Last Updated: 8 August 2026
Planning a trip to Bumla Pass from Tawang in 2026? There is an important change you need to know before travelling.
From 10 August 2026, the application process for the Bumla Pass Tourist Permit is moving to an online system. The new process allows travellers to submit their details, select their travel date, provide vehicle and stay information, and complete traveller verification through the online permit portal.
If you're planning a Tawang–Bumla Pass trip, here's everything you need to know about the new permit process, documents, fees, verification, vehicle rules, timings and what to prepare before leaving Tawang.
The biggest change is the introduction of an online application and permit process for visitors travelling to Bumla Pass.
Travellers can use the official Bumla Pass portal to begin their application. The portal also provides a WhatsApp bot for updates and assistance at +91 8974244081.
Travellers can submit their application through the official Bumla Pass Tourist Permit portal and check the latest permit requirements before travelling.
Quick facts
What Is a Bumla Pass Tourist Permit?
A Bumla Pass Tourist Permit is a special permission required for tourists visiting Bumla Pass in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
Bumla Pass is a high-altitude border destination situated at more than 15,000 feet, close to the India–Tibet border. Arunachal Tourism identifies Bumla as a restricted high-altitude destination where a special permit is required.
The Bumla permit should not be confused with the Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP).
For a Non-APST tourist, these are separate requirements:
ILP/e-ILP → Entry into Arunachal Pradesh
Bumla Pass Tourist Permit → Visit to Bumla Pass
Arunachal Tourism states that domestic tourists need an ILP for Arunachal Pradesh, while the Bumla Pass portal separately requires the Bumla permit.
The new online system collects information about the traveller, travel date, location, vehicle and accommodation.
Here's how the process works.
Visit:
The portal asks for your basic information and WhatsApp number. A verification code is sent to the WhatsApp number provided during the application.
Step 2: Enter Your Travel Dates
The application requires you to provide your travel information, including the:
- From date
- To date
- Travelling date
Your travelling date is particularly important because the permit system specifies a permitted entry window for Bumla Pass.
Step 3: Select APST or Non-APST
The application asks whether the traveller is:
- APST — Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe
- Non-APST
If you select Non-APST, the portal requires an ILP/e-ILP document for each traveller.
Step 4: Enter Your Vehicle Details
The current portal provides three vehicle categories:
- Private Vehicle
- Government Vehicle
You must provide the vehicle number as part of the application.
The portal specifically states that only local taxis with Tawang registration can operate on the Bumla route. It separately lists private and government vehicles as permitted categories.
Can you take your own car?
The current portal lists Private Vehicle as a vehicle category.
However, Bumla is a sensitive border area and access can be subject to administrative and security restrictions. Travellers should therefore follow the vehicle category and approval shown in their current permit rather than relying on old travel blogs or forum posts.
Step 5: Enter Your Hotel or Stay Details
The application also asks for your current accommodation information.
You need to provide:
- Current hotel/stay address
- Hotel/stay contact number
These details form part of the online permit application.
Step 6: Complete Traveller Verification
The current system provides two verification methods:
It uses the official Aadhaar application and secure QR-code scanning to verify traveller identities.
Travellers can alternatively enter their profiles manually and upload identity documents.
However, there is an important condition:
Original documents must be physically verified at the Permit Department Office before departure.
Therefore, "online permit" does not necessarily mean every traveller will complete every part of the process remotely.
The current portal requires different information depending on your traveller category and verification method.
For Non-APST visitors
You need:
- Arunachal Pradesh ILP/e-ILP
- Traveller photograph
- Identity proof
The current upload limits shown on the portal are:
- Photograph: JPEG, maximum 1 MB
- Identity proof: PDF, maximum 2 MB
The portal currently states that no vehicle document upload is required.
Important
Carry your original documents even if you have submitted digital copies.
This is one of the most important things travellers need to understand.
The Inner Line Permit is required for Non-APST visitors entering Arunachal Pradesh.
Bumla Pass Tourist Permit
The Bumla permit is an additional permission specifically required for visiting Bumla Pass.
So, if you're travelling from Assam or another state, don't assume that your ILP alone allows you to visit Bumla.
Think of it this way:
ILP/e-ILP = Entry into Arunachal Pradesh
Bumla Permit = Permission for the Bumla Pass visit
The official Bumla portal explicitly identifies these as separate requirements.
₹100 visitor fee per person
is payable by Non-APST visitors aged 12 years and above after successful verification and approval.
Who is exempt?
The portal says the visitor fee is levied by the District Administration to support solid waste management and sustainable tourism in Tawang.
Is ₹100 a new 2026 fee?
Therefore, travellers should not interpret the August 2026 announcement as the introduction of a brand-new ₹100 fee.
Bumla Pass Entry and Exit Timings
Having a permit does not mean you can enter Bumla at any time.
The current permit portal specifies:
7:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Visitors must enter within the permitted morning window and are expected to leave the permitted area by 2:00 PM on the same day unless otherwise authorised by the district authorities.
Why this matters
If you're planning a:
Tawang → Bumla Pass → Tawang
day trip, you need to start early enough to reach the permitted entry window.
Don't plan your departure from Tawang at the last minute.
How Many Travellers Can Be Included in One Application?
The current online system allows:
Up to 6 travellers per permit application
If your group contains more than six people, separate applications are required.
This is particularly useful for families and small groups travelling together.
Can You Apply for Bumla Pass Through WhatsApp?
Yes.
The current Bumla Pass portal provides a WhatsApp bot for updates, assistance and announcements:
The number is displayed directly on the current permit portal.
For safety, always cross-check WhatsApp messages, payment instructions and permit information against the official portal.
Avoid sending money or documents to unofficial agents claiming to be associated with the permit system.
The application process is online, but the exact verification process depends on the method selected.
The portal provides QR-based identity verification through the official Aadhaar app.
You may need to physically present your original documents at the Permit Department Office before departure.
So the safest interpretation is:
When Is the Best Time to Visit Bumla Pass?
Bumla Pass is a high-altitude destination where weather can change quickly.
The current permit portal says Bumla is generally accessible throughout the year, but also warns that heavy snowfall between December and April can affect road conditions. Permits may also be temporarily suspended for several days depending on conditions.
If your priority is snow, winter can offer spectacular scenery, but road and permit uncertainty is also higher.
For any season, check the latest conditions before leaving Tawang.
Arunachal Tourism also warns travellers that weather in the region can be unpredictable and recommends keeping extra days available for delays caused by bad weather or road conditions.
Is There Mobile Network at Bumla Pass?
The current permit portal warns that mobile network connectivity is very limited or unavailable at Bumla Pass and along parts of the route. It also states that BSNL has the widest coverage in the Tawang region.
Before leaving Tawang:
- Complete your online permit formalities
- Save your permit information offline
- Keep copies of important documents
- Fully charge your phone
- Carry a power bank
- Carry some cash
- Tell family or friends about your travel plan
The permit portal specifically recommends completing online formalities before departing Tawang town.
What Should You Carry to Bumla Pass?
Because Bumla is above 15,000 feet, preparation is important.
- Essential items
- Original identity documents
- Warm jacket
- Gloves
- Cap
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Snacks
- Fully charged phone
- Power bank
- Cash
- Necessary personal medicines
Arunachal Tourism also recommends carrying extra batteries, power banks and warm clothing, and advises travellers to keep additional days available because weather and road conditions can cause delays.
What Can You See on the Way to Bumla Pass?
A Bumla Pass trip is more than simply reaching the border.
Depending on the route and the day's access conditions, travellers may visit several attractions around the Tawang region.
Sangetsar Tso / Madhuri Lake
Sangetsar Tso, popularly known as Madhuri Lake, is one of the most recognisable high-altitude attractions around Tawang.
Arunachal Tourism highlights the lake as an Army-supported tourist attraction in the Tawang region.
P.T. Tso
P.T. Tso is another high-altitude lake frequently included in sightseeing around the Bumla route.
Tawang Monastery
Tawang Monastery is one of the region's major cultural landmarks and an important stop for travellers exploring Tawang.
Sela Pass
Sela Pass is another major high-altitude attraction associated with the journey to Tawang.
However, remember that access to individual locations can change according to weather, road conditions and administrative restrictions.
The most important thing for travellers is understanding what the 2026 change actually means.
The purpose of the new system is to make the permit application process more organised and digitally accessible.
Before leaving Tawang, check that you have:
☑ Arunachal Pradesh ILP/e-ILP if you're Non-APST
☑ Approved Bumla Pass Tourist Permit
☑ Valid identity documents
☑ Correct travelling date
☑ Approved vehicle details
☑ Hotel/stay information
☑ Required traveller verification completed
☑ ₹100 visitor fee, if applicable
☑ Warm clothing
☑ Power bank
☑ Offline copies of important documents
☑ Phone fully charged
This checklist can help prevent avoidable problems before beginning the journey.
All permit-specific information in this table is based on the current Bumla Pass online permit portal.
Final Takeaway
If you're planning a Tawang trip, remember these three points:
Non-APST visitors need an ILP/e-ILP to enter Arunachal Pradesh and a separate Bumla Pass Tourist Permit for the Bumla visit.
2. The current visitor fee is ₹100
3. Check the latest status before leaving Tawang
Bumla Pass is a high-altitude and restricted border destination. Weather, road conditions, permit availability and administrative restrictions can affect access.
For a trip in August 2026 or later, always check the latest permit information before travelling rather than relying on older Bumla Pass guides.
