Sikkim & Darjeeling Faqs

Sikkim Darjeeling FAQs

As Sikkim and Darjeeling Border with Nepal, China Bhutan and close-by to Bangladesh. How safe is it?

As Sikkim and Darjeeling Border with Nepal, China Bhutan and close-by to Bangladesh. How safe is it?

Sikkim is the safest state in India.As there had been no record of political turmoil, anti social or anti national activities even though it shares border with Nepal, China & Bhutan. On other hand, Darjeeling had seen some internal
political turmoil in past, but tourists were never bothered on these grounds. Now, things are much better from tourism perspective and back to normal even after Covid lockdown.
Are there exceptions to the Inner Line Permits (Sikkim) regime?

Existing guidelines require that nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar can be given Inner Line Permits only after approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. Further all Bhutan nationals are exempt from the requirement of obtaining ILPs. They do not require to obtain permits to enter Sikkim. Permits to foreign diplomats and members of United Nations and International Organisations holding diplomatic/official passports are issued only at Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Are there any entry restrictions or permissions needed?

Foreigners need a permit to enter Sikkim, however we take care of your all the permit when you travel with us. Indian Tourist traveling to North Sikkim and Tsangu lake need to avail permit which is taken care by our organization.
Is it mandatory to hire local English speaking guide if I book one of your tour for Indian Tourists? Do the drivers speak Hindi in Darjeeling and Sikkim?

Is it mandatory to hire local English speaking guide if I book one of your tour for Indian Tourists? Do the drivers speak Hindi in Darjeeling and Sikkim?

No, hiring guide on tour for Domestic Indian Tourist is totally on their own preference. As your driver will be communicating with you in Hindi, he can easily provide you all the information which you want to know.However we recommend to have a guide for they are well trained in their trade, linguists and indept local knowledge.
What are the documents required for the Permit for Indian Tourist?

You can provide any of the following documents:

1.Pass Port 2- Ration Card 3 – Voter Card 4 Adhar Cards and 4 pass port size photos is required. For Children Birth Certificate and 4 pass port size photo is required.
For Indian Tourists does PAN card work as Photo Identity card?

No, to get restricted area permit you can’t use PAN card as it has no address of yours shown on it.
What documents are needed to get restricted area permit for Indian Tourists?

For restricted area permit you need 4 pictures each for Nathula/Tsangu lake trip and North Sikkim trip. You also need photocopy of Photo Identity card with your address mention on it.
As an Indian do I need to apply for permit to visit Sikkim?

No, Indian nationals don’t need permit to visit Sikkim however few places in Sikkim are restricted to them which includes entire North Sikkim ,Tsangu lake and Nathula pass. For which they have to apply for restricted area permit which is arranged by registered travel agent in Sikkim only.
Can Foreign tourist visit Nathula pass and Gurudongmar lake in North Sikkim?

Foreigners can’t visit Nathula pass, they can only visit upto Tsongo lake which is just 12 km before the pass. Similarly, foreigners are not allowed to visit the Gurudongmar lake area, although permits for trek to Green lake in the same area can be arranged
Does Foreign diplomats, United Nations officials and members of International organisations also need to apply for permit to visit Sikkim?

Foreign diplomats, United Nations officials and members of International organisations needs to obtain their permit from the Ministry of External Affairs at New Delhi. They cannot apply directly to any of above offices who have no authorization to grant them Inner line Permit in any cases.

Sikkim & Darjeeling for Foreign Tourists

As Sikkim and Darjeeling Border with Nepal, China Bhutan and close-by to Bangladesh. How safe is it?

As Sikkim and Darjeeling Border with Nepal, China Bhutan and close-by to Bangladesh. How safe is it?

Sikkim is the safest state in India.As there had been no record of political turmoil, anti social or anti national activities even though it shares border with Nepal, China & Bhutan. On other hand, Darjeeling had seen some internal
political turmoil in past, but tourists were never bothered on these grounds. Now, things are much better from tourism perspective and back to normal even after Covid lockdown.
Are there exceptions to the Inner Line Permits (Sikkim) regime?

Existing guidelines require that nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar can be given Inner Line Permits only after approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. Further all Bhutan nationals are exempt from the requirement of obtaining ILPs. They do not require to obtain permits to enter Sikkim. Permits to foreign diplomats and members of United Nations and International Organisations holding diplomatic/official passports are issued only at Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Are there any entry restrictions or permissions needed?

Foreigners need a permit to enter Sikkim, however we take care of your all the permit when you travel with us. Indian Tourist traveling to North Sikkim and Tsangu lake need to avail permit which is taken care by our organization.
Can Foreign tourist visit Nathula pass and Gurudongmar lake in North Sikkim?

Foreigners can’t visit Nathula pass, they can only visit upto Tsongo lake which is just 12 km before the pass. Similarly, foreigners are not allowed to visit the Gurudongmar lake area, although permits for trek to Green lake in the same area can be arranged
Does Foreign diplomats, United Nations officials and members of International organisations also need to apply for permit to visit Sikkim?

Foreign diplomats, United Nations officials and members of International organisations needs to obtain their permit from the Ministry of External Affairs at New Delhi. They cannot apply directly to any of above offices who have no authorization to grant them Inner line Permit in any cases.

Sikkim & Darjeeling for Indian Tourists.

Is it mandatory to hire local English speaking guide if I book one of your tour for Indian Tourists? Do the drivers speak Hindi in Darjeeling and Sikkim?

Is it mandatory to hire local English speaking guide if I book one of your tour for Indian Tourists? Do the drivers speak Hindi in Darjeeling and Sikkim?

No, hiring guide on tour for Domestic Indian Tourist is totally on their own preference. As your driver will be communicating with you in Hindi, he can easily provide you all the information which you want to know.However we recommend to have a guide for they are well trained in their trade, linguists and indept local knowledge.
What are the documents required for the Permit for Indian Tourist?

You can provide any of the following documents:

1.Pass Port 2- Ration Card 3 – Voter Card 4 Adhar Cards and 4 pass port size photos is required. For Children Birth Certificate and 4 pass port size photo is required.
For Indian Tourists does PAN card work as Photo Identity card?

No, to get restricted area permit you can’t use PAN card as it has no address of yours shown on it.
What documents are needed to get restricted area permit for Indian Tourists?

For restricted area permit you need 4 pictures each for Nathula/Tsangu lake trip and North Sikkim trip. You also need photocopy of Photo Identity card with your address mention on it.
As an Indian do I need to apply for permit to visit Sikkim?

No, Indian nationals don’t need permit to visit Sikkim however few places in Sikkim are restricted to them which includes entire North Sikkim ,Tsangu lake and Nathula pass. For which they have to apply for restricted area permit which is arranged by registered travel agent in Sikkim only.

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