Travel Advisory

1	Most of the beautiful tourist destination in Sikkim falls in high altitude areas. Bring in warm clothes.
2	Do not bring large number of luggages.
3	If you are visiting for trekking purposes, warm down jacket, good hiking shoes, pairs of warm shocks, woolen cap, sun glasses, walking pole, water bottle, down feather sleeping bag, rain gears are some of the items one should bring.
4	Bring along copies of passport size photos, copies of passport. Domestic must carry one of the photo identity documents: voter ID/Passport/Government issued photo identity proof/driving licence/school identity card.
5	Hotels provide room heater at an extra cost.
6	Numerous ATMS are available in Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kalimpong. But Yuksom, Lachung, Lachen, Uttarey do not have ATM Machines.
7	Exchange of currencies can be done in banks or private money exchanger.
8	Most home stays are located in rural areas, sleep timing is early.
9	Specially in Sikkim, government run health centers are available throughout the state.
10	Rangpo and Melli are two entry and exit points for the foreigners.
11	Gurudogmar Lake, Babamandir and Nathula are not opened for foreigners.
12	Nathula is opened on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays in a week. Permit is issued through registered travel agents of Sikkim.
13	Smoking is not allowed in all public places in Sikkim.
14	Most monasteries in Sikkim do not permit photography.
15	Always remove your shoes while entering religious places.
16	Do not photograph army installation.
17	Restaurant in Gangtok serves all types of cuisine. Indian, Chinese, Continental, Local.
18	Most of the offbeat destination has family home stays for accommodation.

 

ENTRY FORMALITIES

Entry Formalities for Foreigners
Foreigners must obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim. These can be obtained from all Indian Missions, Sikkim Tourism Offices at New Delhi, Kolkata, District Magistrates Office of Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Rangpo and Melli on the strength of an Indian Visa. The 30 days duration Permit is issued on the spot. Photo copies of Passport, Indian Visa along with two passport size photos needed. The permissible duration of the stay for foreign tourists is 30 days initially and extendable for further period of 30 days. Extension can be done through the The State Government authorized offices –Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) at Gangtok and office of Superintendent of Police of the North, West and South Districts.

For those interested in going for trekking in the interior region of the state, the Tourism and Civil Aviation issues Protected Area Permit (PAP) at Gangtok which is available for certain specified area for groups consisting of two or more foreigners subject to condition that the trekking programme is arranged through a registered travel agency.

 

Entry Formalities for Domestic Tourist
wishing to visit Gurudogmar Lake, Yumthang, Tsongo, Babamandir from Check Post Office, Police Department where as Nathula permit is issued by Tourism & Civil Aviation Department through registered Travel Agents of Sikkim. They must carry photo identity proof along with passport size photos. Voter ID, Passport, Driving Licence, Pan Card or any government issued identity card.