Visiting Nathula Pass from Gangtok (Indo-Chin Border)

The Nathula pass is is about 60 kms from Gangtok. This is located on Indo-Chinese border and is open only to Indian tourists (Foreigners not allowed). In order to visit Nathula you have to get special permission one day in advance (by providing Indian ID card). The route closes on Monday and Tuesday, besides it also closes in winter due to snowfall. Only small jeeps are going there. Bigger vehicles and private cars are not allowed in this route.
You can see the Chinese border here from one ft distance but you are not allowed to jump the border to get into Chinese land. There are Indian soldiers on Indian side and Chinese soldiers on Chinese side. Our vehicle was supposed to leave at 8 am but actually left after 10 am. The route is painful and full of ups and downs. It is important to get a good vehicle and a comfortable seat in order to enjoy this trip.
There are two check posts on the way and the driver of the vehicle (all vehicles are local only) submits the permit papers at the check post. Nathula is located 14400 feet above the sea level and the place is extremely cold. Generally it is covered with ice after December till April. Most of the times the vehicle will go above the clouds. The vehicle stopped on the way for tiffin. The journey took about 3 hours to nathula. Nathula pass is historically significant as the route is used by the silk traders of Sikim and Tibet in the past.
You are not allowed to take photographs here. The pictures in this video are taken on the route while going to Nathu la. There is extreme cold and strong wind in Nathula. You need proper winter garments with head cover. All tourists must leave Nathula before 2 PM. Nobody is allowed to stay in Nathula after 2 PM as the wind becomes stronger and dangerous. We were given only half an hour in Nathula. Initially we were dissatisfied but later we realized that staying longer wouldn’t have been possible in that terrible cold. There is a canteen with limited food items maintained by Indian army here. We took coffee and momo from this military canteen. There is no other shop or habitation at this place.

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