Nathula Pass: open days, permits and closures

When it is open

• Nathula is closed to tourists on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, subject to weather and permits.
• Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir are on the same road and can be visited on days when Nathula itself is closed.
• Snow, landslides or official orders can close the road at short notice, sometimes on the morning of the trip.

Who can go, and what you need

• Nathula is open to Indian nationals only. Foreign nationals can visit Tsomgo Lake but not Nathula.
• A permit is needed. We apply for it when you book; book at least a day ahead.
• Each traveller needs a photo ID and passport-size photographs.
• The trip is made in a local taxi with a permit for the route. Private cars from outside Sikkim cannot drive up.

If the trip is cancelled

If Nathula is closed on your date, you can usually still go to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir, or move the trip to another day. Tell us your other dates in Gangtok when you book, so we can switch if the weather turns.

The pass is at high altitude and cold all year. Carry warm clothes even in summer.

Sources

• Is Nathula Pass open on all days?, eSikkim Tourism
• Sikkim and North East permits, NE Taxi

Road and permit rules change. We confirm the current position for your dates when you book.