Nathu La
The border pass at 4,310 m on the old road to Lhasa
Nathu La crosses the Dongkya range at 4,310 m and links Sikkim with the Chumbi valley in Tibet. For centuries it was one of the main gateways of the trade route between Kalimpong and Lhasa, carrying wool, salt and musk one way and cloth, tea and manufactured goods the other. Today it is a guarded border between India and China.
Visitors drive up from Gangtok past Tsomgo Lake and the army settlement at Sherathang to a parking area below the pass. From there, steps lead up to a viewing area by the border fence, where Indian and Chinese posts stand a short distance apart. Soldiers on duty explain the rules, and photography is restricted at certain points.
The air at 4,310 m holds much less oxygen than at sea level, and the wind is usually cold. Keep the visit to about an hour, climb the steps slowly and come down if you feel unwell. Spend at least one night in Gangtok before going up.
Highlights
What Nathu La does best
A platform by the fence where you can look across to the Chinese side of the pass.
A shrine to an Indian soldier said to still watch over the border, visited on the way back.
A memorial to Indian soldiers who died in the 1967 clashes at the pass.
Deep snow lies around the pass for much of the year, often into April.
A climb from 1,650 m to 4,310 m in about three hours, through forest, alpine scrub and bare ridges.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Nathu La
Pooled vehicles sold by Gangtok agents cover Nathu La, Baba Mandir and Tsomgo for about ₹1,200–2,000 a seat with the permit. Documents must reach the agent the day before.
A reserved car through a registered agent costs about ₹5,500–7,500 including Tsomgo and Baba Mandir. Only vehicles registered for the route are allowed beyond the checkpost.
Fly to Bagdogra and spend at least one night in Gangtok before going up. Do not try to reach Nathu La on the day you arrive. Check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Visitors cannot stay at or near Nathu La; the area is a military zone. Stay in Gangtok and go as a day trip. Pick a central hotel or guesthouse that serves early breakfast, as vehicles leave between 7 and 8 am. Guesthouses cost ₹1,200–2,500, mid-range hotels ₹3,000–6,000 and heritage or resort stays ₹9,000 and more.
An established mid-range hotel on Tibet Road, a few minutes' walk from MG Marg, with rooms that look out over the valley towards Kangchenjunga on clear …
A heritage hotel built in the 1930s as the royal guest house of the Chogyals of Sikkim, now run by Elgin Hotels. It has period rooms, …
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. BeginFrom our planners
Five things to know
- Apply through a registered agent a day ahead with photo ID and two passport photos.
- The pass is usually closed to tourists on Mondays and Tuesdays; plan around it.
- Do not photograph soldiers, bunkers or anything you are told not to.
- Climb the steps to the viewing area slowly and turn back if you feel dizzy.
- Carry snacks and water; food options above Tsomgo are limited to a few army-run cafés.
The local story
The soldier who never left the pass
In 1968 Harbhajan Singh, a young sepoy of the Punjab Regiment, died near Nathu La. The most common account is that he slipped into a fast stream while leading mules to a remote post, and his body was found some days later.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Nathu La
Can foreigners visit Nathu La?
No. Nathu La is open only to Indian nationals. Foreign nationals, including OCI card holders, are not issued Nathu La permits. Foreigners can visit Tsomgo Lake on a day trip with a Protected Area Permit arranged through an agent, but must turn back before the pass. Check current status before you travel.
Which days is Nathu La open to tourists?
Nathu La is usually open to tourists from Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It also closes after heavy snow, during security events and on some special days. The permit system is managed by the Sikkim government and the army. Check current status before you travel.
How do I get a Nathu La permit?
Book through a registered travel agent in Gangtok. Indian nationals submit a copy of a government photo ID and two passport photos, usually by early afternoon the day before. The agent applies online or through the tourism office and includes the permit in the vehicle price. You cannot apply in person as an individual tourist.
How high is Nathu La and is altitude sickness a risk?
Nathu La is at 4,310 m, high enough for headaches, breathlessness and nausea in some visitors. Spend at least one night in Gangtok first, avoid alcohol the night before, climb slowly and keep the visit short. If symptoms worsen, descend. People with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor.
Can children visit Nathu La?
Children have visited, but the altitude and cold are harder on small children, who may not tell you they feel unwell. Many families take young children only as far as Tsomgo. Age limits for permits have varied over the years. Ask your agent about the current rule and check current status before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Nathu La?
April to June and October to November usually give open roads and clearer skies. December to March brings deep snow and frequent closures. July to September brings cloud and landslides. For snow with a good chance of the road being open, March and April are often a reasonable compromise.
Can I take photographs at Nathu La?
You can photograph the scenery and yourselves in the visitor area, but soldiers may stop photography of border installations, people in uniform or the Chinese side at certain points. Follow their instructions at once. Drones are not allowed. Phones usually have little or no signal at the pass.
What is there to see at Nathu La?
You see the border fence and the posts of both countries, the Nathu La war memorial, snowfields, and on clear days long views over the ridges. Most trips also stop at Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir and at Tsomgo Lake on the way back. Allow a full day from Gangtok.
Is the Nathu La trade route still in use?
Border trade through Nathu La reopened in 2006 after a gap of more than 40 years, through a trade mart at Sherathang, with local traders exchanging a limited list of goods in summer. Trade has been suspended at times since 2020. It is not a crossing point for tourists in either direction.
Nearby
Pair it with
A glacial lake at 3,753 m on the road to Nathu La
Sikkim's capital on a ridge above the Ranikhola valley
Hairpin bends and homestays on the old Silk Route
Shape your own trip Tell us your dates and budget. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the valley to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an itemised price within one working day. No payment to start. Begin