I’ll be in Sikkim next week, and would like some advice on getting an In Line Permit (I recently went though this in the Spiti Valley).
1. I’ll be enter at Siliguri and heading for Darjeeling. Can someone recommend where I should apply?
2. I am solo. In Spiti, I was told solo is OK, but I would need to wait for a couple of people to add my name to. No problem. Is this the case in Sikkim?
Cheers!
There are two permits involved here . Entering Sikkim is a rubber stamp procedure at the Rangpo checkpost . I had a individual permit arranged before arriving India , the others got theirs over less than a decent chai break at the checkpost . Since then permits have become one month standard instead of two weeks , and extensions are given in Gangtok.
For the west & north ( no , you wont be allowed to visit Nathu La ) , see the official site sikkimtourism.gov.in
Thanks Vistet. Sounds straightforward. I’ll go to Rango checkpost and apply. I’ll be prepared for a (hopefully) short wait.
Sikkim is under restricted area regime due to its proximity to neighboring countries like China. And therefore all foreign nationals require Restricted Area Permit (RAP) or Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit any part of Sikkim including Gangtok. few protected border areas like Nathula and Gurudongmar Lake are not accessible to foreign nationals at all. it takes less than 30 minutes to get the permit across the counter. Restricted Area Permit (ILP) can be manually obtained at Rangpo checkpost (on the way to Gangtok or East Sikkim) - issued between 8am to 8pm.
foreign tourist has to be in group of two or more to travel around in Sikkim
EAST SIKKIM
Tsomgo (Changu) Lake and Baba Mandir permits are issued at the Police Check Post.
Nathula: Permit for Nathula Pass is issued only to Indians (foreigners are not allowed here).
WEST SIKKIM
Dzongri & Goecahala Trek: Permit is issued to both Indians and Foreigners by the Adventure Cell of Sikkim Tourism & Civil Aviation Department. Trek operators like us ( www.explorehimalaya.org ) can get the permits.
NORTH SIKKIM
Yumthang, Yumesamdong, Thangu/Chopta Valley: Permit is issued to both Indians and Foreigners by the Tourism Department and Police Check Post.
Gurudongmar Lake: Indians can get the permits at Police Check Post while foreigners can get it from Sikkim Tourism Department but only up to Thangu.
SOUTH SIKKIM
There is no protected area in South Sikkim. For example no permit is required for Indians to visit places like Namchi, Ravangla, Jorethang etc. Foreigners only need Restricted Area Permit (i.e. Inner Line Permit) to tour & trek South Sikkim.
If you need any help with your Permit and anything here you can email us your query at info@explorehimalaya.org
foreign tourist has to be in group of two or more to travel around in Sikkim..
OP needs no group , in the same way I didnt need it many years back . Even then I got a individual permit from the embassy , and the other angrezi in the jeep got it at the Rangpo checkpost. Since then the permits issued have become longer in two steps , extensions possible in Gangtok , and the national regulations changed "group"from minimum four to two. See sikkimtourism.gov.in , Entry Formalities :
Foreigners must obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. .. and Rangpo on the strength of an Indian Visa. The 30 days duration Permit is issued on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of the passport and visa along with two pass port photos of the applicants are made available. The permissible duration of the stay for foreign tourists is 30 days initially.
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For those interested in going for trekking in the interior region of the state, the Tourism and Civil Aviation issues Protected Area Permit (PAP) at Gangtok which is available for certain specified area for groups consisting of two or more foreigners subject to condition that the trekking programme is arranged through a registered travel agency.
Trek operators like us ( www.explorehimalaya.org ) can get the permits....
If you need any help with .. you can email us your query at info@...
Near or above the rules against self promotion.
Thanks explorehimalaya for the information, but it seems we are talking across each other - I asked two specific questions, but you provided different (but useful) information. Solo cyclists like me like to do things ourselves, and this worked well for me when I visited Spiti Valley last month. I am really most interested in hearing from individuals who have obtained In Lline permit themselves.
As a solo traveler, you would have no problem to obtain Inner Liner Permit for Sikkim and there are two check points where you can apply - Rangpo and Melli. However, you would need an additional permit for North Sikkim and visiting Kanchendzonga National Parks. The permits can only be made through a local travel agnets. Ours was arranged by Dzo Journey.
