A T M Moslah Uddin Jabed: Sikkim is a province of India arranged like picture. Ever since I found out about Sikkim, I have been dreaming of going to Sikkim. But it was not possible to go to Sikkim as Bangladeshis did not have access to Sikkim. Later, when Bangladeshis were given access from November 2018, I started planning to go to Sikkim. Today I will share my Sikkim travel experience with you. On November 16, 2019, at 8 pm, my colleague Zahid Bhai and I boarded Shyamoli Paribahan. We both had visas before and we were well prepared. After traveling overnight, we reached Burimari land port in the morning on 17 November. After freshening up, having breakfast at the renowned Buri`s restaurant. We completed our immigration process at the appointed time and left for Siliguri from Chandrabandha. We exchanged dollars from Chandrabandha, here you can get better rates than Siliguri or Gangtok.

We reached Siliguri at half past twelve in the afternoon. At first, we purchased a local SIM for communication. After lunch we rented a small Tata Alto car from Darjeeling Taxi stand to Gangtok MG Marg for Rs 1600. When renting, we told our driver to stop at Rangpo to take the inner line permit. Our car started its journey from Siliguri to Gangtok. We are crossing the small town Siliguri. The road is winding like a river, our car is running along that road. Smooth roads, ditches very rare. The surrounding scene was changing a little later. Sometimes running along the side of a mountain range, with dense green stuff. Once again, the hills were moving away, with rows of trees and grass in front.

We have taken ten copies of each passport and ten pp size photographs of individual from the country for our trip to Sikkim. This is because foreign tourists need to take Inner Line Permit (ILP) and Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to travel anywhere in Sikkim. Photographs and copies of passport are also required. Rangpo has to be informed again on the way back from Sikkim. Interestingly, the passport is sealed at the time of entry and return to Sikkim. Another thing is that, with this Inner Line Permit you can only travel to Sikkim city. If you want to travel to other places in Sikkim, you have to take Restricted Area Permit, which can be done only by taking a tour package from an authorized tour agent in Sikkim. The tour agent will arrange Restricted Area Permit (RAP) according to your package. Most of the time the driver of the car acts as the tourist guide.

It takes near about 4 hours to go from Siliguri to Gangtok. While enjoying the beauty of the zigzag mountain road and the river Teesta. It took about three hours to reach Rangpo. Our reception at Rangpo is through a huge traditional gate, which is own heritage of Sikkim. It took about 20 minutes to get the entry seal on the passport and permit paper from the Rangpo Foreigners Reporting Office, there were a total of 20-21 tourists. If you don`t get permit, you can`t stay in any hotel and you can`t go anywhere. We set off for Gagtok again with permit and passport seals. It was getting dark in the evening, the electric lights of the surrounding high-rise settlements were on, it seemed as if there were rows of stars burning in the sky, a wonderful feeling that could not be expressed. Within an hour we reached Gangtok (MG Marg), it was about seven o`clock in the evening. As soon as we got out of the car, it was very cold surrounded us. After searching few hotels, we booked Hotel Bayul close to the Red Panda Statue on MG Marg. We booked 1 room; the rent was Rs 1400.

We went to Thakur & Brothers Tours and Travels on the way to Lalbazar from MG Marg very close to the hotel to book North Sikkim tour package. There we saw a Bangladeshi couple from Chittagong also came to look for a package to travel to North Sikkim (Lachung and Yamthan) the next day. After the introduction, they expressed interest in traveling with us to Lachung and Yamthan. Then we together booked a package for Rs 16,000 for two days including transportation (YamathanValley and Zero Point), hotel accommodation, food, and arrange Restricted Area Permit (RAP). All the shops in Gangtok were closed by 8 pm, so we finished dinner on time. MG Marg is the heart of Gangtok, a popular tourist destination for many local and foreign tourists. Sikkim has a very good law and order situation. After visiting the MG Marg for a while, we took pictures of the Mahatma Gandhi statue and the Red Panda statue and returned to the hotel. Now it`s time to go to bed, the tour will start again the next day.

The next morning, 18 November, we woke up and looked out of the window and saw the view of the hilly city of Gangtok. We took some pictures after seeing the amazing MG Marg in the morning. After freshening up and having breakfast, we checked out from the hotel at 9.30 am and left for Bhajara Taxi Stand. Basically, all the vehicles of Lachung-Yamthang package leave from here. We reached there in a local taxi at 20 rupees per person. Soon our other two traveling companions also appeared. As soon as he called our driver, he showed up and took us to the jeep with a short brief. For these two days he is our driver cum guide, all our luggage and bags in the car and at about half past ten we started our journey for North Sikkim (Lachung). Some of the places along the way are NagaFalls, MayongFalls, SevenSistersFalls, RangrangBridge, TungBridge, AmitabhBachchanFalls, Chungthang View Point and a few more points including Chungthang Hydro Electric Power Plant on the river Teesta. On the way we had lunch included in the package.

It was evening to reach Lachung to see the magnificent view of the winding mountain road. When we reached Lachung, the driver took us to the hotel Hidden Glacier included in the package. We checked in the hotel and served us tea biscuits to be lightly fresh, after having it we went out in the cold to see the small town of Lachung at night. The temperature was minus two degrees, with freezing wind. What we saw in a short time the small town of Lachung look amazing to us. But we couldn`t stay long in the cold here so we went to the hotel. Here we met some Bangladeshis and people from West Bengal and chatted with them for a while. In the meantime, our dinner was ready and everyone ate it. The driver tells us to be ready by 7 in the morning. So, we went to went to bed with 3 blankets to saving us from the cold. It was very cold, last night the temperature dropped to minus six degrees.

We woke up very early in the morning in the cold. As soon as we woke up and went out, we were overwhelmed by the beauty of Lachung. Surrounded by huge mountains on the eastern border of the Himalayas, covered with snow on top of them, what a wonderful sight it was! The play of clouds on the snow-capped peaks is like an incarnation of an unearthly scene. The showy sound of the cold wind is spreading a rhythmic melody. As the sun slowly peeked into the eastern sky, a beautiful golden glow appeared on the tops of the mountains on the opposite side. It is as if nature has made a heavenly outfit! After spending some time, we returned to the hotel. We got ready by 7 am and started for YamthanValley and Zero Point. On the way the Indian Army checks our permit.

The high hills at every turn of the journey indicate one thing - the creator is the greatest artist. Some mountains have a snow cover on top, some have a green coating, some are bald. Some mountains are busy obscuring the sun, while others are reflected in the sun`s reflection. Each hill is unique in its own right. Rows of pine trees on both sides of the road, various hill flowers have added a wonderful decoration. These artisans are relentlessly engaged in the works of nature under the direction of the Creator. At one point on the way to Yamthan, our car stopped for breakfast, which was included in our package. From here everyone hires gumboots to go to Zero Point and walk on ice.

The distance from Lachung to the YamthanValley on the mountain spiral paved road is only 23 km. This valley is completely covered with white snow in last of December to February. The rest of the time, the valley is wrapped in a carpet of green grass, and the blue TeestaRiver flows fascinate travelers. Although YamthanValley is a flower kingdom, we did not receive a flower greeting in November. But the whole valley is busy changing its form due to the arrival of winter. Rows and rows of pine trees standing straight.

We set off again from YamthanValley for Zero Point. It is close to the Chinese border. Situated at an altitude of 15,000 feet, Zeropoint`s breathtaking natural beauty is a sight to behold. The prettiness of surrounding on this way is difficult to describe in words. As we climbed, the surrounding mountains were covered with white snow, and the foothills had not yet frozen. We reached Zero Point near the Chinese border, feeling like we had reached the top of mountain. We got out of the car and walked to the foot of the mountain towards the snow of the mountain. The foothills, however, were wet in the icy water of the mountains, so we have to walk carefully. Although we didn’t face any problem having gumboots for walking on ice. The source of the river Teesta is here. There are several bridges with wooden decks on the ice melting water channel. We crossed the bridge and came to touch of ice. For the first time in my life, seeing and touching the ice that has accumulated on the ground in a natural way is a wonderful experience. We spent some time; walking, sitting, lying, on the ice and taking pictures. Clear blue sky, white snow-capped mountains, frosty air. It is difficult to stay in the cold for a minute without taking off your gloves. I remembered some wonderful moments. Having fun there for a while, we turned to the car to get back. Being about 15,000 feet high there is a lack of oxygen here, I had some problems in breathing, fortunately returned to normal after reached at Yamthan.

We returned to the hotel, after lunch we set off for Gangtok. Arriving in Gangtok in the evening, the driver dropped us in front of hotel. This time we booked another hotel, name Hotel Changlo Chen, it is a much better than the previous one, it is located a little west of MG Marg on Namnam Road on the slopes of Sikkim Legislative Assembly House and Ropeway. We entered into the hotel room and freshened up and walked around MG Marg and Lalbazar for a while and we ate chicken biriyani in Khan Chacha`s kitchen, the biryani was very tasty. After dinner we went back to the hotel and as soon as we talked to the hotel owner about the ChanguLake package for the next day, he fixed the Changu tour package with our permit for Rs. 3500. We gave him necessary documents to take permit; our tour will start at 8:30 in tomorrow morning. Then we fall asleep. We woke up on the morning of November 21 and had a fresh breakfast and was ready to travel to ChanguLake. The car arrived on time, we boarded, the journey started to ChanguLake.

The Changu lake also known as the Tsomgo lake. The lake is about 37 km from Gangtok and is one of the most spectacular places to visit while in Sikkim. On the way our permit is checked at the check post. The hilly road was paved with steep, it was scary to look down. The way of Changu is more adventurous than Lachung. Arriving at ChanguLake we are fascinated. A lake of very beautiful clear blue water, an unearthly pattern of the Creator at an altitude of about twelve and a half thousand feet. Visiting Changu lake in spring, summer and winter are unique experiences. The landscape in spring and summer is colourful and vibrant, whereas during the winter it`s silvery white, blanketed in snow. Monsoons are best avoided. We walked around the lake and took pictures. The place has a small but busy market, called the Changu market which sells yak cheese, trinkets and souvenirs. The place was buzzing with people, both local and tourists. Yaks were wandering about. Tourists were taking yak rides. A small bridge led us to the viewpoint from where the entire lake and the surrounding mountains can be seen.

As much as we see beauty, it is not possible to express it in full. After about an hour we set out again for Gangtok and in the afternoon we returned to Gangtok. When we came back, we ate beef biryani from Aslam Biryani and returned to the hotel. From afternoon to evening we go around Lalbazar, after shopping and have dinner we come back to the hotel. We decided to sleep for a long time until we woke up tomorrow to get rid of the fatigue of these few days of travel.

We woke up the next morning and saw that it was half past nine. We got fresh and had breakfast. Two or three minutes` walk away from hotel, we went to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim. A small beautiful assembly building, 25 members were elected. Former captain of Indian football team Baichung Bhutia is very famous there as a son of soil. Sikkim is a tourism friendly state. Then we went to get on the cable car and we collect ticket. Gradually the cable car began to move, and the mountainous Gangtok city began to unfold. The houses and plants built on each hill looked very beautiful. It was enjoyable and thrilling ride in a short time. This time we hired a taxi for 1500 rupees for Gangtok city tour. As part of the city tour, we toured Hanumantak, Ganeshatak, Zoo (although we did not enter), Botanical Gardens, Tashi View Point, Baktang Waterfall (ziplined here), Buddhist Monastery, SikkimMuseum.

After completed the city tour, we returned to the hotel and packed our luggage. After dinner we went to MG Marg for the last time and fell asleep back to the hotel. It was our turn to return on the next day. On the 22nd, we woke up, had a fresh breakfast, checked out of the hotel and rented a taxi for Rs. 2000 for BagdograAirport. Our flights from Bagdogra to Kolkata is at 3:40 pm and from Kolkata to Dhaka is at 9:30 pm by Air India and Bangladesh Biman respectively. Sikkim is one of the cleanest states in India, the local peoples are very much tourist friendly. By the grace of the Creator, we’ve completed our trip to Sikkim in a healthy, beautiful and well-planned way.