Sandakphu & Singalila Permit Guide 2026

Permits at a glance

The Sandakphu and Phalut treks run through Singalila National Park, a protected forest along the India and Nepal border in the Darjeeling hills. Entering the park needs a forest entry permit, and walking the ridge means passing border checkposts where your ID can be checked.

The good news: on our multi-day treks the park permit is part of the package. You don't queue at the forest office yourself. You only need to bring the right ID and share your details with us on time.

What the Singalila National Park permit covers

The park permit is issued by the West Bengal Forest Department at the park entry point for your route. It lets you walk the trails inside the park with a registered local guide. Park rules require every trekker to be accompanied by a registered guide, which is why all our treks include one.

Separate fees can apply for vehicles entering the park, such as the Land Rovers that drive the ridge road, and in some cases for cameras. The Forest Department sets and revises these charges, so we don't list fixed amounts here. Where the park permit is included in a trek, it is listed under inclusions on that trek's page.

How permits work when you book with us

• At booking: enter every traveller's name, date of birth, gender and nationality exactly as they appear on their ID. Some treks also ask you to upload a photo of the ID (JPG, PNG or PDF).
• At least 48 hours before departure: make sure all traveller details are complete. Late or mismatched details can delay the permit on the day.
• On trek day: your guide completes the entry formalities with the Forest Department and carries the permit for the group.
• On the trail: keep your original ID on you, not at the bottom of a bag that is being offloaded, so you can show it quickly at checkposts.

Checkposts along the India and Nepal border

The Singalila Ridge is the border between India and Nepal, and the trail crosses it several times. A few overnight stops and tea houses on the way to Sandakphu are on the Nepal side. Border guards may check IDs at posts along the ridge, so have yours ready and follow your guide's instructions.

Indian and Nepali citizens can walk these ridge sections with normal ID. Foreign nationals trekking with us stay on the established ridge route with their guide. Your Indian visa does not cover travel deeper into Nepal, so don't leave the route without the right visa.

Seasonal closures

Singalila National Park usually closes to trekkers during the peak monsoon, roughly from mid-June to mid-September, to protect the forest and wildlife and because trails become unsafe. The Forest Department announces the exact dates each year. The park can also close at short notice for heavy snow, landslides or fire risk.

If a closure affects your departure, we will contact you with an alternative date or a refund as described in our cancellation and refund policy. For the best months to go, see the best time for the Sandakphu trek.

Rules inside the park

• Carry all your waste back out, including plastic wrappers and bottles. There is no waste collection on the ridge.
• Stay on marked trails and with your group. Don't pick flowers, rhododendron branches or plants.
• No campfires outside designated places, and no smoking in the forest, especially in the dry spring months.
• Keep noise down. Red pandas, pheasants and other wildlife are easily disturbed.
• Don't bring a drone unless you hold the required permissions. The border area is restricted airspace.

Common permit questions

Before you go

Once your documents are sorted, plan your route to the trailhead with our getting here guide, pack using the Sandakphu trek packing list, and compare routes on the treks page.