leh permit

Innerline Permits in Ladakh

Ladakh is truly a breathtaking destination to visit. With its picturesque locations, mountainous tranquillity and the journey en route, Ladakh is a trip of a lifetime. However, due to its proximity to volatile borders with both China and Pakistan as well as protected areas in the state given special statuses to preserve the native culture, you will require a few government-issued permits to visit the region. These are the Inner Line Permit Ladakh for Indian nations and Protected Area Permits for foreign citizens. There are a few countries whose citizens will need these permits issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and a select few passports for which their permits will be issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. In this blog, we discuss all that you need to know beforehand about the Leh permit, Leh permit fees, and the steps to attain a permit for leh-ladakh trip.

Table Of Contents

  1. What is the Inner Line Permit for Ladakh?
  2. How Can You Apply for The Leh Permit Online?
  3. How Can You Apply for The Leh Permit Offline?
  4. The Inner Line Permit Leh Ladakh Cost Breakdown
  5. The Protected Area Permit : For Foreign Citizens
  6. How to Get the Protected Area Permit?
  7. Special Cases for the Leh Permits
  8. Which Areas Require the ILP or PAP to Visit?
  9. FAQs

What is the Inner Line Permit for Ladakh?

The Inner Line Permit, or ILP, is a travel authorisation issued by the government. It permits Indian citizens travelling to Ladakh to visit the protected areas for a limited period of time till the permit is valid. There is, however, no restriction on the number of times you can travel to these places within the validity period of your ILPs. The validity period for the Inner Line Permit for Leh Ladakh for Indian citizens is three weeks. You can apply for Inner Line Permit Leh both online and offline.

How Can You Apply for The Leh Permit Online?

For the application of your leh ladakh permit online, you will have to visit the LAHDC Leh permit portal. This is the official website operated by the Leh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. The URL for this is http://lahdclehpermit.in/.

How Can You Apply for The Leh Permit Offline?

If you wish to obtain the inner line permit leh ladakh online, you have to visit the Leh DC Office, where you can get the application form. Once you fill in the necessary details and pay the form fees, your permit will be stamped upon verification. You will have to carry a valid, government-issued photo identity proof (driving licence, aadhar card, passport, voter ID card, or PAN card) with you. Be sure to keep a few photocopies of your ILP handy at all times, as you might be required to submit them at a few checkpoints.

Also Read: Leh To Ladakh Road Trip | The Ultimate Guide

The Inner Line Permit Leh Ladakh Cost Breakdown

Leh Ladakh permit cost is as follows:

  • Environment fee: ₹ 400
  • Red Cross donation: ₹ 100
  • Fee for Wildlife protection: ₹ 20/day

The Protected Area Permit : For Foreign Citizens

While Indian nationals are required to get an Inner Line Permit, there is a Leh permit for any foreign citizens visiting the region as well. This is the Restricted Area Permit or Protected Area Permit. This travel leh pass can be issued to a tourist group with two or more people. In case you are a solo traveller, you will have to get in touch with a registered tour agent who will be able to help you get added to a suitable tour group. Even though your permit will be clubbed, you are not required to travel with the tourist group or the travel agent in your permit. ladakh tourists are only allowed to visit the protected areas following the set tourist circuits using specified entry and exit points. Foreign national tourists are not permitted to travel to areas other than the ones mentioned in the permits. Your entry will also be banned once your permits expire.

How to Get the Protected Area Permit?

The leh ladakh tourism Department requires you to have a permit to visit protected areas. You can apply for the Protected Area Permit for Leh Ladakh on the official LAHDC permit website if you have your own travel group of two or more people. Otherwise, you will have to apply for the PAP through a registered travel agent who can club you with a tour group after arriving in Leh. The maximum validity of the Protected Area Permit is seven days. However, you can get the permit re-issued upon expiry as well as visit the protected areas as many times as you want within the validity period. You will have to carry a photocopy of your passport as well as your Indian visa when applying for the PAP.

Also Read: 10 Day Kashmir Leh Ladakh Tour Package at Best Price

Special Cases for the Leh Permits

There are some special cases wherein the permit for Leh Ladakh trip won’t be issued at the Leh DC Office or even online. In case you are the citizens of Afghanistan, China or Pakistan, you will have to apply for the Protected Area Permit at the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.

Ladakh Permit for foreigners is different as those who hold a diplomatic passport, a UN passport, an International Organisation passport, an Official passport/visa, or a Journalist passport/visa will have to apply for your Protected Area Permit at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

Which Areas Require the ILP or PAP to Visit?

Only a select few areas in Ladakh require the inner line permit or the protected area permit to be visited. The areas that require the Ladakh permits are Nubra valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Dah and Hanu Villages, Khardung La, Man, Merak, Nyoma, Loma Bend, Turtuk, and Chushul.
However, there is no requirement for a leh tourism permit if you are only planning for nearby sightseeing around Leh, Zanskar Valley, and Suru Valley. The Protected Area Permits are also required if you want to visit Chitkan, Dah, Garkone, Darchik, and Bata.

FAQs:

1. Is there any permit around the areas of pangong lake pass?
Yes, the Ladakh Inner Line Permit cost applies here.

2. What is a lahdc permit?
Visit https://www.lahdclehpermit.in/ to know more!

3. How to get ladakh permit?
Online: Visit the official LAHDC website and apply.
Offline: Go to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh and fill the form.

4. Is any permit required for leh ladakh trip for Indian Nationals?

Yes, for Indian Nationals, you have to fill up the Inner Line Permit to visit protected areas.

5. Are official permits required for leh ladakh entire trip?
No, only some restricted areas need the ILP.

6. Are there any new additions to Leh Ladakh permit online 2024?
To stay updated on the Ladakh permit price, visit the official Ladakh tourism website.

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