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**Noor** · 05-08-2011, 04:05 PM

Discussion Thread Approved

**drifter** · 05-11-2011, 01:06 PM

I doubt much info could be available anybody whose done sikkim bhutan ?

**hrishi_from_pune** · 05-11-2011, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by romeomike View Post

Hi friends,

We (i.e. family three +1, if you have read Alankar's blog) are planning to tour Sikkim and Bhutan in the first week of June and have few queries regarding the same. Anyone else touring on the same side present or future feel free to joint the discussion on this thread.

I am eagerly looking forward to receive valuable feedback/info from all those who have toured before us through Sikkim and Bhutan or have good knowledge of geography from this lovely region.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Queries:
1. Do we need inner line permit for Khecheopalri Lake/Rumtek monastery, since we are planning to go to Khecheopalri Lake first and then head to Gangtok, is it at all feasible to go directly there from New Jalpaiguri.
2. Khecheopalri Lake, Rumtek monastery, Tsongmo Lake, Nathu La, Lachun, Zero Point, Katto, Yumthang, Chumathang, Gurudongmar Lake......what else can be added to the wish list for Sikkim? We have allotted only 7 days for Sikkim, is it enough.

More to follow soon...

Thank you guyz

About #1, I don't think you need ILP for Rumtek/Khecheopalri.
#2, Anywhere in North Sikkim would require special permits from Sikkim Home Department and Nathu la will require separate permit from Army. 7 Days are never enough but you could squeeze North Sikkim in it.

Refer my blog for more details...

firaa!: Photoblog: Sikkim - Bhutan on Motorcycle

and also browse through the day-day log of my Sikkim-Bhutan trip

Hope that helps.

**drifter** · 05-11-2011, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by hrishi_from_pune View Post

Refer my blog for more details...

firaa!: Photoblog: Sikkim - Bhutan on Motorcycle

and also browse through the day-day log of my Sikkim-Bhutan trip

Hope that helps.

Hi Rishi,

On our search for info on Bhutan our first pitstop was on your blog

Had gone through it completely and really liked it

Good to see you here

**darkknight** · 05-11-2011, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by drifter View Post

Hi Rishi,

On our search for info on Bhutan our first pitstop was on your blog

Had gone through it completely and really liked it

Good to see you here

if you need anything else for sikkim get in touch with me.

been there 3 times & have many local friends as well ,never been to bhutan though

**spiderweb** · 05-11-2011, 02:35 PM

Originally posted by drifter View Post

I doubt much info could be available anybody whose done sikkim bhutan ?

Dude lots of info available as Anup, Razor & a few others had done Sikkim-Bhutan before and also I had done a good research on it, just My PLAN never saw light of the day.

If I get free by September, Me & Motor will do it. Research is there all we need to do is find some free time get moving.

**spiderweb** · 05-11-2011, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by romeomike View Post

Queries:
1. Do we need inner line permit for Khecheopalri Lake/Rumtek monastery, since we are planning to go to Khecheopalri Lake first and then head to Gangtok, is it at all feasible to go directly there from New Jalpaiguri.
2. Khecheopalri Lake, Rumtek monastery, Tsongmo Lake, Nathu La, Lachun, Zero Point, Katto, Yumthang, Chumathang, Gurudongmar Lake......what else can be added to the wish list for Sikkim? We have allotted only 7 days for Sikkim, is it enough.

7 days for Sikkim, abbe Ghar basana hai kya? bohot zyada hai.

SEE THIS : I hope you'll find what you need.

BHUTAN-Eastern India 2011 - Revival of the THUNDER DRAGON DREAM - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/tourer/16682-bhutan-eastern-india-2011-revival-thunder-dragon-dream.html

Motorcycle travelogues by thousands of xBhpians from across the world.

CHEERS and RIDE SAFE

**devil0483** · 05-11-2011, 04:49 PM

Sikkim-Bhutan Bike Trip Queries

Originally posted by romeomike View Post

Hi friends,

We (i.e. family three +1, if you have read Alankar's blog) are planning to tour Sikkim and Bhutan in the first week of June and have few queries regarding the same. Anyone else touring on the same side present or future feel free to joint the discussion on this thread.

I am eagerly looking forward to receive valuable feedback/info from all those who have toured before us through Sikkim and Bhutan or have good knowledge of geography from this lovely region.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Queries:
1. Do we need inner line permit for Khecheopalri Lake/Rumtek monastery, since we are planning to go to Khecheopalri Lake first and then head to Gangtok, is it at all feasible to go directly there from New Jalpaiguri.
2. Khecheopalri Lake, Rumtek monastery, Tsongmo Lake, Nathu La, Lachun, Zero Point, Katto, Yumthang, Chumathang, Gurudongmar Lake......what else can be added to the wish list for Sikkim? We have allotted only 7 days for Sikkim, is it enough.

More to follow soon...

Thank you guyz

Hi Romeomike,

I had been to Bhutan and Sikkim on my R15 and have the below suggestions in response to your queries :-

i. While entering Bhutan at Phuentsholing, u need to apply for a tourist Visa which takes about an hour and if you have a Passport, it is hassle free although Voter Id also works. Once done with the Trourist Visa, you need to go to the RSTA(Road Safety & Transport Association) just like RTO in India. Therein you need to mention as many places you want to visit in the form and you need to submit xerox copies of your bike docs. These docs once stamped you need to show at all the check posts en-route Thimphu. Normally, getting these permits is a hassle free job in Bhutan. Besides, Indians are treated cordially by the Bhutanese folks.

ii. Once you reach Gangtok, you need to get to the Tourism office located near MG Road. There you need to show all your bike papers and provide xerox copies. Beware, that you should mention each and every place in North Sikkim you plan to visit because once you get there, the Army folks won't let you pass through without the necessary permits. Even if you are not sure of whether you will be able to make it to a place, mention it in the pass. We had missed out Yumthang(Zero Point) and only after we pleaded a million times we were let through. And don't even think of bribing the security folks because when we asked them to take some fines, the guy at the check post started yelling at us. Luckily we didnt mention bribe openly

. You will also get passes for Nathula from here.

Caution: I believe you guys won't involve any travel agent, and when you arrive at the Tourism Office these agents will treat you badly. So if you have any queries, ask the Police personnel at the document verification counter. They will help you out. We were lucky that a lady officer guided us through the permit retrieval process

.

While in North Sikkim, do carry some extra petrol in Jerry cans available there. Because after a particular point petrol bunks are not present in North Sikkim. And at the Tourism Office make sure that you verify that the permit is valid for visiting Gurudongmar lake because the Army check post ask for special permits for bikers

.

Any other queries please feel free to shoot and yeah, do post the pics here.

**phaedrusarcher** · 05-11-2011, 05:15 PM

hi
i have been to sikkim n bhutan too on different occasions in a car n later on bike.
well...seven days are ok neither more nor less if u r planning to go north n do a bit of sight seeing ard gangtok too.
if u arrive early on the first day u could move around for your permits and visit rumtek monastery the same day. It does not need a seperate permit to go to rumtek but it does to go north. Home dept and tourism office both furnish permits and tourism office being closer to hotels and MG road is easier. make sure to carry all relevant vehicle papers and passport size photos.

Bhutan is easier to get permits. A lot of time gets wasted in RSTA office and before u can actually leave for thimphu/ paro its already noon. Yes the staff is courteous to a certain limit but slow in office work. If u r planning to go anywhere ahead of Thimphu like punakha trongsa wangdi or bumthang u will need a permit from Immigration dept n RSTA at Thimphu ONLY. This is the inner line or restricted area permit.

what vehicles r u using for travel to these two places?

**romeomike** · 05-12-2011, 02:59 AM

Thanks Noor

@Hrishi: Hey good to see you on Xbph. Gone through your blog a while ago, liked each and every chapter. Thanks for the reply bro.

@DK: Shukriya sirji, will surely get in touch with you.

@Spidy: Sparsh ka blog padha re, the delhi guy who rode along Razor, Anup, and Amit. I was a silent reader of your thread too. Saat din bhi shayad kum pad jaye dost.

@devil0483: Thanks for the insight.
Can you give more info about petrol pump details in North Sikkim....i mean which is the last petrol pump(main worry is gurudongmar).

@phaedrusarcher: Thanks buddy, read a bit on lonelyplanet/bcmt/xkmph about Bhutan. As of now only zeroed to visit 3-4 places in Bhutan, given the short time frame namely Tiger Nest(Taktshang)/Paro Dzong/Thimphu/Punnakha. If time permits will like to add a place or two. We will be riding P150, Unicorn, and Passion.

**devil0483** · 05-12-2011, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by romeomike View Post

Thanks Noor

@Hrishi: Hey good to see you on Xbph. Gone through your blog a while ago, liked each and every chapter. Thanks for the reply bro.

@DK: Shukriya sirji, will surely get in touch with you.

@Spidy: Sparsh ka blog padha re, the delhi guy who rode along Razor, Anup, and Amit. I was a silent reader of your thread too. Saat din bhi shayad kum pad jaye dost.

@devil0483: Thanks for the insight.
Can you give more info about petrol pump details in North Sikkim....i mean which is the last petrol pump(main worry is gurudongmar).

@phaedrusarcher: Thanks buddy, read a bit on lonelyplanet/bcmt/xkmph about Bhutan. As of now only zeroed to visit 3-4 places in Bhutan, given the short time frame namely Tiger Nest(Taktshang)/Paro Dzong/Thimphu/Punnakha. If time permits will like to add a place or two. We will be riding P150, Unicorn, and Passion.

Hi Romeomike,

I don't exactly remember the place wherein the last petrol Bunk is located except for the fact that it is closer to Chungthang but the bunk lies on the route to North Sikkim and it's a big one. Don't worry, you won't miss it as it lies on the way and since there are less number of Petrol bunks it is advisable to ask the Petrol Bunk folks regarding the next bunk. All said and done, carrying petrol is necessary as the mileage dips once you hit the mountains.

The last Army checkpost enroute Gurudongmar asks for some Black Cat permission for taking bikes to the lakes

. Therefore I suggest you to mention this issue at the Gangtok Tourism Office and get the necessary approvals.
We were stopped at that checkpost and it was only when we pleaded our guts out the Army jawans asked us to park our bikes at the checkpost and ordered some Taxi drivers to take us to Gurudongmar and back safely to the check post for free

. On the way to Gurudongmar, we came across barb wire fields with a sign "landmine Area commences

. I wonder if we had taken our bikes there and had we lost our way (because there is no road leading to the lake but open fields) we might have ended up in one of those mine fields and kaboom... Bikers for ever would be our name

. The moment we returned the Army Jawans asked if the Taxi driver was nice to us and if not they could do the needful

. Once back at the Checkpost we were summoned to the Army bunker for some tea and chit chat

and that was one lifetime opportunity to see the jawans in their habitat which was so hostile for us but for them it was a daily affair. Hats off to them and their spirits.

**romeomike** · 05-14-2011, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by devil0483 View Post

Hi Romeomike,

The last Army checkpost enroute Gurudongmar asks for some Black Cat permission for taking bikes to the lakes

. Therefore I suggest you to mention this issue at the Gangtok Tourism Office and get the necessary approvals.

Hey Deepak thanks for sharing about black cat permission, I really had no idea about that...

**phaedrusarcher** · 05-14-2011, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by romeomike View Post

Hey Deepak thanks for sharing about black cat permission, I really had no idea about that...

dont take so much of load regarding the permits bro...when u reach the home or the tourism depts and fill the form and mark out ur itineraries they will themselves give u copies of permits which u will ve to go and deposit in respective places of which the local police station of gangtok, DC office and 17th mountain division of army which u enter from the black cat gate at Deorali near the only gurudwara of gangtok are the places u have to visit. now u will ve to do this leg work cos u r taking ur vehicles. if u take a local cab they work out everythin by themselves saving u the running ard.

**romeomike** · 05-18-2011, 12:38 AM

First week tentative plan for Sikkim

Day #1 (Monday ) New Jalpaiguri-Pelling-Pemayantse Monastery-Khecheopalri Lake (West Sikkim).
Day #2 (Tue) West Sikkim-Rumtek-Gangtok.
Day #3 (Wed) Permits.
Day #4 (Thu) Gangtok-Tsongmo-Nathu La-Gangtok.
Day #5 (Fri) Gangtok-Chungthang-Lachung-Yumthang-Zero Point-Chungthang-Lachen.
Day #6 (Sat) Lachen-Gurudongmar-Gangtok.
Day #7 (Sun) Buffer day.

Please comment on the feasibility aspect of this plan...

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2011 Sikkim/Bhutan[Planning & Discussion thread]

2011 Sikkim/Bhutan[Planning & Discussion thread]

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