Fares
Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake, by vehicle
Booked as a round trip from Gangtok, with or without Nathu La and Baba Mandir. Permits are arranged a day ahead.
| Vehicle | One way | Round trip | Per extra km | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV — Bolero / Scorpio6+1 · 4 bags | On request | On request | On request | On request |
| Innova Crysta6+1 · 4 bags | On request | On request | On request | On request |
| Tempo Traveller 12 / 1712+1 · 14 bags | On request | On request | On request | On request |
Fares are for the round trip from Gangtok.
Fuel, driver and tolls included · GST extra. Send the date and we quote it.
The drive
Gangtok to Tsomgo and Nathu La
Up to the lake, on to Baba Mandir and the border pass.
0 km · 00:00
Gangtok
Pickup after permits are confirmed.
Departure
15 km · 00:35
Checkpost
Permits checked.
Checkpost
40 km · 01:45
Tsomgo (Changu) Lake
High lake; yak rides and cafes.
Adds 45–60 min
52 km · 02:30
Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
Shrine on the Nathu La road.
Adds 20 min
56 km · 02:45
Nathu La
Border pass (Wednesday to Sunday).
Adds 30 min
Road & drive detail
What the road to Tsomgo and Nathu La is like
Road condition
Steep climb to 3,700 m+
Surfaced but narrow; snow and ice in winter.
Best departure
By 8AM
Permits are checked at the checkpost; afternoons get cloudy.
Mobile coverage
Limited
Weak above the checkpost.
Fuel stops
Gangtok
No fuel on the way.
The road climbs quickly from Gangtok to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake at about 3,750 m, then on to Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir and Nathu La on the China border. Altitude rises fast, so go slowly and keep warm.
Permits are required and are arranged by the operator a day ahead. Nathu La is closed to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays and is not open to foreign nationals.
Vehicles on this route
Three that suit the high road
SUV — Bolero / Scorpio
The usual taxi for the Nathu La road.
Innova Crysta
Comfortable for families; fine when the road is clear of snow.
Tempo Traveller 12 / 17
Groups.
Permits for Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La
Both are in a protected area. Your operator applies; you only send ID and photos.
Indian travellers
Protected area permit via a registered operator
Photo ID and passport photos
Apply a day ahead; Nathu La closed Monday and Tuesday
Foreign nationals
Tsomgo Lake possible with a Restricted Area Permit and approved operator
Nathu La not open to foreigners
No hidden charges
What's included, what's extra
Included in the quoted fare
- Fuel for the quoted route
- Driver, and the driver's allowance
- Night halt for the driver on multi-day trips
- Tolls and state entry taxes on the quoted route
- GST, shown on the invoice
Charged extra, at actuals
- Night charge for pickups or drops after 10PM
- Permits and ILP where the route needs them
- Parking and entry fees at airports, parks and city lots
- Off-route detours and extra kilometres beyond the quoted block
- Permit fees and any snow-chain charges in winter
Travel agent or tour operator?
Get net rates and white-label vouchers. We never contact your client.
Get a fare
Get the Tsomgo Lake fare
Dates and pax. We reply on WhatsApp with the fare, the vehicle we would send, and anything that is extra.
FAQ
Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake, asked most
About 40 km, 1.5–2 hours each way.
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