Sikkim the Himalayan state is the jewel of tourism in the North East part of India. The state is bordered by Chinese Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and West Bengal. Sikkim is popular for its peaceful and chaste ambiance, hence nicknamed the ‘Land of Peace and Tranquility’. Tourism in Sikkim has observed a significant boost over the last two decades where the number of tourist footfalls has exceeded the local population of the state. Sikkim has a lot to offer to its guests, specially mesmerises with its natural beauty and the views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Mountains, lakes, rivers, monasteries, forests, offbeat, treks, Sikkim has it all. However, not every part of Sikkim allows unrestricted entry. There are two types of permits required to wander in Sikkim.
Traverse the Land of Peace and Tranquility with Permits
If you are planning to visit Sikkim for the first time then it's quite natural you will not be well acquainted with the detailed information about the permits. Let’s comprehend Sikkim Tourism with the different kinds of permits required.
To begin with, the entire state of Sikkim is enclosed under permit categories - ILP or RAP and PAP. ILP stands for Inner Line Permit, PAP stands for Protected Areas Permit and RAP stands for Restricted Areas Permit. ILP is recently renamed as RAP.
Restricted Areas Permit
Restricted Areas Permit (RAP) is strictly meant for international tourists. Except for Bhutan nationals, other international visitors require to obtain the Restricted Areas Permit to enter and tour through Sikkim. There are some relaxations for Nepal and Bangladesh citizens as well. These permits are issued due to the presence of international borders on the three sides of the state.
The permit can be issued free of cost from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration offices atMumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi airports, Sikkim and Siliguri Tourism Department, Darjeeling Deputy Commissioner, Tourist Information Centre at Bagdogra, Pakyong, Rambam and Reshi.
Issuing of RAP can facilitate entry to the following areas -
●East Sikkim - Gangtok, Pakyong, Rongli, Rhenock, Rorathang, Rumtek, Barapathing and Aritar.
●West Sikkim - Soreng, Khechepopalri, Yuksom, Gyalsingh, Pemagyangtse and Tashiding.
●South Sikkim - Ravangla and Namchi
●North Sikkim - Mangan, Phodong, Singhik upto Toong.
For the application of RAP, the following process has to be conducted -
1.Fill up the application form with the necessary details and submit the same.
2.Submit copies of passport-sized photograph, visa and valid passport.
3.Post verification, the permit is issued with a unique reference number, valid for 30 days.
4.Submit a copy of the application form and Permit to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) for record purposes.
5.The foreign tourists need to present themselves in the FRO before moving out of Sikkim.
Protected Areas Permit
Protected Areas Permit or PAP is issued to Indian tourists for the protected areas in Sikkim. In case of International tourists, PAP is issued for visiting Tsongmo Lake and Lachen-Lachung-Yumthang-Thangu Valley, and also for motorbikes or two-wheelers.
The following areas require Protected Areas Permit
North Sikkim - Vehicle permit and domestic tourist permit is issued at the Police Check Post. Foreign tourists’ permit is issued by the Tourism Department.
●Yumthang permit
●Yumesamdong permit
●Thangu-Chopta Valley permit
●Gurudongmar permit - Foreigners are allowed till Thangu and the permits are issued by the Permit cell.
●Green Lake Trekking Permit - The Adventure Cell of the Tourism Department issues the permit after the validation from the Home Department, Forest Department and Army.
South Sikkim
●Mainam trekking - Permits are issued by TIC Gangtok and TIC Pelling via a registered Travel Agency after clearance from the Home and Forest Department and Police and Army.
●Alpine Mountaineering Expedition - The Tourism Department issues the permit after getting clearance from the Home and Forest Department and Police and Army. Permits are granted for the following peaks - Jopuno, Freys Peak, Lama Angden and Brum Khangse.
●National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries - Permits are issued by the Forest Department at Gangtok.
East Sikkim - Permits are issued at the Police Check Post or by the Tourism Department
●Tsomgo - Baba Mandir permit- Foreign tourists are restricted beyond the Tsomgo Lake and the permit is issued by the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department.
●Nathula Pass permit
West Sikkim - Permits are issued by TIC Gangtok and TIC Pelling after clearance from the Army and the Home and Forest Departments.
●Dzongri Lake permit
●Singalila Trek permit.
