Dear Local Guides,
Today, in celebration
of World Tourism Day & I want to share the story of the most memorable trip of my life—an adventure that gave me immense experience, reignited my passion for travel, and empowered me to explore the world with confidence. Behind all of this, Google Maps, Local Guiding, and my daily reliance on navigation played a huge role!
Back in 2023, three years ago, I decided to take a leap. My home country, Bangladesh 
, is relatively small in area (just 148,460 square kilometers). Up until then, I hadn’t traveled much even within my own country. But amazingly, I had explored the world hundreds of times through Google Maps! That digital exploration inspired me to turn my dreams into reality. To kickstart my vision of seeing the world, I planned a budget-friendly solo trip to discover the state of Sikkim, India.
Two months prior to the trip, I began my preparations—getting my passport, applying for an Indian visa, mapping out routes on Google Maps, taking notes, and calculating expenses. I also reached out to an experienced Local Guide, @SolaimanHossain , who had previously visited India, to get insights on the route up to Kolkata.
The Journey, Costs & Route Details:
Dhaka to Benapole: On February 20th, I boarded the Benapole Express from Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka. After a 6 to 7-hour train ride, I reached Benapole (ticket fare: 600 BDT). From there, a 5-minute walk and a 10 BDT auto-rickshaw ride brought me to the land port.
Border Crossing to Bongaon: Immigration took about 2 hours and 30 minutes. After exchanging currency, I took a CNG auto-rickshaw for 50 INR to Bongaon Junction (8 km, ~30 minutes).
Bongaon to Sealdah (Kolkata): I took a local train from Bongaon to Sealdah Station for just 20 INR (76 km, ~1.5 hours).
Exploring Sealdah Market: I spent an hour walking around Sealdah independently. Just outside the station, there’s a vibrant local fruit and vegetable market. Coming from Bangladesh, I was amazed by how affordable the fresh fruit was! Grapes were 30 INR/kg, apples 50 INR/kg, and pomegranates 80 INR/kg. Naturally, I picked up some fresh fruit for the journey.
Train to NJP: Returning to the station, I bought an unreserved/standing ticket for 180 INR on the Kanchanjanga Express heading to New Jalpaiguri (NJP). The overnight journey took about 9 hours. During this train ride, I had a wonderful experience interacting with locals, learning about their culture, and chatting about Sikkim. When I mentioned I was a traveler from Bangladesh, my fellow passengers were pleasantly surprised and welcomed me warmly!
Onward to Gangtok, Sikkim.
NJP to Siliguri & Bus to Gangtok: From NJP station, I took a shared taxi to the Siliguri bus stand for 20 INR. From there, I boarded a state government bus to Gangtok for 250 INR. On the bus, I struck up a conversation with an elderly local working in Sikkim.
En Route Refreshment: During a 30-minute rest stop, I enjoyed local snacks at a roadside eatery. The fresh mountain water served there was honestly some of the most refreshing and pure water I have ever tasted!
Arrival & Permits: After a 6-hour drive through winding mountain roads, I arrived in Gangtok and instantly fell in love with its serene beauty. However, while checking into a hotel, I realized I had missed acquiring the Inner Line Permit (ILP) required for foreign nationals to enter Sikkim, which needed to be picked up at the border checkpost.
Permit Detour: I immediately took a bus back to the Rangpo border checkpost, completed my ILP permit, and returned to Gangtok. Although it cost an extra 300 INR and extra effort, it was a valuable lesson learned! I checked into a hotel during a cool, drizzly evening and rested for the night.
Exploring Gangtok & North Sikkim (Zero Point):
City Tour with Google Maps: The next day, I explored Gangtok entirely on foot and via local taxis using Google Maps. I easily located halal food options and landmark spots using the app. I also booked an international tourist package for a excursion to Zero Point in North Sikkim.
Heading to Zero Point: The following morning, I used Google Maps to navigate to the taxi stand. To my delight, I met seven fellow travelers from Bangladesh sharing the same taxi!
Night Stay in North Sikkim: We drove up into the high mountains and stayed at a cozy cottage in North Sikkim. Late that night, one of our travel companions felt unwell due to the altitude and weather. Being equipped, I offered basic first-aid and oral rehydration salts (ORS), which helped them recover. Though I was the youngest and traveling completely solo, it felt rewarding to help a fellow traveler.
Snow and High Altitude at Zero Point: The next morning, surrounded by crisp mountain air and hot tea, we continued our journey. Every stop was breathtaking—mountains covered in pristine white snow! Reaching Zero Point (Yumesamdong) at an elevation of nearly 15,300 feet above sea level (near the China-Tibet border) was surreal. With temperatures dropping to -11°C and low oxygen levels, we captured unforgettable photos before heading down.
Snowfall at Yumthang Valley: As we passed through Yumthang Valley on our return, it started snowing! Experiencing real snowfall for the first time felt like stepping into a fairytale.
After returning to Gangtok, we parted ways. Throughout the journey, being an active Local Guide allowed me to navigate easily and even assist other tourists with directions and local info!
I made my way back to Siliguri by taxi, boarded a train to Sealdah, spent a day exploring Kolkata solo for some shopping, and finally crossed back into Bangladesh via Bongaon the following morning.
Throughout this entire international solo adventure, I relied 100% on Google Maps. I didn’t have to ask anyone for directions—every route, location, and plan was resolved right from my phone. I am immensely grateful to Google Maps and the Local Guides Connect community for giving me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and explore unfamiliar places seamlessly.
Since the travel tag was removed after the Connect update version, I no longer write my travel blog, I miss the travel tag very much. I am writing this story today in celebration of World Tourism Day.
@AdamGT — as promised, I am mentioning you in my Sikkim travel story!
Thank you all for reading, and I would love to hear your own memorable travel stories in the comments below!
Best regards,
Md. Khokon Sharker
Local Guide, Bangladesh
#Travel
ami o akdin jabo gorte india te
.
