Darjeeling Hills Mountain Biking

Duration : 8 days
Difficulty : Low (Recommended for new bikers with reasonable fitness)
Tour Code - AS802

Brief Itinerary - Bagdogra - Siliguri (1n) - Mirik (1n) - Darjeeling (1n) - Mongpu (1n) - Kalimpong (1n) - Lava (1n) - Mongpong (1n) - Bagdogra

This programs takes you through the lower altitude enchanting destinations of Darjeeling himalaya. The tour starts at Siliguri, the major railhead and the airport. You are taken to Mirik, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Lava before returning via the plains of Dooars

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival in Siliguri. Rest and preparation for the tour. Overnight at Siliguri.

Day 02 - Start for Mirik (52 km) early in the day. The days biking involves climbing an elevation of about 4000 ft through the winding ghat roads and lush green tea gardens on the rolling hill slope. Check in at Hotel and free evening for strolling around the lake. (ONH : Mirik)

Day 03 - Mirik - Darjeeling (49km, 6500 ft). The route goes via Nepal boarder town of Pasupati. You may take a break at Sukiapokhri and visit the Salamander project there. The last 10 km to Darjeeling involves downhill biking. (ONH: Darjeeling).

Day 04 - Today you will bike to Mongpu (30 km, 4000 ft). You will be passing through beautiful ridges of Himalaya to reach Mongpu. In the afternoon you can go for a visit to the local cinchona plantation. Overnight at Mongpu.

Day 5 - Cycle to Kalimpong (4300 ft). The distance is about 40 km. Except for the last 16 km, there is little elevation on the road. Overnight at Kalimpong.

Day 6 - The cycling consists of traveling to Lava (7200 ft, 32 km). Although the change in altitude is quite significant, there are few high inclinations on the road. Overnight at Lava.

Day 7 - Today we will leave the hill and come down to dooars plains. The destination is Mongpong, a nice forest bungalow on the banks of river Tista. You have to cycle a total distance of 70 km. But the first 35 km of it is down hill and the remaining part is through the plains. The distance can be covered by biking for about 5-6 hours approximately. In the evening enjoy a special dinner by `naturebeyond`.

Day 8 - Return to Siliguri (25 km) after a couple of hours biking. Tour concludes at Siliguri.

Related Issues

Bikes
naturebeyond owns its mountain bikes which are Imported Trek Bikes. Guests may bring their own bike if wished.

Guide
Our guide expert in Biking will be with the tour throughout the program taking care of guest needs.

Support vehicle
Support vehicle (4 wheelers) will accompany groups of mountain bikers. In steeper climbs the bikers may use the vehicle for transport.

Accommodation and Food
Accommodation will be arranged in the places as per guest specification and budget. Some of the places traveled may not have much choice of accommodations. Most of the lunches will be prepacked and the other meals will be arranged at the place of stay.

Medical facilities
The team will carry first aid kit, naturebeyond guide is well aware of the first aid procedures. In case of emergency, the support vehicle may be used for transfer to the nearest medical facility. Significant medical infrastructure is available only in the major towns such as Darjeeling, Gangtok, Siliguri, Kalimpong.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is the responsibility of the guest.

Permits
naturebeyond will arrange for all the necessary permits for the tour, guests are required to provide the information and documents as and when required by naturebeyond.

PACKAGE INCLUDES
• Accommodation in all the hotels on single / twin / triple sharing basis.
• Breakfast, Lunch, evening tea and Dinner on all days.
• All prevailing taxes like Luxury tax in all hotels wherever applicable.
• Services of a guide.
• Inter state road tax, toll tax, driver’s allowance, parking etc.

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Expenditure incurred on tips, telephone, beverages, travel insurance, laundry, other expenses of personal nature, any other expense not mentioned in 'cost includes' above.