PERMITS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
INDIAN NATIONALS
do not require any permit to visit unrestricted areas in Sikkim, like Gangtok, Rumtek, Pemayangtse, Yoksom, Phodong etc. However to visit restricted areas under army control, like Changu and Yumthang, Indian Nationals are required to obtain an inner-line permit (ILP) from Sikkim Police at Gangtok. The travel agent can arrange the ILP for you within a few hours. Besides Changu and Yumthang, Indian Nationals are not permitted to visit other restricted places in Sikkim . Only under special circumstances visits to other restricted places in Sikkim is permitted but permission is required to be sought from the Home Department, Government of Sikkim. Although the Dzongu area of Sikkim does not fall in the restricted area, a permit from the north district Collectorate at Mangan is required to visit.
FOREIGN NATIONALS
would require a restricted area permit to visit even areas that are unrestricted for Indian Nationals. Indian Embassies abroad, Representatives of Government of Sikkim at Delhi, Calcutta and Siliguri and some other offices have been authorized to issue restricted area permits to foreigners. Foreign nationals are permitted to visit Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodong and Pemayangtse on the basis of their visas for a period of fifteen days. Foreigners are also permitted to trek to Zongri provided they are in a group of four or more. They are also permitted to visit the Changu lake and the Yumthang valley provided they are in groups. The Information Center can always be contacted for any clarifications.To visit wild life sanctuaries contact Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Secretariat, Deorali, Gangtok. For the benefits of all tourists, taxis in Gangtok are provided with rate charts.