I recently completed an amazing motorcycle ride to Tawang, a popular tourist spot in Arunachal Pradesh. But before you can explore this beautiful place, there are a couple of important documents you’ll need. To enter Arunachal Pradesh, both foreigners and people from other Indian states need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). And if you plan to visit the famous Bumla Pass, located on the India-China border, you’ll need a special Bumla Pass Permit. In this article, I’ll explain how to get both of these permits so you can enjoy your trip without any hassle.
How to Obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh
There are two ways you can get ILP. One is through online e-ilp website of Arunahcal Government and other way to get ILP is from the check gate.
Online way:
There are two ways to get an ILP for Arunachal Pradesh. One is through the online e-ILP portal provided by the state government, and the other is by obtaining it at a check gate. When I first planned my motorcycle ride to Tawang, I decided to apply for the ILP online to avoid any delays. I thought it would save me time at the check gate, especially in case the DC office was closed due to a state holiday, which could have meant I’d need to stay an extra day to get the permit. While applying online was convenient, it did come at a higher cost ₹500 for the permit. Unfortunately, my ride got canceled due to personal reasons, and I ended up losing the money I spent. If you prefer to skip the check gate hassle and don’t mind paying a bit more, applying for the ILP online might be the way to go.
The document needs to be uploaded to the portal after login:
Passport size photo
Aadhar Card
Below, you can see the ILP I got online along with the payment receipt:
Off-Line Way:
At the check gates, there are several points where you can get help to make your ILP. I got mine at the Bhalukpong check gate, from a taxi counter. Two friendly Arunachali women assisted me in getting the permit. I provided them with a copy of my Aadhar card and two passport-size photos. They told me to wait for about 30 minutes, during which they went to the local DC office to process my ILP. Once it was ready, they handed it over to me, which cost me Rs. 150/- and I showed it to the police at the gate. With the ILP in hand, I was finally allowed to enter the beautiful state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Documents to carry for ILP:
Original Aadhar Card.
2 Passport Size Photo Copy.
2 Copies of Aadhar Card.
Below is a copy of my offline ILP:
Now that you’ve entered Arunachal Pradesh with your ILP in hand, you might be eager to explore Bumla Pass, a famous location near the India-China border. However, simply having an ILP won’t be enough to visit this area, as it’s a restricted zone controlled by the Indian Army. To visit Bumla Pass, you’ll need a special permit. In this section, I’ll explain how I obtained the Bumla Pass permit and which documents are required.
Step-by-Step Process to Get a Bumla Pass Permit
My Story:
To get the Bumla Pass permit, the first step is to visit the DC office. I went there on December 25th, which happened to be Christmas Day, and of course, the office was closed. So, I had to return the next day. I showed up around 10 AM and was informed by a gentleman at the office that the person in charge of issuing the Bumla Pass permits would only be available after 3:00 PM. So, I went back after 3:00 PM, and as expected, there was a long queue. I patiently waited in line with all the required documents in hand, ready to complete the process.
Checklist document(all document 2 copies xerox):
ILP(Inner Line Permit)
Aadhar Card
DL(Driving License)
RC(Registration of Vehicle)
Vehicle Insurance
Step by step:
Keep all the checklist documents ready.
Go to the DC office.
Submit the document with a small fee, they will give you Bumla pass permit.
Take the permit from the DC office.
Go to Army HQ(Tawang War Memorial).
Submit the Permit.
They will tell you a serial number, just remember it.
Go to Army HQ next day(after 5 AM) and say your serial number.
Army will give you your permit.
Show it to bumla check gate.
On returning from Bumla Pass army will tell you to give back the permit.
My Bumla Pass Permit:
For a visual guide, watch the video I’ve posted on my channel!
YouTube Shorts on the same: https://youtube.com/shorts/6ZKHIcMU2uE?si=XVIk3TECqWWH81HB
I hope you found this article helpful and that it added value to your travel plans! Thanks for reading, and I wish you safe and unforgettable journeys in the Land of the Rising Sun. Happy travels!
Check out my entire Tawang ride series here!