Ladakh gets permit free for domestic tourists

Travelling to Ladakh has become hassle-free from 1 May 2014.

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has removed the permit system required for domestic tourists while travelling to Leh-Ladakh. Earlier, both domestic and foreign tourists were required to obtain permission from the district authorities before embarking on their journey to destinations like Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Hot Spring and Pangong Lake in Ladakh.

Without inner-line permit, tourists were not allowed to travel to these places and the inner-permit was checked at various check posts en route these destinations by Army officials before allowing further movement.

“Tourists visiting Leh district, who are Indian nationals now onwards need not to obtain inner-line permits. And their Indian passport, driving license, service identity cards with photograph, Election Id card PAN card, Aadhar card shall henceforth be treated as inner lime permits,” states the order issued by District Magistrate Leh.

Indian nationals will not require obtaining permission for the following routes.

Under Khaltse Sub-Division
–    Khaltse – Domkhar – Skurbuchan – Hanudo – Biama-Dha

Under Nyoma Sub-Divison
–    Leh – Karu – Chang La – Durbuk – Tangtse – Lukung – Spangmik – Man-Merak (Pangong Lake)
–    Leh – Upshi – Chumathang – Mahe – Puga – Tsomoriri Lake – Korzok-Loma Bend

Under Nubra Sub-Division
–    Leh – Khardung La – Khalsar – Hunder – Turtuk – Pachathang – Tyakshi.
–    Leh – Khardung La – Trith upto Panamic
–    Leh – Saboo – Digger La – to Khungru Gompa – Tangyar (only or trekking)

Foreign nationals will need to take a proper permit from the office of District Magistrate to travel in Ladakh.