Splendid Sikkim Bike Tour

Starting from USD 490.08

Landlocked between the towering Himalayas from sides, the most striking part of Sikkim, apart from its astounding natural beauty, is the ‘happiness quotient’ of the people. Call it’s the result of good weather, the company of the Himalayas, or just a genetic marvel, you will love the cheerful vibe of the place.

Duration

6 days
Group Size

6 to 12
Difficulty
Hard
Season
May - May

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Splendid Sikkim Bike Tour

The fluttering flags of high monasteries share whispery legends with the winds, as small villages busy themselves with farming. For a cyclist, riding from one mountain to another with terraced paddy fields, dense forests, and the haunting chants of monasteries for company, is a lifetime experience. This cycling tour gives you an experience of simple living of the hills and fantastic landscapes infused with brilliant local food and a tryst with the local customs and traditions.

Ride past the majestic mountains and monasteries
Admire the world’s third-highest mountain – Khangchendzonga
Enjoy the fantastic views while sipping a delicate local brew at Temi Tea Garden
Wander among the prayer flags, mantras and ancient stupas

See

Flora:

A combination of high altitudes of up to 2000m and high tropical rainfall makes the Eastern Himalayas a Biodiversity hotspot – one of only three in India, and as a result, it supports a rich and diverse range of plant and animal life.

A total of 311 species of Orchids are found in this region including some very rare species. In North Sikkim, Rhododendron is found in abundance and covers entire slopes of mountains in a riot of colors making for a spectacular sight.

The region is densely wooded with trees like Elm, Oak, and birch. The higher reaches of the hills have Alpine forests whereas Bamboo grows freely in the lower reaches

Fauna:

Common birds spotted in the region include the Golden Eagle, quail, and woodcock. The Blood Pheasant is the state bird of Sikkim.

Commonly spotted animals include the Langur, the jungle cat, leopard cat, and musk dear. The Red Panda is the state animal of Sikkim, though it is relatively hard to spot. At higher altitudes, Yaks are kept by tribals as domestic cattle.

Sikkim has a particularly rich diversity of butterflies. Of the approximately 1438 species of butterflies found on the Indian subcontinent, nearly 700 have been recorded in Sikkim including some very rare species like the Kaiser-i-Hind and Bhutan Glory.

Duration

6 days / 5 nights
Start

Gangtok | 13:00hrs
Finish

Gangtok
Hotels

Country Inns
Riding Style

Challenging
Average Distance Cycled

40km or 24mi
Total Distance Cycled

~ 250km or 150mi
Bicycle

INR 900 per day
Support Vehicle

Included
Group Size

Min 6, Max 12

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

Whats included in this tour Items that are covered in the cost of tour price.

Small boutique hotels/home-stays, as mentioned in the tour details (subject to availability)
- True to their heritage and character, small luxury and boutique hotels that reflect local ethos. They hold within them, an unassuming charm and regional character that is an extension of the destination itself. Most of them fall under 3 star category with a possible mix of homestay and 4 star.
Meals as per itinerary
- On each trip, guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently. Your guides are happy to make recommendations should you so desire.
A Van support that follows throughout the trip and carries all belongings. If at any point riding seems a little hard, the van takes you for as long or as little as you wish it to. It also provides you refreshments along the way and sometimes a chilled beer.
Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need

Whats not included in this tour Items that are covered in the cost of tour price.

Bring your own bicycle or hire from us.
Refreshments & mineral water while cycling
Transportation to and from the trip including train
Personal items purchased during the trip
Some meals are not included (check your itinerary)
Beverages
Gratuities for your Trip Leader(s) are not included in your trip price. Industry-standard is 5-7.5% of your trip price for the guide team. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on their level of professionalism, guest care, and service.

Day 1: Gangtok
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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
Day 2: Rumtek
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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
Day 3: Temi Tea Garden
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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
Day 4: Yuksom
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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*
Day 5: Hee
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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
Day 6: Gangtok
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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*

Accomodation

Medical Kit Required

Refund

Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,

Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
Cancellations will be accepted only by email.

Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.