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Zuluk and the Old Silk Route

Zuluk is a small village at about 10,100 ft in East Sikkim, a few kilometres from the China border, on the old Silk Route. It needs a protected area permit, and winter and monsoon both affect the road.

Updated 31 October 2026

Bird's eye view of Gangtok from Ganesh Tok, Sikkim
Bird's eye view of Gangtok from Ganesh Tok, Sikkim. Photo: Subhrajyoti07, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Getting there

  • From Bagdogra or NJP via Rangpo: about 150 km and around 5.5 hours, through Rorathang, Rhenock, Rongli Bazar and Lingtam.
  • From Gangtok via Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Kupup and Nathang Valley: about 4 hours.
  • From Kalimpong via Algarah, Pedong, Reshikhola and Aritar to Rongli Bazar, then about 1.5 hours to Zuluk.

Permit

A separate protected area permit is needed for Zuluk. Bring a photo ID and passport-size photographs for each traveller. Foreign nationals are not allowed because of the border restrictions. We arrange the permit with the booking; see our permits guide.

Only Sikkim-registered vehicles are allowed beyond Zuluk. A taxi from West Bengal or Assam cannot take you onto this route, so book a Sikkim taxi for the trip.

Best season

  • April to June and September to November: the best windows, with daytime temperatures around 10 to 20°C.
  • December to March: snow from December; the road can close from January and the area often stays under snow until the end of March.
  • July to early September: monsoon, with fog and landslide risk.

Sources

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

Common questions

Do I need a permit for Zuluk?

Yes. A separate protected area permit is needed. Carry a photo ID and passport-size photographs for each traveller. Foreign nationals cannot visit Zuluk.

Can I take a taxi from Siliguri or Bagdogra to Zuluk?

Only Sikkim-registered vehicles are allowed beyond Zuluk, so the trip needs a Sikkim taxi. Cars registered in West Bengal or other states cannot continue on this route.

How far is Zuluk from Gangtok?

The drive via Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathang Valley takes about 4 hours.

How far is Zuluk from Bagdogra or NJP?

About 150 km via Rangpo, around 5.5 hours.

What is the best time to visit Zuluk?

April to June and September to November. Snow begins in December, the road can close from January, and July to early September is monsoon.

Is Zuluk open in winter?

Snow starts in December and the road often closes from January, with snow usually lasting until the end of March, so winter trips are uncertain.

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