Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP) for a Road Trip
Quick take: Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Arunachal Pradesh; foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit (PAP), arranged through an approved tour operator. Indian visitors apply online before the trip and carry it (printed or on your phone) with your ID. It's checked where you enter Arunachal: at Bhalukpong on the road to Tawang, and at the check gate on the road to Ziro. If you rent from us or book a private car, we help you apply.
Who needs what
| Visitor | Permit |
|---|---|
| Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh | Inner Line Permit (ILP) |
| Foreign nationals | Protected Area Permit (PAP), through an approved tour operator; see permits for foreigners |
Nagaland has its own ILP (for Kohima and the Hornbill Festival), applied for separately at the Nagaland portal.
How to apply for the Arunachal ILP
- Apply online on the Arunachal Pradesh government's eILP portal. The portal shows the current fee, validity and processing time.
- Fill in each traveller's details and your travel dates. Each person in the group needs a permit.
- Upload your documents (see below) and pay the fee online.
- Download the permit once it's issued. Keep a printout and a copy on your phone; mobile network is patchy in the hills.
Apply a few days before you travel, more in peak season and around festivals like the Tawang Festival in October.
Documents to keep ready
- A government photo ID for each traveller, such as Aadhaar, a voter ID, a passport or a driving licence.
- A recent passport-size photo for each traveller.
- Your travel dates and the places you'll visit, for example Bomdila, Dirang, Tawang or Ziro.
- Driving yourself? Carry your driving licence, and the vehicle's papers we give you at pickup.
Where it's checked
- Guwahati to Tawang: at Bhalukpong, where the road enters Arunachal Pradesh, and possibly again on the way. See the Tawang route guide.
- Guwahati to Ziro: at the Arunachal check gate after North Lakhimpur. See the Ziro route guide.
Keep the permit and your ID where you can reach them without unpacking.
Taking a rental into Arunachal
Our rentals can go anywhere in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. For Arunachal and Nagaland you need the ILP, and we help you apply: tell us your dates and who's travelling when you book. Tawang is a demanding mountain road, so if you'd rather not drive it, a private car with a local driver is the comfortable alternative; we help with the permit there too.
Self-drive or with a driver
Self-drive rentalBikesYamaha FZ-S FI V2, Honda SP 125, Bajaj Pulsar N160from ₹999/day
Self-drive rentalScootersYamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid Street Rally, TVS NTorq 150from ₹799/day
Self-drive rentalCarSuzuki Ertigafrom ₹2,799/day
With a local driverPrivate car tours5-Seater Sedan or 7-Seaterfrom ₹2,900/day
Self-drive routesRoad trips from Guwahati8 route guides with stops and permitsExploreFAQs
Do I need a permit to visit Tawang? Yes. Indian visitors need an Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit; foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit.
Can I apply for the Arunachal ILP online? Yes, on the Arunachal Pradesh government's eILP portal. It shows the current fee, validity and processing time.
Does everyone in the car need a permit? Yes, each traveller needs their own permit.
Where is the ILP checked on the way to Tawang? At Bhalukpong, where the road from Assam enters Arunachal Pradesh. Keep it handy for checks further on too.
Will you help me get the ILP if I rent a bike or car? Yes. Tell us your dates and travellers when you book, and we help you apply.
Contact / Book
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates, where you're going in Arunachal and who's travelling, and we'll help with the permit.
