Hey, If I ask you, have you ever been on a bike trip to Sittong in Darjeeling? Your answer could be Yes or No, but your reaction should be like – Oh, it’s incredible! The feeling of freedom as you ride through the winding roads surrounded by lush greenery is indescribable. You can imagine.
If you ask me what was your favorite part of the trip? Definitely the moments when we stopped at the viewpoints to take in the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the tea gardens. And the joy of meeting the friendly locals and experiencing their warm hospitality added to the whole experience. it’s a trip that will stay with me forever. If you ever get the chance, you should definitely experience it for yourself.
And yes, bike trips in the mountains can be safe as long as you remain calm and patient, and stay disciplined on the road. No over speeding is key – it’s all about enjoying the journey and taking in the stunning surroundings. It’s an adventure that’s worth every moment, and the memories will last a lifetime.
There was no conventional planning. Me and Tanay were mostly available in that weekend and we decided to take the train, opting for general tickets. I never have much issues with train journeys, except for the foods. So we packed our rucksacks, foods along with essentials for the journey, making sure we had everything we needed for a comfortable and enjoyable time. The plan was to return by Monday, giving us ample time to explore and soak in the beauty of the place. As we boarded the train, excitement bubbled within us, and we eagerly anticipated the adventures that awaited us. We managed to grab two seats for us in the general compartment. Though it was not an issue traveling in general class since I was a regular passenger of Black Diamond super fast to Asansol once upon a time.
Our morning started with the bustling sounds of local vendors in Siliguri, making the air seem hot and lively. After getting down from train the biggest thing appeared on our mind is breakfast. Tanay loves the puri and sabji from Siliguri Junction. So we grabbed some before heading towards our bike partner’s workshop.
Every time we use to conquer different bikes. This time I thought to check out some Royal Enfield 350 classics. But classic 350 was unavailable. Bajaj Dominar 400 it was. After completing the paper works we hit the road in style! This bike trip reminded of my bike trip to Jhargram with Soumyodipto couples of years back.
Due to some road works in Siliguri, you can’t stand the traffic these days. It’s such a nightmare trying to get through the local market. It’s like every street is jam-packed with cars and people. I don’t understand how anyone gets anywhere on time.
After entering into Hill cart road, Wow! this was so much better. The road was less crowded. This used to be our forever favorite route. No more stress about traffic.
Tanay could not wait to cross Mahananda wildlife sanctuary. There are some of his favorite shops there where he always used to grab some beer, momos, and other food items what he likes.
I didn’t know that much. Well, I was glad that he had found favorite snacks before we continue our journey. And the landscape as we cross through Sukna forest was just breathtaking. The beautiful forest scenery on both sides of the road always makes me happy. It’s like a treat for the eyes. I loved how the lush greenery and the peaceful surroundings just lifted up our spirits.
After crossing Shivkhola bridge, the landscape got completely changed. It was absolutely stunning. My heart was shouting like – “Look at those lush green hills and the clear blue sky.” We took an uphill road towards Sittong. It was still going to take us about an hour to reach there, but I was sure the journey will be worth it. I could not wait to see what Sittong has in store for us.
After riding for 40 minutes almost we crossed Panchakanya Homestay back there in Sittong. It looked really nice, but it was not where we were supposed to be staying at night. We have an invitation to stay at another homestay in sittong. I thought we should ask one of the villagers for directions. They probably know the area better than Google.
One villager pointed us a trail to follow for 10 minutes. It looked like we were taking a bit of an offbeat trail to get there. I hoped it would not be to difficult for me to ride the bike. I convinced my mind- “Nah, I’m up for the adventure. Let’s go!”
Now while riding, one two times it felt like I was loosing my track, but I controlled my pace. After coming to a spot there was a dead end. We got down from bike. Asked people again about the homestay location. They said to keep the bike there and complete the remaining trail by walking, pointing to a direction.
Oh man, that was a crazy ride. I thought we were going to get lost for a second there. I was starting to doubt our decision to take this route. But I handled it like a pro. I just had to keep my cool and not panic. But now we came at a dead end. Where now?
We thought to ask some local people over there once again. Maybe they could point us in the right direction. While asking a local nearby he told to leave our bike there and to conclude the remaining journey by walk. It was that way (I Felt like it was juuust there, where I used to come very frequently). Fine! at least we were closer to our destination.
We started to trek uphill from that point which led us through a tea garden. After crossing few meters, it was a vast tea garden all around which made us simply speechless. It’s like we’re walking through a painting. And carrying our luggage up this hill is quite the workout.
We had to take a right there, and after crossing right it was another tea garden. It was amazing how the landscape changed from one tea garden to the next. Oh, then I looked at a homestay. People booked their stay there for that day. But that was not our destination, that I understood. We kept on walking. Ah we crossed two more homestays. And there was a small lake (Pokhri) on our left.
Suddenly within 50 meters,we spotted a low, flat land on right. Oh, I think that was it! That was our destination. We found the homestay owner came out few meters to greet us. We knew that he was waiting for us since last one hour.
The homestay owner then… Oh I forgot to introduce the homestay owner in Sittong. He was in around 40s, stout, strong Nepali man, named ‘Bahadur ji’ (I changed the name for the sake of our story). Bahadur ji made some special organic tea from his garden. The aroma of the tea was so nice that we couldn’t resist taking big gulps and finishing it off in no time. It was one of those moments when you savor every sip and feel the warmth spreading through your body. The room felt cozy, with the scent of the tea lingering in the air.
Alright, Bahadur ji asked to get freshen up and he would sort out lunch for us. I informed Tanay as we settled into the spacious room with three king-size beds- “It’s been days since we’ve had a proper bath, so let’s get ready for that and then we can grab a bite to eat,” I suggested, eager to freshen up and enjoy a good meal. With a sense of relief and anticipation, we readied ourselves for a much-needed bath, looking forward to the simple pleasures of cleanliness and a satisfying meal after a long journey.
The geyser provided hot water for our refreshing bath, and we enjoyed the beautiful garden view from the balcony while Bahadur ji brought us lunch. It was such a delightful experience to relax in the comfort of the balcony and savor our meal amidst the serene surroundings.
Bahadur ji brough for us plain rice, vegetable curry (Sabji), daal, egg curry, salads (cucumber, onion, special chilli) with their beautifully crafted plates, hot water jugs and other cutlery items. Wow, the taste of Nepali dishes is awesome, isn’t it? We were enjoying every bite of the meal; it was so delicious. The flavors were just bursting in my mouth. I could’t get enough of this amazing meals. The spices and the aromas were just so inviting.
After we finished our meal, we strolled out into the garden, taking in the serene surroundings. Bahadur ji swiftly cleared the table, ensuring everything was spick and span. The cool breeze brushed against our skin as we made our way back to our rooms, feeling content and relaxed. The evening sun cast a warm glow over the sprawling grounds, creating a peaceful ambiance.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Tanay got ready to pour some drinks. He reached for the bottle of Old Monk and poured generous measures into the glasses. Meanwhile, Tanay placed an order for some delicious chicken tandoori to accompany the drinks. With the drinks poured and the food on its way, the stage was set for an enjoyable night of good company and tasty treats.
I must admit, I skipped the drink for some reason and went straight for the chicken tandoori. It was deliciously made in large quantities, and I couldn’t resist the temptation. So we sat on the second balcony from where Mt. Kanchenjunga can be visible. The balcony where we took lunch during lunch that was in front part of the homestay. So the second balcony was actually hanging on the edges towards the valley.
Bundled up in blankets, we found ourselves on the balcony, shivering in the cold, with no idea how we had ended up there. The ethereal sounds of Pink Floyd filled the air, setting the stage for our meaningless discussions that seemed to flow effortlessly. The moon cast a soft glow over the surroundings, adding to the surreal atmosphere. Our words intertwined with the music, creating a tapestry of thoughts and emotions. Each passing moment felt like a fleeting dream, as we delved deeper into the night, lost in the captivating spell of Pink Floyd’s melodies.
The morning sun was already high up in the sky when we finally emerged from our deep slumber. Bahadur ji, our gracious host in Sittong, had been waiting patiently with a steaming hot breakfast of paratha, sabji, and a side of tangy pickle and spicy chilli. We savored every bite as we chatted about our plans for the day ahead. The late start didn’t dampen our spirits, and we continued our talks.
As we realized it was already late to leave, we knew we had to onboard another destination for the night. So, we bid goodbye to the cozy room with three king-size beds and set off on our next adventure. The urgency in our voices as we planned our next move added to the excitement of the journey. It was a whirlwind of decision-making and quick packing, but we were determined to make the most of our time.
We came downhill by walk to the spot where we parked our bike. After mounting our bags on the bike, we set our navigation from Sittong through Mongpu village, eager to explore the unknown. The road stretched out before us, winding through lush greenery and promising adventure at every turn. Who knew what was waiting for us next tonight? The thrill of explore fueled our spirits as we embraced the uncertainty of that day’s journey. With the wind in our hair and the sun on our backs, we rode on, ready to embrace whatever the night had in store for us.
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