Photo spot in Gangtok
Nathula Pass
Gangtok, Sikkim
A dramatic 4,310 m Indo-China border pass on the old Silk Route, snow-clad and starkly beautiful (Indian nationals, permit-only).
Best time
Early morning, when the sky over the pass is most often clear; avoid the afternoon, when cloud and wind usually close in.
Best angle
Stand where the soldiers allow at the viewing area and take a wide photo of the snowy ridge and the road climbing towards it, keeping army posts out of the frame.
Entry fee
Via permit
Opening hours
Daytime (permit; open select days)
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Nathula Pass
Early morning, when the sky over the pass is most often clear; avoid the afternoon, when cloud and wind usually close in. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Nathula Pass
Stand where the soldiers allow at the viewing area and take a wide photo of the snowy ridge and the road climbing towards it, keeping army posts out of the frame. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
On the snowy pass
By the border viewpoint
Outfit guide
What to wear at Nathula Pass
For photos at Nathula Pass, red, white and black work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Gangtok.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Gangtok.
Eat nearby
Food near Nathula Pass
Hungry after the shoot? Search the Gangtok food guide by craving to find something good nearby.
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Good to know
Local tips
Apply through your agency by the afternoon before, as permits are processed a day ahead and run out in busy weeks.
Carry your original photo ID and a few passport photos for the permit and the checkposts.
Don't plan Nathu La for a Monday or Tuesday, when it is usually closed to visitors.
Walk slowly at the top and don't climb the steps in a hurry, because the air is very thin.
Wear gloves, a hat and a windproof jacket even in summer, as it can snow at the pass in any month.
Ask a soldier before photographing anything near the border fence.
Keep a spare day in your trip, since snow or a landslide can cancel a permit on the morning itself.
The old road to Tibet
Nathu La is a mountain pass on the border between Sikkim and Tibet, at 4,310 metres and about 52–54 km east of Gangtok. For centuries mule trains crossed it with wool, silk and other goods between Lhasa and India. The pass was sealed after the 1962 war and saw fighting in 1967. It reopened for limited border trade in 2006 and is now a stop on the tourist circuit, run under army control.
Who can go
Only Indian nationals can visit. There is no permit that will take a foreign passport here. You apply through a registered Sikkim travel agency in Gangtok, usually the day before, with photo ID and passport photos. The agency also arranges the vehicle permit, so in practice you go in an operator's taxi. Numbers are capped each day, and the permits run out in busy weeks.
When it opens
The pass is usually open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Monday and Tuesday. Some recent sources say it also closes on Fridays. Snow, landslides and army orders can close it on any day. Check the current days with your agency before you plan around them.
At the top
There is a war memorial and a viewing area near the border fence, with the ridge and road below. Soldiers decide where you may walk and what you may photograph. Follow their instructions, and keep army posts and equipment out of your photos. Baba Mandir, a shrine to a soldier, is on the same circuit.
Altitude
At 4,310 metres the air has much less oxygen than in Gangtok, and you get there in a few hours. Move slowly and keep your stay short. If you get a strong headache, feel dizzy or start breathing hard, go down. Wear full winter clothing in every month.
Questions
Nathula Pass — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Nathula Pass?
Early morning, when the sky over the pass is most often clear; avoid the afternoon, when cloud and wind usually close in. Stand where the soldiers allow at the viewing area and take a wide photo of the snowy ridge and the road climbing towards it, keeping army posts out of the frame.
Is there an entry fee at Nathula Pass?
Entry to Nathula Pass is by permit.
What are the opening hours of Nathula Pass?
Nathula Pass keeps these hours: daytime (permit; open select days).
What should I wear at Nathula Pass?
Red, white and black photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Nathula Pass get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: early morning, when the sky over the pass is most often clear; avoid the afternoon, when cloud and wind usually close in.
Can foreign nationals visit Nathu La?
No. Only Indian nationals are given Nathu La permits. Foreign visitors can usually go as far as Tsomgo Lake on a group day permit.
Which days is Nathu La open?
Usually Wednesday to Sunday, closed on Monday and Tuesday. Some sources say Friday is also closed now, and weather can shut it on any day, so confirm with your agency.
Can I drive my own car to Nathu La?
In practice, no. Permits go through a registered Sikkim agency, which also arranges the vehicle permit. Most visitors travel in an operator's taxi.
How long can I stay at the top?
Visits are short, usually well under an hour, set by the army and your driver. At 4,310 metres a short stay is better for you anyway.