Adventure · Nathu La
Visit the border at Nathu La
Climb the last steps at 4,310 m to the viewing area where India and China face each other across the pass. A short, disciplined visit run by the Army, and the high point, literally, of most Sikkim trips for Indian travellers.
Photo: shankar s. · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cars stop at a parking area below the pass. From there it is a short walk and a flight of steps to the viewing area. At 4,310 m, those steps feel like a mountain: go slowly, pause often and let children and older relatives set the pace. Army staff guide visitors, check permits and explain the rules for the day.
At the top, the border runs along the ridge. Chinese posts and buildings sit just beyond the fence, and on a clear day you can see down into the Chumbi Valley in Tibet. Prayer flags and memorial plaques line the Indian side. The wind is strong and cold even in summer.
Visits are kept short for safety, usually 30–45 minutes. Photography rules vary: sometimes it is allowed towards the scenery, sometimes not at all, and never of troops or installations. Ask before raising your phone. Nathu La is for Indian nationals only and usually open Wednesday to Sunday. Check current status before you travel.
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Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Which days is Nathu La open for tourists?
Nathu La is usually open to Indian tourists from Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It also closes after heavy snow, for security reasons and on some national occasions. Your agent will confirm the day before when applying for the permit. Check current status before you travel.
Can foreigners go to Nathu La?
No. Nathu La is open to Indian nationals only. Foreign travellers, including OCI cardholders, are not allowed beyond the points their permit covers, usually Tsomgo and Baba Mandir. Mixed groups can travel together, with foreign members waiting at Baba Mandir while Indians continue.
Can children visit Nathu La?
Older children in good health usually manage a short visit, but 4,310 m is very high, and very young children cannot tell you when they feel unwell. We advise against taking children under about five. For all children, keep the visit short and watch for drowsiness, vomiting or unusual crying.
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