Mountain Roads & Monasteries
Sikkim

Photo: Rob Callander



edged in between Nepal and Bhutan, with Tibet to the North and Bengal to the South, the Tiny Indian state of Sikkim is regarded by many as the last Shangri-La. And with good reason. Geographically, Sikkim enjoys spectacular scenery flanked by Kanchenjunga on the West, and the vast virgin forests of Bhutan on the east. With only one road in that runs along the Tista River from West Bengal, the remoteness of this old Himalayan Kingdom hampers any serious development. Rich in culture and history, Sikkim is dotted with some of the most important Buddhist Monasteries in the Himalayas with names like Rumtek, Phodang and Pemayangtse. Economically, Sikkim maintains one of the best infrastructures in all of India, with a great network of sealed mountain roads ideal for Motorcycle Touring.


Mountain Roads & Monasteries
Sikkim


Tour Itinerary

Day 1 
Arrive Kathmandu , Nepal  

     Himalayan Roadrunners Staff will meet you at the airport. Transfer to our hotel overlooking Kathmandu Valley. Afternoon/evening free to relax after your long flight. 

Day 2  
AM Kathmandu Sightseeing - East Nepal Flight 

     Morning tour of Kathmandu including Swayam-bhunath, Durbar Square, Pashupati & Bodhnath. Late afternoon flight to Biratnagar. Guest House Accommodations. 

Day 3  
Nepal-India Border Cross-Roadrunners Briefing  

     Early morning transfer to the border at Kakarbhitta (3 hours) followed by border formalities and 1 hour transfer to Sinclairs Hotel at Siliguri, West Bengal where we will meet HRR staff waiting with motorcycles and equipment. Late afternoon briefing including staff introductions, travel and health infor-mation, and motorcycle assignment and orientation. 

Day 4  
Bagdogra - Mirik - Darjeeling  

     Motorcycle tour starts today. After a quick rundown of road safety precautions & check of personal equipment, we will start out on the back roads along the Nepal Border through endless Tea Plantations, and follow the road as it snakes its way to the famous old hill station of Darjeeling with commanding views toward Kanchenjunga, world's 3rd highest peak (8598m). Accommodations at the New Elgin Hotel. 

Day 5  
Darjeeling - Kalimpong  

     Morning free to visit the mountaineering institute in memory of one of Darjeeling's most famous residents, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, hike down to the Tibetan Refugee Camp to look for a carpet, or relax up at Chowrasta and watch Darjeeling life as it happens. Situated on both sides of a ridge with views into the Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan, Kalimpong once belonged to the Rajas of Sikkim. Dramatic after lunch ride along a spectacular road through thick forest with steep descent to the Tista River where we will meet the Kalimpong Road and follow the amazing loops and switchbacks to our accommodations high above the village at a beautiful "Days of the British Raj" residence, turned hotel. 

Day 6  
Kalimpong - Rumtek Monastery 

     We will start this morning with a visit to the Zangdog Palriphodang Monastery situated on the top of the ridge up behind our hotel with sweeping views into Bhutan. A short ride through town and up the other side of the ridge will bring us to Dr. Grahams Homes, an old British built colony. The church here is especially interesting. Moving on, we will run back roads through terraced hills and small villages to the Sikkimese border crossing at Rangpo, and follow the road to Rumtek. The largest and most famous monastery in the Eastern Himalaya, Rumtek, is the seat of the Kagyu-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism founded in the 11th century. Accommodations at the Shambhala Mountain Resort. Late afternoon free to visit the monastery. 

Day 7  
Rumtek - Phodang Monastery - Chungthang 

     Inaccessible for most that have to rely on hired or public transportation, the restricted areas of North Sikkim see surprisingly few western travelers per year. Moving on from Rumtek, we will ride north to our lunch stop at Phodang Monastery before crossing into the restricted area and on to our accommodations in Chungthang, North Sikkim. 

Day 8  
Yumthang Valley  

     Situated at over 11,500 feet, the Yumthang Valley and surrounding alpine areas offer some of the most incredible scenary in the Himalaya with spectacular mountain views of the Kanchenjunga Himal and north into Tibet. 

Day 9  
Chungthang - Pemayangtse  

     Tour continues west across Sikkim to Pemayangtse, a quiet village situated at 2089mts with unequaled mountain views of Kanchenjunga and beyond into Nepal and Tibet. Life in this remote village revolves around the Monastery here, 2nd oldest in Sikkim, belonging to the Nyingma-pa sect, which was established by Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Accommodations at the Hotel Mt. Pandim. 

Day 10  
Pemayangtse - Siliguri  

     After a last interesting look around this mountain-top Himalayan Village, we will follow the backroads and stop at a hidden sacred lake before passing Tashiding Gompa and descending to the Rangit Khola and the crossroad town of Nayabazar. Joining the national highway at Mellibazar, we will follow the Tista River out of the mountains and back to Siliguri and Sinclairs Hotel. 

Day 11  
Siliguri-Biratnagar-Kathmandu Flight  

     Transfer to the Nepal border and Biratnagar Airport for our afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Farewell group dinner this evening. 

Day 12  
Flight Home.  

     Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for flight home. 

What's Included  
     Airport transfers both ways from Kathmandu Intl. Airport. Domestic Airfare Roundtrip from Kathmandu to Biratnagar in East Nepal. All Hotel and guest house accommodations, some breakfasts and buffet dinners, packed lunches on tour, Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc Motorcycle fitted with crash bars and saddlebags, petrol, spares, mechanic, support vehicle with adequate space for luggage, pre-departure information pack including maps, tour route and health information, Himalayan Roadrunners T-Shirt. 

What's Not Included  
     International airfare unless specified, cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, laundry service, tips, airport tax. 

Visa Requirements  
     Indian Tourist Visa usually valid for 3 months with endorsement for Sikkim. Nepal Visa's are available upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport. 

Immunizations  
     Please feel free to call us to discuss these requirements and consult your GP/Physician or Local Travel Clinic for the latest recommendations. 



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