It was fairy tale ride to me of sorts, riding the Nathu La pass was a sheer pleasure just because it brought lots of surprises which was beautifully dangerous. A 52 km ride from the Capital of Sikkim, Nathu la is one of the most prominent borders of India with China, motorbike ride to Nathu La pass definitely require ILP(Inner Line Permit) which can be obtained in Gangtok.
Rain had played spoil sport for my plans to ride through the northern Sikkim region, missing Nathu La as well would have been a disaster. Thankfully, weather calmed down, I was ready and rearing to go for Nathu La. Mr Karma Bhutia accompanied me till the first check post, he is one of most famous super bikers of Sikkim.
The most expected part of Himalayan Ride begins
Terrain was slushy and was not covered with snow; however that was not the way things would turn out to be. Mr. Karma warned about the snowfall as I ride further up the pass and bid me good bye. I was all on my own now; weather could turn crazy at any point in time. This is not the worst situation ever, I can do it and there is absolutely nothing that can stop me from doing it, at the same time I knew going against nature is foolish.
Enticing Tsomgo lake strikes!!!!
It started as a careful ride; terrain remained rough all through the ride and was worst in some parts of it. It was a good 20 Kms into the ride, yet no signs of snowfall. I met few Jawans at an army camp on the way. Just when I thought I ll stop for a break, as I was supposed to reach Changu Lake by now, I saw an amazing lake, reflecting the beautiful Himalayan Range in its full grandeur. Water was crystal clear and was the nicest view of my life. On asking a passerby I got to know it was indeed Tsomgo Lake or Changu Lake as the locals call it.
I took a Yak ride to go around this lake and with every passing second the beauty of the lake only multiplied. Weather in Sikkim can get really nasty, even though I wanted to spend some time at the Lake, I had to hurry up. The image of Tsomgo Lake will have ever lasting beautiful impression on my mind. I rode on further towards Nathu La, the beauty of eastern Himalayas started unfolding in front of me. Nature turned white and the distant highway was seen as a trail.
The scene was straight out of a fairy tale. I was running on stock R15 tires, sports bike tires bound to slip on slippery ice surface. I was hence extra careful. The scenic route kept me occupied and I wished this never ended. It was me, my bike and the nature at its best. I stopped everywhere to immerse myself as much as possible here, and at a distance I could see Nathu La gate.
MotorBike Ride to Nathu La Pass – A shock awaited!!!!
Just like how every good thing has an end, there comes an end ot my happiness. Army personnel deployed at Nathu La gate told me Nathu La was closed due to heavy snowfall. I requested them to let me go as I had to make it to Nathu La at any cost, they denied sighting wild dogs and extreme weather as reasons. I stood my ground and eventually they let me try at my own risk. 300m into the ride bike got stuck in snow and again army had to rescue me and the bike.
I could see wild dogs loafing around and then I realized it was extremely dangerous to go any further. I requested army to take me to the Nathu La , they then sent me in one of the 4wheel drives. It was just 4km to Nathu La top from Nathu La gate, guess what!! Even the 4 wheel drive got stuck in extreme snow 2 kms short of pass. I had a gala time in snow till the army truck cleared the snow for us to continue to Nathu La pass.
Mission accomplished with Tri Color !!!
It was mission accomplished, I reached Nathu La pass, hoisted the tri color there. I could see Chinese post just stone throw away from me. The roads on the other side of the border was fully asphalted and was in pristine condition unlike on our side.
It was 1 o clock in the noon and I was running very late, and was almost certain that will have to face some nasty weather along the way riding the old silk route to Kalimpong. The experience of which will be continued in next post.
I am sure you would have enjoyed my fairy tale journey through the high Himalayan Pass, at sub zero temperatures. I have lots of my travel tales to share with you. If you enjoyed the ride with me do not forget to
upvote. resteem and follow (@rideofpassion)
You will enjoy riding my other stories
Not Every Muslim Is A Terrorist - A letter of Humanity from my Afghanistan Travel - An Untold Story
Take care, till we meet next time!!!!
Wow this looks like an amazing adventure! I upvoted :-) I was hiking last weekend, not as adventurous as you but if you like you can check out my post too ;-)
https://steemit.com/travel/@tschoartschi/a-very-impressive-hike-in-the-alps-traunstein-at-traunsee
@tschoartschi- That is wonderful brother, I was literally hiking as I read your blog... you painted a picture to me ... I loved it.keep up the good work :)
This post has received a 7.14 % upvote from @minnowhelper thanks to: @eutectico. For more information, click here!
extreme!
@wgodinho - Thanks a lot
Man, what an adventure! I'm jealous :D
@motionemotion - Thanks a lot bro, it was an adventure of lifetime for me... thank you :)
This post received a 3.5% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @rideofpassion! For more information, click here!
I think you r to have and encourages...... Thank you for sharing your opinion by steemit platform....... And best of luck for further courageous advanturee
Thanks a lot @surendra2017
Your journey is story by passing high Himalayan at temperatures below zero.
Upvote. Resteem and Follow (@rideofpassion)
Can't imagine how cold your hands got! I can barely survive 0C where i live
@moomoo - I had to literally use engine heat to stay away from frost bite... It was an adventure and I enjoyed it
Thanks for sharing this wonderful adventure you had with your Motorbike traveling to Indo. I love the scenery which is pretty stunning. I hope you enjoy the ride and all security measures was taken by you to avoid any accident on this slippery road.
@andr1an0- Thank you for the concern brother, I sure will be very careful ... take care :)
amazing trip,you can bring snowboard with you next time.
@dixonloveart - Thanks a lot , I felt on bike was as adventurous as it can get....at one point when the bike was stuck it was a snowboard :D
Good article
Nice adventure, Hope you will take me with you on your next ride wink
@ebugreat- Always willing to share the travel, thats one of the privileges we get as riders and travelers
great post. thanks for sharing
Thank you @mergim, pleasure is mine
Super voyage, dans une région magnifique, merci de nous avoir fait partager cette belle expédition.
@houkar -
Merci pour ces mots gentils
like this post
@david90- Thank you
Amazing travel :)
Enjoy :)
@matija46- Thanks a lot :)
Amazing journey and beautiful pics, I hope all it goes well
@teodora- Thanks a lot for the wishes... :)
Grea
Sir, please vote for us. We are very grateful to this. You continue to have success in the same way.And keep voting. @ahlawat
best bike
Nice post..upvoted and followed
@mhel - Thanks a lot :)
You're welcome
Amazing Tour
Thank you
looks so beautiful
Thank you
Up vote and resteem 👍😊
@rideofpassion
Thank you @sakhone
You're welcome 😊😊
@rideofpassion
Great hills. wonderful.
Hey @qasimwaqar - Thanks a lot
mention not... its my pleasure to comment on your post.
Wow such a crazy adventure! I am glad you made it safely with the help of the army..Did you make any snow angels during your 'gala time'? ;)
Hey @foodie.warrior - Ha Ha thanks a lot, I did meet snow demons everytime I fell from my bike.....trust me it was painful :P
ouchie..falling off a bike always sounds painful!! Great that you survived the brush off with the snow demons ;))
I indeed did... n such survival stories makes me who I am today :)
Then you're not only courageous, but also mature with a good head on your shoulders :)
Great. I also plan to buy a motorcycle and go travel around with my wife.
@krunc- Thats cool, I feel U shud do that... U ll love it
Awesome mate. One day I want do same bike trip. Do you have some neccesary tips for trip like this?
@dream.trip - I think U shud, it is an addiction... be careful u may become more awesome than u already are
Yes one tip, Love your bike... Thats your best friend :)
Nice These Photos Look Exactly Like Far Cry 4 :)
@steemian69- Thank you, Its a compliment... but experience was real... and a life time one
The bike trip of a lifetime! Totally bad ass.
@rig1661 - hahahha .....Any Himalayan ride is bad ass.....
Hey @rideofpassion! Saw you on the Steemit PH post and following you now :) Looking forward to make some global connections. Greetings from Switzerland, Mabuhay! Shini & Dani
@shinidanitv - Wow!!! Thats amazing, I get friends from PH team!!! And they are travelers too.... I am very happy to be connected as well.... following you back for all the awesome content You will come up with :)
The scenes are one of a kind lovely!
@rehan12- Thank you bro :)
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STOPBeautiful! This looks like a great place to go!:) Please check my little journey that I made soon. I hope you enjoy my photos. @nakedchef89
https://steemit.com/travel/@nakedchef89/travel-challenge-24-aladzha-monastery-2017811t214916488z
WOW, that is what I call a great view...thanks for sharing!
@pmoreno1816 - Thank you
This post has received a 6.22 % upvote from @buildawhale thanks to: @buildawhale.
Very interesting great greetings from venezuela here I will leave a link for those who can help me thanks! https://steemit.com/help/@gr3g0r/hi-i-m-from-venezuela
Sir, please vote for us. We are very grateful to this. You continue to have success in the same way. @ahlawat
nice post
Sir, please vote for us. We are very grateful to this. You continue to have success in the same way. @ahlawat
nice post