A bike trip to Sikkim is undoubtedly a mind-blowing journey. The winding roads carving their way through hills will surely provide you with the kind of adrenaline that bikers crave. Sikkim offers you an exceptional experience of trailing Mt. Khangchendzonga and riding across majestic landscapes.

Out of all the routes in Sikkim, bikers mostly opt for the North Sikkim route and for all the right reasons. The route stretches through the most beautiful plateau of Sikkim. Staring off from Gangtok, the route crosses through a quaint little town called Lachen and concludes at the pristine Gurudongmar Lake. So rent a bike from bike rental in Sikkim and commence your journey on two wheels to North Sikkim!

West Sikkim Route: Gangtok – Lachen – Thangu –  Gurudongmar 

Here’s a day-wise breakup of the bike route, which starts and ends at Gangtok.

Day 1: Visit Amitab Bachchan Falls  

The journey starts from Gangtok from where we ride towards the picturesque town of Lachen. This little hamlet will mesmerize you with its green and verdant surroundings, white snowy peaks, and lofty black cliffs. The town is dotted with beautiful tourist places such as Lachung Monastery, Bhim Nala Falls, Amitabh Bachchan Falls, viewpoints, and other fascinating attractions. Ride around and mingle with the locals of Lachen.

Retire for the day in one of the homestays in Lachung and get some rest; tomorrow is going to be one thrilling day.

Amitabh Bachchan Falls, Lachen

Day 2: The highlight—Gurudongmar Lake  

Embark on your journey towards Thangu Valley. The ride from here onwards is harsh, with freezing cold wind and snow but also amazing at the same time as you’re exposed to the magical view of snow-capped mountains. The closer you get to your destination, the more vivid the silver snow mountains become. On reaching Thangu Valley, you witness rows of traditional wooden and stone houses tucked away in the Alpine range of mountains. The place is undisturbed from urban pollution. From here, you ride towards Gurudongmar Lake.

Thangu Valley

Gurudongmar Lake is located at an altitude of 17,800 ft and is considered one of the most sacred lakes by the Buddhists and Hindus alike. This beautiful and awe-inspiring lake remains milky throughout the year. Spend some time embracing the beauty of this lake and the majestic North Sikkim landscape and descend towards Gangtok.  

Pro Tips for Bike Hire in Gangtok

 A special permit—Protected Area Permit (PAP)—is required to enter Gurudongmar and Lachen in North Sikkim. To get the permit, you have to personally visit the permit office in Gangtok. Take along photocopies and originals of vehicle documents and your verification document (voter ID, driver’s license), and 4 passport-size photos. However, if you plan on renting a bike from a travel agent, you just need to share your personal verification documents; the rest will be taken care of by the agent. I suggest you share the documents prior to your visit so as to avoid last-minute hassle.

Royal Enfield is the preferred bike for riding in Sikkim. Its extended height and laidback posture is comfortable on the bending roads of Sikkim. The engine also offers enough power to cover longer distances.

Popular bike routes in Sikkim: Opt for a rental

Road to Gurudongmar Lake

Best Time to Visit

Autumn (mid-September to mid-December) and Spring (March to May) are the best times to take a bike ride to North Sikkim. During these months, the weather is pleasant with better visibility.

Drop in your experience in the comment section below if you’ve ridden this bike route.

Also read:

Ride the magical East Sikkim route by hiring a bike in Gangtok

Discover West Sikkim on a motorbike: Bike rentals in Sikkim

Elevate your vacation: Hop on a rental bike and ride the South Sikkim route