Bolpur, also referred to as Shantiniketan, is one of the most popular weekend trip destinations in West Bengal. In Bengali, Shantiniketan means house of peace, and the majority of Bolpur is so calm that you will enjoy every bit of nature. Be it cultural programs, haat, Arts, or majestic Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan always feels homely.

In this detailed Shantiniketan tour guide, we will discuss key aspects like accommodation in Shantiniketan, places to visit, how to reach Bolpur, etc.

How to Reach Shantiniketan

Bolpur is easily accessible by train and road from Kolkata. A faster and hassle-free option will be to board a train from either Howrah or Sealdah. However, you can also enjoy a long drive or take a bus to reach Bolpur (200 Kilometers) within four hours. En route, you may taste the famous Shaktigarh’s Langcha.

Hotels in Shantiniketan

Likewise, any other popular tourist destination, Bolpur, has a wide variety of accommodation options available in every price range based on location, coziness, and amenities. A typical roadside lodge can charge you Rs. 300 for a single bedroom, while a moderate hotel/lodge with better amenities and location can charge Rs. 800. It all depends on what you need. Generally, a clean standard double bedroom will cost anywhere between Rs. 800 (Non/AC) to Rs. 1500 (AC). You can choose between Resorts, Luxurious hotels, Budget hotels, Holiday Homes, and Homestays.

• Budget hotels at Bolpur – Nirala Lodge, Ashirbad Lodge, VIP Guest House, etc.
• Luxurious accommodation in Bolpur – Hotel Royal Bengal, Shantiniketan Tourist Lodge
• Homestays in Shantiniketan – Monpakhi, Chaiti, Krishna Chura, etc.

Notes: Bolpur celebrates “Poush Mela” (Last 10 days of December) and “Basanta Utsav” (Holi) every year on a very large scale. Thousands of people gather at that time, so all the services like accommodation, transportation, and food generally become very, very expensive.

Food Options in Bolpur

Bolpur is certainly not famous for food. But if you love authentic Bengali cuisine, there are a few places (a little overpriced) you can visit, like Ghore Baire, Panchabanjan, Sonajhuri, etc. Also, you will get the other cuisines like Mughal, Chinese very easily in restaurants like 9X9, Green Chilies, etc. Even typical budget Bengali meals are also available in roadside stalls or food hotels. I will be sharing my experience about the 9X9 and Ghore Baire restaurant shortly in a different post.

Mutton Meal, Ghore Baire Restaurant, Shantiniketan

Ghore Baire Restaurant, Shantiniketan

Ghore Baire Restaurant Interior, Shantiniketan

9X9 Restaurant Interior, Shantiniketan

Local Sightseeing in Shantiniketan Tour

Bolpur is mainly known for its natural beauty, Shri Rabindranath Tagore, and Rangamati (Reddish Soil). During this Shantiniketan tour, you will enjoy the cool breeze, lots of greeneries more than the local sightseeing points.

Visva Bharati University

Unlike any other university, this institution has only focused on Arts, Literature, and Culture since its early days. On 22nd December 1901, this University was started with only 5 students in one of the grounds underneath trees. Gradually, it became one of the most prestigious universities in India and got recognized internationally too. Still, students take their classes in the open sky, under trees. Most of the visiting spots open at around 1 PM every day except Wednesday and Thursday.

Rabindra Bhawan Museum

Shri Rabindranath Tagore used to live in one of the buildings, namely Rabindra Bhawan. Currently converted into a well-equipped gallery cum museum, even his used car is on display. Shri Rabindranath Tagore’s writings, including the noble Nobel-winning “Gitanjali” & its multilingual editions, arts, used materials, family details, and achievements are showcased here.

Rabindra Bhawan Museum, Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan

First Edition of Gitanjali, Rabindra Bhawan Museum, Shantiniketan

Noble winning book Gitanjali in multiple Languages, Rabindra Bhawan Museum, Shantiniketan

Furniture used by Shri Rabindranath Tagore, Rabindra Bhawan Museum, Shantiniketan

Car used by Shri Rabindranath Tagore, Viswa Bharati University Museum, Shantiniketan

Shyamali Bhawan, Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan

Rabindra Bhawan Museum Timings and Entry Fee

There is an entry ticket of Rs. 50 for general, Rs. 300 for foreigners, and Rs. 10 for Students to enter the museum. This museum remains open from 10 AM to 6 PM (Wednesdays and Thursdays are closed). Facilities like a cloakroom, car parking, toilet, and drinking water are available. Also, remember to keep this ticket until you enter Shantiniketan Griha.

Note: You are permitted to click pictures inside the museum, but not selfies or any person. Using flash is strictly prohibited. In addition, please maintain silence inside.

A few more interesting places to see, like Shantiniketan Griha, Chatimtala, Aurobinda Griha, Upasana Griha, and many more small but significant places. You should get yourself a guide for Rs. 100 – 200 to know the hidden facts and history about this place.

Pro Tips – Please clearly discuss all the places the guide will take you, and also bargain beforehand.

Shantiniketan Griha, Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan

Art at Shantiniketan Griha, Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan

Furniture Used by Tagore Family, Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan

Upasana Griha, Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan

Kopai River ViewPoint

Although this place is getting narrower day by day, it still holds at least a satisfying beauty during sunset and cloudy days. 

Shanibarer Haat or Khoai Haat

This haat is one of the most attractive points of the Shantiniketan tour for fashion & handicraft lovers at Bolpur, Shantiniketan. You can get traditional Khes & Kantha Stitch sarees and Kurtis. Also, the marvelous handwork items like jewelry, poem frames, bags, etc., are available at the cheapest rates. You can do a little bargain too. If possible, try to purchase stuff from this haat or Biswa Bangla Haat at Prantik to help the sellers rather than stores in the Bolpur market area. This weekly (only Saturday) haat starts at around 3 PM till sunset.

Kankalitala Mandir

It is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth. As per mythology, the bone of goddess Sati dropped here. This temple is considered a Hindu religious place. Every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, many people gather for Puja.

Kankalitala Mandir, Shantiniketan

Ma Kankali Cafeteria, Kankalitala Mandir, Shantiniketan

Shiv Mandir near Kankalitala Mandir, Shantiniketan

Stalls near Kankalitala Mandir, Shantiniketan

You can also visit Deer Park (Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary), Srijani Shilpagram, Prantik Biswa Bangla Haat, Bakreswar and Mama Bhagne Pahar.

Transportation in Bolpur

Bolpur has almost every kind of transportation, like e-rickshaw (Toto), auto, rented car, and bus. I prefer e-rickshaws because of lower fares and eco-friendly operations. Nature alongside the road is worth watching from a relatively slow-moving vehicle. Although if you are in a rush and looking for a faster alternative, a rented car will be the perfect fit.

Suggested itineraries for Shantiniketan Tour

• 1st Day: Reach Bolpur by 9 to 10 AM. Rest for an hour, then leave for Mama Bhagne Pahar and Bakreswar.
• 2nd Day: Local Sightseeing includes Srijani Shilpagram, Kankalitala, Kopai viewpoint, Prantik, Vishwa Bharati University, Deer Park, and Shanibarer Haat.
• 3rd Day: Return.

Alternatively, if you have less time, you can return on Day 2. Otherwise, extend your Shantiniketan tour to one more day. So, you can visit Massanjore, Tarapith, and Nalhatiswari Temple.

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Don’t forget to check out our detailed guides on other Sikkim and nearby places.

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Ladakh is considered as one of the most beautiful cold deserts in the world. Beautiful lakes, the highest motorable passes, and picture-perfect landscape made this region quite famous among the tourists & travelers.

Almost every year thousands of foreigners and Indians visit this place to just fulfill their adventure wishes. Riders across the globe wait for the season so that they can ride to places in this region.

Today, in this Ultimate Ladakh Trip Guide, we will discuss all the famous spots in this region, local sightseeing along with accommodation and food, also we will provide basic itineraries to cover places. You can definitely re-work on these itineraries as per your needs.

Basic info on Leh, Ladakh

We often mistake between Leh and Ladakh. Leh is a town in the Ladakh region, to be more precise in Leh used to be a district of Jammu and Kashmir state but now since 31 October 2019, Ladakh is announced as a Union territory.

Certainly, Ladakh is one of the most beautiful states of the country where you can see the diversity of barren lands, snow top mountains, lush greenery, and deserts. Due to some border-related issues, these Ladakh and J&K have always been in the news. Although this does not affect tourism rather everyone seems always excited to be there.

There are tons of information available on the internet about Leh-Ladakh Tour and obviously, this post is not different then why this Ultimate Ladakh Trip Guide is exceptional? Because it is exactly what you must know in your Leh Ladakh Tour.

How to Reach Leh

You can either take a flight and reach Leh at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport or take a Road trip from Srinagar or Manali. There are bus services as well for solo travelers but that becomes too hectic. As per recent news, the Indian Railway is planning to connect Leh through trains. Proposed plans say the journey time will be reduced by 50% (20 hours), source.

Recommended Accommodation around Leh-Ladakh

• Sonamarg – Hotel Barzman, Sonamarg
• Kargil – Silk Route Inn
• Lamayuru – Hotel Niranjana
• Leh –  Hotel Ladakh Heaven (Highly Recommended)
• Diskit – Hotel Olthang
• Turtuk – Ashoor Guest House & Restaurant
• Sumur – Hotel Namgyal Villa
• Pangong Lake – Pangong Lake View Camp
• Hanle – Hanle House
• Tso Moriri – Tsomoriri Camp And Resort
• Keylong – Hotel Dupchen Inn

Although I have personally stayed at Kargil, Leh, Diskit, Pangong Lake, other hotels are shortlisted based on locations and reviews. If you need any details, leave a comment, we will reply at the earliest.

Food Options in Ladakh region

You will get food of almost every cuisine, not all but most of the dishes in any nearby restaurant in Leh. Generally, we would recommend to try out momos, thukpas, noodles, and parathas. Food is a little bit costly compared to other places in India which are quite normal because of transportation costs.

Transportation in Leh Ladakh Tour

For sightseeing, you have to either rent a car/motorcycle or share Force Traveller, as per your budget. As we traveled with our own motorcycle we are not sure about the transportation charges. But once we get the update, estimated car cost will be added here.

Acclimatization is Very Important in Ladakh

Ladakh is all about high altitude areas mostly above 11,500+ ft. where you can become sick just because of low oxygen density. It is always recommended to take rest for a day or two and then go out for sightseeing. But people mostly rest only the day they arrive which is not advisable. Learn about AMS or High Altitude Sickness and its prevention, must-read.

High Altitude Passes to cover in Ladakh Tour

• Khardung La (18,379 ft)
• Chang La (17,590 ft)
• Fotu La (13,478 ft)
• Namik La (12,200 ft)
• Zoji La (11,575 ft)
• Tanglang La (17,480 ft)
• Nakee La (15,547 ft)
• Lachung La (16,616 ft)
• Baralacha La (16,040 ft)
• Rohtang La (13,050 ft)

Local Sightseeing in Ladakh Trip

There are many places near to Leh city like Magnetic Hill, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, etc. You should cover all these places in two days. Many people tend to cover almost every spot in a day which can be very hectic in high altitude regions.

Leh Palace

Leh Palace is a former royal palace overlooking the Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh. Mountain range view from the roof is spectacular. Entry fee for Indian INR 15 and foreigner INR 100. Parking available for free.

Shanti Stupa

This complete white Buddhist Shanti Stupa is located at the outskirt of Leh town and the terrace provide a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings (Leh City). Visit the stupa once in the evening also to witness how the lighting makes this Stupa look even more beautiful. Also parking available for free.

Thikse Monastery

Thikse monastery is a twelve-story complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, and swords. At a distance of approximately 20 kilometers from Leh town, this is one of the must-visit places in Leh, entry fees INR 20. Parking available for free.

Shey Palace

Shey was the summer capital of Ladakh in the past and place was made for the retreat by Kings of Ladakh. The view is pretty good from here too. Parking is also available for free.

Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Leh Ladakh region, located at a distance of 45 kilometers from Leh. Parking available for free.

Druk White Lotus School (Rancho School)

Druk White Lotus School got famous due to the movie “3 Idiots”, you can visit a few designated areas there with guides and the Rancho cafe inside the premises serves yummy coffee & sandwich. Parking available for free.

Magnetic Hill

Magnetic hill is famous because of a phenomenon that here gravity does not work or rather gravity works opposite. Generally, drivers put their cars in neutral and the car starts to move towards uphill. You can ride also an ADV bike for the adrenaline rush.

A few more must-visit places in Leh Ladakh regions are Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Leh War Memorial, Zorawar Fort, Alchi Monastery, Likir Monastery, the confluence of Indus and Zanskar river, etc.

Real Attractions of Leh Ladakh Trip

Ladakh has many beautiful places like Hanle, Khardung La top, Nubra white desert, Pangong lake, Tso Moriri & Tso Kar lake, etc. But many people thing Ladakh means Khardung La & Pangong Lake, so be aware of all the places, research well and then only prepare the itinerary otherwise you have to miss a lot of more majestic vistas.

Khardung La

Leh-Ladakh is also known as Riders paradise, hence every rider is well known about this famous pass, at an altitude of 18379 ft, this was the world’s highest motorable pass until Umling La (19,300 ft) was conquered. Still all riders dream of conquering this mighty Khardung La. The craze to conquer the top spread across all the tourists over time. This pass is almost 40 kilometers away from Leh city and takes almost 2 hours to reach, although people spend a lot of time en route to capture nature. All the tourists need a Leh Ladakh inner line permit to reach the top and beyond. You can have tea, coffee, or snacks in the south Pullu cafeteria or K-Top cafeteria.

Due to very high altitude and lower oxygen level, staying more than 15 minutes may cause AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness like breathing problems or a mild headache, in that case, descend either towards the north Pullu side (Dikit/Nubra valley) or south Pullu side (towards Leh). Most importantly, be prepared for AMS, I will insist you, check out our How to fight AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness guide. Don’t forget to visit the souvenir shop and click a selfie before the K-Top board.

Nubra Valley

Ladakh is a cold desert, so you can experience a double hump camel ride in Hunder sand dunes. Being in a lower altitude, greenery is more hence you should not face AMS problem here. You got to see Diskit Monastery and a Buddha statue there, the view from the terrace looks stunning, barren land, Shyok river, and mountains all of these in a single frame.

Turtuk Village

Turtuk is the last village on the Diskit side, approximately at a distance of 90 kilometers, Turtuk is getting sheer popularity among the tourists these days. You may experience the village by spending a night or do sightseeing from Diskit/Hunder.

Pangong Tso

At an altitude of 14,270 ft, Pangong is one of the highest altitude lakes in India. It is famous for its unmatched beauty throughout the day, the color of the lake keeps changing almost every hour due to sunlight reflection. This lake is 134 kilometers long and shares 60 percent of its presence in China territory. The lake water is saline and crystal clear to see everything underwater. During the extreme winter, this lake freeze, few local and adventure seeker people visit to experience riding and walking on the frozen lakebed. During the tourist season, the surroundings reach sub-zero frequently and the wind coming from the lake makes that even colder.

There are plenty of tent options available now although many of the tents were demolished to maintain the ecosystem here, a good option could be to stay in Merak (approx 20 kilometers away), as it still considered as offbeat spot.

Hanle

Hanle is famous for one of the highest astronomical observatory in the world, the sky looks very clear at nights even milky way and galaxies can be seen from here. Spend some time here at night and I promise, you will never forget the sky for your life. Many tourists avoid this place for being so remote. Getting accommodation for a stay would not be a difficult task despite having limited options. I suggest to book prior to your visit or ask your driver to book on behalf of you to avoid any time waste.

Tso Moriri & Tso Kar

Tso means Lake in Ladakhi language, while the first one, Tso Moriri is more popular for the dimensional beauty in the middle of mountains and barren land, the second, Tso Kar is kind of smaller but nowhere lacks to mesmerize visitors. The fact is Tso Moriri is the largest high altitude lakes in India and both of the lakes are located at an average altitude of 14,800 ft. You have options to stay here at Karzok, but I would rather advise staying back in Leh or Sarchu/Pang.

Lamayuru

Also known as Moonland of Ladakh, is a beautiful place to be, some people suggest to spend a full moon night here. Once you reach the Lamayuru Monastery you will definitely be surprised to see the golden mountain everywhere, these are nothing but made of Multani Mitti. The egg biriyani in Hotel Niranjana, adjacent to the monastery was very different but awesome.

Things You must NOT Miss

• Shanti Stupa at Evening
• Selfie in front of Khardung La board
• Drink/eat something from Changla Cafe
• Double Camel riding at Hunder
• Clear Sky in Pangong Lake & Hanle

Best time to Visit Ladakh

Nowadays people are likely to visit Leh throughout the year, even if the Leh-Manali and Leh-Srinagar highways are closed, people fly there and enjoy the winter Ladakh. But for a road trip to cover the complete Srinagar – Leh – Manali circuit, you need to plan in between June and mid-October.

• June to Mid July – Generally, snow remains on road in places. During, daylight snow melts and becomes slush. Surrounding remains whiteout, in a word mesmerizing.
• Mid-July to August – Road becomes cleaner, the weather gets brighter and sharper. This is the peak session for tourists to visit Ladakh.
• September to mid-October – Weather starts becoming cold and dry, a clear and vibrant vista of surroundings. Occasional snowfall and rain may happen. This is considered to be the perfect time for photographers.

Suggested Day-wise Itinerary for Ladakh Trip

Below suggested itineraries do not have acclimatization day off mentioned. It is always advisable to take a day or two rest before exploring Ladakh.

Itinerary 1 (Shorter Duration)

1. Reach Leh, take rest to acclimatize (minimum)
2. Leh Local Sightseeing (War memorial, Zorawar fort, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace)
3. Leh to Nubra Via Khardungla (Khardungla Top, Diskit Monastery, Double Hump Camel Ride)
4. Nubra to Pangong Lake (Sky at night)
5. Pangong Lake to Tso Moriri
6. Tso Moriri to Leh
7. Leh Sightseeing (Thikse Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Shey Palace, Rancho School, Moti Market)

Itinerary 2 (Moderate Duration)

1. Reach Leh, take rest to acclimatize
2. Leh Local Sightseeing
3. Leh to Nubra Via Khardung La
4. Turtuk Sightseeing or stay
5. Nubra to Pangong Lake
6. Pangong Lake to Hanle
7. Hanle to Tso Moriri
8. Tso Moriri to Leh
9. Leh Sightseeing

Itinerary 3 (except Dah & Hanu & Zanskar)

1. Reach Srinagar, stay at Sonamarg (via Dal Lake)
2. Sonamarg to Lamayuru (via Zero Point, Drass war memorial, Namik La, Fotu La)
3. Lamayuru to Leh (via Alchi & Likir Monastery, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill)
4. Local sightseeing Leh (War memorial, Zorawar fort, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace)
5. Continue local sightseeing (Thikse Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Shey Palace, Rancho School, Moti Market)
6. Leh to Nubra Via Khardungla (Khardung La Top, Diskit Monastery)
7. Nubra to Turtuk (Double Hump Camel Ride)
8. Turtuk to Panamik/Sumur
9. Panamik/Sumur to Pangong lake via Agham-Shyok Road (See sky at night)
10. Pangong Lake to Hanle (magnificent Pangong, Hanle observatory, the sky at night)
11. Hanle to Tso Moriri
12. Tso Moriri to Pang/Sarchu.
13. Pang/Sarchu to Keylong
14. Keylong to Manali

The next updated version of this Leh Ladakh Trip Guide will have Zanskar Valley included in itineraries.

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Conclusion on Leh Ladakh Trip Guide

Being a remote place, a lot of preparation needed before Leh Ladakh Tour, be it mentally or physically. Don’t forget the weather in the Ladakh region is extreme and most of us are not accustomed to it. So, be prepared and everything in your Leh Ladakh tour will definitely go well. In addition to this complete Leh Ladakh Trip Guide, check out below generic posts to make your Leh Ladakh trip successful and memorable. I am sure you will love it.

• How to prepare for Ladakh
• Things to Carry in Ladakh
• Medicines needed in Ladakh
• How to fight AMS or High Altitude Sickness
• Mobile Network Connectivity in Ladakh
• Inner Line Permit Procedure for Ladakh

Conclusion

If you are doing a road trip to Ladakh, you may find my Kolkata – Ladakh – Kolkata on a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 journey helpful.

Lastly, get Leh’ed soon.

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Don’t forget to check out our Ladakh Ride Blog.

Certainly, if you loved this detailed Leh Ladakh Trip Guide, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything do let me know in the comment section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Most Comprehensive Leh Ladakh Trip Guide appeared first on Rider Escaped

We often search, “hotels in Gangtok”, “Gangtok sightseeing”, “best time to visit Gangtok” or “which local food is a must-try in Gangtok”. If you are also searching for this information, your search ends here, in this very Gangtok Tour Guide. Before that, we should know why Gangtok is one of the most famous places in entire Sikkim.

Gangtok, the state capital of Sikkim, is nothing but a City in the lap of Mountains. You can also consider this place as a gateway to the Northern and Eastern part of the Sikkim, although there are alternative routes available to these places, still, many tourists prefer via Gangtok. MG Marg is the only popular place in Gangtok which remains congested most of the time and also considered the heart of the city.

Local Sightseeing in Gangtok Tour

You have plenty of good places to visit around Gangtok.

• Tashi View Point: This is the most scenic place around the city, on a clear day, you can witness the huge Kanchenjunga. You might try to see Sunrise from this point also.
• Hanuman Tok & Ganesh Tok: Tok represents cut and leveled in the local language. Both of these temples located nearby to the 3rd-mile check post, known for the majestic view of surroundings.
• Banjhakhri falls, Bakthang falls, Butterfly falls, Lhasa Falls: These waterfalls look very good in monsoon and definitely worth the visit.
• Rumtek Monastery: Rumtek Monastery is located above 4900 ft and around 24 kilometers out of Gangtok. It is the largest Monastery in Sikkim and one of the oldest of its kind.

Also, there are more places to visit like M.G. Market, Ropeway, Enchey Monastery, Ranka Monastery, Zoological Garden, etc.

Accommodation in Gangtok

Getting an accommodation of your choice in Gangtok and that in a very tight budget is a bit challenging. Most of the people prefer to stay near MG Marg which further unlocks restaurant and shopping options. But if you want peace and a calm place to enjoy every bit out of your stay, you can stay a little far from the MG Market. You can choose any of the options below, all the hotel names are clickable to redirect you to its location on google map, also note these recommendations are based on the review we read and where it is located. Also, do check out our Hotel booking tips guide.

• Delight Hotel Sernya
• Hotel Nirvana Gangtok
• Hotel Pinewood
• Sonam Hotel
• The Park Residency
• M3 Residency
• The Hotel Pineridge
• Hotel Silverline
• Hotel New Sikkim

You might find great deals in apps like OYO, MMT, etc. or even book bank Holiday homes. All the hotels mentioned above are in budget mostly within INR 1.5K but the rates vary season-wise.

Fooding options

You will get food of almost every cuisine, not all but most of the dishes in nearby restaurants. We would recommend to try out momos, thukpas, noodles, and tea. Foods are generally good and cheap almost everywhere, but few restaurants may charge more for the theme they maintain or the brand value they hold.

P.S. – Smoking in public is a punishable offense in Gangtok.

How to reach Gangtok, Sikkim

Reaching Gangtok is very easy from its nearest Railway station or Airport. It has got well connectivity from recently opened Pakyong Airport, Bagdogra Airport, NJP station, Siliguri Station or even Siliguri Bus terminus also. You can choose between state government bus (SNTC), shared cab (INR 200 – 250) or even a rented cab (Within INR 3K). Although, you will reach Gangtok in 4 to 5 hours depending on the traffic and the breaks. Cab rates may vary season-wise.

Transportation options for Sightseeing

You can hire a shared taxi, rent a cab or a motorcycle. Being a rider, I will suggest to get yourself a motorcycle but only if you have a passion to ride.

We will share information about parking and motorcycle restricted areas permits in another post soon.

Best Time to Visit Gangtok

You can visit Gangtok throughout the year, even the hottest days will feel pleasant due to surrounded mountains. Our recommendation will be Either March-April or November. The way to the captioned city even looks more natural in monsoon but there are chances of getting landslides which may lead to wasting time.

Play Video

Places to visit nearby

You can visit Guudongmar Lake, Yumthung Valley, Katao, Singhik, part of Silk Route or the complete silk route by exiting via Rongli (all these routes cover high altitude areas, so prepare for that, you may want to read “how to fight AMS or High Altitude Sickness“. Other options will be Rishikhola, Ravangla, Pelling, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon, Rishop, Icchegaon, Sillery Gaon, Tukdah, Lamahatta, Chatakpur, Tinchuley and many more. You cannot complete the entire Sikkim in one go and that is the best part I believe, you have to Visit Sikkim again and again. We are yet to cover all the nearby places with a descriptive post very soon.

Till then you like to read our Rishikhola, Pelling and Ravangla posts.

Suggested Itinerary for Gangtok Tour

It is not possible to cover the entire Sikkim in one go, so I am breaking it into a few options based on Gangtok.

Itinerary 1

1. NJP to Lachung (If you already have permits, else halt in Gangtok).
2. Lachung to Yumthung Valley to Lachen
3. Lachen to Gurudongmar to Singhik
4. Singhik to Gangtok (Sightseeing of Gangtok on the way)
5. Gangtok to Zuluk via Nathula, Baba Mandir
6. Zuluk to Rishikhola
7. Rishikhola to NJP

Based on your choices you can return back to Gangtok on Day 5 from Baba Mandir and on Day 6 reach NJP.

Note: Most driver will not want to go straight towards Lachung from NJP as it takes almost 8-10 hours.

Itinerary 2

1. NJP to Pelling (Via Namchi Chardham). Read Pelling tour guide
2. Pelling Sightseeing
3. Continue Pelling Sightseeing
4. Pelling to Ravangla/Keuzing/Borong
5. Ravangla to Gangtok
6. Gangtok Sightseeing
7. Gangtok to NJP

Itinerary 3

1. NJP to Gangtok
2. Gangtok Sightseeing
3. Gangtok to Nathang (Via Nathula Tsongmo Lake, Baba Mandir)
4. Nathang to Rishikhola (Via Zuluk, Aritar)
5. Rishikhola to Lava (Lava Sightseeing including Rishop)
6. Lava to NJP

Lastly, all the itineraries can be modified based on your requirements. 

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Rishikhola, A Place Not For City Lovers

Rishikhola is also known as Reshi Khola, derived its name after the Reshi River, and Khola means a place on the bank of a river....

March 18, 2019

Ravangla where peace is everything

If you are searching for a beautiful and calm place for your next holiday trip, here you go, Ravangla. It comes under Sikkim and is...

March 16, 2019

Pelling; One Peaceful Place in West Sikkim

Pelling tour is very common for West Bengal people, it takes almost 4 to 5 days maximum and done, although a significant number of people...

February 9, 2019

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The post Ultimate Gangtok Tour Guide appeared first on Rider Escaped

If you love Sea, you will definitely love Bakkhali, chaotic but beautiful beach. Maybe half a day you will spend at the seashore. Being a very small place, you will have a few sightseeing options.

At a distance of approximately 130 kilometers, Bakkhali, the nearest beach of Kolkata, can be your next weekend destination. It is located in one of the deltaic islands of the Bay of Bengal. Being a part of the Sundarban forest, Bakkhali has unmatched beauty to offer, mostly during sunrise and sunset. Probably for the first time, you will see how the tide can change the sealine, during low tide the sealine move so far that you can literally walk for 30 minutes straight.

Henry Island

Henry island is half an hour far from Bakkhali. This place has some accommodation options too. Surrounding greeneries look very soothing from the watchtower. You can even walk for 15 minutes to reach Henry Island beach through the section of forests, as per local mangrove trees can be spotted during the walk. The beach feels abandoned and calm than the Bakkhali counterpart.

Jambu Dwip

If you love ferry ride and want to have some adrenalin rush in the middle of the bouncy ocean, visit Jambu Dwip.

Fraserganj

Fraserganj is famous for fishing, in the morning you can’t even stand long due to odd fish smell. This place has a major role in supplying fishes throughout the state. This locality also has few windmills which produce electricity.

Crocodile project

A part of the forest range is opened for the public to show few crocodiles.

Know more about Bakkhali here.

Accommodation:

There are plenty of options available for a comfortable and budget stay. Normally the hotel fare remains low than any other sea destination of Bengal, although you might have to bargain a lot in some cases. Our first recommendation will be WBTDC lodge, one of the best options in Bakkhali. Other good options can be Balaka lodge, Hotel Babylon, Hotel Amaravati, etc. You should check out our How a Hotel should be post to know must-have basic amenities and privacy checks.

Fooding

You will get Chinese, Mughlai and Bengali cuisine throughout the Bakkhali but the experience could be bitter. Few of the restaurants serve Bengali cuisine in the meal system, if you want to save more, you may try out there. Other and better option would be to dine in the Hotel you are staying, of course, few hotels serve good quality food but charge unreasonably sometimes. If you like crab don’t miss it here.

Transportation

Bakkhali is well connected by road and rail. Every hour or so you will get a train for Namkhana from Sealdah station which will take approx 3 hours then you can hire a local cab, motor van or bus to reach Bakkhali, another 30 to 40 minutes. By car, you can reach Bakkhali via Dimond Harbour and recently opened Hatania Doania Bridge. Even you have an option for bus services from Esplanade to reach Namkhana and then hire local transportation to reach Bakkhali. For local sightseeing, you may hire Toto (E-Rickshaw), Motor Van or small cab.

• Bus Timings – From Esplanade 06:30 AM, 7 AM, 07:30 AM (AC), 8 AM, 2 PM (Approx time 4:30 Hrs). From Bakkhali 1 PM, 2 PM, 06:30 PM. The fare is INR 93 for non-AC and INR 210 for AC.
• Train Timings – Train fare in INR 25.

Best time to Visit Bakkhali

You can visit the place whenever you want but during monsoon and winter, this place becomes so pleasant. Having a cup of tea/coffee in the rain and watching the sea is a fantastic combination, you will love it.

Nearby Places to Visit

You may like to add a few more days and visit nearby places like Mousuni Island and Ganga Sagar.

Suggested Itinerary

• Day 1 – Start around 5 Am from Kolkata and Reach Bakkhali by 10 to 11 AM. In the afternoon visit Henry Island.
• Day 2 – Visit Crocodile Project, Bonbibi Temple, Fraserganj & Jambu Dwip. Return to Kolkata.

Conclusion

Bakkhali is any day a good beach to refresh your mind in a low budget and short duration. We travel to places to get some peace or to find our inner soul. But here situations sometimes get chaotic which somehow defame this place. Spend some time on the beach out of all hustle.

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The post Bakkhali, a Chaotic but Beautiful Beach appeared first on Rider Escaped

Rishikhola is also known as Reshi Khola, derived its name after the Reshi River, and Khola means a place on the bank of a river. This is one of the rarest serene places adjacent to the Sikkim-West Bengal Border within the Kalimpong District Range. It also seems to be an offbeat destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Those who love to hear sounds from a river, flowing through hills in a forest kind of environment, or want to spend some time with himself/herself out of regular chaotic life. This place is an absolute choice to experience peace and nature side by side.

Local sightseeing near Rishikhola

If you wonder about what the list of places to visit will be while being here, I would say that, on the first day, you should walk along the river and explore hidden beauties on your own. The second day, you may plan to do local sightseeing, Aritar Lampokhari Lake (Artificial Lake), and if you can walk, do it till Rhenock. All you will get here is a river, a lot of greenery in the lap of green-covered hills. Hours will pass like seconds once you start counting.

This place is all about how you love nature and what you should consider as ultimate satisfaction being a human. Maybe you will start thinking that I am exaggerating, but truly, words cannot justify the beauty this place offers.

Beautiful flowers in Rishikhola 1

Beautiful flowers in Rishikhola 2

Beautiful flowers in Rishikhola 3

Beautiful flowers in Rishikhola 4

Accommodation options

I visited Rishikhola around June 2015. At that time, there were very limited options, but nowadays, a lot of homestays have started functioning. Although my bet will be on “Reshi Eco-Tourism Resort”, Sebastian Pradhan, owner of this place, is one of the most popular people in the entire Sikkim & North Bengal for being a pioneer of old Silk Route tourism, numerous homestays, and other development activities. You could not believe how he behaves until you see for yourself. Staying in a homestay is also affordable, approximately INR 1000 – 1200 (season-wise varies) per person, including meals. Always ask for the riverside block while booking.

You can check out our Recommended Hotel Details to get details about the Rishikhola resort, as well as many different places throughout India.

Fooding in Rishikhola

As I have already mentioned, food is included in the standard tariff. They serve homely food which tastes best because of fresh vegetables & fish in that beautiful environment.

Best time to visit

You should visit Rishikhola in the monsoon or after that. But you can visit in summer (you may spot rhododendron flowers) or before winter also. During winter, you will not feel this place that mystic due to the lack of greenery and the wet soil aroma.

How to Reach Rishikhola

You can rent a cab from the nearest railway station, NJP, or Bus station, Siliguri, or Airport Bagdogra/Pakyong. If you are a solo backpacker or less than 4, you can take a shuttle to Rangpo, then to Rhenock, from there a local cab, or take a lift. This way you can save a lot. If you are booking in advance, do ask for a cab rental price; they may offer a lucrative rate for you. In case you are taking your vehicle, just reach Rishikhola and ask for Sebastian Pradhan’s homestay. People are nice; they won’t misguide you.

Nearby Off-beat Places

You can visit Ramdhura, Icche Gaon, Sillery Gaon, Ramitay, Lingsey, Machong, Mangerjung Gaon, and Mairung Gaon. The last two are relatively new spots, so not found in Google Maps. We will try to explore them very soon. There are more similar places after Rongli, but you may need to have a permit for those places.

You can also visit popular places like Gangtok, Ravangla, Pelling, Kalimpong, Tinchuley, and many more.

Pro Tip: ATM and stationery items will be available at Rhenock. If you love trekking, this ideal place for you.

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The post Rishikhola, A Place Not For City Lovers appeared first on Rider Escaped

If you are searching for a beautiful and calm place for your next holiday trip, here you go, Ravangla. It comes under Sikkim and is getting popular day by day for the beauty it offers. Few people transit through Ravangla to see the beautiful Buddha park, and a few love to spend a day there. While spending a night will completely depend on your plan, you just can’t afford to miss Buddha Park if you are nearby.

Local Sightseeing in Ravangla

The main task for you will be to explore the vast area of Buddha Park on the way to Ralong Monastery, which offers a well-maintained garden, mesmerizing views, and a huge sitting Buddha statue. The statue itself heights 130 feet which is also the tallest in the sitting statue category. You have to pay nominal entry fees of Rs. 50 (defers for non-Indians) and keep the luggage at the counter. You will start hearing a piece of very soothing and satisfying music (Buddha music) as soon as you enter the park. They arranged speakers in a way that from everywhere inside the park, the music sounds with the same intensity. There is a beautiful, small water area before the statue, which is also considered a wishing pond.

Huge Buddha Statue Buddha Park, Ravangla

Flower at Ravangla Buddha Park Garden

Buddha Park, Ravangla

Buddha Park First View, Ravangla

If you like flower photography, you may spend a couple of hours there. The entire premises are properly maintained. The whole atmosphere inside the park creates a proper harmony to make you feel connected with nature. Just sit for some time and you will feel the peace from inner you.

You can also visit Ralong Monastery, Keuzing, Borong, Namchi (Chardham, Samdrupse), and Temi tea gardens, in case you are halting for a day.

How to reach Ravangla

Ravangla is well connected by road from different parts of Sikkim and West Bengal. You may book a cab or use public transport as per your convenience. The nearest railway station is NJP, and the nearest Airports are Bagdogra (Near Siliguri) & recently opened Pakyong (Near Gangtok). If you are on a budget or love to travel solo, a shuttle will be the best option for you to explore this place. Take a shuttle from Siliguri to Singtam and then towards Ravangla.

Accommodation in Ravangla

There are plenty of hotels available in every budget in Ravangla, and the rates vary season-wise, but for cheaper hotels, you may need to compromise a little bit with the surrounding view.

You can also stay at Borong, only 6 KM from Ravangla, still considered an off-beat place.

Best time to visit Ravangla

I would always prefer to visit this kind of place either during the monsoon or immediately after that. It always felt like nature was welcoming us with more greenery. 

Pro tips: You will have an ATM facility in Ravangla, in case you want to withdraw some cash. Don’t miss tasting tea in the tea garden stalls.

Places to Visit Nearby

You can also visit known places like Borong, Gangtok, Rishikhola, Pelling, Kalimpong, Tinchuley, and many more.

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Don’t forget to check out our detailed guides on other Sikkim and nearby places.

Certainly, if you loved the content, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything, do let me know in the comments section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

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Doesn’t this place look amazing? Let me know your thoughts about Ravangla in the comments.

The post Ravangla where peace is everything appeared first on Rider Escaped

We woke up a little late, around 6:30 AM, and packed everything for the last time on this trip. Finally, this was our last stretch of epic Ladakh ride, Aurangabad to Kolkata. We got a little bit delayed due to payment, but it was okay. Quickly mounted all the luggage on the motorcycle and cold-started it.

We enquired about “Litti-Chokha”, a special dish of Bihar, although it is neither fancy to see nor rare to get in different states. The famous shop was around 15 kilometers from our hotel, so we decided to skip it this time.

Roads in Bihar are good for the ride, almost smooth tarmac throughout the state. But the major problem was dodging vehicles coming in the wrong lane; sometimes we could see way ahead, sometimes it became a close call. We cannot change people, so we have to make a safe move, riding consciously.

We stopped at the Swakala toll plaza to have some food. After having puri sabji and tea, we started again. I always feel more fatigued in the last 2-3 days of a trip, so we decided to cover as many kilometers as possible.

Beware of Morons!

We were maintaining steady speeds, and very soon we entered Jharkhand. People generally say, Beware of truck drivers but I always say Beware of four-wheelers although not everyone is a reckless driver. But few are there to put you in an awkward situation.

In a broken patch section, we were moving at 30-40 KmPH speeds due to traffic, and a car from Jharkhand (Maruti Ciaz) started honking. I always give side to anyone, asking for a side. But this time, there are trucks in front, and the driver of that car continued honking for more than 5 minutes. Once I got the required space, I gave them the signal, but those guys crossed us very closely and abused us.

I was about to get tempered, but somehow I managed to stay cool, and that car sped like hell and disappeared almost immediately. This kind of driver can be dangerous for you. BEWARE OF THEM!

We decided to get some rest and have a cold drink, so we stopped at a restaurant, kind of a place. I spent almost 30 minutes having ice cream and cold drinks. We needed it. We saw a few more rash drivers on the way later, but those maintained a good distance while overtaking. It was midday, so we stopped multiple times before entering West Bengal.

In between, we stopped for almost everything: water, snacks, relaxation, refuel, etc. We were begging to stop after every 40-50 kilometers between Aurangabad to Kolkata.

Finally entered West Bengal

Approximately 2 PM, after entering West Bengal, we stopped at a shop to buy cold water. Guess what! We asked him in Hindi, and in three weeks, we got so used to speaking Hindi everywhere. Our home was still more than 200 kilometers away. Now it was time to bear the pain and reach home. The road was butter smooth as usual, so reaching home was easy.

After a long time, we faced the city traffic of Kolkata for almost 5 kilometers. Filtering traffic with the loaded motorcycle was a bit problem; we all have to face the opposite side of the coin. We safely reached home around 7 PM, completing the Aurangabad to Kolkata ride, and yes, we informed Mr. Raj Singh and Mr. Kuldeep Sharma.

It was the biggest ride (6500+ KM) as of now and definitely gave me a bunch of experience, met almost every kind of people, and lastly soaked ourselves in the beautiful nature of Jammu & Kashmir. I will post a few tips and tricks for a long tour shortly.

Conclusion​

Being a remote place, a lot of preparation is needed before the Leh Ladakh Tour, be it mentally or physically. Don’t forget the weather in the Ladakh region is extreme, and most of us are not accustomed to it.

So, be prepared, and everything in your Leh Ladakh tour will go well. You may also check out below generic posts below to make your Leh Ladakh trip successful and memorable. I am sure you will love it.

• How to prepare for Ladakh
• Things to Carry in Ladakh
• Medicines needed in Ladakh
• How to fight AMS or High Altitude Sickness
• Mobile Network Connectivity in Ladakh
• Inner Line Permit Procedure for Ladakh
• Complete Guide for your Ladakh Trip

If you are doing a road trip to Ladakh, you may find my Kolkata – Ladakh – Kolkata on a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 journey helpful.

Lastly, get Leh’ed soon.

Follow Us

Although we are in the process of queuing up the next post shortly. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our complete Ladakh Ride Blog series.

Certainly, if you loved this post, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything, do let me know in the comments section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Ladakh Ride Day 23 – Finally Reached Kolkata appeared first on Rider Escaped

It was time to wrap up the whole trip, so we decided not to explore any place but go straight home in 2 days. Our home is exactly 1000 kilometers, so we divided 500 kilometers a day. We woke up early in the morning, which always helps to cover a huge distance in daylight and end up done Kanpur to Aurangabad.

We paid the hotel bill and cold-started the motorcycle. As we came close to the end of the trip, mounting all the luggage on the motorcycle every day became the most boring part of the day. Somehow, we tied everything properly, started the navigation towards the highway. Exiting Kanpur around 07:00 AM was not a challenge, but a few patches were under construction that slowed us a bit. At some time, we hop onto NH., it was time to have tea and boost ourselves.

We stopped at a shop, had tea, and the shop owner was curious to ask about our trip. Once done, we started to ride at full pace. Being on a RE Thunderbird 350, we were cruising at 80-90 KMPH. I always believe a good rider never speeds like hell, and being safe on-road ensures better handling in critical situations. It is okay to speed up while overtaking or to reduce boredom, but keep in mind that safety is the priority.

As usual, we started to feel fatigued on the almost empty national highway, and we stopped at a lot of places to relax. Before entering the Allahabad expressway, we refueled our motorcycle. Our body was seeking proper rest, and we were pushing it to its limit. We had lunch at a Dhaba on the expressway, the taste was good but different.

Riding at a constant speed of 85 KmPH helped us a lot to cover good distances. We stopped at Handia to have cold water, and meanwhile, I asked a nearby mechanic to tighten a few nuts on my motorcycle. I did not want to face any problem due to loose nuts & bolts.

Reaching Varanasi was a bit difficult on the under-construction road and bumper-to-bumper traffic. I hope this construction will be done shortly, which will reduce the travel time in between. Once we reached Varanasi around 3 PM, we suddenly recalled the road conditions waiting for us. More diversions and bad patches in between. A sudden, small bad patch in a buttery smooth road is always dangerous because you have to be more cautious. Although we had an idea of the condition so we covered the distance very consciously.

Sunset near Sasaram was amazing to boost us for another 50 kilometers till the destination of the day.

We managed to enter Aurangabad around 6:15 PM and booked an AC room in the hotel Maa Mundeswari. This hotel has a very good parking area, and the adjacent restaurant is good too. Although there were a few faults in the room, like one water tap was not working, most of the TV channels were off, etc, maybe because of bargaining, they allotted a faulty room to us, but manageable.

It was sufficient for us, so we did not complain much; instead completed our dinner early so that we could get a good time to relax. This was our second time in Aurangabad, and we observed that hotel prices are more in Aurangabad compared to some popular tourist places in the country.

We were about to reach home after a long trip the next day, so we set an alarm a little bit early, put everything on charge, and went to sleep.

Conclusion​

Being a remote place, a lot of preparation is needed before the Leh Ladakh Tour, be it mentally or physically. Don’t forget the weather in the Ladakh region is extreme, and most of us are not accustomed to it.

So, be prepared, and everything in your Leh Ladakh tour will go well. You may also check out below generic posts below to make your Leh Ladakh trip successful and memorable. I am sure you will love it.

• How to prepare for Ladakh
• Things to Carry in Ladakh
• Medicines needed in Ladakh
• How to fight AMS or High Altitude Sickness
• Mobile Network Connectivity in Ladakh
• Inner Line Permit Procedure for Ladakh
• Complete Guide for your Ladakh Trip

If you are doing a road trip to Ladakh, you may find my Kolkata – Ladakh – Kolkata on a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 journey helpful.

Lastly, get Leh’ed soon.

Follow Us

Although we are in the process of queueing up the next post shortly. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our complete Ladakh Ride Blog series.

Certainly, if you loved this post, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything, do let me know in the comments section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Ladakh Ride Day 22 – Kanpur to Aurangabad appeared first on Rider Escaped

It was the time to bye Delhi. We had started around 7:30 AM. Delhi to Kanpur was around 530 Kilometers. Due to the busy traffic, we reached the Yamuna Expressway a little late. Although it was around 9 AM, smog covered all around. Riding on the expressway sometimes feel fatigued, and this day was no exception. We paid Rs 205 as a toll tax for our motorcycle and continued on the eight-lane expressway.

We stopped at a Subway around 9:45 AM to have breakfast, we ordered some non-veg burger and cold drinks. In the Yamuna Expressway, food stations were not frequent, approximately a 50-60 km gap in between. So, if you want refreshment or fuel up, do it whenever you get it. It was a bright sunny day, and on the concrete tarmac, we got fatigued every hour, so we were taking a break very frequently.

While taking breaks, we sprinkled water on our faces and waited for 5-10 minutes to overcome the tiredness.

Somehow, dodging the boringness, we managed to reach the outskirts of Agra, and now it was time for the Agra-Lucknow expressway, the smoothest expressway in India as of now. After crossing a few kilometers, we started to feel fatigued again, but not like the Yamuna Expressway, due to its concrete tarmac, we felt more sleepy and fatigued there. Paid Rs. 220 toll tax till Kanpur exit.

This elevated and access-controlled expressway lacks food stations and petrol pumps as of now. We were covering distances very fast, you won’t believe the quality of the roads until you ride there. After 100 Kilometers, we saw a kind of canteen, the food price, as well as taste, was average. We spent half an hour getting relaxed and refueling the tank.

Horrible NH-34

It was around 200 kilometers to Kanpur, and this expressway would end for us in 140 kilometers. We finished the expressway within 1 hour and 45 minutes. Now it was NH-34.

We anticipated, NH-34 would be good like any other National Highway. But to our surprise, it was a single-lane highway, and to be honest, this stretch was the most pathetic in the Delhi to Kanpur section. Maybe we were complaining throughout the day about the boring expressway, that’s why God gifted us this horrible road.

It was dangerous in places, roads were filled with largely sized potholes and cow chips. We could have enjoyed the road in daylight, but in the dark, we chose to cross this place as early as possible.

We struggled a bit to get a budget hotel in Kanpur, so we decided to search near the station area, found Hotel Atithi Galaxy, and navigated therethrough a few congested areas. Budget AC rooms were quite small but clean. I tried to book through Goibibo, but they refused to give a clean room in online booking, so we spot booked for Rs 1000; the motorcycle was parked outside. Definitely, I would never recommend this hotel to anyone, but if you don’t have any other option and want to have clean rooms, you may check in.

They do not have four-wheeler parking, but two-wheeler can be parked in front. Food quality was average. What I felt strange about was their behavior, somewhat rude, and the service people always looked for tips.

It was time to do regular chores, put everything on the charger, set an alarm for the next day, and download maps. Finally, at the end of the Delhi to Kanpur ride, we crashed into bed.

Conclusion​

Being a remote place, a lot of preparation is needed before the Leh Ladakh Tour, be it mentally or physically. Don’t forget the weather in the Ladakh region is extreme, and most of us are not accustomed to it.

So, be prepared, and everything in your Leh Ladakh tour will go well. You may also check out below generic posts below to make your Leh Ladakh trip successful and memorable. I am sure you will love it.

• How to prepare for Ladakh
• Things to Carry in Ladakh
• Medicines needed in Ladakh
• How to fight AMS or High Altitude Sickness
• Mobile Network Connectivity in Ladakh
• Inner Line Permit Procedure for Ladakh
• Complete Guide for your Ladakh Trip

If you are doing a road trip to Ladakh, you may find my Kolkata – Ladakh – Kolkata on a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 journey helpful.

Lastly, get Leh’ed soon.

Follow Us

Although we are in the process of queueing up the next post shortly. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our complete Ladakh Ride Blog series.

Certainly, if you loved this post, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything, do let me know in the comments section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Ladakh Ride Day 21 – Delhi to Kanpur appeared first on Rider Escaped

Pelling tour is very common for West Bengal people, it takes almost 4 to 5 days maximum and done, although a significant number of people come from different part of country. Today we will be discussing, How you can make your next Pelling Tour Relaxed, Cheap, and Complete.

Pelling, a peaceful small hill town in West Sikkim, is popular for one of the most peaceful tourist spots in the state. It is located at a height of 7200 ft. from the sea level, has many monasteries, waterfalls, a suspension bridge, etc and most importantly it offers a magnificent view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. People are very kind and helpful here. Probably this will be added to your favorite place list if you love nature and a calm environment.

I rode my TVS Apache RTR 180 to Pelling during monsoon 2015 and the greenery I witnessed, is literally unforgettable.

Pro Tips: Smoking in public is not allowed in Pelling. Maintain peace and silence in monasteries and public places.

How to Reach Pelling

Pelling is easily accessible from Bagdogra Airport, recently opened Pakyong Airport near Gangtok, New Jalpaiguri railway station and Siliguri Bus Terminus.It will take approximately 5 to 6 hours from Siliguri. Ongoing route is very scenic so you may stop several times to click photographs.

If you are on budget, you may opt  limited bus services or share cab options.

Hotels in Pelling

Although every hotel offers a good view of Kanchenjunga in a clear sky, it differs only in amenities and budget. We stayed at Hotel Garuda, all the people at that hotel was great and treated us like family.

Also, I will suggest you to check for Holiday Homes facility in banks. Most of the renowned banks like Allahabad, UCO, Andhra etc. have this facility for employees, few of them allow normal public to opt. Generally, these holiday homes are lot cheaper and most importantly trustworthy.

Fooding options in Pelling

You can find Chinese and Bengali cuisine easily in Pelling, although few places serve good Mughlai food. You may feel food is little expensive here because of the transportation cost of raw materials.

Don’t forget to try Momos, Noodles, and local dishes during the day out.

Sightseeing in Pelling Tour

The most important and probably the best thing you can see is Kanchenjunga during Sunrise. I was not that lucky to witness the beauty though. Locals say, Pelling is one of the few places from where full Kanchenjunga range can be seen in clear sky.

It is not all, this place has to offer a lot as sightseeing (mentioned below) and you should plan it accordingly during your Pelling Tour.

Pemayangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim, founded in 1705 . This Buddhist monastery is located at a distance of 2.5 Kilometer from Upper Pelling. You have to pay a small charge (if I can recall Rs. 25) to enter the monastery premises. It is quite large and calm, I must say.

Tashiding Monastery

This monastery is about 35 kilometers from Pelling and 24 kilometers from Yuksom via interior road.Aalthough local drivers don’t like to drive on this road because of broken tarmac but look very beautiful. tashiding Monastery looks awesome and surrounded by greenary. Just take a step inside and feel peace from the inner soul.

Sangacholing Monastery

Sangacholing Monastery is at approx 1.5-kilometer walking distance from upper Pelling, rather trekking due to stiff and somewhat broken roads. During monsoon the pathway becomes very slippery, can be fatal while coming down. If you dare to reach the place, you will be welcomed with an fantastic top view. I got only a few minutes of clear sky hence can’t catch it on lens.

P.S. Sangacholing Monastery is very common looking, for the spectacular surrounding view only this trail is worth .

Khecheopalri Lake

This is a sacred lake for Buddhist and Hindu, located at approx 25 kilometers from Pelling. The lake is very clean and locals say that even if there is something fall on water either bird will take it or fish will eat it immediately. We have also witnessed that too.

P.S. Please don’t litter.

Singshore Bridge

This is something you can’t miss in Pelling. Singshore bridge is a suspension bridge at a height of 100 meters from the riverbed and length is approx 200 meters. Just walk the bridge and feel the suspension works. View from this point is very soothing. There were two stalls in 2015, they served good momos at a very cheap price. If you want to experience, can enjoy the short video below

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Pelling Helipad

This helipad is opened for all to visit, being in an elevated location it offers a good view of the surrounding. During season, Pelling Helipad gets crowded early morning for Sunrise view of Kanchenjunga same as Tiger Hill Observatory near Darjeeling.

Rabdentse Ruin

Rabdentse was the second capital of Sikkim after Yuksom, located at a few meter distance from Pemayangtse Monastery. Certainly, the ancient palace ruin is one of the most popular places to visit in Pelling. You have to walk approx a kilometer through Jungle like a road to reach the place. Once you reach there, just experience the old memories. Once done, look a little far and if the sky is clear, you will see the magnificent view of Mt Kanchenjunga. In 2015, a bird sanctuary was about to build. Hopefully, that is completed and opened for the public.

Kanchenjunga falls

This falls looks great in & after the monsoon, the flow gets a boost by then. Although part of it can be seen from the road but just climb a few narrow stairs and soak yourself into the water spray.

Rimbi Falls

A small waterfall on the way to Yuksom, just a few kilometers away from Pelling. There was a small tea and noodles stall opposite to this fall, I just loved the Maggie there.

Phamrong Falls

This falls located near Yuksom at a distance of 7 kilometers approx, very beautiful natural flows look magnificent and properly match the surroundings.

There are few more attractions point nearby like, Yuksom Monastery, Rock garden, Dentam village, and recently opened Pelling Skywalk.

I am planning another Pelling tour very soon, after that I will update Pelling Skywalk mainly.

Transportation Options for Local Sightseeing

You need to book either private cab or share cab for local sightseeing. Ask your hotel manager for rates and compare with outside travels. Generally, there will be no difference.

All of them provide packages, don’t forget to ask lists of places they will take you.

ATM Service in Pelling

Only SBI ATM was available near Pelling Police Station while we visited the place, not sure about the current scenario. Although, I heard HDFC and AXIS bank ATM are also available in middle/lower Pelling.

I would advise to carry cash during your trip.

Suggested Itinerary for Pelling

People usually plan 2-3 days itinerary for Pelling. Obviously, you could plan your Pelling tour either in rush mode or in leisure.

1. Reach Pelling, take rest.
2. A day-long tour towards Yuksom, Rimbi falls, Kheceopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga falls, Rock garden, Yuksom Monastery, Phamrong Monastery and Tashiding Monastery (Generally driver charge more for this place or simply deny)
3. Visit Singshore Bridge, Sangacholing Monastery, Pelling Helipad, Pemayangtse Monastery, and Rabdentse Ruin.

If you have time, you can leisurely divide Day 3 into two days and don’t miss the view Kanchenjunga during sunrise in your Pelling tour. There are many who visit Pelling again and again just to witness the sunrise view of Kanchenjunga.

P.S. All the information mentioned in the post, are based on our visit in June 2015. Road conditions may change in certain parts. To get the latest update on Sikkim, checkout official website here.

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