Sikkim is a very small hilly state of India and is one of the 18 bio diversity hot spots of the world.The world's third highest mountain Mount Kanchenjunga is regarded as the guardian deity of Sikkim.Sikkim is a very popular tourist destination owing to its culture,scenic beauty and bio diversity.It is approx.590 km. away from Guwahati.We decided to travel by train as for my kids specially my daughter really wanted to travel by train.Rajdhani Express (ghy-delhi) was the obvious choice .....we boarded the train at 6.45 as departure time was 7.05 am.It was a beautiful and exciting 6 hr. journey till NJP(new jalpai guri-West Bengal).....morning tea,breakfast,soup,lunch everything was provided by the train pantry(free ofcourse....).These pics are from moving train.This pic is showing JUTE-PLANTATION.
We crossed miles and miles of tea-gardens.
It was a cloudy day with little drizzling......the gardens looked lush and very fresh.On reaching NJP we hired cars ,though GANGTOK(Sikkim's capital)is only125 km.away from NJP .....it takes nearly 4 hrs to cover this distance .
The road is very narrow and serpentine but offers you some real breathtaking views....to capture them from a moving car is tough and you can't stop your car as it effects the traffic flow.....i got some angry looks from drivers of the other cars following us...teehee.This is river TISTA....it almost flows right across the length of Sikkim-it originates from from Lake Cholamu where it is hardly a stream.
During monsoons TISTA becomes swift,muddy and dangerous......we witnessed many landslides on our way because it was raining continuously for last few days......people were busy clearing the road
I was sitting on the right hand side and while crossing these landslide areas i was avoiding looking at the river side of the road..one mistake and down you go......and our driver was very kind too ...telling us about all the accidents which happened in recent past......still the journey was fun......driver played a great collection of Nepali songs....it was alltogether a very different experience.
It took us nearly four and half hrs. to reach Gangtok because of the poor condition of the road.
It is off-season now because of monsoon .....but a large influx of tourists this year was surprising to even local people.
We crossed miles and miles of tea-gardens.
It was a cloudy day with little drizzling......the gardens looked lush and very fresh.On reaching NJP we hired cars ,though GANGTOK(Sikkim's capital)is only125 km.away from NJP .....it takes nearly 4 hrs to cover this distance .
The road is very narrow and serpentine but offers you some real breathtaking views....to capture them from a moving car is tough and you can't stop your car as it effects the traffic flow.....i got some angry looks from drivers of the other cars following us...teehee.This is river TISTA....it almost flows right across the length of Sikkim-it originates from from Lake Cholamu where it is hardly a stream.
During monsoons TISTA becomes swift,muddy and dangerous......we witnessed many landslides on our way because it was raining continuously for last few days......people were busy clearing the road
I was sitting on the right hand side and while crossing these landslide areas i was avoiding looking at the river side of the road..one mistake and down you go......and our driver was very kind too ...telling us about all the accidents which happened in recent past......still the journey was fun......driver played a great collection of Nepali songs....it was alltogether a very different experience.
It took us nearly four and half hrs. to reach Gangtok because of the poor condition of the road.
It is off-season now because of monsoon .....but a large influx of tourists this year was surprising to even local people.
Wowwwww......I think i am visiting the place in August.... :D...
ReplyDeleteThis post and the pictures brought back memories of my trip to Kalimpong. It was one of my best holidays, the soft drizzling rain, the beautiful greens and the lovely people, I am really fond of the hill people. Lovely post once again, the pictures you take are lovely!
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds like a lovely trip you took.
ReplyDeletewow, thanks for sharing. Nice to know such places exist in my country. I will have to travel sikkim now. Thanks
ReplyDeletethis is a really nice and green place. Thanks for sharing with your pictures. I hope you enjoyed your week.
ReplyDeleteK hiiiiii..thanks a tonne for your kind words dear friend...yday i was trying to post comments but the computer was going bonkers..anywy..thanks again and stay connected
ReplyDeletethanks for taking us along-it's fascinating to see more of India's beautiful countryside. I really know so little about your homeland.
ReplyDeletehow long i have been wishing to visit NE..my friend freny maneckshaw is lucky as she spends much time there..but one day insha allah i will be der...v ll all catch up..what say dear friend..?
ReplyDeletewow!! seems like you had an awesome time!! i'm keeping a running list of places to visit. keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteHi Kavita! Long time no see. 4-1/2 hrs by car is too long for me. My knees would get stuck after awhile. LOL. But, I am glad you enjoyed your trip. Can't wait to see more of your photos!
ReplyDeleteThis was such fun to see. I love traveling with you, Kavita. Everything looks so green. Ahhh... that's what a monsoon looks like!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comment.If time permits visit my other blogs also.
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Very beautifully described with lovely pictures.I have been to Gangtok and liked the place very much.After reading your wonderful post and seeing the pictures I feel like visiting Gangtok again.
Hey Kavita,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back dear.
It looks like a good trip that you took. Thanks for sharing the photographs of the journey, though, I'm sure there is more to come :-)
Take care
Super Cool!
ReplyDeleteKavita, welcome back. I was wondering how no post is there from your blog. My blog list did not update your post.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful photographs. I liked the photo where the river is flowing...and the last one which looks like fog.
All tourist places are best to visit off-season - crowd will be less. I wish I come there as soon as possible. We had been planning for the past one year. Waiting for my elder son's arrival. Wanted to visit there with him. December is not appropriate to visit. Sometime, next year then. Will mark these posts, to read before coming there. Thank you.
It is beautiful... can't wait to see the local colorful attires. Did u dress up in the Sikkimese dress too?
ReplyDeletehi diz is dhon n thanks for all those info.... as m planin a byk ride to sikkim...
ReplyDeleteGreat blog..loved it...
ReplyDeletei am going to visit sikkim in july 1st week is this right time to go there..???
ReplyDelete