On 1st March 2009 I, parul and daksh left for gangtok and arrived at sealdah railway station. Priyesh had accompanied us to the station and we were slightly bulky on the luggage front. As it was a first visit to such a cold place we didn’t wanted to take a chance especially since Daksh was of only 2 years and 1 month. The best part of the station was that there is no bridge to board the train since all the platforms are parallel to each other. We got ourselves seated to our respective places. There were lot of foreigners in the train and were carrying huge lugguages demeaning what we were carrying. The train left at 10.10 p.m. and after few minutes we straight away went to sleep. Next morning at 8.05 A.M. we arrived at New Jalpaiguri station. The climate was pleasant and I could feel the peace and tranquility in the air. We arrived near the taxi stand and I could find SBI, AXIS ATM on the station. Outside the station there was lots of SUMOS/JEEPS/Mahindra waiting for tourists. I enquired for the trip to GANGTOK and there were 2 options: book the entire vehicle for INR 1425.00 or settle for shared one (INR 155.00/person). Since I have always been a budget traveler decided for the shared one. We got 2 seats next to the driver in the front; there were 4 seats in the middle and the back. Outside the station there were lots of travel agents shops for booking trips along with small eateries. We left for GANGTOK at 9.35 a.m. with a new wed couple in the middle who had booked the entire seat and 3 people in the last seat. After driving through the small habitat and few shops we were on our path, and reached Siliguri which was roughly at 40.00 mns from New Jalpaiguri. The driver filled the tank at Siliguri and we moved on. The roads were pretty good and the temperature was roughly around 18-22 C. the scenes were picturesque and was surrounded by mountains on both sides. After driving for roughly 2.00 hours we stopped at a place for some refreshments. It was a small shop selling wafers, biscuits etc. I ordered for dal/rice and tea and Daksh took wafers and peanuts. The peanuts were provided in small plastic pouches with a small plastic container with salt. The food was really good and we enjoyed since we were feeling hungry too. At 1.40 p.m. we arrived at Gangtok. The place was amazing since it was roughly at a height of around 3500 ft and was surrounded by mountains and lots of trees. The climate was cold with temperature of around 18c.we could see locals well dressed and didn’t look like Indians. They were having fair complexion and looks like the Chinese have. I was amazed as I could find everyone good liking and was giving us a complexion. We arrived at the taxi stand where everyone got down and now had to search for my hotel. I managed to find one taxi who knew our hotel i.e., Basar Residency. It took roughly 15 minutes and he left us at a tax stand opposite Sadar police station opposite to which was my hotel. We reached the hotel which was just 3 minutes away from the famous M.G. Road. The hotel manger didn’t had confirmation of my booking (Through Travel Guru). I called up the portal who in turn clarified my booking and the manager took us to the second floor. Our room was great, big, having good view with newly carpet and furniture. I decided to not waste the day and asked the manger for some tour operator who could take us to some nearby place of visit. Within next 10 minutes there were 2 young chaps named Anil and Deepak and they advised us to visit Rumtek monastery since it was almost 3.00 p.m. I agreed and within next 20 minutes we were out to Rumtek. The Maruti van was zipping across twists and turns of the road which was climbing up the hill and by 4.40 p.m. we had reached at Rumtek. The last 10 minutes was a walkable distance and vehicles not allowed inside the gate. It was like a dream come true since the view from the top left me speechless and we were roughly at a height of 4500 -5000 feet with temp of 10-12. We stepped inside the gate which was having 2 army personnel as security guard. The temple was looking like the ones I had watched in Chinese movies and was lucky to reach just in time, since the temple closes at 5.00 p.m. inside the temple was Buddha’s statue and places where the monks sit and pray. We took pictures and the monks were loving DAKSH and playing with him. Outside the temple was the bell which is rotated and was good moving all of them? We came back and it was almost 7.00 by the time we reached the hotel. Total damage for the trip INR 550.00. The next day trip was decided to Aritar lake (I always believed in visiting places which was close to nature).we took the dinner that day at M.G. Road since that’s the place where you find all the tourist and it’s the happening place in Gangtok where you find all the stuffs i.e., Eating, shopping, fun etc. we had Chinese at one of the food joint.
Day -2: 3rd March 09
Next day after our break fast (Aloo ka paratha) we left for the place at 9.00 A.M. it was a long drive and the journey was amazing since there were lots of greenery and the scenic beauty was breathtaking. There were few patches of the journey where the road was not good, otherwise it was comfortable. We stopped at a place for some refreshment. The food places in Gangtok normally stuff noodles, momos, dal/rice and WAI-WAI (substitute of MAGGI).AT 12: 15 P.M. we were at ARITAR LAKE roughly at a height of 5500 ft. my first impression was is this the place I should have come for any paid INR 1700.00, since it contained a lake (man made), however was surrounded by big pine trees and few guest houses. The lake had a boating facility; however I never wanted that since I was looking for something close to nature. Anil casually told us that there was a point at the top if we think of going there. I discounted that since I was not happy. Daksh was enjoying the place to the fullest since there were ducks inside the lakes and were quacking a lot. However the best part was that there were hardly any tourist and was not so crowded. We climbed up the place near the guest house and took lots of snaps. I told Parul to climb up to the top since we were curious of reaching the place. It was a 20-30 minutes climb; however it turned out to be the place I had always dreamt of. As we were climbing up on the stairs we were able to see the majestic range of mountains and the temperature was dropping at the same pace and must have been around 8-10. Finally we reached the top which was worth the sight and a place which has left a great impression on our minds. I felt like reaching heaven and the feeling and the emotions I was going through cant be expressed in words. We stayed over there for 2 hours and were enjoying the breeze and Daksh was at his best and was really delighted. We took lot of snaps we could have captured. There were few houses of the locals nearby, however none tourists and we were alone at a height of 6500 ft. after quenching our thirst of the glimpses of the mountain and feeling satisfied we proceeded towards the base. I thanked my tour guys from my heart, since by this time they had understood what I was looking for. We reached the hotel at 7.10 p.m. and took the dinner at one of the veg joints on the M.G. Road. Visit to gangtok can’t be complete without a trip to NATHULA PASS. I enquired with my hotel manager and he informed of the trip to nathula being cancelled on account of heavy snowfall. I decided to approach tour operators who had their shop on the M.G. Road and the trip was fixed for 5th March. We submitted 2 photographs each, PAN card photocopy and INR 1100.00.
Day-3: 4TH March 09
There was a sudden change in plan of Arun (newly wed couple) since they had to halt at Siliguri and so I asked my guys for a new place and after much discussion and thought we left for TENDONG HILL. This place was a gamble my me since Anil was also not so aware of this place. We were ready by 9.10 a.m., however started off late since I called up Anil at the last moment of my plan. We left at 10.00 a.m and the journey was full of surprise elements since for the first time we came across tea plantation and the scenic views was mindboggling. The gamble had paid since we were at a height of around 7000 ft and this place was none less than our visit to Aritar. We had stopped on the way where we tried out momos (fried) and was a good stuff. Finally we reached this small place where we started our walk, as we proceeded further we were told by the local that it was a 3 hours journey and would lead us to a Monastery. We kept on walking and were in the middle of the jungle without any human civilization except us three and the trees. The air we were breathing in was like the one which was something we have never inhaled i.e., clear, energetic, more oxygen content. After walking for almost an hour Parul was feeling slight tired (off course she was never used to such walk). I was carrying DAKSH on my shoulder and was no sign of fatigue or tiredness. I decided to call it off since we had moved quite inside the jungle and we had travel back too. The experience of not reaching the destination was not letting down, since alteast we experienced the kind of jungle I had never seen in my life. While travelling back we halted at a botanical garden on the way and the place is worth a visit.
Day-4 5th March 09
We left at 8.00 a.m. in the morning to the Changu stand since we had to reach there by 8.30 for NATHULA. I was wearing a t-shirt, on which there was 3 additional shirts and a jacket. Daksh was also having 4-5 layers of clothes, the same was with Parul. We were lucky to find the front seat and we left with 10 tourists on board. The journey was setting my adrelaine running since this was the day we had been waiting for. The climb for the vehicle was becoming challenging since it’s at a great height. The journey is marked with lot of army base camps on the way and there is permission to be soughed for vehicles plying on this route. We were enjoying the each and every moment of our journey. On the way we halted at a place where there was lot of tourist vehicles and a place for refreshments and toilet to lighten on self. If any one missed out woolen clothes, one can shop at this place, however should be ready to shell out extra bucks. We then proceeded on after a halt of 15.00 minutes. There were lots of labours building the road which was the only connectivity to NATHULA. The journey was full of twists and turns and the road quality was pathetic. Finally I saw a huge chunk of white object on the mountains “”” that’s it it was ICE…ICE…ICE. The thing which we had been waiting for. Amazing, speechless, nature’s creation…thrilling. Finally we came across CHANGU LAKE…which was great among the mountains at a height of 10500 ft. finally we reached a check post where there was a road to BABA MANDIR for which there was no permission required. After getting clearance from the army personnel he gave us the green signal. We proceeded on and the minute by minute I had my blood gushing to see what exactly was NATHULA PASS. Finally we had arrived at 14500 ft. that was NATHULA. There were were halted and asked by our guide to be there in next 2.00 hours. As soon as we stepped out it was amazing, being at 14500 ft, we were not having any breathing problem, however it was chilly atmosphere. We climbed on since there was a last stretch of 10 minutes. Now I was able to touch ICE and pick it up. DAKSH Was at his best… picking up ice and then crying and again picking. Parul was slight tired in climbing the last leg. We were amidst mountains which were having snow spread on them. Finally we arrived at an elevated platform which was NATHULA. On one –sides were Indian soldiers and on the other side were Chinese. Tourists were taking photographs with the Chinese and they too were enjoying. We also took snaps with them. Infact they were having fun with DAKSH and they took there digital cameras and shooted photo of DAKSH with themselves Daksh was without his shoes and socks and was enjoying the chill. Great spirit.that my son. We took lots of photos and infact on the Chinese side I could see a mountain which was of ice and not rock, that was amazing. After spending 2 hours we set to the base with Daksh enjoying the lolly pop given by the Chinese soldiers. We went to BABA mandir which is in the name of the Indian soldier who got lost in the mountains and never returned. UBI ATM could be found at this height. We then finally reached CHANGU LAKE, the place must a visit and was terrific, and we saw YAKS and took photographs on the YAK of myself and DAKSH (INR 60.00). The weather changes every minute at such heights and within seconds it became so cold that PARUL was shivering so we came to the base nearby which had lots of shops selling refreshments and woolen clothes. We reached our hotel but the fond memories would always remain.
Day-5 6th March 09.
We checked out of our hotel and Arun & Debarathi picked us up from and we proceeded to see a water fall which was just 20-25 minutes from Gangtok. The place was RIDGE garden and had a great water fall. We took lots of photographs and I also took bath in the fall, the water was really cold.
We then went to Aruns hotel and set out for Pelling, we were quite late on account of late availability of big vehicle. We reached pelling at 9.00 and had left at 3.00 P.M. the place could not be seen however was much colder than GANGTOK. It was a small place with the main road and the check in hotels on bothsides.we checked in our hotel—Rabdentse residency (travel guru). The room was good with an attached balcony and a wooden furnishing on the walls. After taking our dinner we went too sleep. It was quite chilling with temperature of 7 at night.
Day-6 7th March 09
We left our hotel at 10.00 a.m. with our first destination being KHECHEOPALIRI LAKE – the place is at a distance of 25 kms from Pelling and this route to the destination is great. There is more greenery in Pelling than Gangtok and better too. We arrived at the lake which was a great sight since there was so much of calm and serenity. It’s not visited by too much of Indian tourist except for foreign ones. It was surrounded by mountains and lots of greenery. We then proceeded to KHANGCHENDZONGA water fall on the way to YUKSOM .the waterfall is beside the road, however can’t be seen since one has to go inside to see this majestic waterfall. The scene was terrific with water flowing with such a great force. One however needs to be careful since the rocks are slippery and one can fall. The water droplets were falling on our faces despite we all standing quite far from the main fall. DAKSH was shivering on account of the cold. Debarathi was wet on account of the fall, and Arun was advising her to be cautious of catching cold. We took snaps of each other and were worth a fun. After spending few hours we left for YUKSOM. After a drive of 40 minutes we arrived at the place which was a quiet place with shops and houses and finally we arrived at NORBUNGANG CHORTEN, in the form of stone seats and a huge stone like structure. The place had lot of tall trees with huge trunks we had never seen before. Finally we took our lunch at 4.00 p.m. and set back with fond memories. In the evening we were told while taking dinner that we need to leave at 7.30 a.m. for Gangtok since the next mode available was only at 12.00 p.m.
Day-7 8th March
We checked out and left for Gangtok at 7.35 a.m. we got the last seat and was painful and reached at around 12.00 p.m We got the vehicle and reached NJP at 4.00 p.m. much before the expected time since the train was at 8.00 p.m. arun was returning in the evening to Siliguri and hence we couldn’t go together. We boarded the train at 8.00 p.m. for sealdah
Day-8 9th Match
We reached Sealdah and managed to find taxi to reach badabazaar to priyesh house. Since it was one day before holi we couldn’t venture out too much but managed to visit BHOOTHNATH TEMPLE of Shiva. After spending the day at his house we left at 5 .00 p.m.to visit the cousin of Parul on the other side of GANGES via ferry. Finally made to Howrah to catch our train at 8.00 p.m.
Thus came the journey to an end.
Key takeaways: visit during March start, nathula must, trip to lachung a must (I missed), woolen clothes must, stay close to M.G.Rod
Day -2: 3rd March 09
Next day after our break fast (Aloo ka paratha) we left for the place at 9.00 A.M. it was a long drive and the journey was amazing since there were lots of greenery and the scenic beauty was breathtaking. There were few patches of the journey where the road was not good, otherwise it was comfortable. We stopped at a place for some refreshment. The food places in Gangtok normally stuff noodles, momos, dal/rice and WAI-WAI (substitute of MAGGI).AT 12: 15 P.M. we were at ARITAR LAKE roughly at a height of 5500 ft. my first impression was is this the place I should have come for any paid INR 1700.00, since it contained a lake (man made), however was surrounded by big pine trees and few guest houses. The lake had a boating facility; however I never wanted that since I was looking for something close to nature. Anil casually told us that there was a point at the top if we think of going there. I discounted that since I was not happy. Daksh was enjoying the place to the fullest since there were ducks inside the lakes and were quacking a lot. However the best part was that there were hardly any tourist and was not so crowded. We climbed up the place near the guest house and took lots of snaps. I told Parul to climb up to the top since we were curious of reaching the place. It was a 20-30 minutes climb; however it turned out to be the place I had always dreamt of. As we were climbing up on the stairs we were able to see the majestic range of mountains and the temperature was dropping at the same pace and must have been around 8-10. Finally we reached the top which was worth the sight and a place which has left a great impression on our minds. I felt like reaching heaven and the feeling and the emotions I was going through cant be expressed in words. We stayed over there for 2 hours and were enjoying the breeze and Daksh was at his best and was really delighted. We took lot of snaps we could have captured. There were few houses of the locals nearby, however none tourists and we were alone at a height of 6500 ft. after quenching our thirst of the glimpses of the mountain and feeling satisfied we proceeded towards the base. I thanked my tour guys from my heart, since by this time they had understood what I was looking for. We reached the hotel at 7.10 p.m. and took the dinner at one of the veg joints on the M.G. Road. Visit to gangtok can’t be complete without a trip to NATHULA PASS. I enquired with my hotel manager and he informed of the trip to nathula being cancelled on account of heavy snowfall. I decided to approach tour operators who had their shop on the M.G. Road and the trip was fixed for 5th March. We submitted 2 photographs each, PAN card photocopy and INR 1100.00.
Day-3: 4TH March 09
There was a sudden change in plan of Arun (newly wed couple) since they had to halt at Siliguri and so I asked my guys for a new place and after much discussion and thought we left for TENDONG HILL. This place was a gamble my me since Anil was also not so aware of this place. We were ready by 9.10 a.m., however started off late since I called up Anil at the last moment of my plan. We left at 10.00 a.m and the journey was full of surprise elements since for the first time we came across tea plantation and the scenic views was mindboggling. The gamble had paid since we were at a height of around 7000 ft and this place was none less than our visit to Aritar. We had stopped on the way where we tried out momos (fried) and was a good stuff. Finally we reached this small place where we started our walk, as we proceeded further we were told by the local that it was a 3 hours journey and would lead us to a Monastery. We kept on walking and were in the middle of the jungle without any human civilization except us three and the trees. The air we were breathing in was like the one which was something we have never inhaled i.e., clear, energetic, more oxygen content. After walking for almost an hour Parul was feeling slight tired (off course she was never used to such walk). I was carrying DAKSH on my shoulder and was no sign of fatigue or tiredness. I decided to call it off since we had moved quite inside the jungle and we had travel back too. The experience of not reaching the destination was not letting down, since alteast we experienced the kind of jungle I had never seen in my life. While travelling back we halted at a botanical garden on the way and the place is worth a visit.
Day-4 5th March 09
We left at 8.00 a.m. in the morning to the Changu stand since we had to reach there by 8.30 for NATHULA. I was wearing a t-shirt, on which there was 3 additional shirts and a jacket. Daksh was also having 4-5 layers of clothes, the same was with Parul. We were lucky to find the front seat and we left with 10 tourists on board. The journey was setting my adrelaine running since this was the day we had been waiting for. The climb for the vehicle was becoming challenging since it’s at a great height. The journey is marked with lot of army base camps on the way and there is permission to be soughed for vehicles plying on this route. We were enjoying the each and every moment of our journey. On the way we halted at a place where there was lot of tourist vehicles and a place for refreshments and toilet to lighten on self. If any one missed out woolen clothes, one can shop at this place, however should be ready to shell out extra bucks. We then proceeded on after a halt of 15.00 minutes. There were lots of labours building the road which was the only connectivity to NATHULA. The journey was full of twists and turns and the road quality was pathetic. Finally I saw a huge chunk of white object on the mountains “”” that’s it it was ICE…ICE…ICE. The thing which we had been waiting for. Amazing, speechless, nature’s creation…thrilling. Finally we came across CHANGU LAKE…which was great among the mountains at a height of 10500 ft. finally we reached a check post where there was a road to BABA MANDIR for which there was no permission required. After getting clearance from the army personnel he gave us the green signal. We proceeded on and the minute by minute I had my blood gushing to see what exactly was NATHULA PASS. Finally we had arrived at 14500 ft. that was NATHULA. There were were halted and asked by our guide to be there in next 2.00 hours. As soon as we stepped out it was amazing, being at 14500 ft, we were not having any breathing problem, however it was chilly atmosphere. We climbed on since there was a last stretch of 10 minutes. Now I was able to touch ICE and pick it up. DAKSH Was at his best… picking up ice and then crying and again picking. Parul was slight tired in climbing the last leg. We were amidst mountains which were having snow spread on them. Finally we arrived at an elevated platform which was NATHULA. On one –sides were Indian soldiers and on the other side were Chinese. Tourists were taking photographs with the Chinese and they too were enjoying. We also took snaps with them. Infact they were having fun with DAKSH and they took there digital cameras and shooted photo of DAKSH with themselves Daksh was without his shoes and socks and was enjoying the chill. Great spirit.that my son. We took lots of photos and infact on the Chinese side I could see a mountain which was of ice and not rock, that was amazing. After spending 2 hours we set to the base with Daksh enjoying the lolly pop given by the Chinese soldiers. We went to BABA mandir which is in the name of the Indian soldier who got lost in the mountains and never returned. UBI ATM could be found at this height. We then finally reached CHANGU LAKE, the place must a visit and was terrific, and we saw YAKS and took photographs on the YAK of myself and DAKSH (INR 60.00). The weather changes every minute at such heights and within seconds it became so cold that PARUL was shivering so we came to the base nearby which had lots of shops selling refreshments and woolen clothes. We reached our hotel but the fond memories would always remain.
Day-5 6th March 09.
We checked out of our hotel and Arun & Debarathi picked us up from and we proceeded to see a water fall which was just 20-25 minutes from Gangtok. The place was RIDGE garden and had a great water fall. We took lots of photographs and I also took bath in the fall, the water was really cold.
We then went to Aruns hotel and set out for Pelling, we were quite late on account of late availability of big vehicle. We reached pelling at 9.00 and had left at 3.00 P.M. the place could not be seen however was much colder than GANGTOK. It was a small place with the main road and the check in hotels on bothsides.we checked in our hotel—Rabdentse residency (travel guru). The room was good with an attached balcony and a wooden furnishing on the walls. After taking our dinner we went too sleep. It was quite chilling with temperature of 7 at night.
Day-6 7th March 09
We left our hotel at 10.00 a.m. with our first destination being KHECHEOPALIRI LAKE – the place is at a distance of 25 kms from Pelling and this route to the destination is great. There is more greenery in Pelling than Gangtok and better too. We arrived at the lake which was a great sight since there was so much of calm and serenity. It’s not visited by too much of Indian tourist except for foreign ones. It was surrounded by mountains and lots of greenery. We then proceeded to KHANGCHENDZONGA water fall on the way to YUKSOM .the waterfall is beside the road, however can’t be seen since one has to go inside to see this majestic waterfall. The scene was terrific with water flowing with such a great force. One however needs to be careful since the rocks are slippery and one can fall. The water droplets were falling on our faces despite we all standing quite far from the main fall. DAKSH was shivering on account of the cold. Debarathi was wet on account of the fall, and Arun was advising her to be cautious of catching cold. We took snaps of each other and were worth a fun. After spending few hours we left for YUKSOM. After a drive of 40 minutes we arrived at the place which was a quiet place with shops and houses and finally we arrived at NORBUNGANG CHORTEN, in the form of stone seats and a huge stone like structure. The place had lot of tall trees with huge trunks we had never seen before. Finally we took our lunch at 4.00 p.m. and set back with fond memories. In the evening we were told while taking dinner that we need to leave at 7.30 a.m. for Gangtok since the next mode available was only at 12.00 p.m.
Day-7 8th March
We checked out and left for Gangtok at 7.35 a.m. we got the last seat and was painful and reached at around 12.00 p.m We got the vehicle and reached NJP at 4.00 p.m. much before the expected time since the train was at 8.00 p.m. arun was returning in the evening to Siliguri and hence we couldn’t go together. We boarded the train at 8.00 p.m. for sealdah
Day-8 9th Match
We reached Sealdah and managed to find taxi to reach badabazaar to priyesh house. Since it was one day before holi we couldn’t venture out too much but managed to visit BHOOTHNATH TEMPLE of Shiva. After spending the day at his house we left at 5 .00 p.m.to visit the cousin of Parul on the other side of GANGES via ferry. Finally made to Howrah to catch our train at 8.00 p.m.
Thus came the journey to an end.
Key takeaways: visit during March start, nathula must, trip to lachung a must (I missed), woolen clothes must, stay close to M.G.Rod
More Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30002962@N05/
