Permits & ID
Do I need a permit for Sikkim, and which ID works?
Arriving at a checkpost with the wrong ID is the number one way Sikkim trips get ruined. Here is exactly what is required, who can go where, and how the paperwork actually happens.
Aadhaar and PAN cards are not accepted for permits. Carry an original Voter ID, Passport or Driving Licence. Children: original birth certificate or passport plus a parent's ID.
The three permit systems
| Permit | Who | Where | Cost & validity | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAP Protected Area Permit | All Indian tourists; foreign groups of 2+ | East: Tsomgo, Baba Mandir, Nathula, Zuluk, Nathang, Kupup. North: Chungthang, Lachen, Chopta, Gurudongmar, Lachung, Yumthang, Zero Point, Katao | Route- and date-specific; vehicle fee ₹1,500–₹3,000 + ₹200–₹500 per person for Nathula | Via a registered operator 24–48 h ahead. Not issued at checkposts for sightseeing. |
| RAP / ILP Restricted Area / Inner Line Permit | All foreign nationals incl. OCI/PIO (Bhutanese exempt) | Required to enter Sikkim at all | Free; 30 days, extendable to 60 at FRO Gangtok or district police | Free on arrival at the Rangpo or Melli checkpost (passport, visa, 2 photos), at Sikkim Tourism offices in Delhi, Kolkata and Siliguri, or online via e-FRRO; stamped at the checkpost |
| Forest / trek permit | All trekkers | Khangchendzonga NP (Goecha La, Dzongri), Barsey Sanctuary (Hilley), Singalila (Uttarey), Maenam | Daily entry + camera/camping fees | Yuksom forest checkpost or Hilley gate via a registered trek operator |
Which ID to carry
| Traveller | Accepted (original + photocopies) | Rejected | Also bring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian adult | Voter ID (fastest), Passport, Driving Licence | Aadhaar, PAN, office/college ID | 2–4 passport photos per route |
| Indian child under 18 | Original birth certificate or passport; school ID as support | Child's Aadhaar alone | Parent's Voter ID/Passport/DL copy, photos |
| Two-wheeler rider | DL + Voter ID/Passport; RC in rider's or blood relative's name | Out-of-state rental bikes in PAP zones | PUC, insurance, photos |
| Foreign national / OCI / PIO | Passport (6+ months validity) + Indian visa | OCI card as proof of Indian citizen access | RAP/ILP (checkpost, tourism office or e-FRRO), group PAP via operator, 4 photos, hotel and itinerary copies |
How the paperwork actually happens
- 3–7 days before: send clear scans of your Voter ID / Passport / DL and a passport photo to your operator (foreigners: the RAP/ILP is issued at Rangpo/Melli on arrival, or apply on e-FRRO).
- Day 1 in Gangtok, before 3 PM: hand over photocopies and 2 photos per person per route. The operator files with Tourism and the police for next-day clearance.
- Morning of the excursion: the driver carries the stamped permit; you carry your original ID for random checks at 3rd Mile, Toong or Giagong.
Altitude, age and medical rules
| Tier | Places | Kids under 6 | Seniors 65+ | Pregnancy / heart / asthma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| under 8,000 ft | Gangtok, Rumtek, Aritar, Pelling, Geyzing, Yuksom, Khecheopalri, Rinchenpong, Uttarey, Namchi, Ravangla, Temi, Borong, Mangan, Singhik, Chungthang | Safe | Safe | Safe; motion-sickness tablets for curves |
| 8,800–12,400 ft | Lachung, Lachen, Zuluk, Barsey, Yumthang, Tsomgo | With care | If fit | Consult a doctor first |
| 13,000–15,300 ft | Kupup, Baba Mandir, Chopta, Nathang, Nathula, Katao, Zero Point | Not advised; permit-restricted under 5 at Nathula/Zero Point | Fitness check, normal BP | Avoid |
| 17,800 ft | Gurudongmar Lake | Under 5 not permitted | High risk; fitness certificate | Not permitted |
All 30 destinations: permit and access lookup
| Place | Altitude | Indians | Foreigners / OCI | Kids & seniors | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aritar East Sikkim | 4,900 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit for Aritar. Silk Route permits for Zuluk are issued at Rongli SDPO (8 AM–3 PM) nearby. |
| Rumtek East Sikkim | 5,000 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit; carry an original photo ID for the monastery security gate. |
| Gangtok East Sikkim | 5,500 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit for the town. Submit ID copies and 2 photos by 3:00 PM for next-day Tsomgo/Nathula or North Sikkim permits. |
| Zuluk East Sikkim | 10,000 ft · Acclimatise first | PAP permit required | Closed to foreigners / OCI | Kids & seniors: caution | Silk Route PAP from Rongli SDPO or Gangtok; checked at Lingtam and Rongli. Homestay-only zone. |
| Tsomgo Lake East Sikkim | 12,400 ft · Acclimatise first | PAP permit required | Foreigners: group of 2+ via agency | Kids & seniors: caution | Cross 3rd Mile checkpost before 10:00 AM (depart Gangtok 7:00–8:00 AM). |
| Kupup Lake East Sikkim | 13,000 ft · Thin air | PAP permit required | Closed to foreigners / OCI | Not advised for kids <6 / 65+ | Silk Route / Baba Mandir PAP covers it; 7 km from Nathang, 22 km from Zuluk. |
| Baba Mandir East Sikkim | 13,200 ft · Thin air | PAP permit required | Closed to foreigners / OCI | Not advised for kids <6 / 65+ | Covered by the Tsomgo/Nathula PAP; same 10:00 AM 3rd Mile cutoff. |
| Nathang Valley East Sikkim | 13,500 ft · Thin air | PAP permit required | Closed to foreigners / OCI | Not advised for kids <6 / 65+ | Covered by the Silk Route PAP. Homestay-only; acclimatise lower first. |
| Nathula Pass East Sikkim | 14,140 ft · Thin air | Special PAP + army clearance | Closed to foreigners / OCI | Not advised for kids <6 / 65+ | Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Cross 3rd Mile by 10:00 AM, exit the area by 5:00 PM. |
| Mangan North Sikkim | 3,950 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit for Mangan town; PAP needed for Dzongu. Last reliable ATM before North Sikkim. |
| Singhik North Sikkim | 5,200 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit for the viewpoint; PAP only if crossing into Dzongu. |
| Chungthang North Sikkim | 5,600 ft · Oxygen-safe | PAP permit required | Foreigners: group of 2+ via agency | Kids & seniors safe | Toong checkpost: 4:00 PM cutoff both ways. Single-use plastic bottles checked and fined. |
| Lachung North Sikkim | 8,800 ft · Acclimatise first | PAP permit required | Foreigners: group of 2+ via agency | Kids & seniors: caution | Cross Toong checkpost before 4:00 PM. Leave for Yumthang/Zero Point 6:30–7:30 AM. |
| Lachen North Sikkim | 9,000 ft · Acclimatise first | PAP permit required | Foreigners: group of 2+ via agency | Kids & seniors: caution | Cross Toong checkpost before 4:00 PM. Depart 3:30–4:30 AM for Gurudongmar. |
| Yumthang Valley North Sikkim | 11,800 ft · Acclimatise first | PAP permit required | Foreigners: group of 2+ via agency | Kids & seniors: caution | Depart Lachung by 7:30 AM; sanctuary closes to visitors in the afternoon. |
| Chopta Valley North Sikkim | 13,200 ft · Thin air | PAP permit required | Foreigners: conditional / army check | Not advised for kids <6 / 65+ | Visited on the Lachen–Gurudongmar morning route; return to Lachen for lunch. |
| Katao North Sikkim | 15,000 ft · Thin air | Special PAP + army clearance | Closed to foreigners / OCI | Not advised for kids <6 / 65+ | Army clearance via Lachung driver; local supplement ₹1,500–₹2,500. Restricted military zone for foreigners. |
| Zero Point North Sikkim | 15,300 ft · Thin air | Special PAP + army clearance | Foreigners: conditional / army check | Not advised for kids <6 / 65+ | PAP + local Zero Point supplement (₹3,500–₹4,000 per vehicle, cash) arranged by the Lachung driver. Indians only in practice. |
| Gurudongmar Lake North Sikkim | 17,800 ft · Extreme altitude | PAP permit required | Closed to foreigners / OCI | Children under 5 not permitted | Depart Lachen 3:30–4:30 AM; descend from the lake by 10:30 AM. No children under 5. Oxygen cylinder mandatory in the vehicle. |
| Rinchenpong West Sikkim | 5,576 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit. Open year-round. |
| Yuksom West Sikkim | 5,800 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit for the village. Khangchendzonga National Park permit and registered trek operator for Dzongri/Goecha La. |
| Khecheopalri Lake West Sikkim | 6,000 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit; small lake entry ticket. Remove footwear on the prayer pier. |
| Geyzing West Sikkim | 6,500 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit. District police HQ handles foreigner RAP extensions. |
| Uttarey West Sikkim | 6,600 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit for the village; trekking permit via TIC Pelling for the Singalila trail. |
| Pelling West Sikkim | 7,200 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit. Skywalk ticket ₹100, open 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. |
| Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary West Sikkim | 10,000 ft · Acclimatise first | Forest entry ticket | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors: caution | Forest entry ticket at Hilley gate. No plastic wrappers inside the sanctuary. |
| Temi Tea Garden South Sikkim | 4,800 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit. Factory tours on working days. |
| Namchi South Sikkim | 5,500 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit. Char Dham and Samdruptse tickets ₹50–₹100 plus parking. |
| Borong South Sikkim | 5,800 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit. Hot springs are busiest December–February. |
| Ravangla South Sikkim | 7,000 ft · Oxygen-safe | No permit for Indians | Foreigners OK with RAP/ILP | Kids & seniors safe | No permit. Buddha Park ticket ₹50; forest ticket only for the Maenam trek. |
Permit FAQs
Is Aadhaar card accepted for Nathula Pass or North Sikkim permits?
No. Aadhaar and PAN are not accepted for Protected Area Permits. Carry an original Voter ID, Passport or Driving Licence plus 2 passport photos per permit route; children need an original birth certificate or passport.
How do I apply for a Sikkim permit?
You cannot apply at the checkpost yourself. A Sikkim-registered tour operator or licensed cab agency files the Protected Area Permit 24–48 hours ahead against your ID copies and photos. We do this as part of every booking.
Do foreigners need a permit just to enter Sikkim?
Yes. All foreign passport holders, including OCI and PIO cardholders, need a free Restricted Area Permit / Inner Line Permit. It is issued on arrival at the Rangpo or Melli checkpost (passport, visa and 2 photos), at Sikkim Tourism offices in Delhi, Kolkata and Siliguri, or online via e-FRRO, and is valid for 30 days.
Which places are closed to foreigners?
Nathula Pass, Gurudongmar Lake, Zuluk, Nathang Valley, Kupup Lake, Katao and Baba Mandir beyond Tsomgo. Tsomgo Lake, Chungthang, Lachen (up to Thangu/Chopta), Lachung and Yumthang are allowed for groups of 2+ through a registered agency.
Are children allowed at Gurudongmar Lake?
Children under 5 are not permitted at Gurudongmar (17,800 ft) and are strongly advised against Zero Point and Nathula. Seniors need normal blood pressure and no heart or lung conditions.
How many photos and photocopies do I need?
Two passport photos and two ID photocopies per person per permit route. Tsomgo/Nathula plus North Sikkim means four of each per person.