Adventure · Tsomgo Lake, Sikkim
Nathu La, the pass on the Lhasa road
Continue past Tsomgo to the Nathu La at 4,310 m, the pass on the old Kalimpong–Lhasa trade route and today a border post between India and China. It is open only to Indian nationals with a permit, on set days, and the visit is short and cold.
Photo: shankar s. · CC BY 2.0 · CommonsFrom Tsomgo the road climbs another 17 km or so through bare, rocky country to the pass. On the Indian side there is a memorial, a viewing area and, in good weather, a view down into the Chumbi valley of Tibet. Army staff manage the area and set the rules, which can include limits on photography and on time at the top.
Nathu La was one of the main passes between Sikkim and Tibet, used by traders carrying wool and salt down and cloth and goods up. Border trade stopped in 1962 and reopened in 2006, through a trade mart at Sherathang below the pass, and it runs in the summer season when permitted. The pass also forms part of one route for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims when that route is open.
Permits are issued only to Indian nationals and only through registered agencies in Gangtok, usually for specific days of the week, often Wednesday to Sunday. Snow, weather and security decisions can cancel visits at short notice. At 4,310 m, the risk of altitude sickness is real: no running, plenty of water, and talk to your doctor first if you have health conditions. Check current status before you travel.
Good for
Also in Tsomgo Lake
More days here
Photo: Indrajit Das · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
A slow walk around Tsomgo's shore
Walk the shore path at Tsomgo while the light is low and the stalls are still opening. In winter you see a frozen lake …
Photo: Myself (Ambuj Saxena) · Public domain · Commons
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
Stop at the shrine honouring Harbhajan Singh, an Indian Army soldier who died in this area in 1968. Soldiers posted on …
Questions
Before you book
Can foreigners visit Nathu La?
No. Nathu La has been open only to Indian nationals, with a Protected Area Permit arranged through a registered Gangtok agency. Foreigners can usually visit Tsomgo Lake instead. Check current status before you travel.
On which days is Nathu La open for tourists?
Tourist visits have usually been allowed Wednesday to Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday closed, but weather and security can change this at short notice. Ask your agency and check current status before you travel.
How long can I stay at Nathu La?
Visits are short, typically 30–60 minutes at the top, set by the army and your permit. The altitude of 4,310 m also makes a longer stay unwise for most people.