Picture this: You’re about to embark on an extraordinary journey to the enchanting landscapes of Ladakh, India. The adventure of a lifetime awaits, but first, there’s paperwork to navigate, and police checkpoints to pass through.

You need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) if you’re not an Indian citizen.

So, what is an ILP? It’s your golden ticket to the less-tread corners of Ladakh nestled near the Chinese and Pakistani borders. This permit won’t burn a hole in your pocket, costing only INR 400 per person for a 15-day jaunt, and an additional INR 20 per day for a longer adventure.

You can read my full guide to Ladakh’s Inner Line Permit at my personal blog.

 

Key Takeaways

Let’s dive deeper into the details gathered from my travels. Here’s a snapshot of our discourse:

  • Inner Line Permit: Non-Indian visitors need this for specific areas in Ladakh.
  • Restricted Areas: Locations close to China and Pakistan that demand an ILP.
  • Protected Area Permit/Restricted Area Permit (PAP/RAP): Special permits for Indian citizens to explore certain restricted regions.
  • Cost: For up to 15 days, it’s INR 400 per person; for extended stays, an extra INR 20 per person per day.
  • Group Size: Two is the magic number here. Solo explorers, consider teaming up!

 

Where is it needed?

Travelling to the captivating areas of Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and Dah Hanu demands an ILP. While the vast expanse of Ladakh encourages freedom of travel without restrictions, these specific areas ask for an ILP.

 

How to get an Inner Line Permit?

Acquiring this magical pass is fairly straightforward. Choose between initiating an online application or walking into a local travel agent’s office with photocopies of your passport at hand. Once you’ve filled out an application form and received approval, here’s a pro tip – take seven photocopies of the stamped permit. On my journey through the winding roads of Ladakh, each checkpoint asked for these papers as keepsakes of my passage.

What comes next once you decide to embark on this ILP journey? I’ll walk you through the path I treaded:

Step 1: Find partners in travel. You need at least two people for an ILP application.

Step 2: Initiate the online application process at www.lahdclehpermit.in.

Step 3: Provide sharp, legible photocopies of your passport along with your application.

Step 4: If an obstacle arises, seek help from a local travel agent. They’ll walk you through the process.

Step 5: The approved and completed application needs to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh.

Step 6: Photocopy the stamped approved permit seven times. These will serve as vital documents at multiple checkpoints.

Step 7: Congratulations! You’re all set to weave through the mesmerising lands of Ladakh. Don’t forget that ILP!

Final Thoughts

The processing time for an Inner Line Permit can vary depending on the time of year and the number of applications being processed. It is recommended that you allow at least two weeks for your permit to be processed.

My Experience: That said, when I was in Leh I didn’t organize an ILP beforehand so had to figure it out while i was there. It was a bit complicated and certainly stressful (hence why I’m writing this guide) but i was able to get one in about 2 days.

Embrace the thrill of the journey ahead, as the ethereal realm of Ladakh awaits your arrival!

Written by Tristan Balme (tristanbalme.com)