Day 1(21-Jan): NJP Railway Station Destination:Dzuluk.Distance: Around 130 kms
Duration(including transit at Rongli for permits): 6.5 – 7 hrs.
Road Condition Highlights:
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| NH 31 |
NJP – Rangpo: Good Rangpo – Rongli: Bad.Infact very bad. Breaks your back.
Rongli – Zuluk: Decent.
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| A Slice of the Coronation Bridge at Sevoke |
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| The Padamchen Police Check Post which you encounter before entering Dzuluk |
After getting down from the train at 7 we found ourselves haggling with the taxi driver who was asking 200 bucks for a drop at Rangpo.After a lot of arguments we brought it down to Rs 150 for 2 seats at the front. It was a typically dull day with overcast conditions.It was 8.30 when the Sumo finally started.We did manage to have a cup of “station” tea when the driver was waiting to fill up rest of the seats.Gradullay the city flew past,followed by forests,the Sevoke Military station and then we were greeted by the first sights of the hills.
We reached Rangpo at 10-30 where Mr. Gopal Pradhan was waiting for us.The humility of the person was appealing – he himself drove the car for the first couple of hours, showing us around, even though there was a driver. The permits were made at Rongli(here Mr Pradhan brought the ration too).The entire process took 45 mins. The road conditioj from Rangpo to Rongli was very poor, but road conditions improved from Rongli.Gradually with gain in altitude, the vegetation began to change from trees to shrubberies.The permit was checked at Padamchen.Here we saw a military barrack which wore a deserted look.On asking Mr Pradhan it was revealed that the camp used to buzz with soldiers before the Kargil war.Fog and clouds enveloped us completely,thereby painting a gloomy picture when we reached Dzuluk at around 4.30.From the travelogues which I had read earlier I expected Dzuluk to offer stunning views,snow capped peaks – only to discover the next day that it was not Dzuluk, but the road from here which is mesmerizing.
We had lunch- steaming rice,egg curry,dal and alu bhaja(potato fries), roamed around for a while, felt that there was nothing really to be done and retired back to the room.The room was very basic containing the essentials – a bed, heater and geyser – which is all that you require for a good sleep.We had dinner at 8.30 and when off to sleep.
That completes day 1 of the trip.
Day 2 coming up tomorrow, 11May’12.
