Sikkim to open Chola and Doklam for regulated tourism from September 27

Sikkim is preparing to expand its tourism circuit with the controlled opening of Chola and Doklam, two high-altitude destinations situated between 13,000 and 14,000 feet. The sites will welcome domestic visitors from September 27, with strict caps to balance safety and sustainability.

“From September 27, we will allow regulated visits to Chola and Doklam. To ensure safety and sustainability, only 25 vehicles per day will be permitted initially, and permits will be issued shortly. A meeting with stakeholders will be held before rollout,” said CS Rao, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department.

Officials confirmed the new routes will remain restricted to Indian tourists. Foreign nationals will not be permitted beyond Changu. To prepare for the opening, acclimatisation facilities are being set up at 17th Mile, while accommodation packages are being developed at Kupup and Gnathang.

Doklam already has basic infrastructure in place, but a five-kilometre stretch at Chola, partly within the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, is still under development. Motorbikes will also be allowed under specific advisories.

Rao further announced that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will officially launch the state’s battlefield tourism initiative on January 15. The project aims to position Sikkim as a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance.