Splendid Sikkim Mountain Bike Tour

Sikkim is the second smallest state of India; so do not expect the capital to be a sprawling mass of buildings. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is perched at a height of 5,800 ft, along the trade route between India and Tibet.

Sikkim has its own airport now at Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Fly into Gangtok and arrive at your own hotel. Once checked in and rested, your Trip Leader will meet you at your hotel for bike fitting and briefing.

We start early this morning to the pilgrimage town of Rumtek. Built in 16th century, by Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje, the Rumtek monastery is one of the most important seats of Buddhism in the state. The ride starts with a 20 km downhill ride after which we ride back up the hill to our next hotel. Since this is there a fair amount of traffic initially, you can use the backup shuttle at any time if you need it. The road is bumpy but as you get away from central Gangtok, you will get the hang of it. Prayer flags will flutter in the breeze as you pass paddy terraces and each little house has its own little garden in bloom colorfully in the front on this route. At Rumtek, we check in at Hotel Teen Taley, an eco-conscious resort with landscaped gardens, comfy rooms and excellent hospitality. The food here is made with care the traditional way with locally sourced ingredients. You will find that the small world charm of an era gone by lingers here still in these soulful valleys.

After lunch, we join worshippers at Rumtek Monastery where a Golden Stupa located inside the monastery encompasses the relics of the 16th Karmapa. The monastery is also host to several Tibetan festivals throughout the year including the Tse-Chu Chaam and Kagyat Dance. The Tibetan New Year, Losar, is celebrated with great vigour here.

The journey from Rumtek to Temi Tea Garden, the only tea estate in Sikkim, is long and arduous. It starts with a winding descent through rustic terrain followed by a slow climb up to the tea gardens. As the sprawling tea estates open up around you, you will find the effort to be worth the trouble.

Having biked till Tarku our lunch point, the stretch that follows after lunch will be covered in the shuttle vehicle for those who may want to jump in. We continue riding up from Tarku to Temi however in time for a tour of the organic Temi tea gardens. By the time the ride ends, there is a distinct possibility that the mountains might have cast their spell on you and you might even be itching to ride more!

Established in 1969, Temi tea garden covers an area of 440 acres. Here you will get a chance to watch the tea pickers at work bent over due to the strain of their heavy baskets. We check in to the government run Cherry Resort, only accommodation at the top here.

Today’s route is likely to be one of the most awe-inspiring bits of your Sikkim cycling trip! A long and challenging climb with unmatched views all around.

We take a break at Tashiding in time for a visit to Tashiding monastery. It is an important monastery for the Buddhist pilgrims as it is said to be the meeting point of the three Holy Lamas of Tibet in 1641 A.D. Perched on a conical hill, this is where Lhatsun Chenpo, the patron saint of Sikkim, is said to have built the famous chorten or Stupa of Tashiding Thongwa Rangdol. The tranquil environs of the monastery will leave you in a zen state of mind.

The stay tonight is at Ejam Residency run by a lovely local family. Tucked away in the mountains, here you will get to try more of the local cuisine. Adventurous foodies can pair that with the local beer ‘chhang’, made of millet, it is pretty potent and a lifeline for the hill folks!

We take a break from riding this day so you can enjoy the mountainous environs of this alpine village. Take a walk around to explore Yuksom. One can visit the Gompa and the lake where the First King of Sikkim was crowned or trek upto the Dubdi monastery if you feel like a hiking a bit. Dubdi monastery is the oldest monastery of Sikkim and can be reached in less than an hour from the hotel. Once up there, sit back, relax, you have plenty of time to take it all in.

Back on our bikes nice and early again, the route in this section begins with long downhill sections in the first half and rolling, uphill sections in the second half. There are several waterfalls enroute including the Kanchenjunga falls. And if you have somehow managed to turn enough prayer wheels to please the Weather Gods, the views of the mighty Kanchenjunga Range will enthrall you as you reach Pelling.

At 2,072 m/6,800 feet above sea level, the crisp air of Pelling is refreshing and inspiring. Quaint villages, deep valleys and forested mountains surround you as you bike into this unhurried little town.

Pelling is renowned for the Pemayangtse Monastery, which was founded in 1705 A.D. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim and is replete with ancient relics, wall murals and sculptures. We will visit this monastery after check-in and lunch at the Norbu Ghang Resort Hotel. If time allows, we will also visit Rabdentse ruins, the remains of what was once the capital of the kingdom of Sikkim.

This will be the last riding day of this Sikkim cycle tour. Mostly downhill, we head out to Jorethang. Having braved innumerable switchbacks and winding roads until the town of Jorethang, we stop for lunch at Hotel Namgyal after which we will jump into the vehicle to reach Gangtok by evening.

Those who would like to visit Darjeeling or depart from Bagdogra may hire a taxi from Jorethang. Darjeeling is a great place for you to pick up some souvenirs; Darjeeling tea for black tea lovers, Tibetan carpets, jewelry, and bric-a-brac, there is plenty to choose from. So make sure you leave enough room in your bags when you start packing at home.

Please make arrangements as per your onward travel plans.