East Sikkim · Road guide
Gangtok to Nathu La
Gangtok to Nathu La is about 54 km, 2.5–3 hours, on NH310 past Tsomgo Lake to the India–China border pass at 4,310 m. It is open only to Indian nationals with a permit filed a day ahead, usually Wednesday to Sunday, in a Sikkim-registered tourist vehicle.
Photo: shankar s. · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Your options
How to make the trip
Shared tour seat
≈ 2.5–3 h each way · ≈ ₹1,200–1,800 a person for Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and Nathu La
Agents in Gangtok sell seats on shared vehicles running the full circuit on open days. Hand over ID and two photos the day before; the Nathu La permit costs about ₹200 per person. Only Indian nationals can join. Departures are around 7 am, and the pass visit itself is short, so the day centres on Tsomgo and Baba Mandir.
Reserved SUV
≈ 2.5–3 h each way · ≈ ₹6,500–9,000 a car
A reserved Sikkim-registered SUV for Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and Nathu La gives more flexibility for stops and for older travellers who need a slower pace. The agent arranges both permits. Nathu La is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and after heavy snow. Check current status before you travel. Check current rates before you travel.
Fares are indicative. Landslides, snow and check-post timings change journeys: check current status before you travel.
On the way
Stops worth the time
- Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
- Tsomgo Lake
- Sherathang trade mart (seen from the road)
- Baba Mandir on the way back
Spend at least one night in Gangtok first for the permit and acclimatisation, carry original ID, and walk very slowly at the pass, which is at 4,310 m.
Questions travellers ask
Gangtok to Nathu La: questions
Can foreigners visit Nathu La?
No. Nathu La is open only to Indian nationals. Foreign travellers can usually visit Tsomgo Lake on a one-day permit in a group of two or more through a registered agent, but not Nathu La. NRIs and OCI holders should check their eligibility with us. Check current status before you travel.
On which days is Nathu La open?
As we understand it, Nathu La is usually open to tourists from Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with further closures after heavy snow or for official reasons. Permits are filed a day ahead through a registered agent. Check current status before you travel.
Is Nathu La safe for seniors and children?
Many seniors and children visit, but at 4,310 m the thin air affects everyone. Spend a night or two in Gangtok first, walk slowly at the pass, drink water and limit your time there. Anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor first and may prefer to stop at Tsomgo.
How much does a Nathu La trip cost from Gangtok?
Indicatively, a shared seat for Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and Nathu La costs about ₹1,200–1,800 per person, and a reserved SUV about ₹6,500–9,000 a car, plus about ₹200 per person for the Nathu La permit and the Tsomgo permit fees. Check current rates before you travel.
Either end
The places this road joins
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Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
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