The Ancient Capital of Sikkim- Yuksom

We headed out of Pelling on a chilly morning to Yuksom the ancient and first capital of Sikkim, established in the 17th century.

Post the unusually heavy monsoon rains, read – climate change – the roads had totally crumbled, and a 35 km ride with a decent elevation gain of 900 mts ( 2970 ft) took us more than 7 hours- but that’s what the adventure is about – it’s hardship and challenges sharpen, builds and grind the soul to a more clarified existence.

We pedalled from alpine forests to sub alpine forests with verdant greenery cast with sweeping brushstrokes of scores of species of oak and rhododendron trees, flowering poinsettia, wildflowers, bamboo and ferns, foaming rivers and bridges. But each day is never the same! Ashim keeps the serious side of me in splits with her running funny commentary, her excellent knowledge of indigenous plants and their uses – sometimes I feel I am cycling with a botany teacher!