Last updated: · By the Task Riders team
- About 95–100 km and 4–5 hours with stops
- Route: Darjeeling – Ghum – Lopchu – Peshok – Teesta Bazaar – NH10 – Rangpo – Gangtok
- Best bike: Royal Enfield Classic 350 or Hunter 350
- Avoid riding NH10 in heavy monsoon rain; start early
The ride from Darjeeling to Gangtok is about 95–100 km and usually takes 4–5 hours with stops. You drop from the cool tea hills of Darjeeling down to the Teesta river, then climb again into Sikkim — two very different worlds in a single day.
The route
The most popular route runs Darjeeling → Ghum → Lopchu → Peshok → Teesta Bazaar, then follows the Teesta river on NH10 via Rangpo and Singtam up to Gangtok. Rangpo is the main entry checkpoint into Sikkim.
- Lopchu & Peshok: tea estates and a long descent with tight hairpins — take it slow.
- Teesta Bazaar: good stop for tea and snacks by the river.
- NH10: scenic but busy with trucks and taxis; road works are common.
Best bike for this ride
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 or Hunter 350 are ideal — enough torque for the climbs and easy to handle on the bends. Riding two-up with luggage? Pick the Classic.
Tips
- Start early — mornings have the clearest views and the lightest traffic.
- Fill up before you leave and again at Teesta Bazaar, Rangpo or Singtam.
- During the monsoon (June–September), check road status before you go — NH10 is prone to landslides.
- Carry your licence, ID and bike papers for the Rangpo checkpoint.
Road and permit rules change from time to time. WhatsApp us before your trip and we'll share the latest road updates.
