North Sikkim Tour (Pelling - Ravangla - Namchi - Gangtok) - Introduction & Planning

 

This is the first post for this blog and also starting of a new journey for this year for me and for this blog too. So, let's start. I will try to provide all the context in a format of story, so that it will be enjoyable to read while you read all the trip.

So, basically me and my nephew was planning this trip for february 2022. But when we started discussing with other friends of him, we made some changes to the trip and planned to execute this before the end of 2021.

Pre-Conext:

Usually I like to travel either solo or in group, depends on the people that I am going with. If I am comfortable around them, then group is fine. Otherwise, I will travel solo.
So, in this case, group was fine. Total 7 person is there in the group. And I am confortable with all the people, although I have never met any of them as none of them are my friend. All of them were my nephew's friends and some of them are like friends of friends. But they are all very friendly and they made the environment feel very comfortable for me, so I agreed with them and was ready to go.

What Made the change of plan from Feb 2022 to Dec 2021 :

So, one day we were discussing in a weekend of November 2021 and suddenly one of us came with an idea that we should do this trip in bike. Now, the idea is really interesting and

encouraging for bikers to make this trip more enjoyable, but as I am not a biker, so I thought for a second that if this plan is gonna be final then what about me? That time my nephew told me that he can double ride with me for the whole journey and he is okay with that.

Others all are bikers, so they also got excited with this new idea, and they all agreed.
Now, the problem is, they can't wait to execute this plan anymore. They don't want to want till Feb 2022 to do this.
By seeing them, I also got excited and ready to do it within this year only.
That's how the plan got shifter from Feb to Dec 2021.

Planning :

I checked with my office that what is the plan for christmas and new year holiday and found out that from 23rd Dec to 3rd Jan is a mandatory holiday for my project. So I am all ready to go. None of my leave will get deducted, mandatory holiday, why let it be wasted. I am all in.
So we planned the dates first.

Date : 28th Dec, 2021 to 2nd Jan, 2022

Dates finalized. Now the tour plan for the places.

Places : Pelling (2D), Namchi via Ravangla (1D), Gangtok (2D)

Places are finalized. Let's do a quick pre-plan the tour before we jump to hotel details.

27th Dec, 2021 : We will board the train.

28th Dec, 2021 :
--> We will reach NJP.
--> We will finalize the documentation for the bikes from Siliguri.
--> We will go to Pelling from Siliguri directly.
--> We will try to reach there by 4 PM, so that we can enjoy the rest of the day there.

29th Dec, 2021 :
Sighseeing in Peeling.

30th Dec, 2021 :
--> Leave for Namchi via Ravangla.
--> Reach Namchi before 5 PM.
--> Relax in Namchi.

31st Dec, 2021 :
--> Chekout from Hotel and sightseeing in Namchi.
--> Go to Gangtok.
--> Relax at Gangtok.

1st Jan, 2022:
--> Enjoy at MG Marg, Gangtok in the New Year.
--> Sightseeing in Gangtok.
--> Relax at some pub and celebrate new year.

2nd Jan, 2022:
--> Sighseeing in Gangtok.
--> Checkout from hotel and go to siliguri junction.
--> Board the train for home.

This was the primary plan for our tour. As we are biking in the hill area for the first time, we should have discussed about the situation and pre-planned for our timing, dangerous roads and everything, but we didn't. Oh boy, this story is gonna get thrilling, exciting in coming parts. You will see.

Before I start talking about the beginning of the journey on 27th Dec, 2021, let see the hotel details for all location, that we had booked. Hotel reveiew will be in part of the post of each day after the checkout for your understanding :

Pelling : Hotel Dubdi, Pelling
2 Deluxe Room+ 1 Standard room
28th Dec, 2021 - 30th Dec, 2021
Total Charge : 13656.00 Rs
Per Room/Day : 2276.00 Rs

Namchi : Luitel Residency, Namchi
3 Super Deluxe family room
30th Dec, 2021 - 31st Dec, 2021
Total Charge : 5580.00 Rs
Per Room/Day : 1860.00 Rs

Gangtok : Maya Inn, Gangtok
3 Superior Room
31st Dec, 2021 - 2nd Jan, 2022
Total Charge : 20481.00 Rs
Per Room/Day : 3413.50 Rs

Here is the bike booking details too, for your reference. I will provide an review at the end of the trip for this one.

Bike Booking Deatils : Himalayan Xplorer - Two Wheeler Bike Rental
3 NTRQ (Scooty) - 14400.00 Rs
28th Dec, 2021 - 2nd Jan, 2022 (6 Days)
Total Charge : 14400.00 Rs
Per Scooty/Day : 800.00 Rs
1 Enfield - 1100.00 Rs/Day

Now, I think every detail for the introduction, before the journey, I have shared. It's time to start the journey. But as this post is already long enough so I will continue this trip in next post. Keep reading. Feel free to comment to know if any more details you need to know in detail.