North Sikkim reopens for tourists after 4 months, online permits now available

North Sikkim reopens for tourists after 4 months, online permits now available (Image: Canva)

North Sikkim, one of India’s most breathtaking travel destinations, is welcoming tourists again after being closed for nearly four months due to natural calamities. Officials confirmed that from September 8, 2025, visitors can once more explore Lachung, Yumthang Valley, and Zero Point, while Lachen is expected to reopen in the next season.

Online permits for visiting Sikkim are being issued from September 8. Indian citizens require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to access restricted border areas, which include popular destinations such as Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, and Yumthang Valley. These permits can be obtained via the official Sikkim Tourism website, its mobile app, or through registered travel agents.

Travelers must also follow specific movement timings: tourists heading forward need to cross the Sanklang bridge check-post by 1 pm, and return via the Toong bridge by 2 pm. Connectivity, which had been cut off since late May, was restored after the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) rebuilt the Sanklang bridge. A newly created diversion has also reduced travel time by about 90 minutes for those heading toward Chungthang.

Officials hope the reopening of the region will give a much-needed boost to the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism.

Adding to the excitement, Sikkim will launch its much-anticipated battlefield tourism initiative later this month. Starting September 27, domestic tourists will be allowed to visit strategically significant sites like Chola and Doklam, with entry capped at 25 vehicles a day. These destinations, along with the iconic Nathula Pass, are part of a larger effort to showcase India’s border history and defence legacy.

With North Sikkim reopening, permits going digital, and new tourism projects underway, the state is set to reclaim its spot as one of Northeast India’s most sought-after adventure and cultural tourism hubs.

(With inputs from PTI)