Leh town, the Indus Valley monasteries and most of central Ladakh are open to everyone without a permit. Many of the places people come to see, though, sit close to the borders with Tibet and Pakistan-administered territory, and visiting them needs a permit. Rules change from time to time, so treat this as an overview and check with us before you travel.
Which areas need a permit?
The main protected areas visitors go to are:
- Nubra Valley (Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk, Panamik), via Khardung La
- Pangong Tso and the villages along it, via Chang La
- Tso Moriri and Tso Kar in the Changthang plateau
- Hanle and its dark-sky observatory area
- the Dah–Hanu villages and parts of the Lower Indus
Checkpoints on the roads into these areas check permits and ID.
Permits for Indian citizens
In recent years the administration has simplified the process for Indian nationals. In most cases you still register online and pay an environment fee and other local charges before visiting the protected areas. Carry your original photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID) and several printed copies of your permit.
Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals
Foreign travellers need a Protected Area Permit (PAP). It is applied for through a registered travel agency in Leh, usually in a day, and needs a copy of your passport and Indian visa. Permits are normally valid for a set number of days and list the areas you will visit, so plan your route before you apply.
If you travel with Voyager Ladakh, we arrange every permit your trip needs before you arrive.
Practical tips
- Keep 5–6 photocopies of your permit and ID: some checkpoints keep one.
- Write down your permit number; mobile signal is patchy in protected areas.
- Permits list specific areas. If you change your plans (adding Hanle, say), the permit may need to be updated.
- Some sensitive areas close at short notice for security reasons. Your guide or driver will know the latest situation.
