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Foreign nationals visiting areas closer to the Chinese border in Lahul-Spiti district and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh are required to obtain an inland line permit when traveling between Khab in Kinnaur and Kaza in Spiti district.
According to the Himachal Pradesh government notification, foreign nationals are required to apply for an Inner Line Permit when crossing the area between Khab, Sumdo, Dhankar, Tabo, Gompa, Kaza, Morang and Dubling.
Get inside line permit in Shimla
Inner Line Permits (ILPs) can be made at the Deputy Collection Office in Shimla. It is in the office of the Additional Division Magistrate (ADM) where all the procedures are carried out. You must complete an application form and attach 2 passport size photos, a copy of the visa and passport with the form.
The form must be completed in person and all interested persons must be present in front of the ADM when you finally sign the permit. The entire procedure lasts 3-4 hours.
There is no fee to issue the ILP. However, if you process your application through the Sugam Center in the DC office complex, a fee of Rs 200 will be charged. You can avoid paying this fee by going directly to the ADM office and completing and submitting only at that time.
According to the law, the ILP is issued to a minimum of 4 people traveling in a group through a recognized travel agency. This is followed very strictly in the Shimla office.
If you are traveling in a group with less than 4 people or traveling alone, Recong Peo in the Kinnaur district can be a lifesaver for getting an ILP.
Get internal line permit in Recong Peo
Recong Peo is the best place to get the ILP on this route. Internal line permits are issued at the ADM office in Recong Peo. The formalities are the same but you don’t need photos in Recong Peo. Images are clicked through a webcam and scanned into the ILP. Here you can have other travelers form a group of 4 people to travel further to Kaza. The office here is quite lenient with issuing the ILP and usually also issues the permit for solo travelers.
There are some travel agents in Kalpa who also get the permit for a charge of Rs 150 per person. They then do this through the Sugam Center in the DC office where again a payment of Rs 200 must be made. It is better to get the ILP directly from the ADM office.
Obtaining the inside line permit in Kaza and Keylong
Coming from the Manali side, you can get the Inner Line Permit at the DC office at Keylong, Lahul & Spiti District Headquarters. You can also get the ILP in Kaza at the Subdivisional Magistrate’s Office (SDM). The procedures remain the same and you have to bring 2 passport size photos and a copy of your passport and visa. Here no such strict attention is paid to the minimum rule of 4 people.
As such, there are no charges for issuing the Inside Line Permit. If someone demands money inside the government office, he can always ask for a receipt.
If you don’t get a receipt, someone else is keeping the money. In case you end up using the Sugam center service, you will need to pay a fee of Rs 200 for which a corresponding receipt will be issued.
While traveling from Recong Peo onwards, you will need to carry copies of the ILP to hand in at intermediate checkpoints. Checkpoints are now reportedly simply writing down ILP details.
Checkpoints are now located in Chango and Sumdo and the ILP is valid for a period of 15 days.
Indian citizens do not need an internal liner permit to stay and cross the area, although there are some places even Indians cannot go. It is recommended to carry some valid proof of identity while traveling in the area.
The drive from Kinnaur and Spiti via Hindustan Tibet Road will leave you spellbound. Normally the road is open from mid-April to mid-November to Kaza from the Shimla side. Currently, the Kaza – Grampho section of the road is closed because the Kunzum pass is blocked due to snow.