Nathu La and Tsomgo Lake: a day trip that needs three days of planning

Nathu La looks like a one-day outing on a map and behaves like anything but. The permit needs lead time, the army closes the pass without warning, and the altitude catches people who feel completely fine in Gangtok.

Book the permit before the date, not on it

Permits are issued two to three days ahead and the pass is closed on Tuesdays plus whenever the army calls a closure for weather or movement. We build a buffer day into any Gangtok itinerary that includes Nathu La so a single closure does not sink the whole trip.

Photography rules

The border area is under military control. Photography is restricted to marked zones and your driver will tell you exactly where those are. Please do not photograph installations or personnel outside those areas.

If the pass shuts on your day

We swap the plan for Tsomgo Lake and the Baba Mandir shrine, both lower down and open more reliably, and refund or credit the difference in permit fees where the authorities allow it.