I was waiting for my upcoming April trip which already had been cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic but in the month of January I had no idea about the current situation happening,and at that time I was just really wanting to be in the Mountains again, as in the last trip I left my JBL flip 3 in the car mistakenly but the car owner promised me he would return it if I give a visit to his village. So suddenly I just started my journey from Odisha on 15th of January towards New Jalpaiguri with no proper plan. Inside the train I decided to ride through Zuluk and Gnathang valley via car owner's village. On 16th I reached there in the evening and rented a bike and decided to start my journey next day early Morning towards Gangtok as I have to take permits for Gnathang valley and Tsomgo Lake.
I started my Journey from NJP towards Gangtok and this is my third time here but this time riding bike through the hills gave me an uttermost feeling of it. When I reached Gangtok it was little bit raining and my heart got little bit upset that I am not getting any permits for Gnathang valley but wishing to get a permit on the next day I decided to stay there. I roamed near famous MG Marg and had some delicious food also bought something. This was how I passed the total day out there.
A Hamlet village in the East sikkim at altitude of around 2000 mtrs surrounded by hills and a quiet place to roam around there.
Well, next day I woke up and directly went to permit office and came back with a bad news that no more permits will be issued untill further notice as there was huge snowfall into the higher altitude area. I was upset little bit as my plan went into wrong direction. After few minutes I was checking where should I go now, so nothing came into my mind at that time and headed towards car owner's home at Rolep. I decided after reaching there I would decide where I should go to the next day. During my riding towards Rolep I had gone through many bad experiences while driving the bike. Bike tyres slipped twice as the roads became huge muddy due to rain. But safely reached there and car owner, named Goverdhan Gurung welcomed me with full of joy. Around 2 pm I reached there and after having Lunch he decided to take me to some places inside his village. Yes! I got a splendid view when he took me towards a Mountain top where a Monastery is getting built by the locals and I think it will be finished within 6 months. Then he took me to meet with his brother, sister and also parents. They are really cool and treated me like I had known them for a long time, it was feeling like a home for me! I had bonfire in the evening and there I little bit studied for where I should go to the next day and decided to head towards Dhotrey village near Darjeeling. It was a remarkable day at Rolep and I will visit here again.
A very little village in the lap of hills to enjoy the best view of Kanchanjungha range.
So, next day early morning I leave Rolep and driving through the hills of Sikkim and after few hours I entered into the hills of North Bengal and the natural beauty of here is always eye catching. Roads are surrounded by tea gardens and pine Forests and sometimes I was driving through the clouds, sometimes weather is getting clear. I just enjoyed that moment which I am sharing but the feeling I can't express it until you have visited that place. On the way I visited Lamhatta eco village and mall road, Darjeeling had some lunch but due to unavailability of parking, I left there after an hour and headed straight to Dhotrey village. Roads from Darjeeling to this village I drove, it was one of the best ever. When I reached there I checked into Sherpas' lodge. And seriously when I reached there this village made me the feeling that I found my lost love here! After the sunset I was sitting under the stars for about 4-5 hours and I don't know where I lost during that time. Maybe lost into stargazing which is one of my favorite. But as the times passed after 10 pm, the coldness was getting worse. I think it was getting into minus. So after taking some few shots I went for a sleep.
Situated at the altitude of 3000 mtrs, it is called one of the trekkers paradise as Sandakphu trail goes through this place.
So next day yes! I had to watch the sunrise and I think it was the best Sunrise I have witnessed till date. I seriously can't express it with my words. After breakfast I started my trekking towards Tonglu which is a 5 km uphill trek which will take around 3 hours. Through the deep jungles, having snow in the trails, I enjoyed my this journey also with the view of Kanchanjungha which was changing always. When I reached Tonglu, I just sat on a mountain top where Nepal is just few meters away and my heart is literally telling that I should not leave this place. I was watching how the clouds were playing with me. Enjoyed the sunset but after the sunset the temperature went down very fast and when I talked to some locals they told me that it's already minus. I met two new friends inside the homestay and decided to watch the Sunrise at tonglu top together.
Yes! Next day we went together to enjoy the sunrise and I can say that it gave me the feeling that I was standing over the horizon and sun is rising just below me! And Kanchanjungha is shining red! After breakfast I trek down to Dhotrey again and packed my bags and headed towards NJP through Mirik and roads were really full of untouched beauty of pine forests. On the way I also visited Mirik lake. So before the lockdown it was my last unplanned trip to the Mountains. I know I have to fight during this situation and just waiting to be there real soon. Right now stay home stay safe!
