Splendid Sikkim 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.

Once checked in and rested, your Trip Leader will meet you at your hotel. Shortly after, you will get to try out your bike and ride up to Enchey Gompa giving you a neat little introduction to biking in Gangtok and its cultural practices.

Meals: Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 15km/9mi

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. 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 a 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 vigor here.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 30km/18mi

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. 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! We drive up from Tarku to Temi, however, in time for a tour of the organic Temi tea gardens. 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 after this and this hotel is the only accommodation at the top here.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km/36mi

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!

Meals: Breakfast
Distance cycled: ~ 55km/33mi*

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 en-route 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 ride towards Pelling.

If time allows, we will also visit Rabdentse ruins, the remains of what was once the capital of the kingdom of Sikkim.

Quaint villages, deep valleys, and forested mountains surround you as you bike into unhurried little Hee village. A week into the hills you will now be familiar with the wafting smell of momos (baked dumplings), ‘Chhang’, and the topography of Sikkim. The journey to Hee Bermick is across paddy fields and villages; an easier ride as compared to others.

To give you an up-close experience of a typical Sikkimese house, we stay at the Dhungay Homestay. Here you can get your hands dirty with the farm life; help in milking the cows, digging for veggie sowing, and picking some in the mornings. The organic food of this farm stay is crunchy and delicious.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 55km/33mi

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.

Meals: Breakfast,
Distance cycled: ~ 45km/27mi*