Entry Formalities
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 - Kolkata and Sikkim Tourism Office - Siliguri, Rangpo Tourist Lodge on the strength of an Indian visa. The 15 days duration permit is issued on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of passport and visa details along with two passport photos of the applicants are made available then & there.


The permissible duration of stay by foreign tourists would be 15 days initially with the State Government authorised to extend the same by a further period of 30 days of 15 days each. The extension of permits can be obtained from FRO at Gangtok, Superintendent of Police of the North, West and South Districts. For those interested in going for trekking in the interior regions of the State, the Department of Tourism issues Protected Area Permit (PAP) at Gangtok which is available for certain specified area for groups consisting of two or more foreigners subject to the conditions that the trekking programme is arranged through a Registered Travel Agency.

Transport & Communication
Nearest airport is Bagdogra in North Bengal which is 124 kms. and approximately 4 hours drive from Gangtok. There are Indian Airlines and other Airline services operating from Bagdogra linking Kolkata, Guwahati and New Delhi. Sik-kim Tourism operates daily five seater helicopter service between Gangtok and Bagdogra connecting all Civil Flights to and from Bagdogra.


Rail
The two closest railway stations are Siliguri (114 kms) and There is an out agency railway booking facility in Gangtok located at the SNT Bus terminus.

Road
Gangtok is connected by road to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and also to all District Headquarters within Sikkim. The Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) plies regular bus services from Gangtok to all major cities and towns in North Bengal and within the State. Booking facilities are available at Siliguri and Gangtok. Private buses and taxis are also available.

Air
the closest airport is at Bagdogra which is 124 Kms from Gangtok (about 4 hours drive) and connected by air with all important Indian Metroes.