Niklo
Cloud breaking over a forested ridge near Sela Pass, Arunachal Pradesh
Kingshuk Mondal Β· CC BY 4.0

πŸŒ„North-East India permits checklist

The North-East is several trips in one β€” and several permit regimes in one. Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram each want an Inner Line Permit, Sikkim's high passes need protected-area permits booked through operators, and the whole region runs on cash and daylight.

Documents

  • Passport-size photos and ID copies

    Every permit form asks for two photos and an Aadhaar or passport copy.

Permits

  • Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit

    Apply online at eilp.arunachal.gov.in β€” the tourist eILP auto-approves for Indian citizens β€” or get one at Arunachal Bhawan or the Bhalukpong and Naharlagun gates. Carry printed copies.

  • Nagaland, Manipur or Mizoram ILP

    Nagaland via ilp.nagaland.gov.in, Manipur via manipurilponline.mn.gov.in (or in 10–15 minutes at the Imphal airport, Mao Gate and Jiribam kiosks), Mizoram via ilp.mizoram.gov.in or at Lengpui airport and the Vairengte road checkpost.

  • Sikkim protected-area permits

    Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake, Gurudongmar, Yumthang and Zero Point need permits arranged only through a registered Sikkim tour operator. Carry two photos and ID copies.

  • Check the rules for foreign nationals

    Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit for Arunachal, Sikkim's restricted zones and parts of Nagaland β€” different offices and longer lead times.

  • Check Nathu La opening days

    Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and after heavy snow.

Money

  • Cash for the hills and villages

    ATMs are sparse beyond the state capitals; carry enough for homestays and jeep hire.

Transport

  • Book Sikkim high-altitude trips through a tour operator

    Shared jeeps to North Sikkim and Nathu La are operator-only; book a day ahead in Gangtok.

Stay

  • Confirm homestays in festival season

    Ziro (September music festival), Kohima (Hornbill, December) and Majuli fill up months ahead.

Everything else

  • Plan for Sunday closures

    Permit counters, markets and shared taxis stop on Sundays across Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

Niklo suggests this checklist when your destinations fall in Arunachal, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur or Mizoram.

Tick it off as a crew, not alone.

Put this checklist on a Niklo trip and every item gets an owner, a due state and a crew that can see it β€” next to the itinerary, the map and the money.

Start planning β€” it's free