Where a permit is needed, and where it isn't
Travellers and local guides consistently describe the restricted zone as the stretch of upper Kinnaur beyond Jangi (towards Pooh, Nako, Khab and Sumdo) and the Spiti valley villages including Tabo, Dhankar, Kaza, Pin Valley, Kibber, Hikkim, Langza and Komic. Lower Kinnaur, including Kalpa, Sangla and Chitkul, is reported as not needing the permit.
These boundaries are set by the government and can change, so treat this list as a planning guide and confirm with the issuing office before you travel.
| Area | Permit for foreign nationals? |
|---|---|
| Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kasauli, Kasol | Not required (valid Indian visa only) |
| Lower Kinnaur: Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa | Reported as not required |
| Upper Kinnaur beyond Jangi: Pooh, Nako, Khab, Sumdo | Protected Area Permit |
| Spiti: Tabo, Dhankar, Kaza, Pin Valley, Kibber, Langza | Protected Area Permit |
How travellers get the permit
Recent travel guides report that the PAP is applied for in person, not online, at district administration offices. The office most often recommended is the SDM office at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur, if you're entering via Shimla. Others mentioned are the DM office in Shimla before you set out, and, from the Manali side, the DM office in Keylong or the SDM office in Kaza. Reported office hours are roughly 10 am to 5 pm on working days; plan for offices being closed on weekends and holidays.
- Passport with a valid Indian visa, plus photocopies of the passport and visa pages
- Passport-size photographs
- A day-by-day itinerary listing the villages you plan to visit
- A small fee is reported, but amounts differ between sources, so check at the office
Two roads into Spiti, and why the season matters
Spiti is reached by two very different roads. From Shimla, the road through Kinnaur (NH 505) via Reckong Peo, Nako and Tabo to Kaza is described as open for most of the year, apart from short closures for landslides or heavy snow. From Manali, the road crosses Rohtang or the Atal Tunnel and then Kunzum La at about 4,550 m, and is normally closed by snow for much of the year, roughly October to June.
Kaza itself sits at about 3,650 m. The Shimla–Kinnaur route climbs gradually over several days, which helps your body adjust to the altitude; the Manali–Kunzum La route gains height very quickly. Many travellers go in via Kinnaur and out via Manali in summer for exactly this reason.
Planning a Spiti trip with a driver
Spiti roads are long, rough in places and far from services, so this is a trip for a capable vehicle and a driver who knows the high roads. Build in a day at Reckong Peo or Kalpa for the permit and for acclimatisation, carry several copies of your permit for checkposts, and keep your passport with you throughout.
We plan Spiti circuits in season with operators who run these roads regularly. Tell us your dates and whether you're entering from Shimla or Manali, and we'll suggest an itinerary that leaves time for the permit office and for adjusting to the altitude. Read our safety guide for altitude advice before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Manali or Shimla as a foreigner?+
No. Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Kasol and Dalhousie need only a valid Indian visa. The Protected Area Permit applies to upper Kinnaur and Spiti.
Can I apply for the Protected Area Permit online?+
Recent travel guides report it is issued in person at district offices such as the SDM office in Reckong Peo. Check with the office before you travel, as procedures can change.
Is the Rohtang permit the same thing?+
No. The Rohtang permit is a daily vehicle permit for the road to Rohtang Pass. The Protected Area Permit is a personal permit for foreign nationals entering restricted border areas.
Can I travel to Spiti in winter?+
The Manali side is normally closed by snow for much of the year. The Shimla–Kinnaur road is described as open most of the year, but winter travel is cold and demanding and needs careful planning.
