Bum La Pass Permit Guide (2026): How to Apply in Tawang, Documents and What to Expect
How Indian tourists get the Bum La Pass permit in Tawang: the DC office and Army clearance, documents, timing, the route via Sangetsar Lake, and who cannot go.
Bum La Pass (about 15,200 ft) on the India–China border is open only to Indian citizens, and only with a special permit issued in Tawang. You cannot get it online or before you reach Tawang. A registered local taxi operator takes your documents to the Deputy Commissioner's office, the permit is then countersigned by the Army, and you go the next morning in a local taxi.
You need your Arunachal Inner Line Permit (ILP) first, then the Bum La permit on top. Plan for at least two nights in Tawang so there is a full day free for Bum La. Rules are as of October 2026.
How to get the Bum La permit
- Arrive in Tawang with your ILP. If you do not have one yet, our Arunachal ILP guide explains how to apply online.
- Book a local Tawang taxi for Bum La through your hotel or a registered operator. Drivers handle the permit as part of the trip.
- Hand over your documents on the day before you go, ideally in the morning. Operators often say to get them in by noon so the permit can be processed the same day.
- The DC office issues the permit and the Army stamps it. Your driver collects it.
- Leave early the next morning. Tours usually start at about 6 to 7 am to be back before afternoon clouds and cold.
Documents to carry
- Arunachal ILP, printed, plus copies.
- Original photo ID for every adult: voter ID, passport or driving licence. Copies too.
- Passport photos, 2 per person.
- Children: birth certificate or school ID.
The driver adds the vehicle and driver details. Keep originals with you, as Army check posts compare them with the permit.
The route: Tawang to Bum La
| Stretch | Distance (approx.) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Tawang to Y-Junction | 20 to 25 km | Steady climb, Army camps, frozen lakes in winter |
| Y-Junction to Bum La | 12 to 15 km | Rough, high road above the tree line |
| Tawang to Bum La in total | About 37 km | 2.5 to 3 hours one way |
At the pass, Army personnel talk visitors through the border, the 1962 war and the meeting point used by both armies. Listen to their instructions, especially on photography, which is restricted at some points.
Most trips also stop at Sangetsar Tso, also called Madhuri Lake after a Bollywood film was shot there. It lies on a branch road from the Y-Junction and is usually covered by the same day's permit. Ask your driver to confirm when you book.
Is Bum La open every day?
Not always. The pass can close at short notice for:
- Snow, most often from December to February. Our Tawang in December and January guide explains what stays open in winter.
- Army requirements, such as border meetings or exercises.
- Landslides in the monsoon.
Ask your driver about the next day's status when you hand in your documents, and keep a spare day in your plan.
Health and altitude
Bum La is about 15,200 ft, higher than Sela Pass. Spend at least one night in Tawang (about 10,000 ft) before you go, drink water, avoid alcohol the night before and turn back if anyone has a bad headache, vomiting or breathlessness. Very young children, pregnant travellers and people with heart or lung conditions should check with a doctor first. Our Guwahati to Tawang drive guide covers acclimatising on the way up.
Can foreigners visit Bum La?
No. Foreign nationals can visit Tawang town and the monastery with an Arunachal Protected Area Permit, but Bum La is closed to them. Our Northeast India permit guide explains the foreigner rules.
Plan it with Breeziah
Our Tawang snow group trip includes Bum La and Madhuri Lake. The Majestic Tawang tour and Tawang and Dirang couple escape can add it. We arrange the ILP and the Bum La permit with a registered Tawang taxi.
Sources
- Arunachal Pradesh Tourism, ILP page (arunachaltourism.com/ilp): eILP is for Indian citizens; tourist eILP covers stays of up to 14 days; under-14s need no individual eILP but must travel with an adult. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
- Bum La process (DC office, Tawang, with Army countersignature; Indian citizens only; local taxis only): published guidance from Tawang tour operators, checked October 2026. Confirm with your operator in Tawang.
Helpful Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the Bum La permit online?
No. The Bum La permit is issued in Tawang by the Deputy Commissioner's office and cleared by the Army. A local taxi operator submits your documents the day before your visit.
Do I need an ILP for Bum La?
Yes. You need the Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit to enter the state, and the Bum La permit is an extra permit on top of it.
Can foreigners go to Bum La Pass?
No. Bum La is open only to Indian citizens. Foreigners with an Arunachal Protected Area Permit can visit Tawang town but not Bum La.
How far is Bum La from Tawang?
About 37 km, which takes 2.5 to 3 hours each way on a rough mountain road. Most visitors leave at 6 to 7 am and are back in Tawang by mid-afternoon.
Is Madhuri Lake on the Bum La permit?
Sangetsar Tso (Madhuri Lake) is on a branch road from the same route and is usually visited on the same day. Confirm with your driver that it is on your permit.
Plan This Journey
Turn this Tawang guide into a trip that fits your pace
If this guide is part of the kind of holiday you want, Breeziah can help shape the route, travel flow and stay style around your dates, comfort level and destination priorities.