on Spa, Food and Activities)

Nathula Pass and Tsongmo Lake Permit for Private Car

To visit Nathula Pass and Tsongmo Lake in our private car, we had to acquire special permits. The process required the following:

The car should be registered under the driver's name.
Car-related documents: RC book, Insurance, PUC, and driving license.
The car should be 1500cc and above.
Passport or Voter ID (Aadhar Card & PAN Card are not accepted)
Two passport-sized photographs for each traveler.

We connected with Naran Dawari, a local tourist agent who helped us with permit process.
Exotic Sikkim Travels- 8918828627

Exploring Gangtok

We spent four wonderful days in Gangtok, visiting:

MG Marg: The lively center of the city.
Nathula Pass: A memorable trip to the Indo-China border.
Tsongmo Lake: A beautiful glacial lake.
Club Mahindra Property:A great place to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Return Journey: Gangtok to Mumbai

After spending four days in Gangtok, it was time to head back. Our return journey followed the same route, with overnight stops in Siliguri, Patna, and Jabalpur.