Hi all,

Have you been to Dhovan, next to Tapleyjung bazaar, in Mechi?  

I was wondering how extensive the motorable road is up to there.  I am planning to go see villages of Changey and Phau Khola around there.  If the road goes there, I would like to hire a vehicle from Birtamod or Urlabari (any idea on this?) and go as far up as possible and possibly hike few hours to those places.

Please post if you are from the area or have been there.  Any information will be much helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Anybody?  No?

Also, does anybody know if a detailed map of Eastern Nepal (particularly Mechi) is available online?  I googled for it but got nowhere.

Thanks.

 I just been to Fungling bazzar of Taplejung not more than that......I think you can get maps on google.........I don't think you will get the street view like here at US. 
As far I know we took one pickup from Ktm to go there........u won't have anyproblem till Taplejung bazzar. While we were going (around one and half years ago), the road from Phidim bazzar to Taplejung bazzar was under construction. I think by this date most part of that road must have been paved. Ok best of luck and have safe journey...........Dherai rai maiya lai aankha lagauni hoina ni feri..............lolz...........

I have been to Taplejung a while ago. I trekked along Tamor up to Lungthung (a little north from the confluence of Ghunsha and Tamor). I also went to Pathibhara, Hangpang and also Dovan. As Kalomukh said you won't have problem till the "Sadarmukam". The best time to go there is after rainy season and before winter (October). I read in some other post that you are going to Nepal in October. So good luck. Alternatively you can take a flight from Biratnagar to Suketar airport (above Taplejung bazaar).

Hope that helps

Sparty

Thank you so much, Kalomukh and Sparty.  

First, I apologize for the delayed response.  For some reason Sajha would not let me log in because apparently my email is bouncing.  Well, got that sorted out finally.

Yes, I am thinking about making this trip on October, after Dashai before Tihar.  We will probably rent a jeep from Urlabari and head up to Tapleyjung;  Birtaamod - Phikkal - Phidim hundai.  Ultimate destination is Changey gau, but I understand motorable road goes only up to Dovan, then we'll have to hoof it uphill for few hours.  I will post the pics when I get back.

While I am in the East, I think I will also make a trip across the border to Darjeeling and Sikkim.  Heard it is awesome over there in October.  I wonder if the border customs have any restrictions on foreign goods nowadays.  I will be carrying a hefty DSLR camera.

Thanks again guys.

That sounds like a wonderful trip. My paternal grandfather and his ancestor were from Chaksi[Disallowed String for - castist references disallowed] while is pretty close to Taplejung and my mom and her whole family is from Darjeeling. Last time I was in Taplejung was in 1995. I bet it has changed a lot since then. If you plan on going to Darjeeling be sure to visit Chowrasta and Tiger Hill.  Kurseong and Mirik are just breathtaking from the train to tea estates. Sonada is a small town few miles from Darjeeling bazaar but it's beautiful. Make sure to have some authentic Darjeeling Momo and Thukpa.

 If you go to Sikkim one of the the best place to visit is Rumtek Gumba (Monastery) in Gangtok. Kyongnosla waterfall on the Nathula Pass on Gangtok highway is amazing. Best way to see Gangtok is hire a private taxi and drive around the town. Their local town bazzar is amazing, lots of local goodies and Churpi on string is the best. Their pastries/bakery is amazing. I went there when I was 6 years old and stayed there for about a month but I can still remember all the fun I had and all the besutiful places I visited during my stay there.

Have a wonderful journey and looking forward to all your pictures

Sgy,

Have nice journey. Yes from Phikkal you can go east to Pashupatinagar and cross border, then go to Darjeeling. Then go to Sikkim. If you have time visit Kalimpong too. If you have time go trekking along Tamor. The memories of my journey along Tamor are still fresh. Oh, finally, go to Pathibhara too (if time permits), but you have to carry your own food, because you won't find any house on the way and be prepared to sleep in "goth" on the way. 

Good luck!

Cheers

Sparty

@sparty ,
These days there are many places where u can accomodate urself on the way to Pathivara. But u can carry snacks n stuffs. Even though u cannot get a variety of foods except Daal,khana tarkari and achar but stilll the food tastes so good...

Well i am so glad to see people talkin in this sajha post about my home town Taplejung. Its worth visiting.happy travelling... And ya one more thing u shud try tongba and sukuti .. And coffee from Tokme danda ... Pretty much famous if u may wanna experience more ... Peace !!!!

 Sgy,

Maile thaha paye samma Kabeli khola samma motorable bato chha. Tara tyo khola ma bridge bani sakyo ki chaina tyo chahi thaha chaina. Timro destination Tharpu bata hidera janda najik parne ho bhane tyaha samma chahi thikai ko bato cha ma pani gayeko chu.Ye,,,dont miss Pathibhara. Darjlaing janda pasupatinagar ma khi pani tyasto check gardaina gari halyo bhane pani 5 Rs le kam chalcha.sabai bhanda ramro darjaling bata ayera farkine haru tanna nepali daju bhai hunchan.uniharu sangi jane. Uniharule ramro co-operation garchan kasari bhnane hamrai manche ho bhanchan khi pani check gardaina. enjoy the trip.......dude...

 @ Rekha: Is there anything special at Sonada?  I plan to spend only couple of days in Sikkim, mostly in and around Gangtok.  I understand Nathula Pass is almost a day's journey from there, so probably will not be able to make it there.  Do post suggestions on where to go, where to eat, what to see in Darjeeling/Gangtok.  Thanks.

@Sparty, peacenepali and Granite:  thanks for your pointers on places to visit and edibles to try out.  Just thinking about pahad ko dal-bhat-tarkari-achar makes my mouth water.