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**The Monk** · 03-04-2013, 05:50 PM

Approved

All the best with the trip.

I had planned a similar trip last year. Didn't work out sadly. Anyway here is the plan, incase it is of any use - http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/tourer/2...2-planner.html

**Hoodibaba** · 03-04-2013, 07:00 PM

Thanks

As U had also planned in detail and must have sought information from different quarters, would I get lot of rain by the time I leave for Gurudongmar Lake i.e. between 1st to 3rd May ?
You had calculated the distance between Siliguri to Varanasi at over 1000 kms but from the net I got this distance to be around 700 kms. May be you were covering a lot of adjoining place on the way ? What are the road conditions "on GT Road" and any word of caution on this route while driving between 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. ? Would I get good eatery points/petrol points ?(although my bike has a capacity of 15.5 litres with an average of 50+ kmpl).

**The Monk** · 03-04-2013, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by Hoodibaba View Post

Thanks

As U had also planned in detail and must have sought information from different quarters, would I get lot of rain by the time I leave for Gurudongmar Lake i.e. between 1st to 3rd May ?
You had calculated the distance between Siliguri to Varanasi at over 1000 kms but from the net I got this distance to be around 700 kms. May be you were covering a lot of adjoining place on the way ? What are the road conditions "on GT Road" and any word of caution on this route while driving between 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. ? Would I get good eatery points/petrol points ?(although my bike has a capacity of 15.5 litres with an average of 50+ kmpl).

From what I remember, May is not the most likely month for rain.

773 kms is the shortest route, but is not the fastest or the safest route. I chose a route (1000 kms) from a safety point of view, rather do more kms than ride through some terribly unsafe sections of the state.

After Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, please avoid riding after dark. Do not even ride in twilight. Ride only in good daylight. Afternoons in peak summer are as dangerous as night, because there is almost no traffic. Try as much as possible to ride with traffic, maybe a roadways bus or convoy of trucks.

Petrol bunks are easily available. Though quality of petrol is questionable. Food is good and easily available all over.

Bihar, Jharkand are not the safest states to ride alone in. West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are marginally safer! So please do be safe.

Another option you have is to ship your bike from Delhi to Siliguri by train and ride on from there. From what I have heard Kolkata to Siliguri is a nightmare!

**Hoodibaba** · 03-05-2013, 10:39 PM

As my friends from Kolkata/Siliguri who have been to Gurudongmar told that during fag end of April and complete May, there would be lot of rains and they had suffered lot of failures during this specific period, I have rescheduled my programme from 20th April to 5th of May, 2013.

Anybody interested to join during this period is welcome. I might get company from Siliguri of a very experienced biker who have been to Gurudongmar earlier with his wife on bike.

**Hoodibaba** · 03-12-2013, 11:42 PM

It is almost two weeks and no feedback from any quarter except the Mod (Monk) who had himself planned this trip last year. Apparently people tend to move to Leh. Is it so that even the Xbhpians from North East have either not seen this thread or they too have not much information to offer/share ? Keeping my fingers crossed.

**The Monk** · 03-13-2013, 02:17 PM

Most bikers in India will find it difficult to reach Sikkim and Bhutan. Also there is not much information to go there. It is much easier to visit Leh. Yeah, I know how ironic it sounds to say that it is easier to go to Leh!!!

I doubt if many people from the North-east visit Sikkim either. The only information you might get is from people in Kolkata or Siliguri. Guys from there hit Sikkim on a more regular basis.

The lack of information and bikers is what attracted me to go there rather than Leh. Sadly it was not meant to be...

**nelson_sanjoy** · 03-13-2013, 09:01 PM

On the contrary I would say its easier to visit North East & Bhutan,Nepal because its more inhabited.
If you are travelling so far it makes sense to take a few more days and visit more places than just North Sikkim.
How about visitng Sikkim,Bhutan and return though Darjeeling ,Mirik, Nepal and exit through U.P.

Roads in WB are pretty bad. Kolkata - Siliguri and places beyond Siliguri will be strictly average by Indian standards. Even Bhutan & Nepal roads would be better.

Also just to add - Siliguri is called the 'Gateway to NE India' and is at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas.
You have a lot of options to go from here if in-case your primary plan fails.
You have places like Sikkim,Mirik,Darjeeling,Kurseong,Kalimpong,Bhutan, Nepal, whole Tarai-duars within a day's journey from Siliguri.
This all is apart from the vast NE where it depends on your touring appetite. And please don't go by the myth that NE is unsafe - your will be hard-pressed to get any incident in past that a tourist was ever attacked.
Each place has a distinct flavour of its own .

You can as-well start from Siliguri by transporting your vehicle to (NJP) station - would save you time,money and some risk.

**Hoodibaba** · 04-08-2013, 08:33 PM

Got a disheartening news from Sikkim : Due to heavy landslides, roads in North and East Sikkim have been blocked and weather has starting taking its toll.

Wonder what would be situation when I am likely to be there.

Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to motivate anyone to join me in this trip so far which is also a bit discouraging.

**sumitro_d** · 04-09-2013, 11:22 AM

Road condition will be better soon,before your date I think as per BRO's working ability I know.From Kolkata to Siliguri go via Siuri road don't take Krishnanagar road for sure.From Gangtok as your map showing go via Mangan only (Have your lunch there too).Carry plenty of drinking water as well as Petrol.Stay the night at Lachen next day morning you will love that village,then start off for Lake.You might even find Villagers going there to give puja so carry any one along with you.Any way you can't loose the way cause it's straight dusty non existing road(mostly) till Last camp,from then on follow car track do not deviate any where till lake cause there is plenty of ground mine on those sands.

**Hoodibaba** · 04-13-2013, 12:19 AM

Dear Friends,

The D.Day is round the corner. Just 1 week left. By early morning next Friday I have to leave for this Trip.

Although I have done a number of long trips earlier, but this seems to be different. Don't know why.

May be I had tried a lot to get company for this trip but failed miserably. But this has made me more determined to DO IT.

Tomorrow morning I would start listing out the barest minimum and most crucial items I shall be taking with me. Foremost, I will get my bike checked at the service station. Then chalk out the rough route map and so on.

Been keeping an eye on the weather forecast and any news about North Sikkim. Although it is raining heavily till the last report came in but like my signatures WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GETS GOING.

IT IS MORE LIKE ..... NOW OR NEVER.......

Will set my goals on DAY TO DAY BASIS.

Now it is time to go to bed.

Bye

**The Monk** · 04-13-2013, 12:11 PM

All the best sir

**sumitro_d** · 04-13-2013, 08:46 PM

best of luck bro welcome to our green side.

**Hoodibaba** · 05-02-2013, 07:49 PM

Re: Trip to Gurudongmar Lake (North Sikkim) via Kolkota from Delhi

Hi folks,

I came back (last evening) after a successful trip of West Bengal and Sikkim covering 5430 kms. Also had a dream ride to Bhutan (Thimpu and Paro) which was an eyeopening experience. Trekked upto Tiger Nest Monastery (Takstang Monastery) in Paro (browse the internet to view this marvelous structure on top of the cliff at a height of 10000+ feet) We can learn a lot from them.

Could not get permit for Nathula and the weather at Gurudongmar was also not favourable so did the Old Silk Route to compensate. But it was quite difficult with Zero Visibility, and I mean it, added by rain and blizzards and snow with broken/uprooted trees on the way, heavy water streams, slush and nobody on the way till I reached Baba Ka Mandir.

Would remain indebted to Xkmph team at Siliguri who provided me the much need information and their members at Kolkata for making this trip a success. Otherwise it would have been difficult to complete this trip that too solo. Sorry to say that except from The Monk (the Mod), no other member from Xbhp provided me any information, may be it missed their sight.

Wait for some breathtaking photographs.

Teaser:

**The Monk** · 05-03-2013, 01:08 PM

Re: Trip to Gurudongmar Lake (North Sikkim) via Kolkota from Delhi

Congrats sir on completing the ride.

We are absolutely waiting for the breathtaking photos!

Also please put up info, so that others who might want to do this route can find it here. Thanks

Announcement

Trip to Gurudongmar Lake (North Sikkim) via Kolkota from Delhi

Trip to Gurudongmar Lake (North Sikkim) via Kolkota from Delhi

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