Permits
Sikkim PAP
Sikkim’s Protected Area Permit rules by zone: East (Tsomgo, Nathula), North (Yumthang, Gurudongmar), West (treks), South, and the foreigner restrictions.
The rules
What applies, with sources
Everyone
Tsomgo-Baba Mandir and Nathula (East): permits required; Nathula is domestic tourists only. Source: Sikkim Tourism PAP page ↗
Everyone
North Sikkim (Yumthang, Yumesamdong, Thangu-Chopta, Gurudongmar, Green Lake): permits required; Gurudongmar not open to foreigners. Source: Sikkim Tourism PAP page ↗
Foreign nationals
Foreigners permitted at Tsomgo and in the Lachen-Lachung-Yumthang-Thangu valleys; not permitted at Nathula, Gurudongmar or Zuluk. Source: Sikkim Tourism PAP page ↗
Everyone
West (Dzongri, Singalila treks) and South (Maenam trek, mountaineering, parks): permits required. Source: Sikkim Tourism PAP page ↗
Everyone
Motorbikes must be 150cc or higher to enter PAP areas. Source: Sikkim Tourism PAP page ↗
Detail
The full picture
Sikkim has no state-wide ILP, but its Protected Area Permit system guards specific zones, and the rules differ by nationality and destination. The official PAP page lists: East (Tsomgo-Baba Mandir, Nathula), North (Yumthang, Yumesamdong, Thangu-Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar, Green Lake Trek), West (Dzongri and Singalila treks) and South (Maenam Trek, alpine mountaineering, parks and sanctuaries).
Foreign nationals are permitted at Tsomgo Lake and in the Lachen-Lachung-Yumthang-Thangu valleys under the current system, but Nathula, Gurudongmar and Zuluk are not open to them. Nathula is domestic-tourist-only, processed through the Tourism Department and the Police Check Post via registered travel agencies.
One rule travellers miss: motorbikes entering PAP areas must have engine capacity of 150cc or higher, per the official PAP page.
Quick answers
Permit FAQs
Do foreigners need a permit for Tsomgo Lake?
Yes, but they are permitted: the official PAP rules allow foreign visitors at Tsomgo under the stated system. Nathula beyond it is not permitted for foreigners.
Why is Gurudongmar closed to foreigners?
It sits in a sensitive border zone; the official PAP page keeps it for Indian visitors, while Lachen and Yumthang remain open to foreigners.
How are Sikkim permits arranged?
Through registered travel agencies: permits run with the vehicle on protected-area runs, and trek permits come through the agency with your route.
Plan it
Permits handled, honestly
Every trip we run includes permit handling: you upload ID details, we run the paperwork, and we flag it immediately when a rule changes.
Rules verified 2026-09-26 against official portals · Permit rules change: confirm on the official portal before travel.