Sikkim, especially in its northern part, is an underrated haven for those looking for a mountainous adventure. While it was shut for tourists for more than four months due to natural calamities, starting September 8, 2025, North Sikkim has reopened for tourists. Within North Sikkim, tourists can now visit Lachung, Yumthang Valley, and Zero Point, whereas Lachen will likely open its doors after a month. Here’s all that you need to know about how North Sikkim has opened for tourists after a four-month hiatus.
North Sikkim Reopens: Details Of Permit, Tourist Sites, How To Reach, And More
Sikkim: An Underexplored Gem Of The Northeast
As one of the most gorgeous, underexplored locations in India, Sikkim, including North Sikkim, is a traveler’s paradise. With its snow-capped mountains, gentle streams, alpine meadows and forests, and other breathtaking natural features, North Sikkim is a must-visit for those looking for solace and adventure at the same time. The state has 28 mountain peaks, over 80 glaciers, 227 high-altitude lakes, five major hot springs, and hundreds of rivers and streams.
Not just that, it is also home to the third tallest mountain peak in the world, the Kanchenjunga as well as other tall peaks like the Frey Peak, Mount Jopuno, and Lama Wangden.
And now, as things improve, some spots in North Sikkim are now open to the public. Visitors will be able to visit and explore sites like Lachung, Yumthang Valley, as well as Zero Point. Lachen is home to the iconic Gurudongmar Lake and Lachen Monastery whereas in Lachung, you will find sites like Naga Falls, Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, and the Seven Sisters Waterfall. However, Lachen is closed as of September 2025 and will likely open in October 2025.
Permit Details For Visiting North Sikkim
Travelers visiting North Sikkim require obtaining a valid permit before visiting the beautiful destinations here. With North Sikkim reopened, online permits for the same are being issued from September 8, 2025. Indian travelers require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit many sites in Sikkim.
While Indian citizens are permitted to visit most sites within Sikkim, there are a few sites where foreign nationals are denied entry. You can obtain permits on the official Sikkim Tourism website or app, or through registered travel agents.
PAP is issued to the following:
- Domestic tourists/locals for protected areas in Sikkim,
- Foreign tourist for Tsomgo Lake in the East Sikkim and Lachen-Lachung-Yumthang-Thangu Valley in North Sikkim
- Two-Wheelers/Motor Bike Permit
Here are more details on where you can get a PAP for visiting different sites in North Sikkim:
Yumthang Valley Permit
Domestic tourists: Issued by the police check post.
Foreigners: Issued by the Tourism Department.
Vehicle permit: Issued by the police check post.
Yumesamdong
Domestic tourists: Issued by the police check post.
Foreigners: Issued by the Tourism Department.
Vehicle permit: Issued by the police check post.
Thangu-Chopta Valley
Domestic tourists: Issued by the police check post.
Foreigners: Issued by the Tourism Department. Foreigners must apply through a registered Sikkim Tourism travel agent in groups of two or more to visit these areas.
Vehicle permit: Issued by the police check post.
Gurudongmar Lake
Domestic tourists: Issued by the police check post.
Foreigners: Issued by the Permit Cell, Tourism Department till Thangu.
Green Lake Trek
Trekking Permit: Issued by Adventure Cell of Tourism Department after clearance from Forest department, Home Department and Army applied through a registered travel agency
Documents Required For Indian Nationals For Obtaining A Permit
- Voter ID
- Driving license
- 2 passport-size photographs
- Birth certificate/ Father’s voter ID/ passport (for children below 18 years of age)
Documents Required For Motor Bike/ Two Wheeler Permit
- Registration certificate of the bike
- Driving License
- Pollution certificate
- Insurance certificate
- 2 Passport-size photographs
- Identity proof of rider and co-rider
How To Reach/Travel Within North Sikkim
For almost all travelers visiting any part of Sikkim, East Sikkim’s Gangtok remains an important hub. It is well-connected to most other cities in the nearby region, having restaurants, accommodation, and other facilities.
To reach Gangtok, travelers can alight at the Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal (122 km) and take a bus/cab from there. Also, did you know that there is an exclusive helicopter service that takes travelers to and fro the Bagdogra Airport and Gangtok. This journey that only takes 20 odd minutes, provides a breathtaking view of the Northeastern vistas.
Additionally, Siliguri (112 km) and New Jalpaiguri (114 km) are also important cities near Gangtok. These cities have important railway stations as well as decent road connectivity leading to Gangtok and other regions in Sikkim. The National Highway 10 (earlier 31A) is an important highway running through Siliguri to Gangtok, serving as a lifeline for the people of Sikkim.
From Gangtok, you can easily hire shared taxis/cabs and jeeps to explore North Sikkim. While there are state-run buses that connect a few towns and villages, these aren’t the most reliable modes of transport for travelers.
Additional Travel Advisories Issued
Travelers must also follow specific movement timings when traveling in North Sikkim. If they are heading towards North Sikkim, they must cross the Sanklang Bridge Check Post by 1 PM and return via the Toong Bridge by 2 PM.
The Border Roads Organization has rebuilt the Sanklang Bridge, and a new diversion here has also reduced travel time by about 90 minutes for those heading towards Chungthang.
Launch Of Battlefield Tourism
Sikkim, along with opening North Sikkim for travelers, will also launch its much-anticipated initiative of battlefield tourism. This initiative, starting September 27, 2025, will allow domestic travelers to visit historically and strategically important sites like Chola and Doklam.
However, entry to these sites will be capped at a maximum of 25 vehicles per day for safety and conservation purposes. The iconic Nathula Pass will also be open under this initiative, allowing travelers to witness important destinations and places that have shaped India’s border history and upheld its legacy.
