In the second phase, tourists will be allowed to travel up to Hot Springs, further up from Tsogtsalu, and the memorial built in honour of 10 CRPF jawans killed on October 21, 1959, when their patrol was attacked by the Chinese.
The Indian Army, usually hesitant in such cases, is on board. “Indian Army endorsed the opening of a number of treks and routes including Marsimik La, in addition to other places such as Hot Spring and Tsogtsalo,” the Army HQ said in response to queries from TOI.

These are the latest in a series of frontier areas the Ladakh administration wants to open for tourism in line with the Centre’s focus on border area development. It has also been a long-pending demand of locals, who traditionally roamed these lands with their herds. The inner line permit system for Indians was scrapped in August 2021 but areas close to the disputed parts of LAC remain out of bounds for visitors.
This time, however, clearance came quickly after two meetings the local Army brass had with top administration officials in December 2022. Sources said the administration was for opening up the areas from April but a change of guard at the local formation slowed down the process.

The Army has its well-meaning reasons. “The civil administration needs to give due consideration to non-availability of any civil infrastructure and support system while allowing tourists into these areas,” the Army HQ said.
Officials said the administration has been ready with plans for toilets, selfie points and medical centres in January. “Border Roads Organsiation has been roped in for construction with district funding. Police is also ready to set up check posts,” a senior official said. Tourism secretary Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan earlier this month toured the Galwan Valley, further ahead of Hot Springs, and other areas to study feasibility of allowing tourists.
These are the latest in a series of frontier areas the Ladakh administration wants to open for tourism in line with Centre’s focus on border area development. It has also been a long-pending demand of locals, who traditionally roamed these lands with their herds. The inner line permit for Indians was scrapped in 2021 but areas close to the disputed parts of LAC remained out of bounds for visitors.