Biking Tour of Sikkim Darjeeling of 16 days

Duration - 16 days
Difficulty: Medium (Recommended for bikers with good fitness)
Tour Code - ASG01

Day 01 - Reception at NJP rail station / Bagdogra airport. Transfer to Hotel in Siliguri. Day free. Evening briefing by HUMRO TOURS members about the mountain biking program. Overnight at Siliguri.

Day 02 - After breakfast start for Mirik. On your way, you will be travelling through some of the best natural forests and tea gardens in the region. The total distance to be covered is 52 km. The first half of the biking is through the Terai plains. This would help you adjust before taking on the mighty Himalayas. The last 20 km to Mirik is through relatively steep hill roads. Reach Mirik in the evening. Overnight at Mirik.

Day 03 - Today you will bike to Darjeeling. The road passes through the Nepal Border and has beautiful tea gardens on both sides. The distance to be covered is 49km through relatively less inclined hilly roads. On the way, you may take a break at Jorpokhri to visit the local Salamandar project. Himalayan Salamandar is a rare reptile which might be seen in the wild here. Reach Darjeeling in the evening. Overnight at Darjeeling.

Day 04 – The road from Darjeeling to Jorthang mostly slopes downward. Part of the road is pebbled and not in great shape. The distance to be covered today is 80 km.

Day 05 – Today you will be biking to the erstwhile capital of Sikkim. Pelling is 40 km biking away from Reshi but the road is steep and will take some hard work to reach. Pelling is also known for the beautiful views it provides of the Kanchanjunga range of mountains.

Day 06 - Rest day at Pelling. You may go to local places of interest such as the Pemayngtse monastery.

Day 07 – Drive to Ravangla today. The first part of the journey is downward up to Legship, from legship you will be moving up. The total distance to be covered today is 52 km. This drive is the longest one for the tour.

Day 08 - Ravangla / Singtam. (36 km)

Day 09 - Singtam - Gangtok. Today's drive is to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim. The total distance is 29 km out of which the last 12 km is steep.

Day 10 – Gangtok has many attractions for tourists. Rumtek monastery is just one of them. The day will be spent in Gangtok for rest or to visit local tourist interests.

Day 11 – You will be driving through the main national highway connecting Gangtok to the rest of the country today. For the most part of the drive, the road is inclined slightly downwards. On your right, you will find river Tista the most important river in the region. A drive of 36 km would take you to Rangpo where you will spend the night.

Day 12 – A 40 km drive from Rangpo leads to Kalimpong. This small town is one of the oldest trade links between India and Tibet. The local market can be an interesting place for you to collect some souvenirs.

Day 13– 35 km away from Kalimpong is the upcoming tourist village of Lava. This is your next destination. Lava is close to the Neora valley national park and is famous for its pristine beauty, welcoming people and leeches.

Day 14 – Today we will leave the hills and move for the plains again. A 40 km drive away is the village of Gorubhathan. This is where you will spend the night.

Day 15 – 65 km from Gorubhathan through the Dooars plains is Siliguri. Much of the road is through forests including the Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary. Overnight at Siliguri.

Day 16 – Depart Siliguri as per onward, return journey schedule. HUMRO TOURS would drop you at the airport/rail station at your convenience and conclude the tour.

Related Issues

Comments :
A relatively tough program. Good physical fitness with experience in mountain biking is required.

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

Guide
Our guide will be on the tour throughout the program taking care of guest needs.

Support vehicle
Support vehicles (4-wheelers) will accompany groups of mountain bikers. In steeper climbs, the bikers may use the vehicle.

Accommodation and Food
Accommodation will be arranged in the places as per guest specifications and budget. Some of the places travelled 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 a first aid kit, HUMRO TOURS guide is well aware of the first aid procedures. In case of emergency, the support vehicle may be used for the transfer to the nearest medical facility. Significant medical infrastructure is available only in major towns such as Darjeeling, Gangtok, Siliguri, and Kalimpong.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is the responsibility of the guest.

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

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

THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Expenditure incurred on tips, telephone, beverages, travel insurance, laundry, other expenses of personal nature, and any other expense not mentioned in 'cost includes' above. Any lunch, dinner, snacks, mineral water etc. unless mentioned in the itinerary.