Adventure · Cho La
Cho La and Doklam on one trip
Cho La and Doklam (Doka La) opened together in autumn 2025 on two-day vehicle permits. With a night on the Old Silk Route, you can see both border sites, Tsomgo and Baba Mandir in one high-altitude loop from Gangtok.
Photo: Surajit Roy · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
When the scheme opened, vehicle permits for Cho La and Doklam were issued for two days, at about ₹11,000–12,000 per vehicle, plus about ₹1,120 per person. Doklam, near the India–Bhutan–China tri-junction, is reported at about 4,200 m and Cho La at about 4,593 m. Both need escorts from Kupup and a night in an approved Silk Route homestay.
A typical plan: Day 1, Gangtok to Tsomgo and Baba Mandir, then on to a homestay at Gnathang or Kupup. Day 2, escorted visits to the border sites, then down to Zuluk or back to Gangtok. Day 3, return to Gangtok if you stayed a second night. The exact order depends on the escort schedule.
This is a demanding trip at high altitude, on rough roads, with early starts. It suits fit adults who have already spent two nights in Gangtok. Costs for a small group in a shared SUV come to about ₹12,000–18,000 per person. Rules are new; check current status before you travel.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Can we visit Cho La and Doklam on the same permit?
When the scheme opened in 2025, operators applied for vehicle permits covering two days, and many trips combined both sites with a night at a Silk Route homestay. Each person also needed a permit of about ₹1,120. Rules are new, so confirm with your operator and check current status before you travel.
How many days do we need for Cho La and Doklam?
Plan at least two days from Gangtok, with one night at an approved homestay at Kupup, Gnathang, Zuluk or Padamchen, and ideally three days for a gentler pace. Add two nights in Gangtok beforehand for permits and acclimatisation. Weather can cause delays, so keep a spare day.
Is the Cho La trip safe?
It is run under Army and police escort with strict rules, but the risks are altitude, cold and rough roads. Acclimatise in Gangtok, travel with an experienced operator, carry medicines and warm clothing, and turn back if anyone feels very unwell. Check current status before you travel.
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