Gangtok to Nathu La
Your options
Ways to make the journey
2.5–3 h each way
Book a Gangtok-registered tourist vehicle through your hotel or an agent at least a day ahead, with photos and ID for the Nathu La permit. The usual day runs Gangtok, Tsomgo, Nathu La and Baba Mandir, leaving at 6.30–7 am. Up to five share the vehicle. Rates jump after snow, when fewer vehicles run.
2.5–3 h each way
Agents on MG Marg fill vehicles seat by seat on popular days. It is the cheapest way for couples and solo travellers. Permit quotas fill quickly in May, June and October, so book two days ahead in season. Your seat depends on the permit being issued for that date.
Full day
Many Gangtok agents sell a per-person package covering the vehicle seat, permit processing and a stop at Tsomgo and Baba Mandir. Check what is included, such as coat or boot hire, and whether you get a refund if the pass is closed for weather or army reasons on the day.
Worth a stop
- Tsomgo Lake
- Sherathang trade mart and war memorial
- Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
Questions people ask
Good to know
Which days is Nathu La open for tourists
Nathu La is open to tourists from Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Permits are not issued for the closed days. The pass can also be shut at short notice after heavy snowfall, landslides or for army reasons. Plan your Nathu La day in the middle of your Gangtok stay and check current status before you travel.
Can foreigners visit Nathu La
No. Nathu La is open only to Indian nationals with a valid permit. Foreign nationals can usually visit Tsomgo Lake on a day permit through an agent, but cannot continue to Nathu La. NRIs with foreign passports count as foreigners for this rule. Check current status before you travel, as border-area rules can change.
What documents do I need for the Nathu La permit
Give your agent a photocopy of a government photo ID, such as Aadhaar, voter ID or passport, and two passport-size photos per person, usually a day or two in advance. The agent applies to the tourism department. Carry the original ID on the day for checks. Operators usually will not take children under five because of the altitude.
Is Nathu La safe for elderly people
It can be, with care. At 4,310 m the air is thin and cold, and people with heart or lung conditions should ask their doctor first. Stay a night or two in Gangtok before going, walk slowly, avoid the steps if breathless, and limit time at the top to about 30–45 minutes. Carry warm layers and water.