I have always idolized North Sikkim, and a bike trip to north Sikkim has always been on my bucket list. Luckily, my long-due box got checked this March, and the wait was worth it! 

A place that has made its name for resembling the Swiss landscape, North Sikkim is adored by bikers for its winding roads and changing landscape. There isn’t a better time to visit North Sikkim than March and April when fresh fluffy snow carpets the valleys and red rhododendrons stand strikingly against the white slate of snow.

A snow fight in North Sikkim is a must!

And so, on a bright morning in mid-March, my friends and I revved up our engines and embarked on a 3-day journey to North Sikkim from Gangtok in East Sikkim.

We left at 11 in the morning with a plan to enjoy the sunset from Lachen, one of North Sikkim’s pretty hamlets. However, little did we know the route from Gangtok to Lachen is flooded with picturesque waterfalls and viewpoints that compel you to stop and gaze in awe. Dozens of pit stops and two checkpoints later, we finally reached Lachen past dusk.

We woke up early the next morning to witness the most enchanting views we’ve ever come across. I could see yak herders patiently tending their grazing yaks under the shadow of the snowcapped mountains that were just a leap further. The postcard-worthy scenery cured our night’s hangover and we were ready to explore the noted Gurudongmar Lake.

You don't wake up to view as such every day

Before the adventurous ride, we headed to a 200-year-old homestay where we received an invite for breakfast the previous day. As we entered the kitchen, we were awestruck by the interior. The first thing you notice is a giant wooden chimney under a traditional wooden stove finished with mud. The wooden walls of the kitchen were ornamented with age-old framed photos that complimented the aesthetics of the room.

Homestay in Lachen

With a full stomach and eager heart, we drove towards Gurudongmar Lake. The road was picturesque throughout with snow guiding us on both sides. En route falls the scenic Thangu Valley. We parked our bikes at the edge of the cliff and admired the panoramic view of Thangu for a minute before resuming our ride to Gurudongmar Lake.

En route to Lachen

As we reached closer to Gurudongmar Lake, the road condition had worsened. It had just rained, and the slippery dirt road made it difficult to ride on. The high altitude was not helping either. However, the beautiful barren landscape fueled us to keep going.

Road to Gurudongmar

We finally reached the final check post for Gurudongmar Lake only to find out that the entry past that was closed due to rain and snow. We begged and pleaded but to no avail. We then caught sight of a café with a board that read “Highest café in the world.” Excited, we went in; it was more of a canteen run by the Army that an actual cafe. We gulped down our disappointment with a cup of coffee and started our descent towards Lachen.

In my mind, I was all bonkers for not being able to see Gurudongmar Lake, but now when I sit back and write about it, I guess I did have some awesome experiences like being invited to a 200-year-old homestay and visiting the world's highest café. Plus, I now have a reason to revisit this piece of heaven and will settle for nothing less than riding all the way to Gurudongmar Lake.

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