Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass and Baba Mandir sit along the same road east of Gangtok, but they're not equally open to everyone — who can go where depends on nationality, and access to all three requires permits arranged in advance rather than on arrival.
Tsomgo Lake
A glacial lake at around 3,700 metres, roughly two hours from Gangtok, and the part of this route open to both Indian and foreign nationals with the right permit. It's usually the first stop on the route and, for foreign travellers, the furthest point they're permitted to reach.
Nathula Pass
A historic pass on the India-China border, once part of the old trade route between Tibet and India. Nathula Pass is open only to Indian citizens — foreign nationals cannot obtain a permit for it under any circumstances, which is worth knowing before building an itinerary around it.
Baba Mandir
A military shrine along the same road, usually visited as part of the same day trip by Indian nationals holding the combined Tsomgo Lake-Baba Mandir-Nathula Pass permit.
Permits
A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required for Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass, on top of the Restricted Area Permit foreign nationals already need to enter Sikkim generally — see our Sikkim travel guide for that base-level permit. Indian nationals can arrange the Tsomgo Lake/Baba Mandir/Nathula permit through a police check post or registered agent in Gangtok; foreign nationals' permits (Tsomgo Lake only) are processed through a registered travel agency working with the police. Nobody arranges this permit independently online in advance — it's tied to a specific vehicle and date, typically confirmed the day before travel.
Weekly closures and vehicle limits
Nathula Pass is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the number of vehicles allowed through each day is capped, so permits for popular dates can run out. Closures also happen at short notice due to weather or security conditions on the border. Confirm the current schedule with your Gangtok operator when you fix your dates, rather than assuming last year's pattern still holds.
Getting there
This is a full-day trip arranged from Gangtok — only authorised vehicles with local drivers are permitted on this road beyond a certain checkpoint, so it isn't a self-drive or solo option regardless of nationality. See our things to do in Gangtok guide for fitting this into a wider Gangtok itinerary.
When to go
May to October generally offers the most reliable road access and clearer weather. Winter can bring heavy snow and more frequent closures, though some travellers specifically go for the snow at that altitude. See our month-by-month breakdown for how this fits the wider Sikkim calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners visit Nathula Pass?
No. Nathula Pass is open only to Indian citizens. Foreign nationals can obtain a permit for Tsomgo Lake but are not permitted to continue on to Nathula Pass or Gurudongmar Lake, regardless of what permit they hold.
What days is Nathula Pass closed?
It's typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with a daily cap on the number of vehicles allowed through. Closures also happen at short notice for weather or security reasons, so confirm the current schedule with your operator before planning your date.
Can I drive to Tsomgo Lake or Nathula Pass myself?
No. Only authorised vehicles with local drivers are permitted beyond a certain point, and permits are arranged through a registered travel agency in Gangtok rather than issued to independent or self-drive travellers.
