Cycle India: Darjeeling and Sikkim

Experience the stunning mountain scenery and relatively mild climate on a cycle challenge through West Bengal in the North-East corner of India. This challenge takes you from the plains of Bengal to the mountains of Darjeeling and the mysterious Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim. You'll go along less well-known tracks and roads as you pass small market town, plantations, mountain villages and shrines. In ten days, you'll experience the variety of India. The terrain varies between low-lying agricultural fields in the plains of Bengal, through the deciduous forests of the Gorumara National Park, which has the Indian Rhinoceros, the Asian Elephant, and the Indian Python, to name a few out of many species.

You'll start in the plains of Bengal, right next to the border with Bangladesh, and finish in Darjeeling, in a magnificent mountain setting and famous for its tea plantations. In the Bengal plain you'll visit Cooch Behar, located between the countries of Bangladesh and Bhutan, which formed an important centre of British Colonial trade. The evidence of this part of India's history is ever present on this trip. You'll have a rest day in the middle to explore the fascinating town of Kalimpong, which was once a thoroughfare for trade between India, China, and Tibet, and has a great Buddhist legacy including numerous shrines. The latter part of the challenge explores the remote and relatively unspoilt state of Sikkim, where you'll be in the shadow of the world's third-highest peak: Kangchenjunga (8585m). At the finish, you can also see Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. At trhe end of the challenge in Darjeeling, you'll have a well-earned celebratory dinner in your hotel.

Banner image by: RajKumar1220 via Flickr

• 13 day trip
• 7 days cycling, with a rest day on day 7
• Professional guides and organization
• Back-up vehicles, bike kit and mechanic
• Comfortable hotel accommodation

A typical itinerary looks like this:

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason

The tour starts with a couple of days of relatively flat going, which work as a fine warmup. After that, you get two days of cycling in the foothills, a rest day, and then three days of cycling in the mountains around Darjeeling. The going is mostly along quieter roads, but there are some busier sections, which the guides and accompanying vehicles will help you to negotiate.

You start in the flat lands of the plain of Bengal, close to the border with Bangladesh. You'll be surrounded by fields of rice and jute. This takes you to the bustling town of Cooch Behar, which was its own state until 1949, and formed an important centre for the East India Company and British Colonial trade, and has among other sights, the incomparable Cooch Behar Palace, built in 1887 in exquisiste Italianate style. From here, we cycle to the very foot of the Himalaya at the small town of Chalsa, set amidst rivers, forests, and tea gardens. The going gets quite tough, as we go up through the Gorumara National Park, up to the small mountain village of Lava. The elevation gain for this day is an imposing 1800m. The next day we cycle more gently, and mostly downwards along river valleys to Kalimpong. This town is rich in history, and lies at a considerable elevation (1200m) above the Teesta River, and close to the border of the state of Sikkim. It's famous for its Himalayan assemblage of flowers. It is also a well-known centre of Buddhism, and has a number of temples and other sights to visit on your day off.

After Kalimpong, we descend 800m to the Teesta river , and enter the state of Sikkim. Since Sikkim is its own state, you'll need to have your passport handy, to get it stamped as you enter and leave. This state is one of the smallest, least populous, and most mountainous in India. The skyline is dominated by the aspect of Kangchenjunga, third highest mountain in the world and overlord of a huge massif and a National Park. We followmassive river valleys in the foothills of this massif, taking first the Rongpo River, via Sombarey along rather rough roads to the overnight stop at Kaluk. The views of the Himalaya are magnificent from here. The next day is small in distance, but includes a very steep incline on rather rough road. The last half of this day involves an ascent of nearly 700m. This takes you to Pelling. From there is a long, pleasant stretch of downhill - time to catch your breath as you go along the Rongpo river. The final part of the tour is a massive 1800m ascent out of Sikkim and up to Darjeeling.

This is a challenging route, which has some long ascents interspersed with easier days, and starts with two days of riding along mostly flat plain. You'll need to be able to spend 6-8 hours in the saddle each day for seven days out of eight. The tour is suitable for most people. You should be able to ride several hours a day whilst carrying day kit.

We strongly recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

Any number (one upwards) can join an open trip, or for 8 or more booking we will run a bespoke trip on dates of your request.

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us - we may still be able to help!

For 1- 5 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers confirm the trip.

For 6-7 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here as a confirmed trip and reserve the right to add additional people on to it.

For 8+ people on a trip we will run an exclusive trip.

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

Price: £2095

Trip Price includes:

• Professional Event Organisation
• Accommodation: hotels and lodges
• All transfers and baggage transfers
• Support Vehicle
• Cycling guide
• Breakfasts on tour
• First Aid Kit

• Personal trip Insurance
• Cycles (cycles for hire available)
• Flights to Bagdogra, India