Announcement

**sajalsheth** · 01-21-2016, 09:10 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

=================Continue from PAGE BREAK===========

The off road towards left of this info board might be going to Jelep La pass.

Clouds were moving fast and I could suddenly see some housed on the mountains.

It was 12.10 pm and I could know that this place is the Gold Course as the cloud moved and view was clear.

View was clearer now with the movement of clouds and there was more sunlight.

The left road goes to Jelep La mountain pass near border.

I could see full Gold Course now.

Golf is played here from May to December.

Some pictures around that Guinness record holder golf course.

My bike from Odisha parked at the starting point of this Guinness Record Holder Golf Course.

At 12.20pm we reached Kupup Police Station cum Check Post at 13900 feet. I showed them Permit papers, gave of photocopy there and stamped on original one.

Moving ahead we saw a lake.

It was in the shape of an elephant.

The landscape around was different. It looked like autumn season.

This lake is known as Bitang Cho or Kupup Lake.

Riding ahead we passed through lots of mist and cloud.

Visibility had decreased and we could hardly see for 100 feet around due to clouds and mist. We crossed Neo La pass.

There were two roads ahead, but there was nobody was there to ask about road to Zuluk. Harsh and me waited for few minutes and then decided to take left road. This was Tuk La pass.

This left road took us to Old Baba Temple.

It seems that this is the old Baba Harbhajan Temple.

There was a bunker there called Babaji Ka Bunker.

And a temple on upper side also.

It was 12.55pm and we had Prasad of fruits from temple. There were many tourists there, but less compared to new temple.

Now we will be riding parallel to Bhutan Border. The grass and leaves around were different in color. It seems like autumn season is still there.

We were riding with clouds and brown grass around.

We also saw few bunkers near the road.

View of road looking behind.

We could hear sound of firing also, seems like army is doing routine practice nearby.

It was pleasure to look at the color of grass.

And it was looking great with the empty road.

We could see some houses in far.

The area was Nathang Valley with beautiful colors around.

With the movement of clouds we can see some mountains around.

View of road riding ahead.

We could see one or two houses around.

View on the left side.

We saw this info board at Laxman Chowk.

================= PAGE BREAK ===========================

**Siddhant Mishra** · 01-21-2016, 09:16 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Keep them coming.

**sajalsheth** · 01-21-2016, 09:38 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim | Update 3

=================Continue from PAGE BREAK=================

The road towards right was going to Gnathang Valley or Nathang Valley. Some pictures on the way to valley.

At 1.45pm we reached Gnathang village.

The village is surrounded by beautiful mountains.

As per our original plan we planned to stay overnight here. We looked around for home stay and lodge. But all were asking too much. Harsh bargained with a home stay room for Rs.500 a night including food. But as Harsh unloaded the luggage, the lady owner said she will charge Rs.500 per person and hence Rs.1000 in total.
This made Harsh unhappy and we decided to stay at Zuluk or Lungthung.

We restarted riding back to Laxman chowk for Zuluk. Some pictures of Gnathang Valley.

And we also saw a small lake there. It was India Lake or Kalpokhari.

There were few clouds on road now onwards and visibility had increased.

We could also see some patches of sun light also.

The mountain road was giving good view around with less cloud.

The place would look good if less cloud were there.

We passed by a South Indian Army base and had some hot drinking water there.
Riding ahead this was our first view of the serpentine road.

We were very much exited to see these roads. The zig zag road to Zuluk!

This is Lungthung village along with serpentine road.

But the thick clouds below were obstructing the full view.

With the fast movement of clouds there was more obstruction and light also decreased.

More n more clouds kept coming.

At 2.45pm we reached Thambi View Point.

I stopped there to see the view from there. But Harsh moved ahead as he could not see this sign board. I shouted and blow horn many times but he moved ahead.

Towards right side i.e. west side I could see blue sky and so I stopped there hoping that cloud would move and I will get clear view of Zuluk Road.

I was at 11200 feet and weather was very cold. I saw a shed nearby and went inside to protect myself from cold wind.

After waiting for around half hour it was more cloudy weather there.

And the visibility of that zig zag serpentine road also decreased very much.

But the air was flowing from west to east and the view of sky at west side was giving me hope of clear view in some time.

At around 3.40pm I could see some part of the Zuluk roads.

One or two army vehicle passed from there and there was nobody there. Only me, clouds and cold wind. This must be road less traveled!

It was 4.15 pm and I had already waited for one & half hours for good clear view. I decided to stay overnight at Lungthung. I tried to contact Harsh but his mobile was not reachable. I contacted my wife at Cuttack and told her about my decision to stay at Lungthung in stead of Zuluk. The mobile signals were there at Thambi View Point, but not at Lungthung.

I rode back and searched for a home stay. I finalized a home stay called Lungthung Eco Retreat at Rs.500 a night including dinner and breakfast.

I also parked my bike at a shed and that green house was my room for the night.

After getting in the room I got little clearer view of Zuluk but I was not satisfied as I had rode more than 3250 kms to reach here and to see the zig zag Zuluk serpentine roads.

With the movement of clouds I could see some mountains at far, those must be in Bhutan.

View on west side where one can see Kanchenjunga Mountain also in a clear day.

West side view at 4.55 pm with floating clouds.

This was east side view with lots of thick clouds below.

View at 5.15 pm from my room window.

Only an army vehicle passed by there.

At 7.15 pm I had dinner of rice, dal, sabjee & pickle.

At around 8.00 pm that the view of Zuluk was clear and I could see lots of lights down. I tried to click some pictures in manual mode, but due to cold shivering weather and without tripod all were waste.

I went to sleep with three blankets and requesting God for clear weather for tomorrow.

This was my ride map for the day.

Google GPS link:-

Click HERE for next update.

Coming up….next…. Zuluk-16km of Zig Zag serpentine road with 32 blind hair pin bands & Ride to Bhagalpur.

**coolmaverickguy** · 01-21-2016, 09:47 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Hats off to you Sajal bhai for riding this long in such cold condition

:thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I9100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

**sajalsheth** · 01-21-2016, 09:51 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Originally posted by AbhiAvvy13 View Post

What an epic journey you had!!! Mind-blowing t-log. Waiting for rest of the updates.

Thanks [MENTION=79203]AbhiAvvy13[/MENTION] ji for the appreciation.... here is next update of day 17 in three parts

**rajpal** · 01-22-2016, 06:24 AM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Awesome pictures there....

The road with the distant head lights of the truck is one of the best...

**taufique** · 01-22-2016, 08:02 AM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

delicious trip

**sambit** · 01-22-2016, 11:04 AM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Ohh god... The pain was well worth, when You get to see this beauty. That mountain roads- What capture... https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1594/...52b2ec1f_b.jpg

**sajalsheth** · 01-22-2016, 12:56 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu &amp; Sikkim

Originally posted by Siddhant Mishra View Post

You are the best. You are an inspiration for us like youngsters.

[MENTION=19191]Siddhant Mishra[/MENTION] .....

Thank you

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by Siddhant Mishra View Post

Keep them coming.

[MENTION=19191]Siddhant Mishra[/MENTION] .. Thanks..... next update soon

**sajalsheth** · 01-23-2016, 01:36 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Originally posted by coolmaverickguy View Post

Hats off to you Sajal bhai for riding this long in such cold condition

:thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I9100 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Thank you [MENTION=19266]coolmaverickguy[/MENTION] anupam

**petervarughese** · 01-23-2016, 09:22 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

So cool ... This is tooo good to be rated !!! Superb pics and neat write up

**sajalsheth** · 01-24-2016, 05:24 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Originally posted by rajpal View Post

Awesome pictures there....

The road with the distant head lights of the truck is one of the best...

Thank you [MENTION=61751]rajpal[/MENTION] ji.... more pictures of zig zag road in next update

**sajalsheth** · 01-25-2016, 12:18 AM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim : Day 18

20. Day 18 = 13th Oct., 2015

Lungthung to Bhagalpur.

Total km traveled 419. Ride time 7.45 am to 8.00 pm.
We rode to Bhagalpur passing by Zuluk, Padamachen, Lingtham, Rongli, Rangpo, Sevoke, Siliguri, Dalkhola & Purnea.

Click HERE = & Pressto listen to soothing music in background.

I woke up at 5.15 am and saw these outside my window. I was happy that no clouds were there outside.

It was too much cold outside; I closed my window and again went to sleep with 3 blankets. Again got up at 5.50 am and took my bike and started riding towards ascend. The weather was cold but view was clear with zero clouds.
My last mission of this mega ride was accomplished. I was now riding with full view of these zig zag roads of Zuluk.

First rays of sun were falling on mighty Kangchenjunga and it was a pleasant view for me.

View of my bike, Lungthung village and Kangchenjunga on sunrise.

I was more than happy to see the full view of all the zig zag bent road towards Zuluk.

It was a pleasure to my eyes to see this 16 km of serpentine road.

I could finally manage to ride my bike from Odisha to Zuluk.

Sun light was just starting to come and was falling on nearby mountain top.

The big mountain in left side might be in Bhutan as Zuluk roads are very near to Bhutan Border.

You can see the village down there is Zuluk and there is a military settlement on the mountain below.

Another view of Kangchenjunga riding further on ascends with Lungthung village.

View of my bike with those dream roads of Zuluk.

It was 6.00 am and view of Kangchenjunga was getting better with more sunlight. That green and blue house is the place where I spent last night.

View after riding further up.

At 6.15am I reached at Thambi View Point where I waited for one & half hour yesterday to get a clear view. A family was there who came from Lingtham via local cab. I requested cab owner to click few pictures of mine there.

He was king enough to click few from another angel also.

Yet another with Kangchenjunga in background.

What a view of these zig zag roads from Thambi View Point. This should be a dream road for any true rider.

It was a unique thrilling experience to see these unique geometrical curves. And riding on these should be more thrilling and experience of lifetime for any rider.

It must be a fun riding here during winter when there will be snow on both side of roads.

Such view is possible only from Thambi view point. This point is named after the Civil Engineer who constructed this amazing road and it honors the extra ordinary feat achieved by the Engineers and workers who constructed this road. And only on a clear day one can catch a glimpse of the zig zag road and Kangchenjunga both from one place at Thambi View Point.

View on my left.

View on my right.

I thanked God for this view.

My bike at Thambi View Point with road and Kangchenjunga. Now I went back to Lungthung’s home stay to get ready to ride to this road before clouds come in.

I had light breakfast and paid Rs.500 to the owner, tied luggage on bike and at 7.50 am I was on my way to Zuluk. There were few vehicles on the roads now. And sunlight was full.

I stopped at a point where Zuluk was still 11 km down via those zig zag roads.

View looking down from there.

Stopped again at 8.05 am and it was still way to ride down below.

Those big mountains on background are in Bhutan.

Left side Mountains are in Bhutan but right one are in India.

A red truck and another army trucks were also going down.

That is better view of Zuluk from there.

It was fun to watch those tiny looking vehicle moving on the road from there.

A picture with my bike also.

Just imagine how the road would have been made.

View of the mountain from there. Looks like an ordinary mountain. I rode via those roads, but view from top to bottom is better and not from below to top. That village on top is Lungthung.

After that I completed my ride to that 16 km zig zag serpentine road. I passed by Zuluk and Padamachen. There are some home stays there. If the view had clear like today on last evening then I must have stayed at Padamachen village or at Nimachen village. And Harsh must have stayed here somewhere yesterday.

There are actually 59 hair pin bend serpentine road up to Lingtham.
And this was my ride to old Silk Route.

My plan was to reach at Purnea and I would hate riding back via Malda-Farakka route due to its bad condition. As suggested by Human GPS HVKumar Sir we took Purnea – Bhagalpur – Dumka route.

Again I took a short break at 9.25am here.

There was a waterfall there.

Perhaps this was the last waterfall for this trip.

I reached Rongli at 9.55 am and deposited my original Permit paper at a police post.

But again at 10.15 am saw this waterfall. I had seen India’s 4^th, 5^th and 7^th highest waterfall in this trip. But even small waterfall has its own charm.

The road from Rongli to Rangpo is very bad and is under construction. In between I changed my thermal dress to normal dress near one shed before Rangpo as in afternoon you don’t feel much cold.

At 11.55 am stopped for a break near river Teesta.

Ride after that was much easy and fast. At 12.30 pm I had lunch at Sevoke.
At 1.10pm I took a break at beautiful Sevoke to Siliguri road.

In Siliguri I met with Neel Dey to say goodbye. I also thanked him for his support during my Sandakphu ride.

At 4.15pm I took a short break at Surajpur toll gate. I talked with Harsh to know his where about. Surprisingly he was riding just 10 km before me. His bike got puncture and ultimately we decided to meet again near Purnea.

Then I crossed Dalkhola also.

Then I took this sunset picture on the way at 4.50pm.

Now we would be riding via Bihar, so I kept my camera inside main bag. After meeting Harsh at Purnea we decided to ride further up to Bhagalpur as the road from Dalkhola to Purnea was very nice.
But last 20 km road before Bhagalpur was very bad with lots & lots of trucks moving roughly.
We got some difficulty at Bhagalpur in searching for a hotel for night stay. But ultimately we stayed at Hotel Satyam at Jail Road, Bhagalpur for Rs.450/= for a double bed room. It was 8pm then.
We washed our bike and put oil in our bike’s chain. Whole night we could hear the sound of trucks moving as trucks are allowed to cross via Bhagalpur in night only.

I rode from 11200 feet to 140 feet today.

This was my ride map for the day.

Google GPS link:-

Click HERE for next update.

Coming up…. LAST ..… Bhagalpur to Cuttack riding 728 km in one day.

**sajalsheth** · 01-25-2016, 01:20 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Originally posted by taufique View Post

delicious trip

Thanks [MENTION=66379]taufique[/MENTION] bhai

**bobisbacktorock** · 01-26-2016, 08:51 PM

Re: S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

This is really my dream tour.... Eagerly waiting to do this trip ASAP.

Mr. Sajal, can I please have your contact number & facebook id ? ... It would be of great help when I plan the routes etc.

Announcement

S 3 | Sohra, Sandakphu & Sikkim

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment