Changu Lake and the Nathula Border are now open for tourism in Sikkim.
After almost two months of being closed, two popular tourists’ spot of Sikkim, Changu Lake and Nathula border have been reopened for the tourists.
Both the destinations were restricted for tourists after the COVID-19 cases spiked at JN road area in the month of June this year.
Changu Lake is located at an altitude of 12,500 ft meanwhile the Nathula at Indo-China border is situated at 14,000 ft in Eastern part of Sikkim.
“There was a persistent request from the tourism stakeholders to re-open Changu Lake and Nathula border. We have started issuing the permits” said a senior police official of Checkpost division which issue the permits to tourists.
The tourist footfall in both the destinations has declined after the break of Coronavirus pandemic.
The stakeholders have expressed their gratitude to the checkpost division for re opening the prime tourism destinations of Sikkim.
“Majority of the tourists who visits Sikkim wants to visit these two places. We are happy that almost after two months it has been re opened. We are grateful to Checkpost division” said a tour operator Steve Lepcha while talking with Sikkim Chronicle over the phone.
He said many bookings had to be cancelled earlier due to the visit restrictions.
However the restrictions for tourists in places like Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang and Gurudonmgar Lake are still in implementation.
Changu Lake and the Nathula Border are now open for tourism activities after restrictions were placed since June due a spike in COVID-19 cases near the destinations.
Permits for the destinations are now being issued at the checkposts following consistent requests by tourism stakeholders of the state.
