Supercar convoy explores Sikkim’s historic Silk Route on day 2 of rally

GANGTOK, December 13 (IPR): Day 2 of "Sikkim – The Silk Route Drive: Reviving the Ancient Route – Super Car Route" unfolded as a true high-altitude stage, with a convoy of 17 high-performance supercars tackling one of the most dramatic and historic driving routes in the Eastern Himalayas, covering Nathu La, Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir and the legendary Zuluk loop.

Rolling out early from Gangtok, the luxury convoy featuring high-performing Lamborghinis and Porsches, known for their high-revving engines, excellent torque delivery and superior power output, along with other premium supercars, entered the eastern Himalayan corridor, once a lifeline of the ancient Silk Route. The stage offered a rare blend of performance driving and heritage exploration, as the machines powered through winding mountain roads, technical hairpins and steep alpine gradients set against a backdrop of snow-clad peaks and pristine high-altitude terrain.

The convoy reached Nathula Pass, among the world’s highest motorable roads and a site of immense strategic and historical significance along the Indo-China border. The participants were warmly received by Brigadier Amit Sharma, commander, 63 Mountain Brigade. The visit was facilitated through coordinated support by Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha, additional political secretary to the Chief Minister, ensuring seamless access and smooth conduct at the sensitive high-altitude location.

At Nathu La, rally participants were briefed by the Indian Army on the historical and strategic relevance of the pass, its legacy as an ancient trade gateway on the Silk Route, and its contemporary importance in India’s border security framework. The interaction provided valuable insights into the region’s geography, history and the Indian Army’s enduring role in safeguarding the frontier. With daytime temperatures at Nathu La hovering around 8°C and the Air Quality Index in the area generally remaining below 50, the visitors enjoyed a blissful sense of relief, adding to the overall comfort and memorable experience of the high-altitude visit.

Amid the thin air and panoramic vistas, participants paused to absorb Nathu La’s powerful convergence of natural beauty, history and national pride, marking one of the most evocative halts of the rally so far.

The convoy then proceeded to Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, a revered shrine dedicated to the legendary Indian Army soldier. Paying their respects, participants experienced first-hand the deep emotional connect between Sikkim’s rugged landscapes and its enduring legacy of valour, sacrifice and service.

The Day 2 stage culminated with a descent along the iconic Zuluk route, famed for its dramatic succession of hairpin bends and sweeping Himalayan views. Once a key transit point on the historic Silk Route, Zuluk emerged as a defining highlight of the day, earning admiration for its challenging road geometry, engineering brilliance and unmatched natural splendour.

The flawless execution of the day’s drive reflected close coordination between the Government of Sikkim, the Indian Army and the civil administration, ensuring smooth traffic regulation, participant safety and strict adherence to environmental and security protocols across the high-altitude and ecologically sensitive region.

The Super Car Rally, a self-funded and self-driven initiative spearheaded by the Mumbai-based Super Car Route Group, in collaboration with the Government of Sikkim and the Black Cat Division under the aegis of the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army, continues to position Sikkim as a premier destination for high-end experiential tourism, seamlessly blending luxury motoring with heritage, history and sustainability.

The rally will flag off tomorrow towards the high-altitude Cho La Pass under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan framework, promising another immersive stage across Sikkim’s diverse terrain while reinforcing the State’s vision of carving a distinct place on India’s premium tourism and adventure motoring map.