Gangtok, Aug 17: Foreign travelers traveling the Himalayan state of Sikkim can now follow for Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Protected Area Permit (PAP) online from October this year, an official said.
From the upcoming tourist season in October foreigners can apply online through a dedicated website for the Restrict Area Permit and Protected Area Permit, the official said, adding that work for the development of the dedicated website is on.
To go to Sikkim foreigners ought to attain RAP formerly called InnerLine Permit from Sikkim Tourism Officers at the power of a legitimate Indian Visa.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in his Independence Day speech introduced the web utility for RAP and PAP for overseas travelers.
The Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) has thanked the Chief Minister for saying the web utility for RAP and PAP for overseas travelers. This become an age-antique call for TAAS.
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Restricted Area Permit
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is applicable for only foreign nationals, it is also known as Inner Line Permit (ILP). This can be applied from Sikkim Tourist Office in Siliguri or Sikkim House in Delhi and Kolkata, the process takes less than 30 minutes to get the permit across the counter and it is free of cost. You can also apply for RAP in check posts at Rangpo which remains open from 8 am to 7:30 pm.
However, you can get a Restricted Area Permit online and after filling up the form, you can print and get it stamped at one of the border check posts in Sikkim. This is known as Provisional ILP and it does not include you to show your passports and visa. In addition, if you are a national of China, Myanmar, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, written approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Government of India, must be issued before applying for RAP.
Protected Area Permits (PAP) for various places in Sikkim are issued as follows:-
East District:-
Tsongo – Baba Mandir – permits are issued by Police Check Post for Domestic Tourists. Foreign tourists are allowed till Tsongo Lake, permit is issued by Tourism & Civil Aviation Department and Police check post.
Nathula Pass – Permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post for domestic tourists.
West District:-
Dzongri Trek – Permit is issued by Adventure Cell of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Govt. of Sikkim
Singalila Trek – Permit is issued by Adventure cell of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Govt. of Sikkim
North District:-
Yumthang – Permit is issued by Police check post for Domestic Tourist and for foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post
Yumesamdong – Permit is issued by Police check post for Domestic Tourist and for foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post
Thangu-Chopta Valley – Permit is issued by Police Check post for Domestic Tourist and for Foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police check post. Foreigners must apply through a Sikkim Tourism registered Travel Agent in groups of two people or more for visiting these areas.
Gurudongmar – Permit is issued by Police check post for domestic tourist and for foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department till Thangu.
Green Lake Trekking Permit is issued by Tourism Department after obtaining a valid permit from the Ministry of Home Department, New Delhi.
South District:-
A restricted Area Permit is a valid permit for trekking anywhere in the South District for Foreign tourists.
Alpine Mountaineering Expedition permit is issued by Tourism Department after obtaining a valid permit from Home Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok, for the following peaks as per the Home Department Notification no: 25/Home/2006 dated 20/3/2006
- TinchenKhang 5603 metres ( West Sikkim)
- Jopuno 5935m (West Sikkim)
- Freys peak 5830m(West Sikkim)
- Lama Angden 5868m( North Sikkim)
- Brum Khangse 5433m ( North Sikkim)
National park and Wildlife Sanctuary entry permits are issued by Forest Department at Gangtok.
