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This is my first post in xBhp.
I've recently been to East Sikkim on a Motorcycle. This is a brief of what the current scenario is and how can you get there.
You need permit to visit this region of Sikkim.
First you need to get down to Gangtok. It takes around 3-4 hours to reach there from Siliguri. The roads are very good from Siliguri.
Route : If you're travelling from Kolkata, you may use this route.
Kolkata - Burdwan - Bhatar - Khargram - Moregram - Farakka - Malda - Raiganj - Dalkhola - Bagdogra - Silliguri.
You will experience severe jam at Malda, Farakka and Dalkhola too if you're unlucky. Roads are under construction at several places.
Permission : You'll have to stay at gangtok for a day for permits. Leave Siliguri early morning and reach Gangtok before 10:30am(if you haven't reached Gangtok yet). Directly go to Permission office instead of checking into a lodge (would save time).
For permission of Motorcycles, you need to go to Sikkim Home Department. Take two copies of the entire Motorcycle papers(RC Book, Pollution Certificate, insurance, Notary authorisation letter (if the vehicle isn't on your name), Driving Licence & your id proof( Adhaar Card or Voter ID card ; Driving licence will also do) and one passport size photo.
The officials at the home department are very helpful.
Submit the form before 11:30am and check into a lodge.
Take some rest and have your lunch.
At 3pm, go back to the Sikkim Home Department. They'll provide you with all the documents and permits for different checkposts.
After that, you can go to somewhere nearby like Hanuman Tok or enjoy the lovely city!
Next day, check out of your lodge early morning, reach Tourism Permission office at 6:45am which is near MG Marg. The office opens at 7am. Provide them with one document which was provided the day before by Sikkim Home Department. You won't be charged anything at the home department. You just need to pay Rs 20 here. They'll again provide you with a final permission receipt. Get it copied - 6 copies for Nathula, old silk route| not sure about Gurudongmar Lake and Zero Point.
Xerox Shop is in front of the Office itself.
Now you can start for your journey.
Route I took : MG Marg - Chhangu Lake - Nathula - Zuluk - Rongli - Rongpo - Melli - Sevoke - Silliguri
I got back to Siliguri as I didn't have the plan to go Northern Region. If you plan so, get back to Gangtok.
Time I visited : Mid February, 2017(Started my journey on Valentines day to be exact) 😝
Roads from Siliguri to Gangtok are butter Smooth (some negligible broken roads might be there)
Starting from Gangtok, roads till and a little after Baba Mandir were very nice and pretty wide but it might be broken now due to weather. The region near Nathula has very less oxygen and your motorcycle will lose power excessively.
After that I started experiencing bad roads. Zuluk and Phadamchen has pretty bad road conditions. The roads here are comparatively narrow and a lot riskier. Roads are broken but the belli panel wont touch the ground even if you take an RC 390.
The Permission is subject to weather and therefore the tourism department may refuse your permit. It is advisable to call and ask if the roads are open and the permits are being given before you leave for the trip.
Nathula Permission Issuing Officer Number : 03592209090
Note:
~The permission officers don't compromise on documentation process so make sure you take a Notary Authorisation Paper if the vehicle isn't on your name.
~*This is only for Motorcycles* I'm not aware about the permission of cars.
~Also the last petrol pump is just a few kms from Gangtok so it is advisable to fill your tank in Gangtok itself.
~You need to submit your id card to enter Sikkim Home Department so do carry it.
~Also stop and ask if you need to show your permission certificates at each and every Police Station /Checkpost you see. The Police/Army officer puts a stamp at each checkpost on a copy of your Permit. If you miss out any of them, you might be sent back to submit the permission receipt at the previous checkpost.
Nathula Border is a wonderful place to visit. The place gives you an immense feeling of pride for your country. The Conference halls of both India and China look majestic. So does the gate of the border.
I hope this helps. Let me know if I missed out anything. This is the first time I'm writing this kind of post so please excuse me if I make any mistake.
You can find me on Facebook /Instagram named 'Million Miles On A Motorcycle'.
Thank You.
I've recently been to East Sikkim on a Motorcycle. This is a brief of what the current scenario is and how can you get there.
You need permit to visit this region of Sikkim.
First you need to get down to Gangtok. It takes around 3-4 hours to reach there from Siliguri. The roads are very good from Siliguri.
Route : If you're travelling from Kolkata, you may use this route.
Kolkata - Burdwan - Bhatar - Khargram - Moregram - Farakka - Malda - Raiganj - Dalkhola - Bagdogra - Silliguri.
You will experience severe jam at Malda, Farakka and Dalkhola too if you're unlucky. Roads are under construction at several places.
Permission : You'll have to stay at gangtok for a day for permits. Leave Siliguri early morning and reach Gangtok before 10:30am(if you haven't reached Gangtok yet). Directly go to Permission office instead of checking into a lodge (would save time).
For permission of Motorcycles, you need to go to Sikkim Home Department. Take two copies of the entire Motorcycle papers(RC Book, Pollution Certificate, insurance, Notary authorisation letter (if the vehicle isn't on your name), Driving Licence & your id proof( Adhaar Card or Voter ID card ; Driving licence will also do) and one passport size photo.
The officials at the home department are very helpful.
Submit the form before 11:30am and check into a lodge.
Take some rest and have your lunch.
At 3pm, go back to the Sikkim Home Department. They'll provide you with all the documents and permits for different checkposts.
After that, you can go to somewhere nearby like Hanuman Tok or enjoy the lovely city!
Next day, check out of your lodge early morning, reach Tourism Permission office at 6:45am which is near MG Marg. The office opens at 7am. Provide them with one document which was provided the day before by Sikkim Home Department. You won't be charged anything at the home department. You just need to pay Rs 20 here. They'll again provide you with a final permission receipt. Get it copied - 6 copies for Nathula, old silk route| not sure about Gurudongmar Lake and Zero Point.
Xerox Shop is in front of the Office itself.
Now you can start for your journey.
Route I took : MG Marg - Chhangu Lake - Nathula - Zuluk - Rongli - Rongpo - Melli - Sevoke - Silliguri
I got back to Siliguri as I didn't have the plan to go Northern Region. If you plan so, get back to Gangtok.
Time I visited : Mid February, 2017(Started my journey on Valentines day to be exact) 😝
Roads from Siliguri to Gangtok are butter Smooth (some negligible broken roads might be there)
Starting from Gangtok, roads till and a little after Baba Mandir were very nice and pretty wide but it might be broken now due to weather. The region near Nathula has very less oxygen and your motorcycle will lose power excessively.
After that I started experiencing bad roads. Zuluk and Phadamchen has pretty bad road conditions. The roads here are comparatively narrow and a lot riskier. Roads are broken but the belli panel wont touch the ground even if you take an RC 390.
The Permission is subject to weather and therefore the tourism department may refuse your permit. It is advisable to call and ask if the roads are open and the permits are being given before you leave for the trip.
Nathula Permission Issuing Officer Number : 03592209090
Note:
~The permission officers don't compromise on documentation process so make sure you take a Notary Authorisation Paper if the vehicle isn't on your name.
~*This is only for Motorcycles* I'm not aware about the permission of cars.
~Also the last petrol pump is just a few kms from Gangtok so it is advisable to fill your tank in Gangtok itself.
~You need to submit your id card to enter Sikkim Home Department so do carry it.
~Also stop and ask if you need to show your permission certificates at each and every Police Station /Checkpost you see. The Police/Army officer puts a stamp at each checkpost on a copy of your Permit. If you miss out any of them, you might be sent back to submit the permission receipt at the previous checkpost.
Nathula Border is a wonderful place to visit. The place gives you an immense feeling of pride for your country. The Conference halls of both India and China look majestic. So does the gate of the border.
I hope this helps. Let me know if I missed out anything. This is the first time I'm writing this kind of post so please excuse me if I make any mistake.
You can find me on Facebook /Instagram named 'Million Miles On A Motorcycle'.
Thank You.
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