Itinerary India/Sikkim

Day 1

Siliguri
We pick you up at the Bagdogra airport and bring you to the hotel. After check in we take you for a good Indian lunch. After lunch we do all the formalities before the tours can start.

Day 2

Darjeeling , Mirik (2.121 m) 90 km
After breakfast we start going with the vehicles up towards Himalaya . After one hour the road start bending up at the mountain side. We riding trough the teagardens of Darjeeling and enjoy amazing view of Himalaya . After some more hours we are reaching the altitude of 1.000 meter. Stop at Mirik where we have lunch before we continue to Darjeeling where we stay for the night. From here we have a great view over Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain of the world (8.585 m).

Day 3

Darjeeling , Tigerhill (2.560 m) 50 km
To day we wakeup early to see the sunrise colouring Himalaya in gold. We spend the day in Darjeeling .
Day 4

Pelling (2.085 m) 90 km
After breakfast we travel trough teagardens down towards the border to Sikkim . We following the river in Sikkim and after some hours we turn up in the mountains again to reach Pelling before the evening. From here we ones again have a breathtaking view over Himalaya

Day 5

Yuksam, Khechopari (1.780 m) 75 km
To day we are riding at narrow roads to Yuksam, the first capital of Sikkim . Closer than this you will not come to Kanchenjunga , by bike. Here we reach the end of the road, a peaceful place, and feels like the end of the world.

Day 6

Rabangla (2.050) 60 km
We leaving Yuksam behind us and riding towards Rabangla.

Day 7

Gangtok (1.600 m) 120 km
To day we are going to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim . On our way we have good views over Himalaya

Day 8

Restingday in Gangtok.

Day 9

Teesta (350 m) 75 km
Early morning we are taking off from Gangtok. Today we are leaving Sikkim for West Bengal . When we reach Teesta we can do river rafting. After rafting we stay at the river side with open fire, barbeque and sleeping in tents. If someone doesn’t want to do camping we will provide hotel room.

Day 10

Kalimpong (1.243 m) 70 km
After a night in tent we turn up to Kalimpong where we spent this day and night.

Day 11

Hollong (200 m / 2.100m) 170 km
Today we are going down to the plain to Hollong forest lodge where we stay at the night

Day 12

Siliguri 60km
This day starts with elephant safari in the jungle. Its’ also the last day on the bikes for this time. Going back to Siliguri where we park the bikes in the garage. But before we leave India we have a good party in the evening.

Day 13

The tour ends at the Bagdogra airport.

SIKKIM - TOUR & TREKING

Jeep/Bike drive: 4 days
Treking: 8 days

Day 1: Bagdogra

We pick you up at the Bagdogra airport and bring you to the hotel. After check in we take you for a good Indian lunch. After lunch we do all the formalities before the tours can start.

Day 2: Siliguri - Darjeeling (2.121 m) (Jeep approx 90 km)

After breakfast we start riding the bikes up towards Himalaya. After one hour the road start bending up at the mountain side. We riding trough the teagardens of Darjeeling and enjoy amazing view of Himalaya. After some more hours we are reaching the altitude of 1.000 meter. Stop at Mirik where we eating lunch before we continue to Darjeeling where we stay for the night. From here we have a great view over Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain of the world (8.585 m).

Day 3: Darjeeling to Yuksom (Jeep approx 110 km)

After breakfast we travel trough teagardens down towards the border to Sikkim. We following the river in Sikkim and after some hours we turn up in the mountains again to reach Pelling. From here we ones again have a breathtaking view over Himalaya. Before evening we reach Yuksam, the first capital of Sikkim. Closer than this you will not come to Kanchenjunga, by jeep. Here we reach the end of the road, a peaceful place, and feels like the end of the world. From here we start our trek tomorrow.

Day 4: Yuksom to Tsoka – (Trek- 15 km approx. - 6 hours)

Day 5: Tsoka to Dzongri – (Trek – 12 km approx. – 5 hours)

Day 6: Dzongri to Thangsing – (Trek – 10 km approx. – 5 hours)

Day 7: Thangsing to Samitee Lake – (Trek – 4 km approx. – 4 hours)

Day 8: Samitee Lake to Goechala Pass (for sunrise) & back to Thangsing/Samitee Lake– (Trek – 8 km approx. – 6 hours)

Day 9: Rest at Thangsing

Day 10: Thangsing to Tsoka via another route– (Trek –15 km approx. – 6 hours)

Day 11: Tsoka to Yuksom – (Trek – 15 km approx. – 5 hours) Over night stay at Yuksom, with a farewell party & bonfire.

Day 12: Yuksam to Darjeeling (Jeep approx 80 km)

Day 13: Darjeeling to Siliguri (Jeep approx 90 km)

Day 14: The tour ends at the Bagdogra airport

There could be some changes in this schedule

Itinerary Tibet (21 days )

Day 1
We pick you up at the airport in Bagdogra.

Day 2
Siliguri - Itahari (Nepal) 120 km

Day 3
Itahari - Hetauda 300 km

Day 4
Hetauda - Khatmandu 130 km

Day 5
Kathmandu (whole day in Kathmandu to get our permits).

Day 6
Kathmandu - Kodari (border Nepal-Tibet) 130 km

Day 7
Zangmu - Nuyalam (Tibet) 30 km

Day 8
Nuyalam - Tingri 180 km

Day 9
Tingri - Xigatse

Day 10
Xigatse - Gyantse 90 km

Day 11
Gyantse - Lhasa 10 (290) km

Day 12
Whole day in Lhasa.

Day 13
Lhasa - Shegar

Day 14
Shegar - Mt: Everest Base camp

Day 15
Mt: Everest Base camp - Tingri

Day 16
Tingri - Zangmu 180 km

Day 17
Zangmu - Kathmandu (crossing the border into Nepal) 120 km

Day 18
Kathmandu - Lahan 350 km

Day 19
Lahan - Siliguri (India) 250 km

Day 20
Spare day in Siliguri

Day 21
We say goodbye at the airport in Bagdogra.

Travel Dairy

Then I was on the way to the “roof of the world” again. This time, it’s seven bikers and me.

On 4 September we started from Siliguri, India, after about 1 hour drive, we arrived at the border to Nepal. Border crossing was surprisingly smooth. Within two hours, all the formalities have been completed with us and the bikes.

First days stage is a straight road but still requires our full attention. On the way humans are intermingled with or without vehicles and all their pets.

The second day looks like the first broadly. Today we have a small incident when Joakim hit a cow. He runs into the stomach of the cow and commented later that it was pretty soft. But before he and his bike has come to a stop, he landed in a ditch. But no harm to him or the cow. The bike also fared quite well.

Third day, it’s time to go up into the mountains to Kathmandu. I choose a path that I have only driven once before and then it was not particularly good. This time, I have received reports that it is in much better shape. It is also, but the participants have never before see a way like this before and could not believe their eyes. But we had fun and everyone appreciated the road.

Now we are two days in Kathmandu to get our visa fixed. Tomorrow we go on to Kodari, the border of Tibet … … … .. To be continued.

To cross the border to Tibet went relatively smoothly this year. Worse was to ride the first ettap up to Nyalam which is only 35 km. Where ongoing street maintenance on the ledge which forms the road. This, together with a proper wet weather did stage a memorable one.

The day after it fell a few raindrops in the morning and when we crossed the first pass over 5,000 meters seemed even a few snowflakes. But on the other side of the pass, the weather turned to glorious sunshine and the temperature rose. Once we arrived at a hotel with a really hot shower and with good food we soon went to sleep.

The day begins with a climb up to Gyatsola pass which is 5200 meters. Great weather and the bikes run as they should. The road has become much better now since we was here in Tibet two years ago.

Right now the group is on a guided tour in a Buddhist Monastery in Xigatze. Even today we stay in a very good hotel. Tomorrow we will ride the 350 km to Lhasa via Gyantse.

The road between Gyantse and Lhasa is amazingly beautiful. We drive along the “sacred” lakes with unreal bright colors in blue, green and turquoise shades. The roads here are also of extremely good quality.

Lhasa is a city that become bigger for everey time you visit. Today we visit the Potala palace, before it’s time to go back to Nepal again. But before Nepal, we will go up to Mt: Everest base camp. Something everyone in the group look forward with anticipation.

The 15:th we left Lhasa and continued on the way back west towards Nepal and India. This time, I “chosed” a different path on the way back to Xigatze. It turned out to be anything other than the transport ride, as I talked about the day before. This route went north on the highway.

After having stopped, and consulted with people at a police outpost, we were informed that it was only to continue but that we have to cross a high pass. Possibly one of the world’s highest road, they said. The road is narrow, but will be okay for motorcycles.

After a few kilometers we turn from the asphalt road to drive over the pass to Xigatze.

After many kilometers on this dusty dirt road, we reach up to the pass at 5300 meters. A new record in  altitude on our tours.

This road goes hard at our bikes. One side-bag come loose and may temporarelly be fixed on another bike. One or other puncture may I also repair. Just in time for lunch, we reach a small village with a small restaurant and a small bikegarage.

We start talking to them and how are we not surprised when it turns out that it has a welding equippment out there in the middle of nowhere. Even more surprised or confused we become when the welder comes out of the shop with his homemade welding mask consisting of the lid of a shoebox that he taped a pair of sunglasses on!

During much laughter, we eat a simple but good lunch in the form of a noodle soup with yak meat.  Just as it is getting darker, we reach Xigatze. I have this day repaird 5 punctures. The road was a new and interesting experience and something I am considering to include in the next tibet tour as well.

September 16

Today we’ll just ride 21 mil asphalt. It feels so luxurious to come out on friendship road with freshly smooth asphalt. Gyatsola pass at 5200 meters show it self from its very best side. The sun shines as it did on most of the journey and the sky is so blue that it just can be in Tibet at this high altitude. This time, we have all much easier to breathe and stops with ease on the pass to go around, look and barging with the selsmen. We arrived at Shegar in the afternoon.

September 17 Mt: Everest base camp

Now is the day that all looked forward to with eager anticipation. Today we are riding up to Mt: Everest base camp. The road up there is pretty good but also somtimes a rough dirt road.

In the afternoon after hours of driving in a spectacular environment, we reach base camp. It’s always spectacular to be here so near world’s highest point.

Everest shows up without a cloud and we take plenty of photos with all possible combinations of motifs. Members of motorcycle clubs Logardt and sugg hang up their club shirts, among Buddhist prayer flags that flutter in the wind.

We spend the night in tents at base camp. Some slept better than others ….

September 18

The first thing we must do in the morning is to scrape frost from the bikes. It has been just below zero at night. After a base camp breakfast it’s time to leave the Everest behind us. We do not taking the same way back but taking a small shortcut. The road goes over the Himalayan platou where herds of yaks dwells and through small villages, but mostly out in nowhere. It’s just us and a little “so-called” road. It feels pretty good after hours on the “shortcut” from Everest to come down on a good tarmac road again. Now it is only 200 km left to the border. Before the evening we arrived at the border town of Zangmu.

September 19 Border Crossing

Now we “only” have to cross the border. When dealing with Chinese authorities the easiest things suddenly becomes complicated. To pay a deposit per bike to them when to enter the country its easy. But to receive the same deposit on the way out is not that easy. All this means that it takes time before we are through to the Nepal side. We start the journey towards Kathmandu later than planned and have to drive the last kilometers inside the Kathmandu in the dark. Not something you choose to do, but all are present when we arrived at the hotel and we have had an exciting experience to add to the trip. In the evening we go out and eat at restaurant Nepali Cholla. A traditional Nepalese restaurant with music and dancing. Now it’s time to sleep. Good night!

September 20

Time to leave Kathmandu and begin the journey to India. Way out of Kathmandu are packed by trucks and buses. It takes time to get anywhere. We have lunch in Hetauda and at dusk we arrive at Lahan.

September 21

Now it’s the last day on bikes before we’re back where we started in Siliguri. It’s about 250 km before we cross the border into India.

The night we celebrate with a real Indian dinner at restaurant Sar Taj in Siliguri.

Next day some are flying  back to their countries. But three guys comes with me up to Kalimpong to see how I live and to stay at the resort we are building. Jesper and Joakim only stay one night when their flight is the day after. But Patrick has re:booked his ticket and stay for a week.

We have had a sovereign Tibet tour.

Thanks to: Mankan, Karin, Elli, Peter, Patrick, Joe and Jesper for a great travel companion!

Itinerary Nepal (15 days)

Day 1
We pick you up at the Bagdogra airport and bring you to the hotel. After check in we take you for a good Indian lunch. After lunch we do all the formalities before the tours can start.

Day 2
Today we start the tour with the bikes and go to Kakarbitta, the border of Nepal. Before evening we reach Itahari where we stay over the night.

Day 3
From Itahari we proceed towards Hetadu. Vi can see much of the nepali country side, waterbuffalo, rice felds, villages with mud-huts where people lives a very simple lives.

Day 4
Today we start the riding up in the mountains. We passing villages at altitudes of more than 2.500 meters. We rides on roads that bending upwards Kathmandu. If the weather condition is good we have a breathtaking vieuv over Himalaya. We riding outside Kathmandu towards Nagarkot, from where we can see the sunrise over Himalaya and the worlds highest mountain, Mt:Everest.

Day 5
From Nagarkot we drive to the historical city of Bhaktapur.

Day 6
Today we drive further towards Kodari, the border to Tibet. The mountains grow taller the closer we get to Tibet.

Day 7
After a night at the border to Tibet we head back to Kathmandu. We have time to spend the afternoon and evening in this historical city.

Day 8
Full day in Kathmandu.

Day 9
Early in the morning before the worst traffic we head against Pokhara which is todays goal. In Pokhara we have a fantastic view over Annapurna.

Day 10
Enjoying Pokhara, full day.

Day 11
Today we head towards Gurkha. Once again we travel along lovely roads in a fantastic environment.

Day 12
We take off from Gurkha and head towards Lalbiti. Now we have left the mountains behind us and the temperature has risen.

Day 13
Last distance in Nepal for this tour. Reaching Siliguri after passed the boarder in the afternoon.

Day 14
Extra day. We can use this day for a tour up to Kalimpong.

Day 15
We say goodbye at the Bagdogra airport.

There could be some changes in this schedule

Day 1: Siliguri
We pick you up at the Bagdogra airport and bring you to the hotel. After check in we take you for a good Indian lunch. After lunch we do all the formalities before the tours can start.

Day 2: Silliguri (50 km)
Today we have an education on the jeeps and four-wheel off-road driving. We go to training area to get used with the jeeps and environment. It’s good to get this experience before we go up in the mountains.

Day 3: Silliguri – Darjeeling (80 km) 2.100 m
Today the adventure starts. We drive trough some small villages down at the plain before we start climbing the bends on the up on the mountain side. We drive trough the world famous tea gardens. In the background we can see the snow peaks of Himalaya . We make a stop in Mirik for lunch. Before evening we have reached Darjeeling the old British hill station.

Day 4: Darjeeling 2.100 m
Free day in Darjeeling . Time to explore the hill station, and adjust to the new time zone. In the afternoon we visit the tibetian workshop.

Day 5: Darjeeling – Sandakphu (70 km) 3.600 m
Today we will use the four wheel drive to reach Sandakphu. The way up is made for great jeep expedition. We take our time and make stop in small old mountain villages. Before evening we have reached Sandakphu at an altitude of 3.650 meters.

Day 6: Sandakpur 3.600 m
Time to relax and just enjoy the greatness of Himalaya .

Day 7: Sandakpur – Darjeeling (70km) 2.100 m
Returning back to Darjeeling and enjoying the driving down the mountain.

Day 8: Darjeeling – Teesta (80 km)
Early morning for those who want to see the sunrise over Himalaya from Tigerhill. Going back to the hotel and have breakfast before taking the jeeps down to Teesta river. At Teesta we have a camp with fire where we have our food cocked and the night we spend in tent at the riverside.

Day 9: Teesta – Kalimpong (60 km) 1.200 m
Start the day with white-water rafting for those who wants. After rafting and lunch we go up to Kalimpong.

Day 10: Kalimpong – Reshi (80 km)
To day we turn down to Reshi where we can do some more off-road driving.

Day 11: Reshi – Lava (8 km) 2.050 m
From Reshi we go with the jeeps up to Lava.

Day 12: Lava – Siliguri (120 km)
This last day with the jeeps for this tour, we drive trough the jungle down the Mountain. Late afternoon we reach Siliguri and have dinner together before bedtime.

Day 13:

The tour ends at the Bagdogra airport.

SIKKIM - TOUR & TREKING

Jeep/Bike drive: 4 days Treking: 8 days

Day 1: Bagdogra
We pick you up at the Bagdogra airport and bring you to the hotel. After check in we take you for a good Indian lunch. After lunch we do all the formalities before the tours can start.

Day 2: Siliguri - Darjeeling (2.121 m) (Jeep approx 90 km)
After breakfast we start riding the bikes up towards Himalaya. After one hour the road start bending up at the mountain side. We riding trough the teagardens of Darjeeling and enjoy amazing view of Himalaya. After some more hours we are reaching the altitude of 1.000 meter. Stop at Mirik where we eating lunch before we continue to Darjeeling where we stay for the night. From here we have a great view over Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain of the world (8.585 m).

Day 3: Darjeeling to Yuksom (Jeep approx 110 km)
After breakfast we travel trough teagardens down towards the border to Sikkim. We following the river in Sikkim and after some hours we turn up in the mountains again to reach Pelling. From here we ones again have a breathtaking view over Himalaya. Before evening we reach Yuksam, the first capital of Sikkim. Closer than this you will not come to Kanchenjunga, by jeep. Here we reach the end of the road, a peaceful place, and feels like the end of the world. From here we start our trek tomorrow.

Day 4: Yuksom to Tsoka – (Trek- 15 km approx. - 6 hours)

Day 5: Tsoka to Dzongri – (Trek – 12 km approx. – 5 hours)

Day 6: Dzongri to Thangsing – (Trek – 10 km approx. – 5 hours)

Day 7: Thangsing to Samitee Lake – (Trek – 4 km approx. – 4 hours)

Day 8: Samitee Lake to Goechala Pass (for sunrise) & back to Thangsing/Samitee Lake– (Trek – 8 km approx. – 6 hours)

Day 9: Rest at Thangsing

Day 10: Thangsing to Tsoka via another route– (Trek –15 km approx. – 6 hours)

Day 11: Tsoka to Yuksom – (Trek – 15 km approx. – 5 hours) Over night stay at Yuksom, with a farewell party & bonfire.

Day 12: Yuksam to Darjeeling (Jeep approx 80 km)

Day 13: Darjeeling to Siliguri (Jeep approx 90 km)

Day 14: The tour ends at the Bagdogra airport

There could be some changes in this schedule

Itinerary Tibet ( TOUR 1 )

Day 1: The tour starts at the airport in Kathmandu

Day 2: Full day in Kathmandu.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Kodari (border of Tibet). 120 km

Day 4: Kodari to Nyalam. 40 km

Day 5: Nyalam to Tingri. 180 km

Day 6: Tingri. (rest)

Day 7: Tingri to Rongbuk (Everest base camp). 80 km

Day 8: Rongbuk to Shegar. 180 km

Day 9: Shegar to Xigaze. 120 km

Day 10: Xigaze to Gyangtse. 120 km

Day 11: Gyangtse to Lhasa 200 km

Day 12: Lhasa

Day 13: Return to Kathmandu.

Day 14: The tour ends at the airport in Kathmandu

There could be some changes in this schedule

Itinerary Tibet ( TOUR 2 )

Day 1: The tour starts at the airport in Kathmandu

Day 2: Full day in Kathmandu.

Day 3: Trip to Lhasa.

Day 4: A whole day in Lhasa

Day 5: Lhasa to Gyangtse. 200 km

Day 6: Gyangtse to Xigatze. 120 km

Day 7: Xigatze to Shegar. 120 km

Day 8: Shegar to Rongbuk (Everest basecamp). 180 km

Day 9: Rongbuk to Tingri. 80 km

Day 10: Tingri to Nyalam. 180 km

Day 11: Nyalam to Kodari. 40 km

Day 12: Kodari to Kathmandu 120 km

Day 13: The tour ends at the airport in Kathmandu

There could be some changes in this schedule

Itinerary tour - Sikkim

Day 1: Siliguri
We pick you up at the Bagdogra airport and bring you to the hotel. After check in we take you for a good Indian lunch. After lunch we do all the formalities before the tours can start.

Day 2: Darjeeling , Mirik (2.121 m) 90 km
After breakfast we start going with the vehicles up towards Himalaya . After one hour the road start bending up at the mountain side. We riding trough the teagardens of Darjeeling and enjoy amazing view of Himalaya . After some more hours we are reaching the altitude of 1.000 meter. Stop at Mirik where we have lunch before we continue to Darjeeling where we stay for the night. From here we have a great view over Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain of the world (8.585 m).

Day 3: Darjeeling , Tigerhill (2.560 m) 50 km
To day we wakeup early to see the sunrise colouring Himalaya in gold. We spend the day in Darjeeling .

Day 4: Pelling (2.085 m) 90 km
After breakfast we travel trough teagardens down towards the border to Sikkim . We following the river in Sikkim and after some hours we turn up in the mountains again to reach Pelling before the evening. From here we ones again have a breathtaking view over Himalaya

Day 5: Yuksam, Khechopari (1.780 m) 75 km
To day we are riding at narrow roads to Yuksam, the first capital of Sikkim . Closer than this you will not come to Kanchenjunga , by bike. Here we reach the end of the road, a peaceful place, and feels like the end of the world.

Day 6: Rabangla (2.050) 60 km
We leaving Yuksam behind us and riding towards Rabangla.

Day 7: Gangtok (1.600 m) 120 km
To day we are going to Gangtok the capital of Sikkim . On our way we have good views over Himalaya

Day 8:
Restingday in Gangtok

Day 9: Teesta (350 m) 75 km
Early morning we are taking off from Gangtok. Today we are leaving Sikkim for West Bengal . When we reach Teesta we can do river rafting. After rafting we stay at the river side with open fire, barbeque and sleeping in tents. If someone doesn’t want to do camping we will provide hotel room.

Day 10: Kalimpong (1.243 m) 70 km
After a night in tent we turn up to Kalimpong where we spent this day and night.

Day 11: Hollong (200 m / 2.100m) 170 km
Today we are going down to the plain to Hollong forest lodge where we stay at the night.

Day 12: Siliguri 60 km
This day starts with elephant safari in the jungle. Its’ also the last day on the bikes for this time. Going back to Siliguri where we park the bikes in the garage. But before we leave India we have a good party in the evening.

Day 13:
The tour ends at the Bagdogra airport.

There could be some changes in this schedule.