How to get a Permit for a Trekking Expedition from Indian Mountaineering Foundation

Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) offers both online and offline application forms for the permit. We are providing a detail on how to fill out the form below:

Online Application Form:

1. Visit the official website of the IMF, i.e. www.indmount.org
2. If you are a new trekker, you need to create an account. To do so, locate the Signup section.
3. Once you have opened the Signup section, you must choose from options like User, Tour Operator, or Club.
4. After doing that, you need to fill out the necessary details. You will then receive a notification, and confirmation will be sent by email.
5. You must open your email next and click on the link shared to activate your account.
6. Next, you will need to log in via the official website.
7. After successfully logging in, you need to click on the Profile Management Section, fill in the details, and upload them. 

Note: If you cannot complete the form in one go, you can Save it as a Draft.

1. After you have completed the step, you then need to click submit.
2. You will now see the Menu Bar; to access the Menu Bar, click on Expedition Booking.
3. When you click on Expedition Booking, you can see step-by-step instructions for booking an expedition. You would then have to click on “Create Expedition”, where you would then have to read the instructions.
4. After reading the instructions, you need to fill out the form, where you will be asked the following: –Type of Expedition, for Example, Joint or Foreign.Then, you would have to select a peak, where you would be shown a map to choose from.Next, click on listed peaks; names will appear of various peaks from which you can select.After clicking “Confirm Peak”, you must create a route.It will then show the already available route. You need to select the route and click on “Confirm.”You need to reconfirm the route; the final route will be shown next.Then, finally, you need to click Confirm and Save.
5. In the next step, you would need to create a team:You must click Create Team and then the Build Team link.After clicking the Build Team link, you must enter members’ user IDs and invite them to join the expedition. If they do not have a user ID, ask them to create one.Next, your team members will get an invite. To accept the invitation, they must click “View Invite.”After that, under the Action section, click on “Accept.” Once the team is created, you need to log in again.Click Create Team and then Freeze once all team members have accepted your invitations.
6. You would need to Fill Application Form:Once you have clicked on “Fill Application Form”, you will see the choices of the nearest Indian Embassy (For Foreign National Only)You would be asked to fill out various simple things, and with that, you also need to accept terms and conditions, which is a legal requirement.You would need to click on Submit to complete the form.
7. Next thing you would need to Make Payment:After you have completed the application process, you will now wait to receive an email from IMF. Once your expedition is confirmed, you will receive an email.Now you would be able to click on “Application Payment”, where you would then click on Pay.You would then see the option of online or Demand Draft. Upon choosing online, you would know the amount and finally click on “Pay Now.”Once you click on Pay Now, you will be taken to a secure payment gateway, where you must click “Proceed to Payment.”

Once you have successfully made the Payment, you must await further information from the IMF.

Offline Application Form (for Foreign Nationals)

1. Visit the official website of the IMF, i.e. www.indmount.org, and download the Application Form.
2. There would be a primary form in which you would have to fill in the essential details about peak and expedition, and then there would be a few other forms.
3. You would also need other attachments, such as a route map, leader details, team details, embassy, import, rental, and undertaking.
4. You must send a demand draft and the application form for Payment. For Indian teams, there is a 100% booking charge, and for foreign nationals, the amount is 25% of handling charges.

Processing Time

Permit processing for expeditions in open areas typically happens faster—within seven days of receiving the application.

For Restricted Areas – Restrictive area permits might take up to six months to process. To prevent delays from affecting your expedition plans, apply well in advance.

For Smooth Permit Application Process

• Advance Planning – If you plan to trek during the busiest season, you should start the permit application procedure well before you want to go hiking.
• Double-check Details – To prevent any delays or problems with permit approval, make sure all the information you provide on the application form is correct.
• Follow Guidelines—When trekking in the approved regions, Follow the instructions and rules provided by the IMF. Noncompliance could result in fines or the termination of the permit.
• Respect Local Rules—Respect any additional guidelines or prohibitions issued by local government bodies or environmental organizations in the trekking region, in addition to the guidelines set forth by the IMF.