Exploring Sikkim On A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

As an automotive journalist, I'm no stranger to thrilling experiences. But when I got the chance to join Royal Enfield's Social Mission Ride, I knew I was in for a ride of a lifetime. This epic journey was part of Royal Enfield and UNESCO’s Social Mission, an initiative that involves oneself in the unique traditions and customs of local communities, following sustainable tourism practices while travelling on a Royal Enfield motorcycle. 

That's exactly what I did, as a part of the third edition of “The Great Himalayan Exploration”, which took us to the breathtakingly beautiful state of Sikkim. Nestled in the Himalayas, Sikkim is a nature lover's paradise, bordered by Nepal, China, and Bhutan. The weapon of choice for this journey was Royal Enfield’s flagship adventure bike, the Himalayan 450. What could have done it better than something which already bears the name of the world's tallest mountain range. Its long-travel suspension, big 21-inch front wheel, 230mm ground clearance – all came together so well to forgive and entertain me, a completely amateur rider with almost no knowledge about off-roading.

The Adventure Begins

My journey began in Delhi. I boarded the flight and as soon as the flight took off, I smiled, watching Delhi’s smoggy landscape slowly give way to the majestic Himalayas. After a 2-hour flight, a 3-hour waiting, and a 6-hour drive from Bagdogra, I finally arrived in Gangtok, the capital city of the state.

Day 2 began with a light drizzle and a cool breeze from Gangtok's beautiful mountain ranges. Following a quick breakfast and team briefing, I received the keys to my trusty companion for the upcoming days, a brand-new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Kaza Brown. Our first stop was Changu Lake (also known as Tsomgo Lake), situated near the Indo-China border.

The 47-kilometer journey was pleasant, but the weather soon began to play up. The drizzle continued, and the temperature started to decline rapidly. The Himalayan 450 proved itself to be a pretty good adventure motorcycle, with agile handling and sufficient power. Even in the unbearably cold situation, it made me smile with its dependable character.

Unfortunately, after a few kilometers, our convoy encountered heavy rain! Luckily, everyone had their rain liners, which provided some relief. The bad news was that the temperature dropped to -3°C, making the cold unbearable. The fog rolled in, hiding the serenity of Changu Lake like a mystery. Our hearts sank, the disappointment on our faces was quite evident. We had been dreaming of witnessing the lake's true beauty, but nature had other plans. Yet, we refused to let the fog dampen our spirits. And so, we fueled our bodies with a hearty lunch, and surrendered to the unpredictability of the Himalayas, resting out the remainder of the day - acknowledging that some secrets are meant to remain hidden. 

Ride from Gangtok to Ravangla

Disappointed by the weather conditions during our Changu Lake exploration, our hopes weren't high for Day 3. As expected, the weather was at its worst, with heavy rain. The temperature dropped even lower, but luckily, our departure time was 10:30 am and it was fairly sunny by then. The journey was only 70 km long, so it felt pretty doable.

I gave my Himalayan a quick check and then we navigated through Gangtok's well-organized traffic and then hit the open road to Ravangla. After about 30 kilometers, the rain returned, catching all of us off-guard. The route was full of slush and treacherous sections, but the Himalayan's off-road expertise came into play. 

After a very skillful riding session, we reached the Temi Tea Plantation at Ravangla, a picturesque haven with lush greenery and tea being grown on a large scale. The team enjoyed some excellent tea, and we continued our journey to our overnight stay.

Visit to Borong Village for Churpi making

The next dawn was bright and clear, with no hint of rain. Our agenda for the day included visiting Buddha Park and Borong Village to document the process of how a type of cheese, called Churpi, is made. We started off, navigated a challenging downhill stretch, replete with sharp boulders and mud.

The route towards our first destination was quite scenic and we enjoyed our 10km ride through Ravangla. At the Buddha Park, we marveled at one of India's most stunning Buddha statues, called Tathagata Sthal. The park was surrounded by vibrant flowers and trees, creating a serene atmosphere. Afterward, we headed to Borong, tackling treacherous roads with thick slush where once again Himalayan’s friendly nature made up for my lack of skills.

In Borong Village, we documented the art of Churpi-making, a traditional cheese which is a  Sikkimese specialty made from yak milk. Maniram, a veteran of 20 years in the industry, demonstrated the process, sharing concerns about the general lack of interest among the people in the niche art.

Churpi making is not a lucrative enterprise, as it is an extremely challenging procedure which leads to an annual income ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 only.

As Maniram's words poured out, his eyes filled up with emotion, revealing the profound passion that burns within these guardians of tradition. They're the keepers of a cultural flame that's flickering, but far from being extinguished. Showing such a unique processing of cheese to a city guy like me, who had no idea about even the existence of such a thing is exactly the objective of Royal Enfield's Social Mission team. 

Time to say Goodbye

As I prepared to bid farewell to the majestic Himalayas, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude. The Great Himalayan Exploration ride had been a journey of a lifetime, imparting invaluable lessons and unforgettable experiences. 

As for my trusty companion, the Himalayan 450, it was an absolute rockstar! This bike is a force to be reckoned with, conquering mountains and slush with ease. Its impressive performance, even in the hands of a rookie off-road rider like myself, left me speechless. Initially, I was intimidated by its 196kg weight, but the Himalayan 450 proved itself to be a gentle giant, reassuring me with its exceptional handling, agility and remarkable off-road capabilities.