TRAVEL TIPS

VISA AND PERMITS : In addition to an Indian visa, foreigners must obtain inner line permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim, the permits can be obtained from all Indian missions, Tourism Office, New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism office, Calcutta and Sikkim Tourism Office, Siliguri on the strength of an Indian Visa.

Foreigners are issued a permit for initial period of 15 days duration on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of Passport and Visa details along with two passport photos of applicants are made available then and there. It can be extended for further 30 days of 15 days each. The extension of permits can be obtained from FRO at Gangtok, Superintendent of Police of North, South and West Districts.

If you are visiting the interior regions, you also require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) OR Protected Area Permit (PAP) which is obtainable in Gangtok from the Police Check Post and Department of Tourism.

By Flight : The closest Indian Airport is at Bagdogra,124 kms from Gangtok, where scheduled flights operates from Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati. Travel time from the airport to Gangtok is 4 hours. Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation also operates a daily helicopter service flight from Bagdogra to Gangtok (20 minutes). From Kathmandu, fly to Bhadrapur in the east Nepal(1 hour), then drive to Kakarbhitta (Nepal-India border,35 kms), to Siliguri(37 kms) and to Gangtok (110 kms,4 hrs). Or fly to Biratnagar also in the east.

By Rail : The closest Railhead is at New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri which are connected to Calcutta ,New Delhi Guwahati and other major Indian cities.

By Road : Gangtok is at a distance of 110 kms from Siliguri and will take 4 hours from Siliguri to reach Gangtok. Gangtok is connected by road with Darjeeling,(4 Hrs) and with Bhutan, Phuntsholing (6 Hrs).

ACCOMMODATION : There are modern hotels and restaurants in Gangtok. Comfortable resort lodges are available in the outlying areas.

TRANSPORT is provided by buses. Vehicles are also available on hire. Taxis are available for getting around Gangtok. Sikkim helicopter service operates sight-seeing flights to different points in Sikkim