Cougar Motorsport announces 1st edition of Sikkim Chapter of Himalayan Dash

The participation charges on twin/double occupancy basis for The Himalayan Dash Sikkim 2022 are INR 125,000 plus GST @5% per person. Bookings are open for a maximum of 10 vehicles and 20 guests. For further details, please visit www.cougarmotorsport.in.

The route for The Himalayan Dash Sikkim 2022, covering Pelling, Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake, Lachung, Yumthang Valley, Gangtok, Nathu La&Zuluk, will allow participants to enjoy ancient monasteries, stunning mountain ranges and spectacular landscapes dotted with waterfalls, lakes and meadows. During this journey of a lifetime, they will also experience the biodiversity of India's greenest and most environmentally conscious state, also referred to as Drenjong, or “valley of rice” and Nye-mae-el, or “paradise".

The Himalayan Dash Sikkim 2022 will commence from Siliguri where the pre-drive briefing session will be held on Day 1 of the expedition. On the second day, the participants will drive to Pelling where they can explore the 17th century Buddhist Sanga Choling Monastery with a glass Sky Walk to the gigantic 137 feet statue of Avalokitesvara, the Pemayangtse Monastery and the Rabdentse Ruins. On Day 3 of The Himalayan Dash Sikkim 2022, the participants will continue exploring Pelling along with a drive to Darap village. Other major attractions that are planned to be explored on this day include Rimbi Waterfall, Khecheopalri Lake, Kanchenjunga Falls and Yuksom, which was the first capital of Sikkim.

Day 4 of The Himalayan Dash Sikkim 2022 will start with a drive to the Buddha Park near Ravangla in South Sikkim. From here, the participants will move to Mangan in North Sikkim and then to Chungthang, situated at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung rivers that combine to form the Teesta. The day will end with the convoy’s arrival at Lachen. The next day, which will be the fifth day of the expedition, will be extra special as the participants will drive to Gurudongmar Lake, which is one of the highest lakes in the world. After feasting their eyes on this wonder of nature, the guests will return to Lachen and continue to Lachung.

On Day 6, the convoy will move towards Yumthang valley, which is often called the Sikkim Valley of Flowers as it is home to over 24 species of the rhododendron flower. From there, the participants will drive to Yumesamdong, also called ‘Zero Point’ as there is no motorable road beyond it. Thereafter, they will return to Lachung before moving on to Sikkim’s capital Gangtok.

The seventh day of The Himalayan Dash Sikkim 2022 will be a rest day, allowing the guests to explore the various attractions of Gangtok. The next day, the participants will drive to Tsong Mo Lake and then to Nathu La, a pass on the Dongkya Range at an elevation of 14,250 ft that separates Sikkim and Tibet. Thereafter, the guests will visit Baba Mandir before heading down to the Nathang Valley on the Silk Route to Zuluk. From there, the convoy will exit Sikkim and arrive at Kalimpong in West Bengal.Day 9, the last day of the magnificent expedition, will start with a tour of Kalimpong, followed by a drive to Darjeeling and onwards to Siliguri, where the guests will bid adieu to their new friends and go back home with their hearts full of unforgettable experiences and memories.

In the past, The Himalayan Dash was organized in Ladakh and it brought together like-minded business owners, senior executives, high ranking professionals and other owners of premium cars and SUVs, who share a common passion for driving. The Sikkim Chapter of The Himalayan Dash has been launched this year after approaching the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department of the Government of Sikkim and in consultation with Sikkim Tourism.

The organizers have arranged for night stops at the best accommodation available enroute, including heritage stays at erstwhile residences of the Royal family of Sikkim. The stays on this trip will include Courtyard by Marriot in Siliguri, Elgin Mount Pandim in Pelling, Apple Orchard Resort in Lachen, Yarlam Resort in Lachung, The Elgin Nor-Khill in Gangtok and the Elgin Silver Oaks in Kalimpong.

The convoy will be led by Cougar Motorsport’s Founder Ashish Gupta. An ex-banker and ardent motorist, Ashish is the first certified Land Rover Lead Instructor in the countryand has also attended Instructor training programs on terrains including Mud & Ruts (UK), Ice & Snow (Sweden), Sand (Dubai) and Rock Crawl (USA). Moreover, since 2013 his company is responsible for conducting the Land Rover Experiences in India. Cougar Motorsport is also the organizer of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) India, which is the toughest international off road motorsport event in the country.

The experienced team at Cougar Motorsport will ensure a hassle-free experience so that participants don’t have to worry about logistical challenges. The organizers are responsible for planning the route and itinerary to include the ‘must-see’ sights, coordination of the convoy, arranging local guidance and support from experts, service support and liaison with the local authorities for permits.

Any Indian national holding a valid driving license can register for The Himalayan Dash Sikkim 2022. Any four-wheeled vehicle, with either 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive capability, can be driven. All vehicles must have a private registration and comply with the legal requirements of cars used on public roads in India. It is compulsory for all vehicles to have a valid pollution under control certificate and comprehensive insurance coverage policy.