{"id":40216,"date":"2026-05-28T15:22:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T09:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/?p=40216"},"modified":"2026-05-28T15:22:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T09:52:41","slug":"indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Indo-China Border Villages Now Open for Tourists in June 2026 \u2014 From Mana to Lachung, and Why 7 Need Just Aadhaar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thirteen Indo-China border villages across\u00a0Uttarakhand\u00a0(Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari),\u00a0Himachal Pradesh\u00a0(Chitkul, Shipki La, Lepcha-La, Gue, Khana, Dumti, Sangla) and\u00a0Sikkim\u00a0(Lachen, Lachung) are open for Indian tourists in June 2026 under the Vibrant Village Programme. Himachal&#8217;s June 2025 policy now allows\u00a0Aadhaar-only access\u00a0at seven of these villages \u2014 no Inner Line Permit required. June is the peak window: 10\u201328\u00b0C across the cluster, all roads open after Shipki La&#8217;s annual 10 June reopening, and the last clear month before monsoon shuts North Sikkim and Niti Valley from July through September.\u00a0<em>14 min read \u00b7 Last updated 28 May 2026.<\/em>\u00a0(Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesnownews.com\/travel\/news\/lahaul-spiti-chitkul-shipki-la-now-open-to-indian-tourists-under-new-himachal-policy-article-151818981\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Himachal Tourism, 8 June 2025 announcement<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In this Blog<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#India_Just_Opened_Its_Border_Villages_Heres_the_Full_List\" >India Just Opened Its Border Villages. Here&#8217;s the Full List.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Which_Indo-China_Border_Villages_Are_Open_for_Tourism_in_June_2026\" >Which Indo-China Border Villages Are Open for Tourism in June 2026?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#What_Is_the_Vibrant_Village_Programme_and_Why_Did_It_Open_These_Villages\" >What Is the Vibrant Village Programme and Why Did It Open These Villages?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Uttarakhand_4_Border_Villages_Now_Open_Mana_Niti_Gunji_Malari\" >Uttarakhand: 4 Border Villages Now Open (Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#1_Mana_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_The_Last_Village_on_the_Badrinath_Road\" >1. Mana, Uttarakhand \u2014 The Last Village on the Badrinath Road<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#2_Niti_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_The_Forgotten_Sister_Valley\" >2. Niti, Uttarakhand \u2014 The Forgotten Sister Valley<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#3_Gunji_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_Best_Tourism_Village_2024_and_Adi_Kailash_Base\" >3. Gunji, Uttarakhand \u2014 Best Tourism Village 2024 and Adi Kailash Base<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#4_Malari_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_The_Stone_Village_of_the_Niti_Valley\" >4. Malari, Uttarakhand \u2014 The Stone Village of the Niti Valley<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Himachal_Pradesh_7_Border_Villages_Now_Open_With_Just_Aadhaar\" >Himachal Pradesh: 7 Border Villages Now Open With Just Aadhaar<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#5_Chitkul_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_The_Last_Village_on_the_Indo-Tibetan_Road\" >5. Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 The Last Village on the Indo-Tibetan Road<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#6_Shipki_La_Pass_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_The_First_Pass_Open_to_Civilians_Since_1962\" >6. Shipki La Pass, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 The First Pass Open to Civilians Since 1962<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#7_Lepcha-La_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_High-Altitude_Pass_Now_Aadhaar-Open\" >7. Lepcha-La, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 High-Altitude Pass Now Aadhaar-Open<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#8_Gue_Monastery_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_Home_to_a_500-Year-Old_Mummified_Lama\" >8. Gue Monastery, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 Home to a 500-Year-Old Mummified Lama<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#9_10_11_Khana_Dumti_Sangla_%E2%80%94_The_Kinnaur_Triad\" >9, 10, 11. Khana, Dumti, Sangla \u2014 The Kinnaur Triad<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Sikkim_Lachen_and_Lachung_the_Twin_Gateway_Villages\" >Sikkim: Lachen and Lachung, the Twin Gateway Villages<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#12_Lachen_Sikkim_%E2%80%94_The_Gateway_to_Gurudongmar\" >12. Lachen, Sikkim \u2014 The Gateway to Gurudongmar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#13_Lachung_Sikkim_%E2%80%94_Yumthang_Valley_and_the_Zero_Point_Road\" >13. Lachung, Sikkim \u2014 Yumthang Valley and the Zero Point Road<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Aadhaar_vs_Inner_Line_Permit_Which_Villages_Need_What_in_2026\" >Aadhaar vs Inner Line Permit: Which Villages Need What in 2026<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#How_to_Get_an_Inner_Line_Permit_for_Niti_and_Gunji_Step_by_Step\" >How to Get an Inner Line Permit for Niti and Gunji (Step by Step)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Which_Is_the_Real_%E2%80%9CLast_Village_of_India%E2%80%9D_Settling_the_Mana-vs-Chitkul-vs-Gunji_Question\" >Which Is the Real &#8220;Last Village of India&#8221;? Settling the Mana-vs-Chitkul-vs-Gunji Question<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Three_Itineraries_for_Indo-China_Border_Villages_in_June_2026\" >Three Itineraries for Indo-China Border Villages in June 2026<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Option_1_Uttarakhand_Border_Circuit_7%E2%80%9310_days\" >Option 1: Uttarakhand Border Circuit (7\u201310 days)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Option_2_Himachal_Aadhaar-Only_Circuit_5%E2%80%937_days\" >Option 2: Himachal Aadhaar-Only Circuit (5\u20137 days)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Option_3_North_Sikkim_Twin-Village_Loop_5%E2%80%936_days\" >Option 3: North Sikkim Twin-Village Loop (5\u20136 days)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Where_to_Stay_StayVista_Homestays_Near_Indias_Border_Villages\" >Where to Stay: StayVista Homestays Near India&#8217;s Border Villages<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#One_More_Window_Before_the_Monsoon\" >One More Window Before the Monsoon<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"india-just-opened-its-border-villages-heres-the-full-list\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"India_Just_Opened_Its_Border_Villages_Heres_the_Full_List\"><\/span>India Just Opened Its Border Villages. Here&#8217;s the Full List.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For seventy years, the villages along India&#8217;s northern frontier were closed to ordinary travellers. You needed an Inner Line Permit, an ITBP No Objection certificate, and sometimes a recommendation from a sitting MP. In June 2025, Himachal Pradesh quietly changed that. Stand at the Shipki La pass today, the literal end of the road into Tibet, and the only document you carry is your Aadhaar card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shift didn&#8217;t happen alone. The Government of India launched the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2238246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vibrant Village Programme<\/a>&nbsp;in 2023 with a \u20b94,800 crore outlay to develop 663 border villages \u2014 many in regions civilians had never been allowed to see. Uttarakhand has since announced 10 model tourist-hub villages along the Indo-Tibet line. Sikkim&#8217;s twin-village circuit of Lachen and Lachung now hosts more domestic visitors than at any point in the state&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the complete list. Thirteen villages, three states, three different permit regimes, and one travel window \u2014 June 2026 \u2014 that&#8217;s better than any month before or after it this year. We&#8217;ve spent the last six weeks pulling state notifications, calling our hosts in Kinnaur and Chamoli and North Sikkim, and stitching the picture together. Here is what&#8217;s actually open, what you need to carry, and how to plan the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"which-indochina-border-villages-are-open-for-tourism-in-june-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Indo-China_Border_Villages_Are_Open_for_Tourism_in_June_2026\"><\/span>Which Indo-China Border Villages Are Open for Tourism in June 2026?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thirteen Indo-China border villages are open for Indian tourists in June 2026:\u00a0four in Uttarakhand\u00a0(Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari),\u00a0seven in Himachal Pradesh\u00a0(Chitkul, Shipki La, Lepcha-La, Gue, Khana, Dumti, Sangla) and\u00a0two in Sikkim\u00a0(Lachen, Lachung). Himachal&#8217;s June 2025 Regulated Border Tourism policy allows Aadhaar-only entry at all seven Himachal sites; Uttarakhand and Sikkim still require Inner Line Permits ([Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outlooktraveller.com\/News\/in-a-historic-move-the-shipki-la-pass-in-himachal-pradesh-is-now-open-for-domestic-travellers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Outlook Traveller, June 2025<\/a>]).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Village<\/th><th>State<\/th><th>Permit (June 2026)<\/th><th>Best Window<\/th><th>June Temp<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Mana<\/strong><\/td><td>Uttarakhand<\/td><td>None for village; ILP for Mana Pass<\/td><td>Apr\u2013Oct<\/td><td>15\u201325\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Niti<\/strong><\/td><td>Uttarakhand<\/td><td>Inner Line Permit (SDM Joshimath)<\/td><td>Mar\u2013Jun, Sep\u2013Oct<\/td><td>10\u201322\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Gunji<\/strong><\/td><td>Uttarakhand<\/td><td>Inner Line Permit (Dharchula)<\/td><td>May\u2013Jun, Sep\u2013Oct<\/td><td>10\u201318\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Malari<\/strong><\/td><td>Uttarakhand<\/td><td>Border permit (Joshimath)<\/td><td>Apr\u2013Jun, Sep\u2013Oct<\/td><td>15\u201325\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Chitkul<\/strong><\/td><td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><td>Aadhaar only<\/td><td>May\u2013Jun, Sep\u2013Nov<\/td><td>12\u201325\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Shipki La<\/strong><\/td><td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><td>Aadhaar only<\/td><td>Late May\u2013Oct (opens 10 Jun)<\/td><td>10\u201322\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lepcha-La<\/strong><\/td><td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><td>Aadhaar only<\/td><td>Jun\u2013Sep<\/td><td>10\u201320\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Gue Monastery<\/strong><\/td><td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><td>Aadhaar only<\/td><td>May\u2013Oct<\/td><td>12\u201322\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Khana<\/strong><\/td><td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><td>Aadhaar only<\/td><td>Jun\u2013Sep<\/td><td>10\u201318\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Dumti<\/strong><\/td><td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><td>Aadhaar only<\/td><td>Jun\u2013Sep<\/td><td>10\u201318\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sangla<\/strong><\/td><td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><td>Aadhaar only<\/td><td>May\u2013Oct<\/td><td>12\u201325\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lachen<\/strong><\/td><td>Sikkim<\/td><td>Inner Line Permit (Gangtok)<\/td><td>Mar\u2013Jun, Sep\u2013Nov<\/td><td>10\u201320\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Lachung<\/strong><\/td><td>Sikkim<\/td><td>Inner Line Permit (Gangtok)<\/td><td>Mar\u2013Jun, Sep\u2013Nov<\/td><td>10\u201328\u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sources: Himachal Pradesh Tourism (June 2025 policy), Uttarakhand Tourism Department, Sikkim Tourism Department, StayVista travel desk. Updated 28 May 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What this means in practice:<\/strong>&nbsp;a Himachal border trip \u2014 Shimla to Sangla to Chitkul to Shipki La \u2014 needs zero paperwork beyond the Aadhaar card already in your wallet. A Uttarakhand border trip still needs you to stop at the SDM office in Joshimath (for Niti, Malari) or the KMVN office in Dharchula (for Gunji). North Sikkim still needs a registered tour operator to file your Inner Line Permit out of Gangtok. The Aadhaar shortcut hasn&#8217;t reached every state \u2014 yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-the-vibrant-village-programme-and-why-did-it-open-these-villages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Vibrant_Village_Programme_and_Why_Did_It_Open_These_Villages\"><\/span>What Is the Vibrant Village Programme and Why Did It Open These Villages?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Vibrant Village Programme is a Government of India scheme launched in 2023 with a \u20b94,800 crore allocation to develop 663 border villages across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2238246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PIB<\/a>, 2023). Tourism is one of its core pillars, alongside road infrastructure, telecom, education, and renewable energy. The premise is simple: bring civilian footfall to villages that have emptied out over the past three decades because of poor connectivity and the looming presence of the LAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The programme has reshaped Indian border tourism faster than any single policy in living memory. Here&#8217;s the timeline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2023<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Vibrant Villages Programme launched. Ladakh, HP, UK, Sikkim, and Arunachal were identified as priority states.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2024<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Gunji (Uttarakhand) wins the Ministry of Tourism&#8217;s\u00a0<em>Best Tourism Village<\/em>\u00a0award under the Vibrant Village category, alongside Jakhol, Supi, and Harshil (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/garhwalpost.in\/jakhol-supi-harshil-gunji-villages-of-ukhand-receive-best-tourism-village-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Garhwal Post<\/a>, September 2024).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>8 June 2025<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Himachal Pradesh launches\u00a0<em>Regulated Border Tourism<\/em>, allowing domestic Indian tourists to visit seven border villages with Aadhaar-only verification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>10 June 2025<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Shipki La pass opens to domestic tourists for the first time since 1962.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2026<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Uttarakhand announces 10 model tourist-hub villages: Mana, Niti, Gunji, Garbyang, Napalchu, Nabhi, Rakkang, Kuti, Jadung, and Bagori (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/indianmasterminds.com\/news\/uttarakhand-govt-to-develop-10-border-villages-as-model-tourist-hubs-under-vibrant-village-program-details-inside-126642\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indian Masterminds<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On our team&#8217;s last visit to Gunji in May 2025, the road past Kuti was being metalled, and the homestay registry was 12 households long. When we checked in again earlier this month, that registry had grown to 31. The Vibrant Villages money isn&#8217;t theoretical. You can see it in fresh tarmac, in fibre-optic poles, and in the new ITBP signboards now offering directions to tourists instead of warning them away.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"498\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Baspa-river-flowing-through-Chitkul-71166-pixahive.jpg\" alt=\"Chitkul village in Himachal Pradesh against snow-capped Indo-Tibet border peaks \u2014 one of 13 Indo-China border villages open for tourism in June 2026\n\" class=\"wp-image-30703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Baspa-river-flowing-through-Chitkul-71166-pixahive.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Baspa-river-flowing-through-Chitkul-71166-pixahive-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Baspa-river-flowing-through-Chitkul-71166-pixahive-768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Baspa-river-flowing-through-Chitkul-71166-pixahive-370x180.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Baspa-river-flowing-through-Chitkul-71166-pixahive-770x374.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Baspa-river-flowing-through-Chitkul-71166-pixahive-150x73.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"uttarakhand-4-border-villages-now-open-mana-niti-gunji-malari\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Uttarakhand_4_Border_Villages_Now_Open_Mana_Niti_Gunji_Malari\"><\/span>Uttarakhand: 4 Border Villages Now Open (Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All four Uttarakhand villages sit in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas above 3,000 metres. Mana and Niti are reachable from Joshimath via Chamoli district; Malari is in the same valley as Niti; Gunji is a separate cluster in Pithoragarh district, accessed via Dharchula. None of these need a permit for the village itself if you stop short of the actual pass \u2014 but the moment you head higher (Mana Pass, Niti Pass, the Adi Kailash trail), an Inner Line Permit is mandatory.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/uttarakhand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista homestays in Uttarakhand<\/a>&nbsp;across Joshimath, Auli and Munsiyari are the natural bases for these trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"1-mana-uttarakhand-the-last-village-on-the-badrinath-road\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Mana_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_The_Last_Village_on_the_Badrinath_Road\"><\/span>1. Mana, Uttarakhand \u2014 The Last Village on the Badrinath Road<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mana sits 5 km past Badrinath at an altitude of 3,200 metres, where the Saraswati river emerges from a glacier above the village before vanishing underground into the Alaknanda. The official &#8220;Last Indian Village&#8221; board was rebranded by the Border Roads Organisation in 2022 to read &#8220;First Indian Village&#8221; \u2014 a small Vibrant Villages touch that says everything about how the state now wants you to read the place. Vasudhara Falls, the 122-metre cascade where Pandavas are said to have stopped on their way to Swargarohini, is a 6 km trek from the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>3,200 m (10,500 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free for the village; \u20b9150 per vehicle parking near Mana boards<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Open 6:00 am \u2013 6:00 pm (Apr\u2013Oct); closed Nov\u2013Mar due to snow and Badrinath shutdown<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>Late May to October; June is ideal \u2014 warm afternoons, occasional rain showers, peak Saraswati flow<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>Fly to Jolly Grant (Dehradun), 9-hour drive to Joshimath, then 47 km via Badrinath. Nearest railhead: Rishikesh (290 km). Shared taxis from Badrinath to Mana: \u20b950 per seat.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>2\u20133 hours for the village; full day if adding Vasudhara Falls<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>Badrinath pilgrims, photographers, soft-trek beginners, mythology buffs<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Stop at the &#8220;Bharat ki Antim Chai Dukaan&#8221; tea shop \u2014 owner Chander Singh has photos with three Prime Ministers and pours the best masala chai on the road. Carry \u20b920 in cash; UPI works erratically.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>No permit for Mana village. ILP from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/chamoli.nic.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SDM Joshimath<\/a>&nbsp;required if continuing to Mana Pass.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>StayVista doesn&#8217;t host directly in Mana. We&#8217;d suggest two nights at our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/uttarakhand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Auli or Joshimath homestays<\/a>&nbsp;as base; combine with the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/badrinath-yatra-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Badrinath Yatra 2026 route<\/a>&nbsp;for a four-day Garhwal loop.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"2-niti-uttarakhand-the-forgotten-sister-valley\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Niti_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_The_Forgotten_Sister_Valley\"><\/span>2. Niti, Uttarakhand \u2014 The Forgotten Sister Valley<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Niti is what Mana was twenty years ago \u2014 quiet, sparse, almost completely free of tour buses. The village sits at 3,600 metres in the Niti Valley, a parallel valley to Mana&#8217;s, that historically served as a trade route between Garhwal and Tibet. Most of the original inhabitants are Bhotiya migrants who descend to Joshimath each winter. The road from Joshimath via Tapovan, Reni and Jelam is rough in parts but a high-clearance SUV will manage it. Niti is also the gateway to the Alkapuri Glacier trek, one of the lesser-known sources of the Alaknanda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>3,600 m (11,800 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free; ILP costs \u20b9100 per person at SDM Joshimath<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Daylight hours only; village population thins after October<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>Mid-May to mid-June, then mid-September to mid-October. June 2026 is the sweet spot \u2014 wildflowers in bloom, no monsoon yet.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>Joshimath to Niti is 86 km via Tapovan and Malari; allow 5 hours by road. Nearest airport Jolly Grant (Dehradun); nearest railhead Rishikesh.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>Day trip from Joshimath, or one overnight at a homestay in nearby Bampa village<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>Offbeat travellers, history enthusiasts, trekkers heading to Alkapuri Glacier or Niti Pass base<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Carry full cash. The last functional ATM is at Joshimath \u2014 Niti has no banking, no reliable mobile signal beyond Jio, and homestay payments are cash-only.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Inner Line Permit mandatory. Apply at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/chamoli.nic.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SDM office, Joshimath<\/a>&nbsp;with Aadhaar + 2 photos. Same-day issuance.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>No StayVista property in Niti itself. Most travellers base at our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/uttarakhand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Joshimath area homestays<\/a>&nbsp;and treat Niti as a long day trip.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"3-gunji-uttarakhand-best-tourism-village-2024-and-adi-kailash-base\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Gunji_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_Best_Tourism_Village_2024_and_Adi_Kailash_Base\"><\/span>3. Gunji, Uttarakhand \u2014 Best Tourism Village 2024 and Adi Kailash Base<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gunji is the village that put Vibrant Villages on the national map. In September 2024, the Ministry of Tourism named it one of India&#8217;s&nbsp;<em>Best Tourism Villages<\/em>&nbsp;under the Vibrant Village category, alongside Jakhol, Supi and Harshil. The village sits at 3,500 metres in the Vyas Valley of Pithoragarh district, on the historic Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route. From Gunji, Adi Kailash darshan and Om Parvat are now both possible as 2-day add-ons thanks to the metalled road past Kuti completed in 2024. Whether Mana or Gunji is the &#8220;real&#8221; last village of India depends on which border road you&#8217;re counting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>3,500 m (11,500 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free; ILP costs \u20b9150 per person at Dharchula<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Accessible May to October; ITBP checkpost operating 6:00 am \u2013 6:00 pm<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>May to June is peak (Adi Kailash season); September\u2013October for clearer Om Parvat views<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>From Dharchula, drive 72 km to Gunji via Tawaghat, Pangu and Budhi. Pithoragarh airport (Naini Saini) is the nearest at 192 km; from Delhi, the road journey via Tanakpur\u2013Pithoragarh\u2013Dharchula takes 18\u201320 hours.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>Minimum 3 nights (Dharchula + Gunji + Adi Kailash side trip)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>Adi Kailash pilgrims, Om Parvat seekers, trekkers, ITBP-history enthusiasts<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Acclimatise at Dharchula (914 m) for one night before driving to Gunji \u2014 the altitude jump is steep and AMS is common on day-one ascents. Carry Diamox if your doctor permits.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Inner Line Permit mandatory. Issued at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pithoragarh.nic.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SDM Dharchula<\/a>&nbsp;with Aadhaar, medical fitness certificate (for Adi Kailash) and 2 photos.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>Government-registered homestays in Gunji and Kuti now total 31 households (up from 12 in May 2025). StayVista doesn&#8217;t yet host here. Most travellers book through KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) or local Shauka-community homestays.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"4-malari-uttarakhand-the-stone-village-of-the-niti-valley\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Malari_Uttarakhand_%E2%80%94_The_Stone_Village_of_the_Niti_Valley\"><\/span>4. Malari, Uttarakhand \u2014 The Stone Village of the Niti Valley<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Malari is the largest settlement in the Niti Valley, sitting at 3,000 metres along the Dhauli Ganga, 60 km from Joshimath on the way to Niti village proper. The Bhotiya stone-and-timber architecture here is intact \u2014 the village has been a recognised heritage cluster since 2019. Malari also acted as a strategic supply base during the 1962 conflict, and its trekking corridors lead to Bagini and Dronagiri glaciers. It&#8217;s the easiest of the four Uttarakhand border villages to reach, which makes it the right starting point for first-time border-region travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>3,000 m (9,800 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free; border permit \u20b9100 at Joshimath<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Open April to October; some homestays operate year-round at lower elevation<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>April through June, then September\u2013October. June 2026 is excellent \u2014 wildflowers, manageable temperatures, dry roads.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>Joshimath to Malari is 62 km via Tapovan and Jelam, around 3.5 hours by SUV. Nearest airport: Jolly Grant (Dehradun); nearest railhead: Rishikesh.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>1 night minimum; 2 nights ideal to add a Dronagiri base-camp walk<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>Heritage architecture buffs, soft trekkers, weekenders extending a Badrinath trip<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>The stone houses lock from the inside with hand-carved deodar latches \u2014 ask homestay hosts to show you the original 200-year-old doors. Most of the original Bhotiya families return in summer.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Border permit from Joshimath SDM. Aadhaar + 1 photo sufficient. Same-day issuance.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>StayVista doesn&#8217;t yet host in Malari. We&#8217;d suggest our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/uttarakhand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Uttarakhand homestays<\/a>&nbsp;in Auli or Joshimath as base, with a 2-day Malari side trip.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"himachal-pradesh-7-border-villages-now-open-with-just-aadhaar\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Himachal_Pradesh_7_Border_Villages_Now_Open_With_Just_Aadhaar\"><\/span>Himachal Pradesh: 7 Border Villages Now Open With Just Aadhaar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 8 June 2025, Himachal Pradesh launched the policy that quietly reshaped Indian border tourism. The state&#8217;s Regulated Border Tourism framework allows domestic Indian tourists to visit seven previously restricted border villages with\u00a0Aadhaar verification only\u00a0\u2014 no Inner Line Permit, no ITBP No-Objection Certificate, no military clearance (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outlooktraveller.com\/News\/in-a-historic-move-the-shipki-la-pass-in-himachal-pradesh-is-now-open-for-domestic-travellers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Outlook Traveller<\/a>, June 2025). Stop at the registration desk, scan your Aadhaar, drive on. For most travellers, this is the single most significant Indian travel-policy change of the decade. Our hosts in the Sangla\u2013Chitkul corridor confirm that the verification adds only 15\u201320 minutes to the drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>One detail that matters:<\/strong>&nbsp;the Aadhaar-only rule applies to domestic Indian tourists. Foreign nationals still need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Kinnaur and Spiti, and the rule does not yet extend to the highest passes (Lepcha-La, Khana, Dumti) during peak ITBP exercises \u2014 which the Border Roads Organisation announces locally. We&#8217;ve added the live caveat under each village.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32.png\" alt=\"india's last villages now open for tourism\" class=\"wp-image-40217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32-370x207.png 370w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32-770x430.png 770w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-32-270x152.png 270w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 id=\"5-chitkul-himachal-pradesh-the-last-village-on-the-indotibetan-road\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Chitkul_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_The_Last_Village_on_the_Indo-Tibetan_Road\"><\/span>5. Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 The Last Village on the Indo-Tibetan Road<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chitkul is the last inhabited village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route, sitting at 3,450 metres along the Baspa river in Kinnaur. The village has roughly 80 wooden houses, one school, one ITBP post, and a CTR sign that simply reads &#8220;End of road.&#8221; The Kinnaur Kailash range rises behind it; the river is glacier-fed and ice-cold even in June. Most tourists drive in from Sangla and stay one night. Since the June 2025 policy, the queue at the Chitkul registration desk has tripled \u2014 arrive before 11 am to beat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>3,450 m (11,300 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free; \u20b9200 per vehicle parking<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Open year-round, but road from Sangla often shut Dec\u2013Feb due to snow<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>Mid-May to mid-June, then September to early November. June 2026 offers warmest river temperatures and the last clear skies before monsoon-edge rain.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>Shimla to Chitkul is 250 km via NH-5 and Karcham-Sangla road; 9\u201310 hours by car. Nearest airport: Shimla (Jubbarhatti) at 245 km. Nearest railhead: Kalka (282 km).<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>1 night at minimum; 2 nights ideal to combine with Sangla and Kalpa<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>First-time border-region travellers, photographers, river-camping enthusiasts, road-trippers<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Eat at Hindustan ka Aakhri Dhaba \u2014 the masala maggi at \u20b980 has cult status, and the owner Negi-ji has run the place since 1994. Carry warm layers even in June; evenings drop to 7\u00b0C.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Aadhaar only. Stop at the Chitkul registration desk, scan Aadhaar, sign the visitor register. No fee.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>StayVista hosts&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/himachal-pradesh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homestays across Himachal Pradesh<\/a>, with Sangla-corridor options the natural base for a Chitkul day trip. Several Chitkul village families also run direct homestays through HPTDC&#8217;s registry.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"6-shipki-la-pass-himachal-pradesh-the-first-pass-open-to-civilians-since-1962\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Shipki_La_Pass_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_The_First_Pass_Open_to_Civilians_Since_1962\"><\/span>6. Shipki La Pass, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 The First Pass Open to Civilians Since 1962<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shipki La sits at 3,930 metres on the Hindustan-Tibet road, the pass through which the Sutlej river enters India from the Tibetan plateau. Closed to civilians since the 1962 Sino-Indian war, it reopened to domestic tourists on 10 June 2025 \u2014 and reopens each year on or around the same date as the snow clears (Source:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/cities\/chandigarh\/shipki-la-to-be-opened-for-tourists-adventure-enthusiasts-from-june-10-himachal-minister-10045035\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indian Express<\/a>, June 2025). The Himachal Pradesh government has announced an identical 10 June opening for the 2026 season. The road from Khab to the pass is metalled the entire way. You can drive a regular sedan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>3,930 m (12,890 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free; \u20b9200 vehicle entry at Khab checkpost<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>10 June 2026 onwards through approximately end of October; 7:00 am \u2013 4:00 pm daily (no overnight stay)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>Mid-June to mid-September \u2014 clearest skies, dry road, fewer ITBP exercise closures<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>Reckong Peo (district HQ) is 60 km from Shipki La via Pooh and Khab. From Reckong Peo: 2.5 hours by SUV. Most travellers combine Shipki La with a Spiti trip via Tabo and Nako.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>Half-day from Reckong Peo or Pooh<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>History buffs, frontier-curious travellers, photographers chasing high-altitude landscapes<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Carry a printed Aadhaar copy plus the original. Mobile networks fail beyond Khab and the Aadhaar e-verification app doesn&#8217;t always sync \u2014 the printed copy clears you through faster.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Aadhaar only. Registration at Khab; vehicle and head count logged.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>No overnight stay at the pass itself. Base in Reckong Peo, Pooh or Nako.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/himachal-pradesh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista Himachal homestays<\/a>&nbsp;in the Kinnaur corridor or HPTDC&#8217;s Reckong Peo property are the closest options.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"7-lepchala-himachal-pradesh-highaltitude-pass-now-aadhaaropen\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Lepcha-La_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_High-Altitude_Pass_Now_Aadhaar-Open\"><\/span>7. Lepcha-La, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 High-Altitude Pass Now Aadhaar-Open<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lepcha-La is a high-altitude pass on the Spiti-Kinnaur sector, opened to Indian civilians under the June 2025 policy. Sitting at roughly 4,200 metres, the pass connects the Pin valley to the upper Lingti basin. Access depends on snow conditions and ITBP exercise schedules \u2014 local advisories at Kaza and Tabo update weekly through summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>~4,200 m (13,800 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>Mid-June to early September only \u2014 earlier and the snow blocks the trail; later and monsoon-edge rain destabilises the slopes.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>From Kaza, drive to Pin Valley (Mud or Sangnam village base); the pass is then a guided trek. Inquire at Kaza ADM office for current ITBP schedule.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Aadhaar only for Indians; foreign nationals need Protected Area Permit<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>This is the least-developed of the Himachal seven \u2014 go with a registered guide from Kaza. Solo treks are technically permitted but actively discouraged by the BRO.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"8-gue-monastery-himachal-pradesh-home-to-a-500yearold-mummified-lama\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Gue_Monastery_Himachal_Pradesh_%E2%80%94_Home_to_a_500-Year-Old_Mummified_Lama\"><\/span>8. Gue Monastery, Himachal Pradesh \u2014 Home to a 500-Year-Old Mummified Lama<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gue village sits at 3,000 metres in the Tabo\u2013Sumdo corridor of Spiti, 3 km off the main road to Kaza. Its monastery houses the mummified body of Lama Sangha Tenzin \u2014 naturally preserved, dated to around 1500 CE \u2014 exposed to viewing in 1975 after an earthquake unearthed it. Gue is the easiest of the Himachal seven to add to a regular Spiti road trip, sitting just 35 km from Sumdo and 9 km from the Tabo\u2013Kaza highway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>3,000 m (9,840 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Monastery donation suggested \u20b950; no compulsory fee<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Monastery: 8:00 am \u2013 5:00 pm daily, year-round (road accessible May\u2013October)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>May to October \u2014 June offers clearest mountain views before the monsoon clouds roll in.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>From Tabo, drive 35 km to Sumdo and turn off the highway 3 km to Gue. Manali to Gue: 14 hours via Atal Tunnel.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Aadhaar only; PAP for foreign nationals<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Photography is permitted inside the mummy chamber but flash is prohibited. The afternoon light through the chamber window is best for natural photographs.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"9-10-11-khana-dumti-sangla-the-kinnaur-triad\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_10_11_Khana_Dumti_Sangla_%E2%80%94_The_Kinnaur_Triad\"><\/span>9, 10, 11. Khana, Dumti, Sangla \u2014 The Kinnaur Triad<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khana and Dumti are smaller settlements in the inner Kinnaur\u2013Spiti border corridor. Both are accessible only in summer (June\u2013September), and both opened to Aadhaar-only domestic tourism in June 2025. Sangla, the largest of the three at 2,680 metres, sits in the Baspa valley and is the natural overnight base for anyone driving to Chitkul. Sangla has been on the tourist circuit for two decades \u2014 what changed in 2025 is that the upper valley sections previously gated by ITBP checkposts now require only Aadhaar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Sangla altitude<\/th><td>2,680 m (8,790 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit Sangla<\/th><td>May to October; apple orchards in bloom April\u2013May, harvest August\u2013September<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach Sangla<\/th><td>Shimla to Sangla: 220 km, 8\u20139 hours via Karcham. Sangla to Chitkul: 26 km onward.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Khana and Dumti<\/th><td>Both are guided-access only; Aadhaar verification at Sangla or Pooh; ITBP advises pre-registration 24 hours ahead<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>Sangla has the largest homestay inventory of any Himachal border village.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/himachal-pradesh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista Himachal homestays<\/a>&nbsp;in the broader Kinnaur\u2013Sangla belt are the natural base for any 5\u20137 day border circuit.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India-1024x736.jpg\" alt=\"manali snow in january 2026\" class=\"wp-image-30268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India-1024x736.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India-768x552.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India-370x266.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India-770x554.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India-150x108.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Baspa_Valley_under_snow_Kinnaur_Himachal_Pradesh_India.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sikkim-lachen-and-lachung-the-twin-gateway-villages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sikkim_Lachen_and_Lachung_the_Twin_Gateway_Villages\"><\/span>Sikkim: Lachen and Lachung, the Twin Gateway Villages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lachen and Lachung are the only two North Sikkim villages on this list, but they account for almost every Sikkim border-tourism itinerary in the country. Lachen, at 2,750 metres, is the gateway to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.esikkimtourism.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gurudongmar Lake<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 a sacred glacial lake at 5,430 metres, one of the highest in the world. Lachung, at 2,600 metres, opens the Yumthang Valley and the Zero Point road. Both villages still require an Inner Line Permit, which most travellers obtain through a registered Gangtok tour operator. The North Sikkim Aadhaar-only experiment that worked in Himachal hasn&#8217;t yet been adopted here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"12-lachen-sikkim-the-gateway-to-gurudongmar\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Lachen_Sikkim_%E2%80%94_The_Gateway_to_Gurudongmar\"><\/span>12. Lachen, Sikkim \u2014 The Gateway to Gurudongmar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>2,750 m (9,020 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free for village; Gurudongmar Lake protected area fee \u20b9200 per Indian<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Village accessible year-round; Gurudongmar Lake road open March\u2013November (closed Dec\u2013Feb)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>April\u2013June and September\u2013November. June offers warmest pre-monsoon access; October has clearest visibility for the lake.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>Gangtok to Lachen is 125 km, 6\u20137 hours by SUV (Lachen-Lachung permit-only roads). Nearest airport: Pakyong (PYG) or Bagdogra (IXB). Nearest railhead: New Jalpaiguri (NJP).<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>2 nights minimum; Day 1 Lachen, Day 2 Gurudongmar early start (4:00 am departure)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>Pilgrims, photographers, high-altitude lake enthusiasts<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Gurudongmar Lake clears by 9:30 am \u2014 start the drive from Lachen by 4:30 am or you&#8217;ll find clouds blocking the view. Hot tea at the army canteen at Thangu is the right halfway stop.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>Inner Line Permit (Protected Area Permit) issued via registered Sikkim tour operators in Gangtok. 24-hour processing. Aadhaar + 2 photos.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>Lachen has government-registered homestays through Sikkim Tourism. StayVista doesn&#8217;t host directly in Lachen \u2014 our nearest&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/sikkim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sikkim homestays<\/a>&nbsp;are in Gangtok and Pelling, used as pre-permit bases.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"13-lachung-sikkim-yumthang-valley-and-the-zero-point-road\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Lachung_Sikkim_%E2%80%94_Yumthang_Valley_and_the_Zero_Point_Road\"><\/span>13. Lachung, Sikkim \u2014 Yumthang Valley and the Zero Point Road<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Altitude<\/th><td>2,600 m (8,530 ft)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Entry fee<\/th><td>Free for village; Yumthang &amp; Zero Point combined fee \u20b9250 per Indian<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Timings<\/th><td>Village year-round; Yumthang Valley March\u2013November; Zero Point April\u2013November weather permitting<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Best time to visit<\/th><td>March\u2013May for rhododendron bloom (Yumthang&#8217;s Valley of Flowers); June for warmest day temperatures; October for clearest skies.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>How to reach<\/th><td>Gangtok to Lachung: 117 km, 6 hours by SUV. Most itineraries combine Lachen + Lachung in a 4-day North Sikkim loop.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time required<\/th><td>2 nights \u2014 Day 1 Lachung arrival, Day 2 Yumthang + Zero Point<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Ideal for<\/th><td>Honeymooners, families, rhododendron-bloom photographers, casual high-altitude travellers<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Pro tip<\/th><td>Zero Point sits at 15,300 feet. If anyone in your group is altitude-sensitive, skip Zero Point and spend the saved hours at Yumthang&#8217;s hot springs instead \u2014 equally beautiful, half the AMS risk.<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Permit<\/th><td>ILP via Gangtok tour operator; same permit covers Lachen + Lachung<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Where to stay<\/th><td>Lachung has the highest homestay density in North Sikkim. Most travellers also pre-book a Gangtok base via&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/sikkim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista Sikkim homestays<\/a>&nbsp;for the permit-collection day.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"aadhaar-vs-inner-line-permit-which-villages-need-what-in-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Aadhaar_vs_Inner_Line_Permit_Which_Villages_Need_What_in_2026\"><\/span>Aadhaar vs Inner Line Permit: Which Villages Need What in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of the 13 villages open in June 2026, seven need only an Aadhaar card, five need an Inner Line Permit, and one needs a state-issued border permit (Source: state tourism notifications, May 2026). The cheap and quick option, in every case, is Himachal \u2014 but Himachal is also the only state where the new rule applies. Here&#8217;s the comparison most travellers ask for first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Document<\/th><th>Where it works<\/th><th>Where to get it<\/th><th>Cost<\/th><th>Processing time<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aadhaar card<\/strong><\/td><td>All 7 Himachal villages (Chitkul, Shipki La, Lepcha-La, Gue, Khana, Dumti, Sangla)<\/td><td>Already in your wallet<\/td><td>Free<\/td><td>15\u201320 min at the village registration desk<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>ILP (Uttarakhand)<\/strong><\/td><td>Niti, Gunji, Mana Pass<\/td><td>SDM Joshimath (Niti, Malari, Mana Pass) or SDM Dharchula (Gunji)<\/td><td>\u20b9100\u2013150<\/td><td>Same day (walk-in by noon)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>ILP (Sikkim)<\/strong><\/td><td>Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar, Yumthang, Zero Point<\/td><td>Via registered Gangtok tour operator<\/td><td>\u20b9200\u2013400 (operator-bundled)<\/td><td>24 hours<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Border permit<\/strong><\/td><td>Malari (also serves as Niti-corridor permit)<\/td><td>Joshimath SDM<\/td><td>\u20b9100<\/td><td>Same day<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Documents required for each border village, June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"how-to-get-an-inner-line-permit-for-niti-and-gunji-step-by-step\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Get_an_Inner_Line_Permit_for_Niti_and_Gunji_Step_by_Step\"><\/span>How to Get an Inner Line Permit for Niti and Gunji (Step by Step)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reach Joshimath (for Niti\/Malari\/Mana Pass) or Dharchula (for Gunji) by lunchtime.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carry: Aadhaar original + 2 photocopies, 2 passport photos, \u20b9100\u2013150 cash.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For Adi Kailash extension from Gunji: add a medical fitness certificate (any registered MBBS doctor) and a passport-size photo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Submit at the SDM office (Joshimath SDM operates 10 am\u20134 pm Monday\u2013Saturday; Dharchula similar).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collect the permit by 4 pm same day. Carry it on your dashboard for ITBP checkposts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The permit is valid for a fixed dated trip \u2014 keep your dates tight.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim-370x278.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1280px-Lachung_North_Sikkim.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"which-is-the-real-last-village-of-india-settling-the-manavschitkulvsgunji-question\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Is_the_Real_%E2%80%9CLast_Village_of_India%E2%80%9D_Settling_the_Mana-vs-Chitkul-vs-Gunji_Question\"><\/span>Which Is the Real &#8220;Last Village of India&#8221;? Settling the Mana-vs-Chitkul-vs-Gunji Question<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mana, Chitkul, Niti, and Gunji all market themselves as the &#8220;Last Village of India.&#8221; Travel blogs name a different one every week. The truth is simpler: each is the last village on a\u00a0<em>different<\/em>\u00a0road approaching a different point on the Indo-Tibet line, and all four claims are geographically correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mana<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 last inhabited village on the Badrinath-to-Mana-Pass route (Garhwal Himalayas, Chamoli district).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Niti<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 the last village on the parallel Niti Pass route (also Garhwal, Chamoli district, separate valley).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chitkul<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 last village on the Hindustan-Tibet Road via the Baspa\/Sutlej valley (Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gunji<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 last major settlement on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route (Kumaon, Pithoragarh district).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Border Roads Organisation now uses a more honest signage convention: it has replaced &#8220;Last Village&#8221; boards with &#8220;First Village&#8221; boards. The point is identical. Each of these four villages is the first inhabited Indian settlement you reach when crossing the LAC inward \u2014 a small framing change that has done more for the dignity of these places than any tourism campaign in the previous twenty years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re optimising for one &#8220;real&#8221; last village this June, here&#8217;s the StayVista travel-desk take: Mana for the easiest access and the Badrinath combination, Chitkul for the most cinematic single drive, Gunji for the deepest Himalayan immersion, and Niti for the genuine off-grid quiet. None of them is wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"three-itineraries-for-indochina-border-villages-in-june-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Three_Itineraries_for_Indo-China_Border_Villages_in_June_2026\"><\/span>Three Itineraries for Indo-China Border Villages in June 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The honest planning truth: it&#8217;s hard to combine all three states in a single trip without flying. Most travellers pick one state, do it well, and save the other two for autumn or next summer. Below are the three circuit itineraries our hosts and travel desk have tested. Each is built around June 2026 conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"option-1-uttarakhand-border-circuit-710-days\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_1_Uttarakhand_Border_Circuit_7%E2%80%9310_days\"><\/span>Option 1: Uttarakhand Border Circuit (7\u201310 days)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Route:<\/strong>&nbsp;Rishikesh \u2192 Joshimath \u2192 Mana \u2192 Niti \u2192 Malari \u2192 Pithoragarh \u2192 Dharchula \u2192 Gunji \u2192 Adi Kailash \u2192 return<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Day 1\u20132:<\/strong>\u00a0Rishikesh \/ Haridwar base, acclimatise. Pick up ILP papers in advance if planning online.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 3:<\/strong>\u00a0Drive Haridwar \u2192 Joshimath (9 hrs). Apply for Niti and Malari ILP at SDM office same evening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 4:<\/strong>\u00a0Joshimath \u2192 Badrinath \u2192 Mana (half day) \u2192 back to Joshimath.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 5:<\/strong>\u00a0Joshimath \u2192 Malari (overnight) via Tapovan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 6:<\/strong>\u00a0Malari \u2192 Niti village \u2192 return to Joshimath.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 7\u20138:<\/strong>\u00a0Joshimath \u2192 Pithoragarh \u2192 Dharchula (long drive day, plan an overnight at Pithoragarh).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 9\u201310:<\/strong>\u00a0Dharchula \u2192 Gunji \u2192 Adi Kailash darshan \u2192 return to Dharchula \u2192 exit via Tanakpur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Base stays:<\/strong>\u00a0Auli, Joshimath area, Munsiyari. The drive between the Mana cluster and the Gunji cluster is genuinely long \u2014 budget two travel-only days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"option-2-himachal-aadhaaronly-circuit-57-days\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_2_Himachal_Aadhaar-Only_Circuit_5%E2%80%937_days\"><\/span>Option 2: Himachal Aadhaar-Only Circuit (5\u20137 days)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Route:<\/strong>&nbsp;Shimla \u2192 Narkanda \u2192 Sangla \u2192 Chitkul \u2192 Kalpa \u2192 Pooh \u2192 Shipki La \u2192 Nako \u2192 Tabo \u2192 Gue \u2192 Kaza<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Day 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Delhi\/Chandigarh \u2192 Shimla (drive or train to Kalka + drive).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 2:<\/strong>\u00a0Shimla \u2192 Sangla via Karcham (8 hrs). Overnight Sangla.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 3:<\/strong>\u00a0Sangla \u2192 Chitkul day trip \u2192 back to Sangla or push to Kalpa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 4:<\/strong>\u00a0Kalpa \u2192 Pooh \u2192 Shipki La (Aadhaar registration at Khab) \u2192 return to Pooh or push to Nako.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 5:<\/strong>\u00a0Nako \u2192 Tabo (overnight at the monastery&#8217;s guesthouse if booking permits).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 6:<\/strong>\u00a0Tabo \u2192 Sumdo \u2192 Gue Monastery (half day) \u2192 Kaza (overnight).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 7:<\/strong>\u00a0Kaza \u2192 Manali via Atal Tunnel (long drive day), or extend to Pin Valley \/ Lepcha-La with a guide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Base stays:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/himachal-pradesh\/villas-in-manali?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic-organic&amp;utm_campaign=indo_china_villages_june_2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista homestays in Manali\u00a0<\/a>in the Kinnaur belt; HPTDC properties at Reckong Peo, Tabo, and Kaza for the higher-altitude legs where private homestays thin out.\u00a0<em>This is the cheapest of the three circuits because no permits cost money.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"option-3-north-sikkim-twinvillage-loop-56-days\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_3_North_Sikkim_Twin-Village_Loop_5%E2%80%936_days\"><\/span>Option 3: North Sikkim Twin-Village Loop (5\u20136 days)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Route:<\/strong>&nbsp;Bagdogra \u2192 Gangtok \u2192 Lachen \u2192 Gurudongmar \u2192 Lachung \u2192 Yumthang \u2192 Gangtok<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Day 1:\u00a0Fly into Bagdogra \u2192 drive to Gangtok (4 hrs). Submit ILP via the tour operator the same evening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 2:<\/strong>\u00a0Gangtok rest day; collect ILP; light sightseeing (Rumtek, MG Marg).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 3:<\/strong>\u00a0Gangtok \u2192 Lachen (6\u20137 hrs by shared SUV).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 4:<\/strong>\u00a0Lachen \u2192 Gurudongmar Lake (4 am start, back by noon) \u2192 drive to Lachung evening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 5:<\/strong>\u00a0Lachung \u2192 Yumthang Valley + Zero Point \u2192 back to Lachung overnight, or push to Gangtok.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 6:<\/strong>\u00a0Lachung\/Gangtok \u2192 Bagdogra flight out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Base stays:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/sikkim\/villas-in-sikkim?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic-organic&amp;utm_campaign=indo_china_villages_june_2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista Sikkim homestays<\/a>\u00a0in Gangtok for permit days; government-registered Lachen\/Lachung village homestays for the North Sikkim segment.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Misty mountain peaks in Gangtok Sikkim - cool hill station in May\" class=\"wp-image-38039\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-768x1366.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-1152x2048.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-370x658.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-770x1369.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim-150x267.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gangtok-misty-mountains-sikkim.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"where-to-stay-stayvista-homestays-near-indias-border-villages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Stay_StayVista_Homestays_Near_Indias_Border_Villages\"><\/span>Where to Stay: StayVista Homestays Near India&#8217;s Border Villages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">StayVista doesn&#8217;t host directly inside any of the 13 border villages on this list \u2014 the homestay inventory in places like Gunji, Niti, or Chitkul is run by local government-registered families, and we&#8217;ve kept that ecosystem honest. What we do host is the\u00a0base layer: the homestays one drive day away, in Joshimath\/Auli, in the Kinnaur\u2013Sangla corridor, in Gangtok, and in Pelling. Those are the stays you book for the rest of your itinerary \u2014 the acclimatisation nights, the post-trip recovery nights, the family base while one or two travellers do the high-altitude run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Uttarakhand<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Across Mussoorie, Auli, Ranikhet, and Nainital. Best for Mana\/Niti circuit bases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Himachal Pradesh<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Across Shimla, Chail, Kasauli, and the Kinnaur belt. Best for the Aadhaar-only circuit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sikkim<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/sikkim\/villas-in-sikkim?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic-organic&amp;utm_campaign=indo_china_villages_june_2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista homestays in Sikkim<\/a>\u00a0in Gangtok and Pelling. Best as the permit-collection and recovery base.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the actual village stays, we&#8217;d point you to: KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) bookings for Gunji and Dharchula; HPTDC&#8217;s Reckong Peo and Sarahan rest-houses for the Shipki La leg; and Sikkim Tourism&#8217;s North Sikkim homestay registry for Lachen and Lachung. Book the Sikkim leg through a registered tour operator \u2014 it bundles the permit with the stay and saves a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779959929621\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Which Indo-China border villages are open for tourism in 2026?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Thirteen villages: four in Uttarakhand (Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari), seven in Himachal Pradesh (Chitkul, Shipki La, Lepcha-La, Gue, Khana, Dumti, Sangla) and two in Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung). Seven of these \u2014 all the Himachal villages \u2014 now allow Aadhaar-only entry under the June 2025 Regulated Border Tourism policy. The remaining six still require Inner Line Permits.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779959942071\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I visit Chitkul with just an Aadhaar card?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Since 8 June 2025, Chitkul has allowed Aadhaar-only entry for Indian tourists under Himachal Pradesh&#8217;s Regulated Border Tourism policy (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outlooktraveller.com\/News\/in-a-historic-move-the-shipki-la-pass-in-himachal-pradesh-is-now-open-for-domestic-travellers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Outlook Traveller<\/a>). Stop at the Chitkul registration desk on entry, scan your Aadhaar, and sign the visitor register. No Inner Line Permit, no fee. Foreign nationals still need a Protected Area Permit.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779959958580\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do I need a permit for Mana village?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No permit is needed for Mana village itself, which sits 5 km past Badrinath. You only need an Inner Line Permit if you continue beyond the village to Mana Pass \u2014 that ILP is issued same-day at the SDM Joshimath office for \u20b9100, with Aadhaar and two photographs. Mana village is open April through October.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779959970400\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the best time to visit Lachen and Lachung in 2026?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The peak windows are March\u2013June and September\u2013November. June 2026 offers the warmest day temperatures (10\u201328\u00b0C in Lachung) and full road access to Gurudongmar Lake. October\u2013November give the clearest mountain visibility. Avoid July\u2013September \u2014 monsoon landslides regularly block the Gangtok\u2013Lachen road, and Zero Point access closes intermittently.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779959981620\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">When does Shipki La pass open for tourists?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Shipki La opens to domestic Indian tourists on 10 June each year, weather and snow-clearing permitting (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/cities\/chandigarh\/shipki-la-to-be-opened-for-tourists-adventure-enthusiasts-from-june-10-himachal-minister-10045035\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indian Express<\/a>). The pass first opened to civilians on 10 June 2025 after being closed since the 1962 war. It typically stays open through the end of October. Daily access is 7:00 am\u20134:00 pm; no overnight stay at the pass itself.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779959995698\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I get an Inner Line Permit for Niti and Gunji?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">For Niti, apply at the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/chamoli.nic.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SDM Joshimath office<\/a>\u00a0with Aadhaar original, two photocopies, two passport photos and \u20b9100. Same-day issuance. For Gunji, apply at SDM Dharchula with the same documents plus a medical fitness certificate if extending to Adi Kailash. Carry the permit on your dashboard for ITBP checkpost verification.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779960007916\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is the Adi Kailash yatra possible from Gunji in June 2026?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Gunji is the official Adi Kailash base under the Vibrant Villages Programme. The metalled road past Kuti completed in 2024 makes a 2-day darshan extension from Gunji practical in June 2026. You&#8217;ll need the Dharchula ILP plus a medical fitness certificate. Book through KMVN or Pithoragarh-based registered operators; private vehicle access is restricted on the final stretch.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779960017947\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Which is the real &#8220;Last Village of India&#8221;?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">All four village claims are geographically correct \u2014 Mana, Niti, Chitkul and Gunji are each the last inhabited Indian settlement on a different border road. Mana is last on the Badrinath\u2013Mana Pass route, Niti on the Niti Pass route, Chitkul on the Hindustan-Tibet Road, and Gunji on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route. The Border Roads Organisation has begun replacing &#8220;Last Village&#8221; signs with &#8220;First Village&#8221; boards.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"one-more-window-before-the-monsoon\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"One_More_Window_Before_the_Monsoon\"><\/span>One More Window Before the Monsoon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six things to take away from this guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thirteen Indo-China border villages are open to Indian tourists in June 2026 \u2014 the largest single-month opening in modern Indian travel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seven of those (all in Himachal) need only an Aadhaar card. No ILP, no NOC, no military clearance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shipki La pass opens 10 June 2026 \u2014 make that your fixed planning anchor for any Himachal circuit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Uttarakhand four (Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari) still need ILPs, but the process is genuinely same-day at Joshimath or Dharchula.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lachen and Lachung continue to need permits via registered Gangtok operators \u2014 the Himachal Aadhaar model hasn&#8217;t reached Sikkim yet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>June is the peak window. From July to mid-September, monsoon rain shuts North Sikkim&#8217;s road and destabilises the Niti and Gunji approaches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India&#8217;s borderlands are the rarest thing in domestic travel \u2014 destinations where the road literally ends. June 2026 is the most accessible window this kind of journey has ever had. If you&#8217;ve been waiting for the policy logjam to clear, it has.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Browse StayVista homestays across the Himalayan border states<\/a>&nbsp;when you&#8217;re ready to book your base.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thirteen Indo-China border villages across\u00a0Uttarakhand\u00a0(Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari),\u00a0Himachal Pradesh\u00a0(Chitkul, Shipki La, Lepcha-La, Gue, Khana, Dumti, Sangla) and\u00a0Sikkim\u00a0(Lachen, Lachung) are open for Indian tourists in June 2026 under the Vibrant Village&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":40218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[820,915],"tags":[1418,929],"class_list":["post-40216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-itineraries","category-must-reads","tag-snow-destinations","tag-travel-north-india"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>13 Indo-China Border Villages Open for June 2026 Tourism - StayVista Journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"India&#039;s 13 Indo-China border villages \u2014 Mana, Chitkul, Lachen &amp; 10 more \u2014 are open for June 2026 tourists, with Aadhaar-only access at 7. Permits + itineraries.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"13 Indo-China Border Villages Open for June 2026 Tourism - StayVista Journal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"India&#039;s 13 Indo-China border villages \u2014 Mana, Chitkul, Lachen &amp; 10 more \u2014 are open for June 2026 tourists, with Aadhaar-only access at 7. 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When I'm not chatting travel dreams into existence, I'm brewing up blog adventures for StayVista. With chai in one hand and wanderlust in my heart; travelling and shaping vacation concepts into great itineraries is something that thrills me. Writing a perfectly planned getaway for someone? It's like sharing a delicious box of Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans - you never know what reaction you'll get (but hopefully, mostly happy surprises!). So, buckle up fellow explorers, and grab your broomsticks - because we're off to explore somewhere incredible with every post!\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/priyankak\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959929621\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959929621\",\"name\":\"Which Indo-China border villages are open for tourism in 2026?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Thirteen villages: four in Uttarakhand (Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari), seven in Himachal Pradesh (Chitkul, Shipki La, Lepcha-La, Gue, Khana, Dumti, Sangla) and two in Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung). Seven of these \u2014 all the Himachal villages \u2014 now allow Aadhaar-only entry under the June 2025 Regulated Border Tourism policy. The remaining six still require Inner Line Permits.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959942071\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959942071\",\"name\":\"Can I visit Chitkul with just an Aadhaar card?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Since 8 June 2025, Chitkul has allowed Aadhaar-only entry for Indian tourists under Himachal Pradesh's Regulated Border Tourism policy (Source:\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.outlooktraveller.com\\\/News\\\/in-a-historic-move-the-shipki-la-pass-in-himachal-pradesh-is-now-open-for-domestic-travellers\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Outlook Traveller<\\\/a>). Stop at the Chitkul registration desk on entry, scan your Aadhaar, and sign the visitor register. No Inner Line Permit, no fee. Foreign nationals still need a Protected Area Permit.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959958580\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959958580\",\"name\":\"Do I need a permit for Mana village?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No permit is needed for Mana village itself, which sits 5 km past Badrinath. You only need an Inner Line Permit if you continue beyond the village to Mana Pass \u2014 that ILP is issued same-day at the SDM Joshimath office for \u20b9100, with Aadhaar and two photographs. Mana village is open April through October.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959970400\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959970400\",\"name\":\"What is the best time to visit Lachen and Lachung in 2026?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The peak windows are March\u2013June and September\u2013November. June 2026 offers the warmest day temperatures (10\u201328\u00b0C in Lachung) and full road access to Gurudongmar Lake. October\u2013November give the clearest mountain visibility. Avoid July\u2013September \u2014 monsoon landslides regularly block the Gangtok\u2013Lachen road, and Zero Point access closes intermittently.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959981620\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959981620\",\"name\":\"When does Shipki La pass open for tourists?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Shipki La opens to domestic Indian tourists on 10 June each year, weather and snow-clearing permitting (Source:\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/indianexpress.com\\\/article\\\/cities\\\/chandigarh\\\/shipki-la-to-be-opened-for-tourists-adventure-enthusiasts-from-june-10-himachal-minister-10045035\\\/\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Indian Express<\\\/a>). The pass first opened to civilians on 10 June 2025 after being closed since the 1962 war. It typically stays open through the end of October. Daily access is 7:00 am\u20134:00 pm; no overnight stay at the pass itself.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959995698\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779959995698\",\"name\":\"How do I get an Inner Line Permit for Niti and Gunji?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"For Niti, apply at the\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/chamoli.nic.in\\\/\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">SDM Joshimath office<\\\/a>\u00a0with Aadhaar original, two photocopies, two passport photos and \u20b9100. Same-day issuance. For Gunji, apply at SDM Dharchula with the same documents plus a medical fitness certificate if extending to Adi Kailash. Carry the permit on your dashboard for ITBP checkpost verification.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779960007916\",\"position\":7,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779960007916\",\"name\":\"Is the Adi Kailash yatra possible from Gunji in June 2026?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Gunji is the official Adi Kailash base under the Vibrant Villages Programme. The metalled road past Kuti completed in 2024 makes a 2-day darshan extension from Gunji practical in June 2026. You'll need the Dharchula ILP plus a medical fitness certificate. Book through KMVN or Pithoragarh-based registered operators; private vehicle access is restricted on the final stretch.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779960017947\",\"position\":8,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\\\/#faq-question-1779960017947\",\"name\":\"Which is the real \\\"Last Village of India\\\"?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"All four village claims are geographically correct \u2014 Mana, Niti, Chitkul and Gunji are each the last inhabited Indian settlement on a different border road. Mana is last on the Badrinath\u2013Mana Pass route, Niti on the Niti Pass route, Chitkul on the Hindustan-Tibet Road, and Gunji on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route. 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When I'm not chatting travel dreams into existence, I'm brewing up blog adventures for StayVista. With chai in one hand and wanderlust in my heart; travelling and shaping vacation concepts into great itineraries is something that thrills me. Writing a perfectly planned getaway for someone? It's like sharing a delicious box of Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans - you never know what reaction you'll get (but hopefully, mostly happy surprises!). So, buckle up fellow explorers, and grab your broomsticks - because we're off to explore somewhere incredible with every post!","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/author\/priyankak\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959929621","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959929621","name":"Which Indo-China border villages are open for tourism in 2026?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Thirteen villages: four in Uttarakhand (Mana, Niti, Gunji, Malari), seven in Himachal Pradesh (Chitkul, Shipki La, Lepcha-La, Gue, Khana, Dumti, Sangla) and two in Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung). Seven of these \u2014 all the Himachal villages \u2014 now allow Aadhaar-only entry under the June 2025 Regulated Border Tourism policy. The remaining six still require Inner Line Permits.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959942071","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959942071","name":"Can I visit Chitkul with just an Aadhaar card?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Since 8 June 2025, Chitkul has allowed Aadhaar-only entry for Indian tourists under Himachal Pradesh's Regulated Border Tourism policy (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outlooktraveller.com\/News\/in-a-historic-move-the-shipki-la-pass-in-himachal-pradesh-is-now-open-for-domestic-travellers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Outlook Traveller<\/a>). Stop at the Chitkul registration desk on entry, scan your Aadhaar, and sign the visitor register. No Inner Line Permit, no fee. Foreign nationals still need a Protected Area Permit.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959958580","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959958580","name":"Do I need a permit for Mana village?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No permit is needed for Mana village itself, which sits 5 km past Badrinath. You only need an Inner Line Permit if you continue beyond the village to Mana Pass \u2014 that ILP is issued same-day at the SDM Joshimath office for \u20b9100, with Aadhaar and two photographs. Mana village is open April through October.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959970400","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959970400","name":"What is the best time to visit Lachen and Lachung in 2026?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The peak windows are March\u2013June and September\u2013November. June 2026 offers the warmest day temperatures (10\u201328\u00b0C in Lachung) and full road access to Gurudongmar Lake. October\u2013November give the clearest mountain visibility. Avoid July\u2013September \u2014 monsoon landslides regularly block the Gangtok\u2013Lachen road, and Zero Point access closes intermittently.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959981620","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959981620","name":"When does Shipki La pass open for tourists?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Shipki La opens to domestic Indian tourists on 10 June each year, weather and snow-clearing permitting (Source:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/cities\/chandigarh\/shipki-la-to-be-opened-for-tourists-adventure-enthusiasts-from-june-10-himachal-minister-10045035\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indian Express<\/a>). The pass first opened to civilians on 10 June 2025 after being closed since the 1962 war. It typically stays open through the end of October. Daily access is 7:00 am\u20134:00 pm; no overnight stay at the pass itself.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959995698","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779959995698","name":"How do I get an Inner Line Permit for Niti and Gunji?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"For Niti, apply at the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/chamoli.nic.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SDM Joshimath office<\/a>\u00a0with Aadhaar original, two photocopies, two passport photos and \u20b9100. Same-day issuance. For Gunji, apply at SDM Dharchula with the same documents plus a medical fitness certificate if extending to Adi Kailash. Carry the permit on your dashboard for ITBP checkpost verification.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779960007916","position":7,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779960007916","name":"Is the Adi Kailash yatra possible from Gunji in June 2026?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Gunji is the official Adi Kailash base under the Vibrant Villages Programme. The metalled road past Kuti completed in 2024 makes a 2-day darshan extension from Gunji practical in June 2026. You'll need the Dharchula ILP plus a medical fitness certificate. Book through KMVN or Pithoragarh-based registered operators; private vehicle access is restricted on the final stretch.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779960017947","position":8,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/indo-china-border-villages-tourism-june-2026\/#faq-question-1779960017947","name":"Which is the real \"Last Village of India\"?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"All four village claims are geographically correct \u2014 Mana, Niti, Chitkul and Gunji are each the last inhabited Indian settlement on a different border road. Mana is last on the Badrinath\u2013Mana Pass route, Niti on the Niti Pass route, Chitkul on the Hindustan-Tibet Road, and Gunji on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route. The Border Roads Organisation has begun replacing \"Last Village\" signs with \"First Village\" boards.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40216","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40216"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40216\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40219,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40216\/revisions\/40219"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}