Travel permits for Sikkim and the North East
Most of Sikkim and Darjeeling needs no permit for Indian travellers. A few high-altitude and border areas do, and four North East states need an Inner Line Permit. Rules change from time to time, so we confirm the current position when you book.
Sikkim
- No permit needed for Indian travellers to enter Sikkim or to visit Gangtok, Pelling, Namchi and Ravangla.
- Protected area permit needed for Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula; for Zuluk and the Old Silk Route; and for North Sikkim (Lachung, Yumthang, Lachen and Gurudongmar).
- Documents: a photo ID and passport-size photographs for each traveller. We apply for the permit when you book the trip.
- Nathula is open to Indian nationals only, Wednesday to Sunday. Book at least a day ahead. See the Nathula and Tsomgo Lake day trip.
- Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim, applied for online through the e-FRRO portal. Of the protected areas, foreign visitors can currently go to Tsomgo Lake and Yumthang; Nathula, Zuluk and Gurudongmar are closed to them. Ask us before you plan.
- Tourist fee: Sikkim charges visitors Rs 50 per person (children under 5 exempt), usually collected by your hotel at check-in.
Darjeeling and Kalimpong
- No permit needed. Both are in West Bengal.
North East states
- Inner Line Permit (ILP) needed for Indian visitors from outside the state in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. ILPs can be applied for online.
- No ILP needed for Assam, Meghalaya or Tripura. Meghalaya has announced plans for a tourist registration system; we confirm the current position when you book.
- Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. Check the current rules before you travel.
Common questions
Do Indian tourists need a permit to visit Sikkim?
No permit is needed to enter Sikkim or to visit Gangtok, Pelling, Namchi and Ravangla. A protected area permit is needed for Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula, for Zuluk and the Old Silk Route, and for North Sikkim (Lachung, Yumthang, Lachen and Gurudongmar).
What documents are needed for a Sikkim protected area permit?
Indian nationals need a photo ID and passport-size photographs for each traveller. We apply for the permit when you book a trip that needs one.
Can foreign tourists visit Nathula?
No. Nathula is open to Indian nationals only. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim, applied for online through the e-FRRO portal, and can currently visit only some protected areas, such as Tsomgo Lake and Yumthang.
Is there an entry fee for Sikkim?
Sikkim charges tourists Rs 50 per person (children under 5 exempt), usually collected by hotels at check-in.
Do I need a permit for Darjeeling or Kalimpong?
No. Darjeeling and Kalimpong are in West Bengal and need no permit.
Which North East states need an Inner Line Permit?
Indian visitors from outside the state need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. ILPs can be applied for online. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for these four states.
Do I need a permit for Assam or Meghalaya?
Indian visitors need no Inner Line Permit for Assam, Meghalaya or Tripura.