What permits are required for Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir?

Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir lie in a restricted high-altitude border zone requiring a Protected Area Permit (PAP) issued by Sikkim Tourism and police checkposts. DMC Darjeeling processes these permits through authorized local channels. Indian nationals need a valid government photo ID (Voter ID, Passport, or Aadhaar) and 2 passport-size photographs.

Can foreign nationals visit Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass?

Foreign nationals (including OCI holders) can visit Tsomgo Lake with a special Protected Area Permit obtained in Gangtok (must travel in groups of minimum 2 with a registered travel agency). However, Nathula Pass is strictly restricted to Indian citizens only by Indian military regulations.

How is Nathula Pass booked and is it guaranteed?

Nathula Pass permits are issued on limited quota by the Sikkim Tourism Department 24 hours in advance. It is closed to tourists on Mondays and Tuesdays. Nathula is not guaranteed due to quota limits, weather, and heavy snowfall; an extra supplement is payable if permits are granted.

Darjeeling & Gangtok Sikkim Twin Paradise Tour (5 Days / 4 Nights)

✦ Can You Visit Both Darjeeling and Gangtok in 5 Days?

Yes! The 5 Days / 4 Nights Darjeeling and Gangtok Twin Tour is the most popular, time-tested itinerary in the Eastern Himalayas. It allocates 2 nights in Darjeeling (focusing on Tiger Hill sunrise, toy train, and tea heritage) and 2 nights in Gangtok, Sikkim (exploring Tibetan monasteries, MG Marg boulevard, and the high-altitude glacial Tsomgo Changu Lake at 12,400 ft). The scenic mountain drive between Darjeeling and Gangtok takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours along the Teesta and Rangit rivers.

Duration 5 Days / 4 Nights

Destinations Darjeeling (2N) + Gangtok (2N)

Max Altitude 12,400 ft (Tsomgo Lake)

Permits Handled Sikkim PAP Included

Pickup & Drop Bagdogra (IXB) / NJP

Day-by-Day Comprehensive Itinerary

Seamless interstate operations managed with authorized Sikkim-registered mountain vehicles.

Day 1

Arrival Bagdogra / NJP to Darjeeling Hill Station

70 km • ~3.5 hrs

Arrival at Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. Meet your hill driver and begin the picturesque drive to Darjeeling (6,710 ft), passing Kurseong tea hills and pine forests.

Check in at your Darjeeling hotel. Enjoy complimentary welcome tea.
Evening at leisure: Take an evening walk around Chowrasta Mall Road, browse woolens at the local bazaars, and enjoy pastries at Glenary's.
Dinner and overnight stay in Darjeeling.

Day 2

Tiger Hill Sunrise & Darjeeling 7-Point Sightseeing

Darjeeling City Circuit

Early morning 4:00 AM trip to Tiger Hill (8,482 ft) to catch the iconic sunrise over the Kanchenjunga range. Return via the historic 1850 Ghoom Monastery and the Batasia Loop spiral.

Hearty breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo (Red Pandas, Snow Leopards), and Tenzing Rock.
Exterior view of Happy Valley Tea Estate and visit to Japanese Peace Pagoda.
Evening optional joyride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR).
Overnight stay in Darjeeling.

Day 3

Scenic Drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok, Sikkim

100 km • ~4 hrs drive

After breakfast, check out and embark on a picturesque journey to Gangtok (5,410 ft), the capital of Sikkim. Drive down through tea terraces to the Teesta River confluence (Triveni - popular for white-water rafting).

Cross the Sikkim state border at Rangpo (inner line permit formalities handled for non-Indian guests).
Arrive in Gangtok and check into your hotel.
Evening at leisure on MG Marg: the vibrant, vehicle-free boulevard lined with Sikkimese cafes, souvenir shops, and prayer flag displays.
Overnight stay in Gangtok.

Day 4

Excursion to Tsomgo Changu Lake (12,400 ft) & Baba Mandir

Round trip ~85 km alpine ascent

After breakfast, depart for an exhilarating high-altitude journey on the historic Old Silk Route towards the Indo-China border.

Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake, 12,400 ft): A sacred glacial lake known for its crystal-clear oval waters reflecting surrounding snow-capped peaks. In winter and spring, the lake surface is partially frozen. Optional yak rides available.
Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Mandir (13,123 ft): A legendary shrine honoring an Indian army soldier revered as the guardian spirit of Himalayan soldiers.
Optional Nathula Pass (14,140 ft): Subject to military permit availability, open Wed–Sun for Indian citizens only (supplement applies).
Return to Gangtok by late afternoon. Evening free for shopping on MG Marg.
Overnight stay in Gangtok.

Day 5

Flower Exhibition, Do Drul Chorten & Departure Transfer

Gangtok → IXB / NJP (~125 km, ~4.5 hrs)

After breakfast, visit the famous Flower Exhibition Centre showcasing native Sikkimese orchids and the golden-topped Do Drul Chorten monastery stupa.

Check out from Gangtok hotel.
Drive down the foothills following the Teesta river valley to Siliguri.
Drop-off at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) for onward travel.

Inclusions

2 Nights stay in Darjeeling and 2 Nights stay in Gangtok with daily breakfast.
Private sanitized commercial vehicles for interstate transfers and local sightseeing.
Sikkim Protected Area Permit (PAP) processing for Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir.
Early morning Tiger Hill sunrise excursion.
Full-day Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir excursion vehicle pass.
All toll taxes, state border entry permits, parking, and driver allowances.

Exclusions

Airfare or train tickets.
Nathula Pass permit supplement (subject to government quota approval).
Toy Train Joy Ride tickets in Darjeeling (booked on request via IRCTC).
Yak rides, cable car ropeway, and monument entry tickets.
Additional hotel or cab costs resulting from landslides or severe weather.

Essential Sikkim Permit Guidelines & Nationality Rules

Circuit / Destination	Indian Nationals	Foreign Nationals	Documents Required
Gangtok City	No permit needed	ILP issued at Rangpo Border (Free)	Passport + Indian Visa
Tsomgo Lake & Baba Mandir	PAP required (Processed by DMC)	PAP required (Min 2 pax with guide)	Voter ID / Passport + 2 Photos
Nathula Pass (Border)	Special permit (Wed–Sun only)	Restricted (Not Permitted)	Indian Passport / Voter ID

High-Altitude Safety & Weather Notice: Tsomgo Lake is located at 12,400 ft. Travelers with cardiovascular or respiratory ailments should consult their doctor. Due to heavy snowfall in peak winter (January–February) or heavy monsoon rains, roads to Tsomgo Lake may occasionally be restricted by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). In such instances, alternative cultural sightseeing around Gangtok (Rumtek Monastery, Ban Jhakri Falls, and Namgyal Institute of Tibetology) will be arranged.

Frequently Asked Questions: Darjeeling & Gangtok Tour

When should I submit my documents for Sikkim permits? +

Please share clear scanned copies or photos of your government ID (Voter ID or Passport) and passport photos with our team at least 48 hours prior to your travel date so our Gangtok desk can process permits promptly.

Can we hire an Innova Crysta for the full tour? +

Yes! We highly recommend private Innova Crysta vehicles for this circuit because of the high-altitude curves and mountain terrain between Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Tsomgo Lake.

Can Pelling or North Sikkim (Lachung/Lachen) be added? +

Yes. For travelers with 7 to 9 days, we offer extended itineraries including Pelling (Skywalk, Kanchenjunga Falls) and North Sikkim (Lachung, Yumthang Valley of Flowers, and Gurudongmar Lake).