Sikkim permit: Yes or No ??

teeratiti

Does anybody know that we (2pax) need any travel/road permit for visit Sikkim (belgian passportholder). We will enter/exit Sikkim as follow:

- enter India from Bangladesh at the Haldibari/Chilahati bordercrossing: then we will travel further on to Jalpaiguri; Siliguri. Kalimpong; Gangtok; Pemayangtse; Darjeeling; Bagdogra and then further on to the Nepalese bordercrossing at Kakarbhitta. We shall arrange the India visa at the Indian Embassy at home (Brussels).

- exit India and enter Nepal at the Kakarbhitta bordercrossing.

So, now i don't know is it possible or not ?? Do we need some permits ?? So yes, where and how can we arrange it ? Do you think is it possible to enter India at the Haldibari border without any permit (only tourist visa)?? Is it possible to get a permit (if we need) at the border ??

Maybe (if not possible to enter India from Haldibari) we will exit Bangladesh/enter India via the bordercrossing at Tamabil/Dauki (Meghalaya). Is this a better option or not ?? Do we need some special permits for Meghalaya or not ?? Is this the same permit as for Sikkim ?? So, if we enter India at Tamabil/Dauki then we will travel further on to Shillong and Guwahati and then by train from Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri (as next we will travel through Sikkim as in above option).

The main question is: We will exit Bangladesh from Haldibari or maybe Tamabil and we will travel further on overland to Nepal. So i will know is it possible at this bordercrossings or not and what kind of permit do i need for Sikkim.

Yes i know to many questions !!! But i hope mabe somebody can give us some helpfull (recently) information about this. Thanks.

Vagabond_

You will certainly need a permit ...
I dont think its tough to get it though .. Im sure someone will soon help you.

cyberhippie

The Sikkim permit you can pick that up when you apply for your visa or you can pick it up in Darjeeling!!

seraph

Better you get the Sikkim permit at the same time that you apply for the Indian visa.

I am in Darjeeling right now and have spent the better part of a day dealing with this permit nonsense. It is not so difficult as it is tiresome and overly bureaucratic. Instead of doing everything in one office or providing the forms in one place (e.g. the Chowrasta or your hotel) you have to run around a bit.

Here is the procedure.

1. Go to the District Magistrates Office (DMO). Do not believe anyone who tells you it is only five minutes away. It is much farther. Find your way to the bus stand and keep inquiring. Once you pass the Bishop's house you will know you are almost there.

2. Pick up a form at the DMO. Make sure that it has the "Memo Number" on it in the part that says "For Official Use Only". Show the DMO your passport and visa. No need for photographs. Open 11 to 2 and 2:30 to 4 (theoretically at least). Closed on Sunday.

3. Walk all the way back up the hill to the Foreigner's Registration Office (FRO). They will write down your name, age, visa number and the magical memo number. Then your form is stamped. If you do not have the memo number, you will have to return here one more time. (Then again, I refused to return and made the DMO call the FRO.) Also closed for lunch from 2 to 2:30.

4. Go back to the DMO and show them that the FRO has written down your particulars and stamped your form. The DMO then fills out another form which is your actual permit. This is then stamped and signed and good for 15 days from the day that you requested the visa.

Good Luck!

vistet

The online version of the visa form ( in your case : http://www.indembassy.be/_download/visa_form.pdf ) doesn´t mention Sikkim and Inner Line permits. . When I turned up at the embassy in Sweden I was handed the old form , requested a Sikkim permit as well , went for a coffee and had it afterwards. Nowadays the restricted areas permit form is also posted online , but apparently it differs between the different embassies ( no promises of coffe break service , either )

Shoes1

Everywhere I read it seems to say something different, in January I want to go from Darjeeling and up to Pemayangtse, maybe Yuksom, Pelling and all around there I know you need a permit to trek on from Yuksom but can I travel around the area without one or is it that you need one to enter any part of Sikkim.

cyberhippie

Foreigners require a permit to enter Sikkim, a seperate trekking permit is required for some treks!
Easyist is just to ask for one when you pick up you're Indian visa from the Indian Embassy.
Apparently someone reported being able to get this permit at the border check post, I'm a bit wary of this, so would pick mine up in Darjeeeling if the Indian Embassy isn't an option!

indiaguide

One can get Suikkim permit from Calcutta office( you have to wait one day). Darjeeling (just SERAPH said that way). Best is get permit from siliguri ( from Sikkim tourist Office (at inside SNT bus terminus). Also you can get permit from Rongpo( At Sikkim Border).
You may Cross Bangladesh border from Burimari( near rangpur) - Changrabandha.

Shoes1

thanking you that sorts that out! Any ideas how cold it will be at night in January if I am just going to find a few guest houses in the local towns to stay will I need to carry a sleeping bag, lonely planet says there is a few places to stay in Pelling and Yuksom there are a few monastries and plenty of views to see in the area. I am going mainly to photograph people and culture thought this area would be quite diverse due to its many borders.

davyd

Sikkim permit is most easily to pick up on the border in Rangpo where 50 metres up from police check post there is a new tourist office with smart restaurant. When I came for permit chief minister Chamling was visiting it and staff was absent for half hour then returned and issued permit. So it took around 45-50 minutes and all times shared jeep driver and passengers were patiently waiting for me. Permit is possible to prolong 2 times in Gangtok what I did but to leave Sikkim and re-enter during 3 months since one's last visit is not possible according staff in New Sikkim House in Delhi. Also it is very difficult to get more than 45 days permit for Sikkim - if one is not married to Sikkim citizen he (or she) needs no objection certificate from Home department of Sikkim government and letter of recommendation from concerning institutes or organizations for example from prominent lama of one of the sikkimese monasteries.
i've heard that checkpoint in Jorethang has no permit issueing power and there is no tourist office so permit has to be on the hands before coming.

Mady

Hi, i am from mumbai and i am planning for YHAI Sandhakphu trek this Dec followed by a trip to GANGTOK. Do i require any permit to enter Gangtok and places around Sikkim ??