Stand at
Things to do in Nathula Pass
The India-China border pass at 14,140ft.
The list
The short version: A silk-route pass open to domestic tourists on permitted days, via the Tourism Department and Police Check Post.
01
The border gate
Stand at the fence line with Chinese posts across.
02
Silk-route history
The old trade road to Lhasa under your boots.
Know before you go
- Altitude
- About 14,140ft
- Eligibility
- Domestic tourists only
- Process
- Registered agency + Tourism Dept + Police Check Post
- Foreigners
- Not permitted
Go early, dress for sub-zero wind any month, and watch for the altitude: it is a walk-around, not a hike.
Best time: March-May and October-November, on permitted days.
Practicals
Permits & season for Sikkim
No ILP, but protected areas (Nathula, North Sikkim beyond Mangan) need permits arranged through registered agencies ahead of travel.
March to May for rhododendrons and clear skies, October to December for the sharpest views; the monsoon closes high routes.
Nathula Pass month by month
Places to visit near Nathula Pass
All of Nathula Pass, none of the guesswork
Fixed departures you can join solo, or a private plan around your dates. Prices on the page, real people on WhatsApp.
Keep planning
- Sikkim travel guide
- Flying into Pakyong Airport, Sikkim: flights, cabs and onward connections
- Sikkim permits: the complete guide
- How Many Days for Gangtok? 2, 3, 4 and 5 Day Versionsfrom the journal
- Gangtok in October: Kanchenjunga views and festival weatherfrom the journal
- How to Reach Gangtok: Flight, Train and Road, Comparedfrom the journal