In what can only be described as a regressive move, LAHDC (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council) has once again decided to reintroduce Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian Nationals for all inner line areas.
In 2014, LAHDC had abolished ILP requirement for the tourist circuit of Ladakh (see link). A move which had been welcomed by not only by the Indian travelers, but also various tourism unions of Ladakh. Since it reduced the unnecessary paperwork and an extra loop travelers had to go through.
However, with the new eco-tourism policy introduced earlier this year. LAHDC had to levy an environmental fee of Rs. 400 on tourists visiting Ladakh and hence, ILPs were reintroduced for Indian Nationals.
For which areas do I need the permit?
If you’re planning to visit anyone of these areas listed below (which pretty much all tourists do), you will need inner line permit.
- Dah and Hanu (Khaltse – Domkhar – Skurbuchan – Hanudo – Biama – Dha route.)
- Pangong Tso (from Leh to Merak Village.)
- Tso Moriri (Leh – Chumathang – Mahe – Korzok.)
- Nubra Valley (Khardung La, Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk, Pachathang, Tyakshi, Sumur, and Panamik.)
- Tangyar (Leh – Sabhoo – Digger La – Khungru Gompa – Tangyar, only for trekking.)
- Chushul (Merak – Chushul or Nyoma – Loma – Tsaga – Chushul)
- Hanle
- Marsimik La
- Batalik
Where can I obtain this permit from?
You will need to visit the DC Office in Leh, located near the stadium to obtain this ILP. DC Office is open from Monday to Saturday (except national holidays) and they accept permit applications from 10 am to 3 pm.
How do I apply for inner line permit?
You need to fill the ILP forms with the following details:
- Your name Name, father/mother/husband name, nationality, address, id proof you’re attaching and ID proof number.
- Name, sex, and age of all the people traveling with you.
- Date of arrival in Leh.
- Details of vehicle you’re traveling in (including driver name if it is a taxi).
- Name and address of your hotel in Leh.
- Name of the places you’re planning to visit eg. Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Warshi, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri etc..
- Dates and period for which you require the permit.
Along with this, you need to attach photo copy of government issued id card eg. PAN, Adahar, Passport, Voter ID, DL etc. of all the people for which the permit is being applied.
Where can I get ILP forms?
You can find ILP forms at DC Office as well as most of the photocopy shops and at hotels in Leh. It is best to obtain the form from outside, fill it, attach photo id copies and then go to the DC Office.
How much do I have to pay for a permit?
You will need to pay 3 fees, these are:
- Environmental fee: Rs. 400 per person
- Red Cross donation: Rs. 100 per person
- Wildlife Protection fee: Rs. 20 per person per day.
This essentially means if you’re traveling in a group of 3 people and will be visiting Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso for 4 days, you will have to pay (Rs. 400 x 3 = Rs. 1,200 + Rs. 100 x 3 = Rs. 300 + Rs. 20 x 4 x 3 = Rs. 240 =) Rs. 1,740.
What do I do with the permit, once I have it?
You will need to get multiple photocopies of the permit made from the photocopy shops (3 per region) and submit them at the various checkposts en route. So make sure to get couple of copies extra, to err… on the side of caution.
Was this really needed?
In my view, no! This environmental fee is mostly going to be used for promoting eco-tourism in Ladakh, rather than reducing the ecological damage and clearing the garbage (you can read more about it here.)
LAHDC could have easily set up environmental fee collection centers at strategic points to ensure travelers could pay the fee, without needing to visit the DC Office and once again indulge in the same bureaucratic red tape, that LAHDC had cut not too long ago.
21 Comments
Yogesh ji, is this true? So ultimately we’ll have to pay the fees and fill the forms for all the places we see in ladakh?
Yes.
can you arrange taxi and permit for 5 days for visit to pongog, moriri and hanle. what shall be the cost
I have to visit leh to nubra on 17th and back on 18, then on 19th i have to visit pangong and back on 20. So i require permit for 1 day each or 2? Please advise.
You will need 1 permit, which would be valid for 2 days.
Can we do this process online
Online permit system is a half measure, you can apply online. However, you have to go to the office and submit the fee along with id card copy to get the permit. Plus you can’t get permit for Chushul, Marsimik La or Hanle online.
i along with my wife have to visit tso moriri and hanle for three days, i.e. leaving for tso moriri on friday and visiting hanle on satureday and comng back on sunday and pongong tso on monday and back on tues day. what shall be cost oftaxi and permit.
Is any permit going to be required for Zanskar region??
No permit required for Suru and Zanskar Valleys, since they aren’t close to LOC.
Hi Yogesh,
We are a group of five planning to visit leh, as per our plan we will leave for leh from kargil early morning will it be possible for us to get the inner permits done on the same day (the payment part will have applied it online) since we are planning to leave for nubra the next morning. if its not possible do you know some agent who can can get it done for us in advance.
Thank you
I’m going on a budget solo trip to Leh next month and I will be mostly depending the local bus to reach Pangong and Nubra. Will the police stop the bus at check point and ask for ILP?
Absolutely. You can’t travel to these areas without Inner Line Permit.
Hello,
Is ILP registration facility available at any other location / authorised agent apart from DC office in Leh.
Also is DC office open on Saturdays?
Regards
Atul
Hi,
2 of us are heading to Leh ladhak in our bikes, the question I have is..I bought a second hand bike.. I have the signed transfer papers.. but the bike is yet to be transferred to my name… And my frnds bike is registered on his brothers name.. will that cause a problem while obtaining ILP?
Would u suggest or share some place to stay (budget hotels/camps)
Thanks in advance.
Bike in brother’s name shouldn’t be a problem. But if it isn’t in your name, then bike union can cause problems. Getting ILP isn’t an issue, crossing Khardung La and Chang La would be, since these have checkpost by Leh motorcycle rental union and they do not let those bikers’ cross, which aren’t riding their own motorcycles.
Hi Yogesh,
What would be the route from Leh to Rezing la – Tso Morri – Manali if we skip Pangyong & ride on bikes.
Do we require separate permits for Rezing la & Tso Morri ?
Also will petrol be available en route at dhabas & how is the quality ?
last year we went to Spiti valley & bought petrol at Dhabas the quality was descent.
Thanks in advance.
How to apply for Marsimik la ILP?? In the online form there is no mention for marsimik La.. Plz suggest
Online permit system is only for registered tour operators. You have to get the permit from the permit office in Leh main market.
Hi Yogesh ,
Is any kind of permission required or any restrictions on number of vehicles allowed per day, if we go to ladakh via srinagar as the same is required to be obtained in manali (NGT restrictions on number of vehicles per day allowed to rohtang pass and beyond). Please clarify as I am planning to visit ladakh via srinagar by personal vehicle.
No permit is needed if you’re traveling from Leh to Manali. Rohtang Permit is only for those travelling from Manali side.