Here how you get travel permission to enter in to Sikkim and to explore the hidden homestay in Himalayas

Sikkim is a beautiful Himalayan state crowned its top by Himalayas of Kanchanjunga Range. The state is known for ever beautiful homestay at the lap of nature, rich in terms of nature, culture and adventure. All the way very unique homestay like Lepcha Homestay in Zangu are its treasure in terms tourism assets. Though it is a part of Indian Union, needs special permit and establishment of ones identity to entered this Zone especially for the foreigners. You have to seek Inner Line Permission (ILP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter into. The above permit is easily available in the strength of your Passport and accompanied Visa for Indian Union. It is free of cost as well as very accessible to all till you have the above two documents. Whereas in case of Nepal Citizens, ILP is issued only against the proof of Nationality or producing Certificate of Citizenship. Nepal Citizen need not have to produced Passport and Visa for ILP.  Apart from this, even after entering Sikkim to enter protected areas under Sikkim not only the foreigners but all Indian citizen and even in some cases even by the local Sikkimese have to seek Protected Areas Permit (PAP) to entered specially protected zone in Sikkim like National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, and Bio-reserve etc.

Where from and how to get Inner Line Permit  

ILP is issued at all Foreigners Registration Offices including Immigration offices of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkota Airport. The most easier way to get Inner Line Permit is to follow the Office of the Assistant Director Tourism Department, Government of Sikkim at Melli Police Check Post while entering Sikkim following Melli Chec kpost and Office of the Assistant Director, Tourism Department, near Rangpo Police Check Post at Rangpo Gate while entering via Rangpo. You will be best assisted by your guide or by your cab driver since they are very much informed and acquainted about your requirement and how to get it. You will get it on the spot.

Your Checklist to get Inner Line Permit:

1.      Photocopies Passport and Visa

2.      Two Passport size photos.

For Nepal Citizen: Photocopies of Nepali Citizenship and Two Passport size photos

It is worth mentioning here that to get ILP in case of the citizen from Nigeria, China, Myanmar, Pakistan and Bangladesh a prior approval of the Ministry of Home affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi is required without which it cannot be issued by the above mention offices.

Validity of your ILP: 

 your Inner Line Permit shall initially remain valid for 30 days. It can be renewed for further 30 days period from Foreigners Registration Office (FRO), Gangtok East Sikkim or from the Office of the Superintendent of Police located at South Sikkim at Namchi, North Sikkim at Mangan and West Sikkim at  Geylshing.

Entry formality for all general people including Indian tourist:

Proof of indentiy is compulsory for all general public and Indian tourists while entering Sikkim which you have to show at the relevant Check post and entry gate. You are advised to carry with you at least one of the following valid documents:

1.      Adhar Card,

2.      PAN Card,

3.      Voter ID Card

4.      Driving Liscence

5.      Passport

6.      Government Employee Identity Card or other relevant documents which will help establish your identity beyond reasonable doubt.

 

Protected Area Permit (PAP)

While! The story is still not over. Himalayas are vulnerable; they are sensitive and need special protection and regulation for sustainable tourism practices. If you are interested to visit hidden paradise inside and in interior of this small Himalayan State you need another another special permit i.e., Protected Area Permit (PAP). Here is how you will get it and for which places this special permit is needed.

Places to require Protected Areas Permit in Sikkim:

1.      Nathula Pass and Tsongo Baba Mandir in East Sikkim. Passed is issued by Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim Gangtok. Ask your travel agent for the same. They will seek it for you. You need to provide your Passport Size Photos and documents.

2.      Thangu-Chopta Valley, Yumthang, Yumesamdong, Gurudongmar, in North Sikkim permit is issued by Tourism Department and also by  relevant police check post in case of domestic tourist.

3.      Green Lake trekking in North Sikkim the permit is issued by Tourism Department only after obtaining permit from Ministry of Home Department, Government of India, New Delhi.

4.      For all National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Ministry of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok.

5.      Alpine Mountaineering Expedition Permit for the following places is issued by the  Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation after getting permission from the Home Department, Government of Sikkim. Places includes:

a.       Tinchenkhang, West Sikkim

b.      Freys Peak, West Sikkim

c.       Jopuno, West Sikkim

d.      Lama Angden, North Sikkim

e.       Brum Khangse, North Sikkim  

 

Latest COVID-19 Protocol to Visit Sikkim

Home Department, Government of Sikkim issued the guidelines and measured for Containment of COVID-19 for the tourist visiting Sikkim as follows:

Entry of all person, including tourists, who have been fully vaccinated against COVID, shall be allowed entry from Melli and Rangpo Checkpost, without RTPCR negative report, on production of valid vaccination documents. For all others, RTPCR negative report of 72 hours is needed to enter Sikkim apart from the above documents.

It’s time to enjoy the grandeur of Himalayas.