Any tips on safer modes of transport within Sikkim?

SilverMaple · Sep 20th, 2007, 20:40

We’re travelling round Sikkim in November. Reading accounts of daunting mountain roads, I wondered if anyone could give any simple safety advice about road transport. E.g. are buses safer than jeeps or vice versa? Could anyone suggest guidelines for choosing a jeep or bus firm which is likely to be safer? In terms of daylight, are there times of day when you shouldn’t travel, even if transport is on offer? Any other issues about picking a safer way to travel?

shashank.aggarwal · Sep 20th, 2007, 21:12

As compared to other places in India, road transport in Sikkim seemed to lot more organized and safe.

By organized I mean that drivers actually follow the rules, and I traveled in a shared jeep to Changu lake and Nathu la pass, however at no moment I felt unsafe..

Bhaswaran · Sep 20th, 2007, 21:31

Mahindra jeeps are better. They have better road grip and stability compared to others. Check the tyres and brakes with the driver and insist him not to drive too fast. Those vehicles are okay, but in someplaces the roads were bad, and that is the cause of some accidents. People are simply unlucky when their jeep gets trapped in a landslide. That is what happened in on major accident this year. In that case, no one can help.

But do not worry ...and dont get scared...things are not that bad as you think. Just come here and enjoy.

SilverMaple · Sep 29th, 2007, 03:06

Thanks for your helpful advice.

tacita · Oct 10th, 2007, 02:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhaswaran

Mahindra jeeps are better. They have better road grip and stability compared to others. Check the tyres and brakes with the driver and insist him not to drive too fast. ... But do not worry ...and dont get scared...things are not that bad as you think. Just come here and enjoy.

i agree that a jeep would be safer than a bus. also, the drivers who ply these routes know them well and drive quite skillfully. i also agree that you should not overestimate the danger--just go and enjoy, and tell the driver to slow down if you're really concerned. i resigned myself to the experience and tried to let it go.

Sep 20th, 2007, 20:40	#1
SilverMaple Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: York, England Posts: 50	Any tips on safer modes of transport within Sikkim? We’re travelling round Sikkim in November. Reading accounts of daunting mountain roads, I wondered if anyone could give any simple safety advice about road transport. E.g. are buses safer than jeeps or vice versa? Could anyone suggest guidelines for choosing a jeep or bus firm which is likely to be safer? In terms of daylight, are there times of day when you shouldn’t travel, even if transport is on offer? Any other issues about picking a safer way to travel?

Sep 20th, 2007, 21:12	#2
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,790	As compared to other places in India, road transport in Sikkim seemed to lot more organized and safe. By organized I mean that drivers actually follow the rules, and I traveled in a shared jeep to Changu lake and Nathu la pass, however at no moment I felt unsafe.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Sep 20th, 2007, 21:31	#3
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 992	Mahindra jeeps are better. They have better road grip and stability compared to others. Check the tyres and brakes with the driver and insist him not to drive too fast. Those vehicles are okay, but in someplaces the roads were bad, and that is the cause of some accidents. People are simply unlucky when their jeep gets trapped in a landslide. That is what happened in on major accident this year. In that case, no one can help. But do not worry ...and dont get scared...things are not that bad as you think. Just come here and enjoy. __________________ ....life is a journey.....and the journey is more important than the destination........ http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/15496 Darjeeling trip Video : "Darjeeling - The Queen of Hills" DVD

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Sep 29th, 2007, 03:06	#4
SilverMaple Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: York, England Posts: 50	Thanks for your helpful advice.

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