Tawang
Tawang Monastery
India's largest monastery, founded in the 17th century, with a towering golden Buddha and young monks at morning prayer.
- Type
- Faith
- When
- March to October
Destinations › East India & the Himalaya
Arunachal Pradesh
High passes, the Tawang monastery and India’s eastern frontier.
Experience Arunachal Pradesh
Choose a place on the map to see what your client can do there.
Sela
Over the Sela Pass
Cross the snow-bound pass at about 4,170 m, with its frozen lake beside the road. Can close in heavy snow.
- Type
- Nature
- When
- March to June, September to November
Above Tawang
Bum La
Drive to the border pass at about 4,600 m. Needs a separate army clearance and depends on the weather.
- Type
- Nature
- When
- Subject to clearance
Near Bum La
Sangetsar Lake
A still mountain lake among drowned trees, also known as Madhuri Lake.
- Type
- Nature
- When
- Subject to clearance and weather
Dirang
Dirang Valley
Hot springs, orchards and a stone fort village in a quiet valley on the way up.
- Type
- Nature
- When
- March to November
Tawang
Monpa Weaving & Paper
See Monpa weavers at work and the handmade paper used for monastery scriptures.
- Type
- Craft
- When
- March to October
Ziro Valley
The Apatani of Ziro
Rice fields and bamboo villages of the Apatani people, in a valley known for its music festival.
- Type
- Culture
- When
- Festival usually September
Illustrative map, not to scale. The outline is indicative and is not an official boundary. Outline data: DataMeet (CC BY 4.0).
About Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang, Dirang, Bomdila, Bum La, Sangetsar
Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in the Northeast and the least visited, which is much of its appeal. The western circuit, reached from Guwahati or Tezpur, crosses the Sela Pass at over 4,100 metres to reach Tawang, home to the largest monastery in India.
On the way, Bomdila and Dirang are quiet valley towns with monasteries, hot springs and orchards. Beyond Tawang, Bum La on the border and Sangetsar Lake are among the most dramatic day trips in the Himalaya, both subject to clearance and the weather.
The roads are long and high, and the state rewards travellers who are prepared for altitude and early starts.
What Your Client Will See
Tawang Monastery
A 17th-century gompa, the largest in India, above the town.
Sela Pass
A snow-bound pass at about 4,170 m with its lake beside the road.
Bum La
The border pass at about 4,600 m, on army clearance.
Sangetsar Lake
A still lake among drowned trees, also known as Madhuri Lake.
Dirang Valley
Hot springs, orchards and riverside villages on the way up.
Monpa villages
The Monpa people’s weaving, paper-making and festivals.
Departures & Catalogues
Fixed departures and catalogues for Arunachal Pradesh. A departure added on the Fixed Departures calendar appears here by itself.
Catalogues
No fixed departure for Arunachal Pradesh is open right now. Every itinerary is quoted on request: ask the trade desk for a worked quotation.
Plan the Trip
- Best time
- March to June and September to November. Sela and Bum La can close in heavy winter snow.
- Gateway
- Guwahati (GAU) or Tezpur (TEZ); two days by road to Tawang.
- Ideal length
- 6 to 9 nights for the Tawang circuit.
- Permits
- Inner Line Permit for Indian nationals; Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals. Bum La needs a separate army clearance.
- Pairs well with
- Assam and Kaziranga.
Sell Arunachal Pradesh with Us
Send the dates, the number of travellers and the hotel category, and the East desk replies with a worked quotation. Registered partners see net rates on every package.