Down the Teesta valley
NH 10 leaves Gangtok through Ranipool and drops to the Teesta at Singtam, then follows the river through Rangpo, where vehicles cross from Sikkim into West Bengal, past Melli and the gorge at Sevoke to the plains at Siliguri. At about 111 km, the drive itself takes a few hours, but the river road is narrow and winding in places, with heavy traffic of taxis and trucks. Start early and agree the arrival time with the mover in writing.
Loading in Gangtok
Most Gangtok homes can't be reached by a large truck, so goods are carried to smaller vehicles at the road, sometimes up or down long flights of steps, and transferred to a bigger truck on the highway or at Ranipool. This usually takes longer than the drive. Make sure the quote covers the smaller vehicles, the transfer and the porters, and describe your access with photos.
Landslides and the monsoon
From about June to September, heavy rain brings landslides and river damage to NH 10, closing it for hours or days, and in some years whole stretches have been washed away. When it's closed, traffic is diverted via Kalimpong or Lava, which is longer and slower. Check the road the day before, keep a back-up date, and ask for waterproof wrapping on everything.
October to November and March to May are usually the easiest windows.
Checks at Rangpo
Vehicles are checked at the border posts between Sikkim and West Bengal. Household goods don't usually face trouble, but the mover should carry the packing list, the invoice and your details. If you're moving business goods, pharmaceuticals or a vehicle, ask what extra documents are needed.
Arriving in Siliguri
Coming down through Sevoke, the truck reaches Sevoke Road, Pradhan Nagar and Ashrampara first. The centre along Hill Cart Road, Bidhan Market and the railway stations is crowded with through traffic, and newer apartment complexes spread towards Matigara, Champasari and the bypass. Tell the mover the exact address, the type of home and the floor.
From cold hills to hot plains
Siliguri is much warmer and more humid than Gangtok, especially from about April to September. Warm bedding and heaters can go in cartons unloaded last, and fans and summer things in cartons unloaded first. Damp in both places is hard on wood and electronics, so ask for good wrapping.
Postings, schools and families
Many moves on this route are government and army postings, families moving for schools and hospitals in Siliguri, or students heading to college. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Festivals and tourist seasons
Dasain, Tihar, Durga Puja and Losar keep crews busy, and the spring and autumn tourist seasons fill NH 10 with taxis. Avoid holiday weekends if you can.
Settling in
Find out how water and power backup work in the new home, plan fans for Siliguri's humid summers, and book internet as soon as you have the address. Nepali, Bengali and Hindi are widely spoken in Siliguri.