Another escape to Majestic Sikkim (Rinchenpong, Pelling, Okhrey, Varsey)

Point Zero

Well-Known Member
These days runaway designed things are in and so aligned to this I went for a runaway trip. I had many trips but this was of its own kind. No planning, no destination decided just wanted a break. My last trip planned cancelled due to some unexpected medical issue in my family and that led me to take this adverse step. Last moment packing and a day car preparation was all. The start was similar just the Christmas leaves were punched with weekends.

2016_1223_194435_001.jpg

Leaving Home ...

Day 0 and Day 1(Kolkata -> Siliguri -> Jorethang -> Zoom -> Kaluk -> Rinchenpong):

IMG_20161223_215742.jpg

Near Airport .. Waiting in heavy traffic

2016_1223_225906_019.jpg

2016_1228_011302_001.jpg

Somewhere at SH7


The night travel was a regular one but early morning drive was something that has to be mentioned. Beyond Raiganj at point Bolero penetrated through the zero visibility fog like a light beam of sun penetrating the atmosphere. From here onwards, the play of thief and police started between bolero and Volvo. The kolkata-siliguri Royal cruiser sometimes is ahead of me and when it took break, I led it. On the Botolbari road I beat its projector which chased me for a while. The truck line was a small hurdle for me but a big one for that huge machine rendering it to slow down. Beyond the truck jam, once again the blue giant ran faster than we did. The fog was of no filter for it but I was barely able to see through it at an arm's distance also.

Drive Through Fog Botolbari Road​

This run away lasted until Islampur where we lost the blue giant and move towards Rinchenpong via siliguri -> Jorethang -> Zoom. On the way, we took a break at Jorethang for late lunch and called hotels at Rinchenpong to ensure our stay for the day.

2016_1224_071338_001.jpg

last Few KM of Botolbari Road at Early Morning.

2016_1224_075646_004.jpg

After Crossing Islampur .. Moving towards Bagdogra

IMG_20161224_063145.jpg

TKD_0945.jpg

Near Bagdogra .. Still the visibility is very poor.

2016_1224_121951_001.jpg

2016_1224_142355_007.jpg

On the way to Jorethang

TKD_0961.jpg

TKD_0962.jpg

TKD_0966.jpg

On the way to Jorethang

Journey from Siliguri to Rinchenpong​

TKD_0978.jpg

Reached Rinchenpong via Zoom and Kaluk

Sitting at the hotel room over dinner the topic of discussion was the next day itinerary. Where to go what to do? My friend was least interested for any outing but I cannot stay in a room for the whole day.

To be continued ...
 

Point Zero

Well-Known Member
Day 2(Rinchenpong –> Dentam -> Pelling -> Uttarey -> Chaaya Taal -> Rinchenpong):

Lazy cloudy morning, somehow I got out of bed. Soon got dressed and accompanied by my wife and brother-in-law set forth because once a nomad is always a nomad. The hotel staffs were not much enthusiastic while talking about the local site seeing though this did not affect us much.

Some near by places at Rinchenpong..

TKD_0989.jpg

Rabindra Smriti Van. Near our Hotel at Rinchenpong

TKD_0992.jpg

Way to Rabindra Smriti Van.

TKD_1002.jpg


TKD_1011.jpg
TKD_1004.jpg

Some random snaps at nearby monastery

Started driving towards Dentam and enjoyed beautiful valleys on right side. There was no hurry at all, so very slowly we reached Dentam and then decided to move forward as we had nothing in our plans. There are some famous tourist point on this route to Pelling but to me the most uncommon places looks much more beautiful then any specific tourist location. I will share some pictures of different famous points, which may help you to plan your trip. Soon we reached Pelling and planned to have some thuppa before going to Rabdentse and Pemayangtse Monastery.

TKD_1017.jpg

Near Hee
TKD_1019.jpg

Some water park near Hee

TKD_1037.jpg

Cultivation near Dentam

TKD_1045.jpg

DentamValley

TKD_1065.jpg


TKD_1069.jpg

Waterfalls on the way

TKD_1075.jpg

Random Snap



It was a pleasure to meet Miss Ruby at breakfast at her restaurant near Pelling. She was a Lady of great interest as she was spreading the cognizance of the importance and significance of her place among Indians as well as foreign tourists. She had been involved in photography, documentary films and even on the verge of publishing a book of her own. Miss Ruby urged to promote her religion of humanism, which has not yet come to the lime light. I will definitely be in her touch for my next itinerary to Sikkim.
TKD_1079.jpg


TKD_1082.jpg


TKD_1081.jpg

Miss Ruby and Her Shop cum Home at Pelling

To be continued ...
 
Last edited:

Point Zero

Well-Known Member
Day 2 continued ...

The gateway to Pemayangtse Monastery was just a few miles from the restaurant beyond the bakery. Before the monastery, we went straight to the Rabdenste ruins, which is the only place of archeological interest in Sikkim. It was cloudy so we were not lucky enough to view Kangchenjunga from there (Kangchenjunga view is beautiful from this ruin).

TKD_1088.jpg

TKD_1093.jpg

TKD_1095.jpg

TKD_1100.jpg

TKD_1110.jpg

TKD_1114.jpg

TKD_1122.jpg

TKD_1127.jpg

TKD_1129.jpg

TKD_1130.jpg

TKD_1149.jpg

TKD_1153.jpg

Different view of Rabdentse

Rabdentse was the second capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim from 1670 to 1814. The capital city was destroyed by the invading Gurkha army and only the ruins of the palace and the chortens are seen here now. However, the ruins of this city are seen close to Pelling and in West Sikkim district in the Northeastern Indian state of present-day Sikkim. Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim that is close to the ruins.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabdentse

TKD_1160.jpg

TKD_1170.jpg

TKD_1172.jpg

Pemayangtse Monastery

To be continued ...
 
Last edited:

Point Zero

Well-Known Member
Day 2 continued ...

Paid homage to this place and came down to Pelling again and then planned to go back towards Kaluk. Just before Dentam we took a break to play Carrom in a tea shop. At that place with a cup of tea in my hand, I saw the Dentam valley appeared like the shape of our country, beautiful!

TKD_1180.jpg

TKD_1184.jpg


TKD_1197.jpg


TKD_1201.jpg
India map like valley


TKD_1212.jpg


Sikkim has started charging parking and entry fees to earn from tourism. Somehow, I did not like it. The next point was the 2nd highest bridge in Asia, Singshore Bridge which was very crowded due to 25th December, but the piece was really amazing to have a look at. The last one out of the main route was Chaaya Tal and Hee-Patal. I drove quite a long distance in search of it though it was not worth that. While returning it was dusk. The artificial lake was not of much appreciation but having a picnic can be a good idea there (Hahaha). I had no idea that I have driven more than 120kms in this day.

TKD_1237.jpg

TKD_1249.jpg

Singshore Bridge

TKD_1264.jpg

TKD_1273.jpg

Chaaya Tal

To be continued ...
 

Point Zero

Well-Known Member
Day 3 (Rinchenpong -> Serong -> Okhrey - > Hilley -> Varsey -> Okhrey):

Santanu Da (BHOOTER RAJA in BCM Touring) suggested us to stay at Okhrey if possible. Next Morning from Rinchenpong we started driving toward Serong and then reached Okhrey by 10:00 AM. It was a lucky day and just at the onset of Okhrey we met Mr. Cer Sherpa, the owner of a home-stay where we stayed. Well maintained lawn to sit and a beautiful view all around. We were in a dilemma of shall we go to Barsey (Varsey) or stay here only enjoying the afternoon. This is not a season of Rhododendrons so at Barsey there will be nothing special to see but then there was nothing to do for the day also. Ultimately, the owner of the Okhrey hotel made a wise suggestion as he told us to drive to Hilley relish the view and the weather and then come back.

TKD_1285.jpg

TKD_1309.jpg

Some snaps before leaving Rinchenpong

TKD_1319.jpg

On the way to Sombaria
TKD_1325.jpg

TKD_1326.jpg

TKD_1334.jpg

TKD_1337.jpg

TKD_1340.jpg


TKD_1347.jpg

TKD_1360.jpg

TKD_1366.jpg

TKD_1371.jpg

TKD_1373.jpg

TKD_1375.jpg


TKD_1389.jpg

TKD_1391.jpg

On the way we visited one lonely Monastery

TKD_1396.jpg

Our Stay at Okhrey

To be continued ....
 

Point Zero

Well-Known Member
Day 3 continued ...

My friend as usual was not willing to walk a mile, how can he trek for 4.5 kms? When we reached Hilley, at the entrance gate the jungle seemed to beckon us and so we were desperate to check it out. The forest officer handed us the entry ticket, I equipped my brother-in-law with the walky-talky, and another piece was with my friend sitting in the car. Dense forest appeared to be adventurous and it was humid and dingy. Just beyond 1 km, it started raining but on having a closer look, I was amazed to see the pearls of snow.

TKD_1458.jpg

Ready to leave for Varesy
TKD_1465.jpg

Welcome to Varsey

TKD_1472.jpg

TKD_1487.jpg


TKD_1516.jpg

TKD_1534.jpg

Entry to Treking Road
TKD_1547.jpg

TKD_1557.jpg

TKD_1565.jpg

TKD_1571.jpg

TKD_1608.jpg

TKD_1616.jpg

TKD_1643.jpg

TKD_1683.jpg

TKD_1684.jpg

TKD_1710.jpg

TKD_1725.jpg


IMG20161226134856.jpg

TKD_1752.jpg


To be continued ....
 

Point Zero

Well-Known Member
Journey continued ...
On the onset of the snowfall, I called up my friend and once he was sure that the roads were not tedious, he wished to join us. We waited for him at a resting point after 2 km of trek. When we met him, the adventure of the jungle was visible on his face. Soon the place covered in snow and we became a bit playful. Here at the resting point, we met people coming back and conveyed us that they were the last among the group who were not going to put up at Guras Kunj. They said that there is provision for food there.

TKD_1755.jpg


TKD_1774.jpg

TKD_1786.jpg

TKD_1795.jpg


TKD_1802.jpg

TKD_1817.jpg

TKD_1819.jpg


At the top, Guras Kunj was built on a large flat area. The snow-clad land was more prominent here because we could view a wider area. For lunch, there was noodles and limited egg available. Sudden snowfall has hindered the delivery of food materials from Hilley to Barsey. Fed with noodles and omelets, I was all set to walk downhill.

TKD_1825.jpg

TKD_1831.jpg

TKD_1862.jpg

TKD_1868.jpg

At Guras Kunj

Downhill was slippery because the snowfall has stopped and it has started melting. The water on the hardened ice gave yield to the applied pressure. When I reached near my car, I was overwhelmed to see ice on the head of my car.

TKD_1882.jpg

TKD_1886.jpg


TKD_1906.jpg


TKD_1922.jpg

TKD_1927.jpg

Return Journey

TKD_1929.jpg

TKD_1931.jpg


TKD_1936.jpg

TKD_1947.jpg

Reached Hilley

To be continued ...
 
Top