You are in General Info | Restricted Areas   RESTRICTED AREAS / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS for Foreign Nationals LADAKH Application can be processed on arrival in Leh, Ladakh but it is always better to send documents in advance. Restricted Areas: Tsomoriri / Dha Hanu / Nubra Valley/ Pangong Permits for these areas are obtained from Deputy Commissioner's office, Leh in one working day. Documents required 1. Application form needs to be filled and signed 2. Photocopy of passport 3 Photocopy of valid India Visa Minimum members: 04 (can be 02) Maximum period of stay at each place: 7 days HIMACHAL PRADESH Spiti via Kinnaur 1. Permit can also be obtained at Rekong Peo but better to get done in Shimla 2. Tourists along with original passport have to be present at the District Magistrate’s office at time of obtaining permit 3. 1 working day is required in Shimla for process of permit Minimum members: 04 Days: Any number of days Documents required: 1. Duly completed Restricted Area Application form 2. 2 passport photos/photocopy of passport and valid India visa 3. 2 passport photos to be hand carried Spiti only No restrictions if going and returning via Manali. Kinnaur Sarahan and Sangla valley require no permit. Permit is however required if entering from Kinnaur into Spiti via Rekong Peo and Tabo. Other parts of Himachal No permits required. UTTARAKHAND (Garhwal / Kumaon) No restricted area permit required for most trekking routes. Applications to be routed through Rimo Expeditions – min 3 weeks in advance. Application will be processed in Dehradun/ Uttarkashi/ Joshimath/ Munsyari Restricted Areas: Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Niti Ghati and Kalindi Khal in Chamoli, Adjoining areas of Milam Glacier Permits for these areas are obtained from District magistrate’s Office in respective places Documents required 1. Application form needs to be filled and signed 2. Photocopy of passport 3. Photocopy of valid India Visa 4. 2 passport size photographs 5. Medical Certificate Minimum members: 04 (can be 02) Maximum period of stay at each place: Any number of days SIKKIM Trekking in Western Sikkim (Applications to be routed through Rimo Expeditions – min 3 weeks in advance) Application will be processed in Delhi / Gangtok Minimum members: 02 Maximum number of days: 15 Documents required: 1. Restricted areas permit application form to be filled 2. 2 passport photos 3. photocopy of passport 4. photocopy of valid India Visa Sightseeing of Gangtok/Rumtek for 1 week to 10 days Permit can be obtained at the High Commission of India in the country of origin. Permit can also be obtained at point of entry into Sikkim at Rangpo where an entry permit for 3 days is given and same can be extended. Permits are also available at Sikkim Tourist offices in Delhi, Siliguri, and Darjeeling Minimum members: 01 Documents required: 1. Duly completed Restricted areas permit application form 2. 2 passport photos 3. photocopy of passport 4. photocopy of valid India Visa North Sikkim (Sightseeing in Lachen, Lachung upto Yumthang) (Applications to be routed through Rimo Expeditions – min 3 weeks in advance) Applications will be processed in Gangtok. Minimum members: 04 Maximum number of days: 1 week in Gangtok Documents required: 1. Duly completed Restricted areas permit application form 2. 2 passport photos 3. photocopy of passport 4. photocopy of valid India Visa North Sikkim (Green Lake and trekking) (Applications to be routed through Rimo Expeditions) Application process needs to begin at least 4 months before arrival. Minimum members: 04 Permit given for the duration required Documents required: Same as Trekking in West Sikkim 1. Duly completed Restricted areas permit application form 2. 2 passport photos 3. photocopy of passport 4. photocopy of valid India Visa A liaison officer is assigned by the Home Department, Government of Sikkim to accompany the group. Darjeeling / Kalimpong No restricted area permit required. Only valid India visa Permit for Mountaineering Expeditions to India All Foreign Expeditions for climbing a mountain in India require permission from the Government of India, application for which is to be routed through the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (www.indmount.org). To facilitate processing it is advised to apply at least three months in advance. Once the permission is approved, an “X” mountaineering visa is endorsed on your passports from the High Commission of India in your country of origin. Please note that “X” visas cannot be stamped on arrival in India) Permit for Mountaineering Expeditions to Open Peaks: For Peaks that have been declared open by the IMF No X-Visa is required. A valid Tourist Visa for India is all you require. Mountaineering Expeditions to the Indian State of Sikkim: For climbing in the Indian State of Sikkim application has to be routed through the Home Department, Government of Sikkim. Mountaineering Expeditions to the Indian State of Uttarakhand: For climbing in the Indian State of Uttarakhand a clearance is also required from the Uttarakhand State Government. Also, you need to pay separately a fee to the Uttarakhand State Government for climbing, which is over and above the peak fee payable to the IMF. Uttarakhand State Government does not permit scaling of peaks that are located within the Nanda Devi National Park, or which require access through the national park. Mountaineering Expeditions to East Karakoram, Ladakh, J&K Himalaya: This has to be a Joint Expedition with an Indian team (minimum strength 2 and maximum of 8 – equal members in each team). The permit process should begin at least 6 months in advance.