Inner line permit Kinnaur / Spiti

Hi,

I'll be cycling from Shimla towards Spiti in September (hopefully) and I'll probably hit Rekong Peo on a weekend, but I don't want to loose time hanging around there waiting for Monday and a chance to apply for my permit. Should I try to get it in Shimla or Rampur instead? How much hassle would it mean? Or would I loose a day there, too, waiting for the permit to be processed? And would it be a problem that it is valid only for a week? I'll definitely need more than a week from Shimla to Kaza.

Xaver

Entry permits can be obtained from the District Magistrate at Simla or Kullu, or the Sub District Magistrate in Simla. Foreigners travelling in a group of four or more can get a permit from the Additional Deputy Commissioner in Kaza.

In all cases, foreigners will need to go through a recognised travel agency. A prepared itinerary, along with a passport, three photographs and the completed application form, will have to be submitted to the concerned official in order to pave the way for a permit. Kaza has a checkpoint where all permits need to be verified before you’re allowed to proceed further.

xavex

It all depends on how fast you are going to be travelling. Tabo and Kaza are outside the restricted area which ends at the Sumdo check point.

I would think your best bet would still be to get your ILP at Recong Peo - you could spend time having a look at the small town of Kalpa just above Recong Peo - very scenic area.

The rule of going through a travel agent doesn't seem to be strictly enforced. We met people in Peo who were travelling to Tabo and had just applied in person and got a permit. Same thing when we applied at Kaza. If you experience any difficulty then you can contact a travel agent.

You will have to check before setting off that the roads are passable. If you're going to be in Shimla drop into the Park Cafe and have a chat with Dhananjay a member of this forum, who will be up to date on road conditions.

Hi,
The best to place to get the ILP is Shimla at the DC office, Mr Khachi is the dealing hand who makes it ... Give your details in the morning and pick the permit at 4 in the evening ... After Shimla Reckong Peo is the best place to get it ... Same drill again ... However September it is highly unlikely the road would be open beyond wangtu ... though the work is on at full swing it seems it will take time .. The apple season hits Kinnaur in about late september so maybe things become fine ... however locals report there would be a problem ... I would suggest cycling from Manali to Tabo Instead and doing the same way back in a bus or jeep whatever ... For the same you can get an ILP made at Manali/Kullu ... however it is not needed if you go from manalai to Kaza ... because the inner line does not fall there ... well just mabe to be extra sure people get it done ... Hope it helps ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

No road for cycling-have to cary your cycle on shoulders from TAPRI to PEO.
PERMITS can be obtained from SHIMLA-I have been told also that AGENCY IS REQUIRED but at RECONG PEO-you do not have to have a agent. People are nice and very helpful.

Hi everybody,

Thanks for your input so far! As far as I can make out from here the situation along the Sutley remains dicey, the main obstacle being the missing bridge at Khab, but I've heard of one cyclist who supposedly made it all the way into Spiti in August and I think the locals wander up and down along the Sutley and cross the river at places in trolleys, and where people walk a bike can be pushed (with some effort). So maybe there is still hope. Anyway, it would be nice if you would keep me posted if you hear something new about the road or trail connection between Nako and Rekong Peo. It's a puzzle, and I'm grateful for every information I get. I won't be in India before the beginning of September. And, hey, I'm shure the apple harvest looming at the horizon will speed up the reconstruction of the road considerably, won't it?

Xaver

Hi,

Is it possible to get the permit on Monday morning. I'd like to proceed to Sarahan straight thereafter. Is it realistic?

Euhm ... do you mean in Shimla ? The other option would be in Rekong Peo , this appeared to be a very straight forward process when I was there two years ago , was offered but didn´t pursue it then.

where does the permit cover? rekong peo forward to tabo? i want to spend about a month between sarahan in south and chander tal in north.

many thanks

Please check this link http://hptdc.nic.in/cir0401.htm#kinn on HPTDC website and scroll down to "IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INDIAN AND FOREIGN TOURISTS" link

Hi,

If you submit your inner line permit form early morning at district court Simla, after getting it approved by a registered travel agent you get it sanctioned by 1 PM in the afternoon. This is checked at Jangi in Lower Kinnaur and at Chango, sagnam in upper kinnaur. Also checkpoints at Losar would check it. I would suggest you get it made it in Reckong peo. Same process.
They make the permit only for 7 days, however that is not much of an issue now. Hope this helps,

Cheers,
Dhananjay

We got it last year presto (max. 2h) for 14 days in Reckong Peo and paid 150 INR.

But the rules aren't to understand...

"During the period of transit through the restricted area the permit holder shall not be allowed to leave the National highway and shall not be allowed any night halt at the restricted area."

What to do in 14 days? - Exploring Kinnaur, of course!
AndreasW

thanks all!

Hi,

does anybody know what time the district magistrate (for the inner line permit) in Shimla opens? Another question is if it is possible to get the permit in Recong Peo on Saturday?

10 AM sharp ... be it Reckong peo or Shimla .. Offices are open on saturdays except on Second saturdays of the month. Reckong peo is definitely better place to get the permit made.

Cheers