While tourism departments of various states are doing away with or simplifying their process to obtain Inner Line Permits, the LAHDC (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council) has decided to go one step back. Instead of ‘opening up’ new destinations to visitors, they have decided to go back to the pre-2014 days and have introduced ILP (Inner Line Permit) for Indian nationals. It was back in 2012 when I had visited Ladakh for the first time when the ILP regime was in force. And I remember that we had to waste around a couple of hours for the same.

Ladakh Inner Line Permit Guide

While a couple of hours might not sound a lot but when you plan to start early in the morning as you only have a limited number of days there, it sure does. Moreover, I somehow don’t really understand why do I have to obtain a permission in order to visit. Recently I had applied for Arunachal Pradesh ILP and Nagaland ILP and none of the experiences were pleasant, to be honest. The reason I am writing suddenly about Ladakh is because, after my first trip to Ladakh in 2012 another plan has been brewing for next year and this news comes as something unexpected. Not that it is a big hurdle or anything but still. Anyway, so that the rule is in place, let’s see what it actually means to people traveling to Ladakh.

Where and How to apply for Permit in Leh?

The permit or Inner Line Permit (ILP) as it is called can be obtained from the DC Office in Leh. The applications have to be made between 10 am and 3 pm on any weekday. The DC office remains closed on government holidays and weekends.

Documents required for Ladakh Permit

Along with the completed permit form, you have to attach any govt. issued photo ID proof. If you are traveling with someone else, his/her/their photo id proof also has to be submitted.

What is the fee for Laddakh Inner Line Permit?

Permit fee of Ladakh is one of the costliest I remember paying. Back then it was around Rs. 275/- if I remember right. The permit fee for one person now is, Rs. 520/-. Out of this, Rs. 400/- is an environmental fee, Rs. 100/- goes to Red Cross and Rs.20/- goes as Wildlife Protection fee. The wildlife protection fee is per person per day charge. So for example, if you are going to stay for 3 days, the money you will pay as permit fee will be, Rs. 400 * 1 + Rs. 100 * 1 + Rs. 20 * 3 = Rs. 560/-.

For which all places in Ladakh do I need the permit?

Of all the places where a permit is now required, the most popular ones are as follows:

• Pangong Tso
• Nubra Valley (Khardung-la, Diskit, Hunder and beyond)
• Tso Moriri
• Hanle
• Chusul
• Marsimik La

Anything else I should remember?

Getting the permit in your hands is only half the job done. The first (and most important) thing that you should do right after you leave the DC office is head to a Xerox shop and get multiple copies of your permit. You will have to submit a copy of the same at every check gate you cross.

Update [03-Jun-2017]

The LAHDC has finally come up with online application for Ladakh Inner Line Permit, much to the joy of tourists. This system would cater to the Innerline Permit needs for International tourists too. The official website to obtain Ladakh Inner Line Permit is http://lahdclehpermit.in/.

Are you heading to Ladakh this summer?