Inner Line Permit

xavex

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

praks

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.

Alan D

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.

__________________
What a long strange trip it's been!

dhananjay

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

monkgonemad

hey alan are tabo/kaza worth a look if you are just going down by bus and the circuit back out again??? thx.

dhananjay

Hi,
If youre in Spiti then Tabo is a must visit as are Dhankar,Kye,Lallung,Langza and Gete ... You will end up in Kaza so its imperative you see it even if you like it or not ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

himadventures

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.

Alan D

I'm not sure what your plans are after Ladakh.

As dhananjay has said the roads are still being mended along the Sutlej Valley and nobody seems to know at the moment when the route Manali-Kaza-Recong Peo-Shimla will be re-opened to through traffic.

Depending on when you leave Ladakh you could travel into Spiti as far as Tabo but you may have to backtrack from there to Manali. Kaza is the main town of the region, the admin HQ. From there you can visit Kye monastery (7km) and Kibber village (18km). If you have gone as far as Kaza then it's only 47 km further south to Tabo by bus or taxi. The paintings in the gompas there are worth seeing and the village itself is a pleasant place to stop for a couple of days.

xavex

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

william

Hi,

I'm also going to be cycling around this region at the end of september. Please have a look at this blog by a cyclist who did the trip in July:

http://drogpatravel.blogspot.com/200...archiv e.html

hope this is of some use.

william