road trip to tawang from guwahati

Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip – Information, Guide & Map

Northeast India , Arunachal Pradesh

Last Updated on: Mar 17, 2021  

Tawang is one of the most beautiful destinations in Arunachal Pradesh. And it was also the first place that we visited in the state. Our Tawang trip introduced us to many firsts. It was our first interstate road trip. That is why the Guwahati to Tawang road trip always brings a fond memory. We were also introduced to the Buddhist culture for the first time on this trip. The land of Monpas had been a kaleidoscope for us. In this article, we are sharing our experiences and all the essential requirements for Guwahati to Tawang road trip.

“Tawang is a utopia” We had heard this from an acquaintance who had visited the place almost 20 years back. She could vividly describe her experiences in Tawang and we could only sense her excitement when she spoke of the place. She had only good things to say about the beauty of Tawang and only a few complaints about the tricky roads towards the destination. Her excitement was contagious and soon we were ready for our first road trip from Guwahati to Tawang.

Why do we recommend Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip?

Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh remains one of the most sought after destinations of Northeast India. Ancient monasteries, rugged landscapes, beautiful lakes, high mountain pass and waterfalls all along the way are only a few of the attractions of this remote northeast Indian destination. The entire journey from Tezpur to Tawang is full of surprises and attractions. Bhalukpong, Dirang and Bomdila are beautiful destinations all worthy of your attention and time.

The winding mountains roads as you approach Tawang are equally beautiful and dangerous. Guwahati to Tawang road trip is an ultimate adventure for all those seeking the thrill of the road.

Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Routes

There are actually 2 different routes for the Guwahati to Tawang road trip. One is through the NH13 starting from Guwahati, while the other is through the Chariduar – Tawang Road. Both the routes meet a little before Bomdila and take almost the same time. The route through NH13 is a little faster, but you will miss out Bhalukpong through this route.

Route 1: Chariduar – Tawang Road (512 km, 16 hours approx)

Guwahati – Nagaon – Tezpur- Balipara – Bhalukpong – Bomdila – Dirang – Sela – Tawang

This is the most common route for Guwahati to Tawang road trip. We had taken this route to Tawang.

Route 2: Via NH13 (450 km, 15 hours approx)

Don’t get fooled by what google map says. It takes almost 15 hours of continuous drive on the road to reach Tawang.

Guwahati – Sipajhar – Kalaigaon – Udalguri – Bhairabkunda – Kalaktang – Rupa – Bomdila – Dirang – Sela – Tawang

Bhairabkunda is a popular picnic spot near the junction of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. The place is also the meeting point of three rivers Jia Dhansiri, Bhairavi and Daifam.

What is the recommended vehicle for Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip?

If you plan to self-drive on the Guwahati to Tawang Road trip, you must be a very good driver and must have experience driving on the mountain roads.

As for the car, any good SUV will be good for the roads. Your car should be in good condition. Please select any car that has high ground clearance. If you are hiring a car from Guwahati or Tezpur, please see the condition of your car beforehand.

If you are from another country and planning a road trip in India then you need to get an IDP on  International Driver’s Association .

You can also cover this trip on a bike. Just like cars, your bike should be in good condition. You can read our article on Ladakh Bike trip to know about the tips of doing such a bike trip on the mountain roads.

Guwahati to Tawang by Public Transport

You can travel from Guwahati to Tawang by public transport as well.

Guwahati to Tezpur

From the ASTC Bus Stand beside Guwahati Railway Station, you will get both buses and shared sumo to Tezpur. The sumos run from morning till evening. You will also get buses to Tezpur from ISBT Guwahati. Buses tale about 5 hours to reach Tezpur from Guwahati.

Tezpur to Tawang

There are shared sumos running from Tezpur Sumo Stand all the way to Tawang. These sumos cover the entire 500 km in one day. They start as early as 5.30 am or 6.00 am and reach almost after 8.00 pm in the evening at Tawang. They provide stops for breakfast and lunch and tea 3 to 4 times throughout the journey.

If you want to visit Dirang or Bomdila, you can get off at these places.

Tezpur to Bomdila

Shared jeeps are also available from Tezpur to Bomdila.

Bomdila – Dirang – Tawang

From Bomdila, you will have two options. Buses start from Bomdila at around 5.30 am while shared sumos starts from about 6.00 am. Sumo from Bomdila to Tawang takes about 8 hours to reach while buses can take up to 10 hours.

You can stop at Dirang and can take another bus or sumo to Tawang from Dirang.

Please note that the buses and sumo all start at an early hour from these places. The distances are large and the roads are not in the best conditions.

If you wish to travel by bus, please keep track of the timings and bus time table. While our return from Bomdila to Tezpur, we had decided to take the morning bus. It so happened that the last 2 days were some holidays and buses did not ply. As a result, the only bus from Bomdila to Tezpur was fully packed with the local people and we did not even get a place to stand. We later had to rush and get the shared sumo to Tezpur.

Tentative Itinerary for the Guwahati to Tawang Trip

The distance between Guwahati to Tawang is almost 500 km. This trip is not possible to cover in a single day. The roads are also not in very good conditions at many of the places. When we visited Tawang, we took the route through Tezpur and Bhalukpong.  This is the most common route taken by travellers.

Day 1: Guwahati – Tezpur (181 km, 4 hours)

Day 2: tezpur – bhalukpong (60 km, 2 hours), day 3: bhalukpong – dirang (140 km, 5 hours), day 4: dirang – tawang (135 km, 5-6 hours), day 5: tawang, day 6: tawang – bumla pass – madhuri lake – tawang, day 7: tawang – bomdila (175 km, 6-7 hours).

• Day 8 : Bomdila – Guwahati (269 km, 8-9 hours)

Here is the detailed Itinerary

We reached Guwahati Railway Station at around 10.00 am in the morning. From the ASTC Bus Stand near the Railway station buses and shared jeeps are available to Tezpur. We took a shared jeep to Tezpur and started at around 12.00 noon.

Travelling by shared vehicles always takes more time than hired or own cars. They stop at various places take up passengers and what not. So it took us almost 6 hours to reach Tezpur and we reached there at about 6.00 pm. We stayed at our uncle’s house at Tezpur for night.

The real journey begins after Tezpur. The scenic landscape and beauty of the surroundings cannot be missed. Bhalukpong is a small town on the Assam – Arunachal border where your ILPs will be checked. The last stretch of the road towards Bhalukpong is extremely beautiful. The road goes through the forested area. The forests have very beautiful names – Sonai on one side and Rupai on the other.

It is here on this road we saw a huge wild elephant on the road. As we were passing through the forest road under the supervision of military personnel, suddenly a wild elephant came out from the forest and stood in the middle of the road. We had seen elephants in jungles before at Dooars as well, but we had not seen something as large as that one. Our car driver did not wait for a moment and simply turned back and took us through a different route through the village. He told us that the elephants were quite dangerous in those areas and he did not want to take a risk. Good for him!

We reached Bhalukpong by noon. When I first heard of Tawang, I had also heard about the River Jia Bharali. And instantly I had fallen in love with the name. It was my wish to stay at Bhalukpong for a night and romance with Jia Bharali.

Jia Bharali is beautiful. It is a small rocky river, something that we have seen earlier as well. But at Bhalukpong, everything felt new and refreshing. There are villages beside the river and occasionally we could see a few people sitting on the banks of the river. The river is known as Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh. Its origin is in the glaciers of Tawang.

Things to do in Bhalukpong

• Spend time beside the Jia Bharali River
• Visit the Tipi Orchid Centre
• If time permits, visit Nameri National Park

Alternate Itinerary:

You can also visit the Nameri National Park and stay there.

We left Bhalukpong the next morning towards Dirang. We were now on the way towards Upper Himalayas and quite naturally, it started getting colder. The narrow BRO roads were bumpy and dusty, but the surrounding greenery made up for it. We were amazed to see so many waterfalls on the road. A waterfall would spring up at any corner! We had visited just after the monsoon and that could have been the reason for so many waterfalls. Nevertheless, we kept on moving and looking at the scenery and the small villages that came on the way.

Finally, we reached Dirang after crossing the Sangti valley. Dirang is an absolutely delightful place. At one side of the serpentine road is the Kameng River while the village is on the other side. Kiwi farms are found beside the roads. The small market place has a few shops and homestays for accommodation.

You can spend a couple of days at Dirang doing just nothing. The place is simply mesmerizing. We stayed there for a night and then left for Tawang on the next day.

Things to do at Dirang

• Visit the Khastung Gompa
• Sit down by the Dirang River
• Visit the Thubsung Dhargyeling Monastery
• Explore the villages and interact with the locals
• Explore Dirang Dzong
• Visit the beautiful and picturesque Sangti Valley. Infact, you can stay at Sangti Valley as well. Sangti Valley is also the home of black-necked cranes during the winter season between November to March.

It might take more time depending on the time you stop on the way.

We would recommend you to start early in the morning, especially if you are self-driving. Just like most of the high altitude passes in India, it is better to cross Sela Pass before 12.00 pm. Very cold and strong winds blow after that time and sometimes the weather condition becomes really bad. The visibility near the Pass becomes poor after 12.00 noon, more so if you are visiting during the monsoon season.

If you are going by bike, we would definitely recommend you to start early and cross Sela before noon. During our trip, we heard about a few bikers who faced problems in the afternoon due to clouds and low visibility.

We started at Dirang at about 8.30 am. It takes about 2-3 hours to reach Sela. Before reaching Sela, there is a stretch of zig-zag roads that can be quite tricky to navigate. A very good driver is required to navigate these roads.

Finally, we reached the grand gate saying “Welcome to Tawang”. Numerous prayer flags were fluttering in the strong wind. There are numerous stories about the bravery of Indian soldiers during the India-China war and few of them are related to Sela Pass as well. There is an army canteen where you can have some hot tea or coffee.

When we reached the Sela Pass, the weather was quite cold and a strong wind was blowing. Just beyond the Sela Gate, is the Sela Lake. The Lake remains frozen for most of the time, but it was completely blue in October, when we visited. We spent some time near the lake, posed for some pictures and then started our journey again.

Jaswant Garh

Jaswant Garh is about 20 km from the Sela Pass. This is also a must-visit place on your way. Jaswant Garh is the memorial of the brave Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the Sino-Indian War in 1962. The brave Indian soldiers not only faced harsh climatic conditions but also had outdated arms and ammunitions to face their Chinese counterparts. Even though, they hold their ground. The memorial is built on the memory of Jaswant Rawat, who single-handedly resisted the Chinese soldiers for a couple of days before being killed. He is worshipped as a god here.

There is an army canteen here as well that provides free tea, samosa and Maggi. There is a clean washroom as well. We stopped at the canteen and had a conversation with the army personnel there. He told us about his life in the army and heard our stories as well.

We finally started from Jaswant Garh towards Tawang. The Jang village falls on the way that is famous for the Nuranang Waterfall. We decided to visit the waterfall on our way back and headed straight towards Tawang.

If you wish to visit the mighty Nuranang Waterfall, take a diversion from the Jung village. This is another awesome place to visit on your Guwahati to Tawang road trip. If you are not visiting it while going, please do visit it while returning.

We finally reached Tawang after 7 hours. Didn’t I tell you the time to reach Tawang will depend on the length of the stops you make on the way!

After travelling through the rugged mountain roads we finally reached Tawang. A place so hidden from the world, it seems we have finally reached the utopia. Tawang district shares its borders with Bhutan. The place is also influenced mainly by Tibetan culture. As I said before, we were first introduced to Tibetan Buddhism at Tawang. Home to the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tawang is a peaceful place with maroon robed monks moving around with a serene smile on their faces.

Tawang houses the largest monastery in India. The Buddha statue inside the main prayer hall is something to look at. I stood in awe in front of the statue for minutes.

Since we had been on the road for the last few days, we decided to take it easy this day. We stayed at Tawang and explored the town. There are a number of places to visit in Tawang. The Tawang Monastery itself will take up half a day if you wish to explore it properly.

Places to visit in Tawang Town

• Tawang Monastery
• Urgelling Monastery
• Samten Yongcha Monastery
• Tawang War Memorial

We were told to start early for Bum La and Madhuri Lake. Very soon we understood why. Bum La is the Indo-China border situated at an altitude of 16000 feet. It is located about 35 km from Tawang city, but the roads are in the worst conditions. You need to have a very good car for the journey lest you want to avoid back pains.

Bum La is accessible to Indian only. No foreign tourists are allowed since it is a border area. Even for Indian visitors permits are required. We reached Bum La at around 9.00 am. It was extremely cold in the open. We visited near the India-China border, stood in front of the Indo-China Friendship Board, took photographs all within a few minutes time. We kept on wondering how our army stays and guards the borders at such harsh conditions!

Madhuri Lake

After our visit to Bum La, we drove back towards our next destination, the famous Madhuri Lake. The actual name is Sangestar Tso (Lake), but it is now known as Madhuri Lake after Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit had shot for a movie here with Shah Rukh Khan!

We were the only visitors to Madhuri Lake. We were surprised to see no tourists there. October was supposedly a peak season. After spending some time at the Madhuri Lake, our driver took us to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Well, this is not the Tiger’s Nest Monastery or Taktsang Monastery of Bhutan. This seemed to be a smaller version of the one in Bhutan.

After our visit to the monastery, we started our journey towards Tawang town. On the way, we stopped at a few other lakes of Tawang like P. T. Tso (Pankang Teng Tso), Kyo-Tso Lake, Kheset Tso, Tsobri and a few others whose name we did not know.

Finally, it was the time to bid adieu to the beautiful land of Tawang and return back. While on return we took a detour from Jung village and visited the Nuranang Falls.

The waterfalls cascade down a height of 100 metres and looks magnificent even from a distance. Standing below the waterfall, we felt so little compared to its height. Everything about the place was spectacular.

We retraced the same way and reached Bomdila. Bomdila is a small town and also the district headquarters of the West Kameng district. At Bomdila, you can visit the Bomdila Monastery and the Craft Museum & Ethnographic Museum. You can also visit the Bomdila viewpoint.

Day 8: Bomdila – Guwahati (269 km, 8-9 hours)

While return, you can take the NH15 route. However, we returned by the same way we went. We did not stop at Tezpur and then finally to Guwahati.

What are the Best Places to visit en route Guwahati to Tawang?

I have covered this in the itinerary itself. Here is the list of places where you must stop en route Guwahati to Tawang.

• Jashwant Garh
• Nuranang falls, Jung village

What is the Best Time for Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip?

Before planning your Guwahati to Tawang Road trip, please be aware of the weather conditions in Tawang. It is a place where the weather remains pretty uncertain.

April to May

This is the best time for all those who seek refuge from the heat of the plains. It is the summer season and temperature ranges from 5 to 22 degrees. You might still get to see snowfalls in the higher altitudes and Sela Lake might be frozen during this time. This is a good time for a road trip.

June to September

This is the monsoon season in Arunachal Pradesh. While the entire region becomes very beautiful in the rains, travelling, in general, is a bit risky due to the bad road conditions. The area around Sela Pass remains cloudy and visibility is very poor. We would recommend you not to take a road trip at this time. Roads can also get stuck due to landslides.

Late September to October

The autumn brings clear skies and cooler weather. Road conditions are better now and the waterfalls are also in their full glory. The lakes in Tawang are in their true colour and not frozen. We had visited in October. Tawang Festival also takes place in October.

November to March

This is the winter season in Tawang. December and January see entire Tawang in a blanket of ice. Many of the major attractions become inaccessible due to snow. Temperatures often go below zero during this time. While you can visit Tawang during this time to experience the snow, but I don’t think this is an ideal time for a road trip.

The best time for Guwahati to Tawang road trip is between April and May and October and November.

How to get Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh?

Getting an ILP for Arunachal Pradesh is perhaps the easiest among the northeast Indian states. You can apply ILP for Arunachal Pradesh online .

Offline ILPs are issued from Arunachal Bhawan in Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, North Lakhimpur and Jorhat.

What are the Places to stay during Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip?

Tawang has a number of hotels and homestays.

Best Places to eat during Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip

During the entire travel route, you will get a number of eateries along the way. On the journey, try having proper meals. Avoid excessive spicy food.

Important Tip: Try not to have alcohol while travelling towards Tawang. Alcohol and high altitude do not work well together. There are chances to get AMS and that can happen to any individual, however, fit he may be.

If you find this useful, please let us know and share this blog with others.

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Agni Amrita

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23 comments.

Nicely written article. One of the best travel blogs that I have read. I was also considering a trip to Tawang and this is so insightful. Thanks.

Great Article Guys. I also want to visit Tawang, just wanted to know 1st week of March will be good or not in 2024

Hi, your blog was very informative. I am planning to travel solo from guwahati. Kindly recommend if i can take public transport in tawang to cover all the points in tawang or shall i book a private cab? From where shall I book the cab?

Thank you so much for your comment. It is better to book a cab for sightseeing in Tawang. You will get cabs from the market area. You can also ask the hotel where you are staying.

i am planning to visit arunachal in between september october this year .no doubt ,your wonderful and very informative article regarding Arunachal visit will help me much. thank you very much.

So glad you liked our article. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful trip.

it is very informative and helpfull.Thank u. we are planing to visit twang onthe last weak of september

Amazing….blog. Extremely informative! For a larger group of travellers, would a 25 seater traveller work well on those roads?

Thanks Lakshmi, for taking the time to read our blogs. Recently, I have heard that the roads are now in very good conditions. Buses used to travel on these roads. So I think a 25-seater traveller will also work on the roads. But for Tawang sightseeing and other places like Maduri Lake, I am a little doubtful about a big vehicle.

Thanks so much for the information! I would love to do this trip. Do you have any knowledge on permits for non-indian citizens? Thanks!

Thank you so much! For permits for non-Indians, please have a look at https://experiencenortheastindia.com/ilp-procedure-northeast-india/

Thanks a lot for the wonderful information…

Thank you so much!

Very informative can you give a list of homestays you came across

Thank you! We will try to include the homestays in our next update.

Thank you for such a wonderful article. I am planning to visit Tawang this weekend in a public vehicle. Just wanted to know if I can get shared tourist vehicles in Tawang for sight seeing or will I have to hire a private cab

Hi Guys, thanks for the wonderful article. Just wanted to know if we can cover all these areas in 4-5 days, I will take a private cab.

Tawang itself will require 3-4 days. You can always reduce the days spent there. This entire trip can be done in 5 days if you do not stop over at Dirang, Bomdila or Bhalukpong.

I’m glad I found this article. Very informative. All the best for your future adventures.

BTW I’m planning to visit Arunachal Pradesh this September (2021). Any good cab/ Car contact number to travel from Guwahati to Tawang?

I have been always fascinated by the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh. Though i have never visited the place, but it surely is in my travel list. Your wrote such a wonderful article. Thank you.

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An offbeat Road Trip to Tawang from Guwahati

Tawang is a fabled destination located at an altitude  2,669 m above sea level.  It’s not only a natural paradise it is a unique combination of Buddhist culture and Tibetan heritage.  The road journey to Tawang from Guwahati is a destination itself which passes through gorgeous hills, lively deodorant forests and sprawling rivers.   The road trip to Tawang is the most thrilling experience where you have to overcome uncertain weather conditions, unpredictable road. This is one of the most scenic road trips in entire India.

We can drive to Tawang from Guwahati in two ways. One is via Tezpur, Nameri, Bomdila, Dirang.  And another is via Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Rowta, Orang/Bhairabkunda, Kalaktang, Shergaon, Rupa, Bomdila, Dirang.

Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Route (via Kalaktang)

Guwahati  →  Mangaldai → Orang    →     Kalaktang   →  Shergaon      →  Rupa  →  Bomdila → Tawang

• Distance:  457 kilometres

The road to Bomdila via Kalaktang is in good shape. Very fewer people travelled by this road. This road was constructed recently and is known as Trans Himalayan Highway.  You need to hire a private car to go to Tawang by this road.  Once you enter Arunachal Pradesh the spellbound chain of hills welcome you and traverse you through the winding path that leads to Kalaktang.  There is another road which goes to Kalaktang via Bhairabkunda which is located a few kilometres before reaching Orang. The road via Bhairabkunda passes through unmatched scenic landscape.   After crossing Kakaltang the rod passes through white coloured  ceramic hills of  Rupa and then gorgeous Rupa valley and finally the road merge in the main highway near Bomdila.

Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Route (via Bhalukpong)

Guwahati→ Tezpur → Nameri → Bhalukpong → Bomdila  → Dirang → Tawang

•   Distance:  509 kilometres

The road to Tawang via Tezpur is the old route and frequented by most vehicle. You can find shared Tata Sumos or Buses to Bomdila from Tezpur via this road. This is another road that leads to Tawang through scenic eastern Himalayans ranges. Feel the thrill as you drive with the series of hills on one side and the gushing rivers on the other.

After crossing Tezpur you have to go through the dense forest of Nameri tiger reserve. After Nameri the fascinating Kameng river accompanies you. Find more information in our  travel guide   which offers complete details and important information like travelling distance, basic facilities and accommodation along the way. Though construction is going on in this road still some part have bumpy stretches.

Here is the overview of the route we followed in our Guwahati Tawang road trip.

When to visit Tawang

Tawang is a secular hilly region which can be visited at any time of the year.  Most people prefer visiting Tawang in winter months to uncover its snowy mood. However, winter is not the best time for a road trip to Tawang.  During winter months, starting from late December to February high snowfall in Sela Pass blocked the road transpiration and the roads would be slippery at times and vehicle tyre got stuck in snowfall.

If you want to be safe then best Time to Visit Tawang by a road trip is from September to mid of December. You can also choose to travel from April and May when there is not much rainfall in this reason.

It’s better to avoid monsoon season. During monsoon, the road got stuck for days due to heavy flood in the hills.

Read more about the perfect season for your Tawang trip on  Best Time to Visit Tawang.

Eateries Locations in Guwahati – Tawang Road Trip

Very few eateries or roadside Dhabas are available on the road. So it’s better to have early lunch or pack your food in the hotel.  A few roadside stalls are available along the road, which offers delicious Momo, Maggi or Roti Sabji etc. If you miss the roadside Dhabas, Indian Army canteen is your last rescue. One such canteen is available in the Sela Pass and Jaswant Garh. Stock up water as much as possible and drink enough water to keep yourself away from dehydration.

The expenses depend on the kinds of hotels or lodge you choose to stay. Generally, hotels are not much costly in all the places you find standard accommodation in between Rs 3000 – Rs 4000. Besides accommodation and food, if you hire a self-drive car or hire a car from an agency expect to spend approximately INR 9,000 – 11,000 on fuel .

Nowadays you can take any vehicle to Tawang road trip. But for safe side SUV/ MUV is advisable or any sedan car with high GC is suitable for the road trip.

Precautions for vehicle:

• Very few petrol pumps are available along the road so full the tank in advance at Bomdila or Dirang.
• Check the vehicle condition and tyres before starting the trip.
• Take one extra stepney for your car is most necessary to drive in rough hilly roads.

Here’s a day by day breakdown of a road trip to Tawang from Guwahati:

Day 1: Driving from Guwahati to Bomdila

Driving from Guwahati to Bomdila via Kalaktang takes around 10 hrs. Though there are not many eateries available in the road so it’s better to full your stomach at NH 52 Dhaba in Mangaldai before entering the hills of Arunachal Pradesh.

Today we will cover Guwahati –  Jalukbari – Kharupetia – Mangaldai – Orang – Kalaktang –  Shergaon – Rupa – Bomdila

We left Guwahati at 6:00 am. Have breakfast early and drive towards Orang. This stretch of the road was not in good shape most of the road is bumpy and a lot of potholes in the road so it takes around 3 hours to reach Mangaldai. Later half of the road is quite good. Except for a few kilometres, the road is absolutely fine.

From Orang, we take the bifurcated rode which goes to Kalaktang.  After some time we leave the plain of Assam and enter hills of Arunachal Pradesh. The weather and natural surrounding both are charming.  After driving for a few kilometres through the windy hilly roads, we started noticing prayer flags as well as scenic vegetable firms.  At around 3 pm we reach Kalaktang.

Crossing in white coloured limestone hills at Shergaon the mesmerizing gorges and stream of Rupa valley starting to appear. We were awestruck at the beauty of this place.

As the sun sets in the west and the dusk covered the small town of Bomdila we reached our guesthouse. It was quite cold till then we order some Indian vegetarian dish and headed to our cosy room.

Accommodation

The small town of Bomdila is dotted with many hotels and homestays at a very reasonable rate. Some best hotels are hotel Segal, Hotel Siphiyang Phong etc. We choose to stay away from the crowd and spend the night in the Bomdila monastery guest house known as Doe Gu Khil Guest House . The Guest House was very beautiful and decorated nicely with Tibetan architecture. The rooms were quite welcoming with a room heater and warm blankets.

Day 2: Bomdila to Tawang   during Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip

Places covered: sela pass ,  jaswant garh ,  dirang monastery ,  dirang hot spring.

After having early breakfast at the guest house we bid farewell to this beautiful guest house and Bomdila.

After driving for around 1.3 hrs we saw the wild stem flows through the scenic valley of Dirang guarded by Himalayan ranges on the North.   It is an enchanting valley looks like a dream. 

Where to eat

There were very few eateries or Dhaba along the road from Bomdila to Tawang. We stop for lunch in a small roadside Dhaba. Luckily apart from Maggi other non-vegetarian food items are also available in that Dhaba. This Roadside Dhaba was surprisingly neat and clean and well decorated. Food was very simple but delicious.

After crossing Dirang and moving through the twisty roads finally we reached Sela Pass. A proud feeling comes to our mind when we stop at Sela Pass, the high altitude motorable road in India.  It was very cold and breezing though there was not much snow at that time. We saw tints of snow in the distant hills as snowfall for the season started before 2 – 3 days. We eat Momo and tea there and felt very refreshing and continue our journey. Our next stop was at Jaswant  Garh. As the dusk approaches we enter the small town of Tawang.

Some of the places that are worth stopping on the way are Sela pass , Jaswant Garh , two  picture perfect monasteries of Dirang TDL Monastery and LDL monastery ,   Dirang hot spring etc.

Small Town of Tawang has many hotels, lodges and homestays available for stay.  You can find comfortable accommodation ranging from Rs 2000 – Rs 3500 in Tawang.

This time we choose to stay in a homestay known as Tenzin Homestay . This is one of the most comfortable accommodations in our stay at Tawang. Though it is far away from luxury hotels all basic amenities like room heater, home cooked meal and hot water are readily available.   The warm hospitality and homely feeling received from our host were unbeatable.

Day 3: Driving around Tawang

We spent 3 nights at Tawang and explore the Tawang and its surroundings. It provided the perfect break from all that driving. Tawang is a surprisingly beautiful land different from the rest of India. Military activities and the influence of Tibetan Buddhism is seen everywhere in Tawang. We spend the first day by visiting the local tourist points around Tawang.

If you want to read more about t op tourist places in Tawang .

There are loads of things to see in Tawang .

• Explore  Tawang Monastery, the 2 nd largest monastery in the world.
• Do visit Tawang War Memorial ,  Buddha Park and Nuranang Waterfalls .
• Ani Gompa , Urgelling Gompa and Taktsang Gompa may be interesting to you if you like Buddhist culture and philosophy.
• Spare one day to explore the mystic lakes of Tawang including Madhuri lake or Sangestar Tso lake , Pt Tso Lake and Bumla pass .
• Newly added attractions like Chumi Gyatse Falls is worth adding in your schedule.

Day 4: Local sightseeing in Tawang during Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip

Places covered: lumla , tara devi temple, chag-zam suspension bridge.

On day 4, we went to Lumla and visit the giant Tara Devi temple.  On our return journey, we got to see the wonderful Chag-Zam iron chain suspension bridge constructed by Lama Chag-Zam Wangpo during the 14 th century.  The road to Lumla is well maintained and passes through adorable scenery on both sides of the road. Lumla is only 45 km away from Tawang. Start early and explores the small town at your own pace.  You may be interested in Top 10 offbeat places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh

Day 5: Driving to Bumla Pass and Madhuri lake  during Guwahati  Tawang Road Trip

On the last day of our Tawang Trip, we get permission to visit Bum La Pass and the Indo China border. Personal vehicle or any other vehicle from Assam is not allowed to take to Bum La Pass. So we hired local sumo. The driver was very friendly and eventually become our guide for the entire day.

The road to Madhuri lake and Bumla pass was terrible. There was no sign of road in some places. There was dubious road and almost complete stretch is bumpy. But our driver drives very tactfully and reach the Y junction after 1 hrs and 30 minutes. After taking Army consent we got permission to visit gorgeous Bumla pass and stunning Madhuri Lake and  Nagula lake.

Our visit to Bumla pass and majestic lakes of Tawang spend gracefully and we returned back to Tawang in the evening. Check an essential guide to planning your trip to Tawang . 

Where to eat in Tawang:

There are many eateries and restaurants available in Tawang which serve delicious Tibetan, Chinese and North Indian foods. Few best eateries in Tawang are hotel Mon valley, The Dragon etc. Few must-try dishes in Tawang are pork and Chicken dishes, Special Maggi, Butter tea, Momo, Pork Noodle etc.

Day 6: Tawang to Dirang: Drive down to Dirang during Guwahati Tawang Road Trip

Places covered: nuranang falls, sangti valley.

Finally, the day has come to leave the Buddhist town of Arunachal. Today we decided to venture the Jang fall and Sangti valley on our return journey to Dirang.  Jang fall is located 32 km away from Tawang in a place named Jang before reaching  Sela Pass.  Jang falls or Nuranang Falls a majestic waterfall plunge down from a height of 100 meters.

After crossing Sela Pass and Jaswant Gargh the stunning hills of Dirang valley begin to appear. Before reaching Dirang a gorgeous drive through picturesque pastures and hills takes one to Sangti valley.   As we drive through the small alley that leads to Sangti valley meandering river accompany us.  Charmic paddy fields and grazing cattle and small farms near the river make us stunned. This is one of the spectacular drives so far.

Accommodation in Dirang:

Dirang has loads of homestays and hotels to suit everyone. The hotels alongside the Kameng River offer an awesome view of the valley and foothill of Eastern Himalaya. We opted to stay at Awoo resort Dirang for the night. Awoo resort is located in a scenic location overlooking the Dirang valley and Himalayan ranges. Scenic surrounding and colourful flower on the pathway make this resort stunning. The quality of food and the comfort it offers is best suited to its price.

Day 7: Dirang to Guwahati: Last day of Guwahati Tawang Road Trip

Places covered: chillipam gompa , gyuto monastery.

On our last day, we followed the same route via Kalaktang.  Today we stop over at Gyuto monastery(Tenzin Gang) and Chillipam Gompa(Rupa ).  Chillipam  Gompa is just 15 km drive uphill from Rupa. It is one of the spectacular monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh.  This Gompa is located in a picture perfect location from where a birds-eye view of the entire Rupa valley can be seen.  You can also include a trip to newly inaugurated Buddha Heritage Park at Yokmuzor.

Majestic Architecture of Chillipam Gompa

Located in a stunning location on trans Himalayan highway Gyuto monastery is an important centre of the Buddhist religion. The age-old Tibetan style building inside the monastery complex is worth a  glimpse. Finally, after 9 hrs of driving, we reached Guwahati in the evening. And our Tawang Guwahati road trip end with a happy note with loads of memories.

Check a complete guide to exploring the best of Mechuka

Trip Essentials for Guwahati  – Tawang Road Trip

• Enough water bottle to keep you dehydrated
• Bring some packed food since food joints may not available in some stretch
• Battery Pack
• Documents and IDs
• Inner Line Permit.

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So that’s it from us on your Guwahati to Tawang road trip. If you have anything to ask, do write to us in the comments section.

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You can read more about Tawang in our  Tawang Travel guide .  If you wish to book  a package tour for Tawang  please drop us a mail at  [email protected] .  We offer  customized tour packages from Guwahati to Tawang .

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How to Plan the Best Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip in 2023: Complete Guide

January 4, 2023

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In a nutshell: what you'll find in this article.

Taking a road trip from Guwahati to Tawang is definitely an adventure. Tawang is situated in the eastern Himalayas and is the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh. The journey itself is mesmerising, following the Brahmaputra River, one of India’s longest rivers, up to the majestic mountains of Arunachal Pradesh. We’ll be discussing the entire experience, from planning to arrival and everything in between. So, let’s dive in and learn more about this exciting Guwahati to Tawang Road trip.

Overview of the Road Trip

This guide will provide an overview of the Guwahati to Tawang road trip, a journey through some of the most beautiful landscapes in India. The route takes you through lush green forests, winding mountain roads and breathtaking views of the Himalayas, offering travelers an unforgettable experience.

Starting in Guwahati, the capital city of Assam and one of the fastest growing metropolises in India, travelers can take in all that this vibrant city has to offer. From here, a scenic drive will take you along picturesque routes as you travel through some stunning natural beauty. The route passes by stunning river valleys, ancient monuments and charming villages as you make your way towards Tawang – home to the beautiful 400-year-old Buddhist monastery of Tawang Monastery Monks.

Elevation gain is significant along this route which starts from just 60 meters at Guwahati and culminates at 3490 meters at Bomdila Pass – making it one of the most challenging but rewarding road trips available in India. Along the way travelers can explore areas such as Rumtek Monastery; enjoy stunning views from Bomdila; visit historical towns such as Dirang; get up close with nature at Sessa Orchid Sanctuary or simply relax in between adventures.

This road trip offers travelers an opportunity to explore different cultures and landscapes within India’s remote northeast region while being surrounded by some breath-taking panoramas – providing visitors with truly unforgettable memories that can last a lifetime. Here is the best route according to Google Maps for your reference.

Planning Your Trip

Planning an exciting road trip to Tawang from Guwahati? Having an organized plan is essential to make the most of your experience. From knowing the most scenic routes to making sure essential items are packed, spending some time to map out your adventure will ensure that it is enjoyable and stress free. Read on to learn the essential steps to plan a successful road trip.

Transportation

Planning your transportation is an important part of any road trip, and the Guwahati-Tawang journey is no exception. Before you jump into your car, it’s a good idea to consider the best mode for getting to your destination.

Car: If you have access to a car, driving from Guwahati to Tawang is often the most convenient option. The drive is approximately 380 kilometers (236 miles) via Arunachal Pradesh’s Rongla-Bhalukpong – Lama line which can be completed in about 9 hours. However, depending on weather and traffic conditions, the estimated time can vary drastically.

Travelers should also be aware that sections of this route can be remote and unpaved, with icy conditions present during winter months (October-February). For this reason, it is always best to plan ahead and make sure you are adequately prepared for unexpected delays or difficulties.

Bus/train: Travelling by bus or train can save you time and money compared to driving, but the routes are usually limited in terms of coverage area. There are direct buses available from Guwahati’s Kalabari Bus Deport in Assam that go as far as Bomdila (270 km away) with stops along the way including Bhalukpong and Mongku. From Bomdila onward, passengers must switch to taxi services for further transportation up until Tawang (110 km). Train options might involve travel through nearby towns such as Margherita (Assam), Lidu(Arunachal Pradesh) and Nefra (Arunachal Pradesh). Online booking can be done through IRCTC website.

Planes/helicopters/charter services: If time is an issue or if you prefer air travel over land routes then there are commercial flights available into Tawang airport in Arunachal Pradesh from places like Delhi, Kolkata etc., certain helicopter charter services may also be available at extra cost directly into Tawang airport or nearby helipads located near Bomdila, Tezpur etc. After landing at airport one may hire a taxi service for travelling within 1–3-hour radius around Tawang town depending on weather conditions (depending on operator).

Accommodation

Accommodation is an important part of your Guwahati to Tawang road trip, and there are many options available depending on your budget and preferences. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay, you can book a room in one of the many top-notch hotels located throughout the city. For a more economical option, there are several hostels that provide excellent rooms at pocket-friendly rates.

Alternatively, you can opt to stay in one of the camping sites or nature lodges around Guwahati, where you can experience the area’s natural beauty up close. As you move further along on your journey, keep in mind that some places may not have any hotels or guesthouses around them. You can set up camps with tents or sleep under the stars if need be or look out for traditional homestays as they offer great comfort away from home and also open up opportunities for learning and interacting with local families.

Depending on where you’re travelling to, some options for accommodation may also include forest rest houses and wildlife resorts, which are sure to give you an experience like no other!

No matter which option you decide to go ahead with during your Guwahati to Tawang road trip, it’s important that you plan ahead so that all accommodation requirements can be taken care of before time runs out!

Food is a must-have on any road trip and this one is no exception. Especially in the mountainous areas, it can be difficult to find food and places to eat, so having snacks available while traveling will be essential in keeping your energy up. There are plenty of local delicacies to try along the way, so it’s worth taking the time to sample some of the local fare.

There are also many convenience stores that offer packaged snacks like chips, nuts and biscuits as well as hot beverages like coffee and tea. If you’re looking for something more substantial during your journey, there are small restaurants at various points that serve freshly cooked meals such as different varieties of Biryani and Chinese cuisine. Many hotels also have restaurants attached with a fairly extensive menu catering to all tastes. It’s best check online reviews before making any decisions about where to eat along your route.

When planning a road trip from Guwahati to Tawang, it’s important to keep safety in mind. The route is full of twists and turns that can be challenging to navigate. Here are some tips for ensuring your journey is as safe as possible.

First and foremost, make sure you always obey the traffic laws in India. Always use turn signals when changing lanes, obey speed limits, and drive defensively. It’s also important to never drink and drive, wear your seatbelts at all times, and follow all other safety laws.

In addition, prepare for the road conditions you will encounter throughout the trip since these may vary from place to place. Make sure you have a reliable vehicle with good tires that can handle rough terrain and potholes. Ensure that your vehicle’s brakes work well by having them checked out before leaving Guwahati and packing extra brake fluid if available just in case anything goes wrong along the way. Ensure your vehicle has working headlights so you can see clearly at night on the winding roads ahead of you.

It’s also wise to make sure that there is a fully charged spare tire in your vehicle as well as other necessary items like a car jack or first aid kit in case of an emergency while on the road. Also make sure you carry enough fuel along with some extra food and water so that you are prepared if stuck on long stretches of empty roads with few (if any) amenities available nearby. Planning ahead could help save time if something unexpected happens during your travels. Most importantly, don’t forget about self-care! Take rest stops whenever needed for optimal safety and alertness behind the wheel.

Places to Visit

A Guwahati to tawang road trip is a great way to explore this spectacular part of India. The area has a wide variety of attractions that will leave you wanting more. From ancient Buddhist monasteries and beautiful waterfalls to breathtaking mountain views, there is something here to satisfy everyone’s travel desires. In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the best places to visit on your guwahati to tawang road trip.

Tawang Monastery

Tawang Monastery is the most important historical place in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Located at an altitude of 3300m, this grand monastery stands tall in its serene beauty. Believed to be the biggest Buddhist Monastery in India, it exudes an aura of holiness as a result of its age-old history.

The monastery was founded by Mera Lama Lodre Gyamtso in 1681 and features a beautiful Potrang Marpo structure that houses 400+ Lamas living inside it along with a stunning library. The main temple inside the Potrang Marpo features amazing murals depicting the life and times of Lord Buddha along with the images of various avatars of Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche- Avalokitesvara), Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and five Dhyani Buddhas (Vairocana).

Another highlight here is the 18-feet gilded statue of Lord Buddha placed within an unassuming chamber on top of a hill overlooking the town. Visiting this place can truly be a spiritual experience, as you take in its immense religious values encapsulated within such serene yet mighty surroundings.

The Sela Pass is an almost mythical pass located at 4,170 metres above sea level, connecting the towns of Tawang and Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh. It’s one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world and is popular among bikers and adventurous travelers who are looking to experience its breathtaking natural beauty. The pass offers a great opportunity for trekkers, with snow-capped mountains and virgin forests as far as the eye can see.

Sela Pass is also home to several lakes, making it a spot for campers of all levels from beginner to experienced. Beginner campers can enjoy stunning views from the shores while expert campers can try more challenging trails such as scaling up Talung Peak or trekking through snowcapped forests. Similarly, Sela Pass is great for photographers because it offers some stunning scenic vistas that make for amazing pictures.

The temperatures around this area are often too low even during summer months; hence carrying adequate warm clothing like gloves, jackets, caps can be very helpful here. Additionally, it is recommended to check weather updates before visiting here as sudden rainstorms occur on irregular occasions that might make visibility difficult or even impossible. Lastly, carrying necessary equipment might come in handy due to lack of shops and limited access to medical aid .

Nuranang Waterfalls

Nuranang Waterfalls, also known as Bong Bong falls, is one of the most beautiful places one can visit when travelling on the Guwahati-Tawang road trip. Located in Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India, it is a popular tourist attraction with its spectacular view of the Nuranang River cascading down from a height of 100 meters into deep blue pools below.

The Nuranang Waterfalls is unique in the way that it is visible from the road itself and its perfect location makes it an excellent spot to take pictures and enjoy its beauty. The Nuranang River forms an enchanting backdrop and gives an ethereal feeling to this enchanting place.

Being at a distance of only 3kms away from Tawang Town, it brings forth mesmerizing views of lush green forests and rocky terrain which are often coupled with a heavenly sound of water plunging into deep abysses. The combination makes for a refreshing getaway from daily mundane activities and refreshes one’s mind, body, and soul with its magnificence.

In addition to this spectacle, the area around the waterfalls has various interesting spots such as glaciated lakes, ancient Buddhist monasteries enclosed by scenic mountainside cliffs providing – glimpses into Buddhism culture which enriches visitors’ experiences even further during their road trip journey through this region.

Jaswantgarh War Memorial

The Jaswantgarh War Memorial stands in proud homage to the valiant soldiers of 4/5 Gorkha Rifles regiment of Indian Army. Located at an altitude of around 13000 feet, on the way to Sela Pass and Tawang Monastery, the memorial is a mere 2 Kilometers away from the actual site of combat.

The hallowed grounds commemorate the supreme sacrifice of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat who single-handedly fought against more than 300 Chinese soldiers during 1962 India-China war in order to defend this post from Ladakh division. His courageous battle and unwavering self-belief earned him a place of honor in history books which are read by generations that followed.

The eponymous memorial is built around five pillars at zero point near Lhou village, showcasing five brave brothers who heroically sacrificed their lives in this legendary battle – Subedar Joginder Sigh, Nb Sub Maj Hangpa Dui Kameng, Nb Sub Manbahadur Thapa and Riflemen Jaswant Singh Rawat, Gaya Prasad Jaisi & Surendra Bahadur Thapa. The forecourt has tanks & monuments as well as a statue depicting four brave Gorkhas paring enemy while guiding Kailash Mansarovar Yatra travelers effortlessly through this hilly terrain with their traditional kukri knives attached to their waistline for a comprehensive visual representation.

Tips and Tricks

Planning a road trip from Guwahati to Tawang? This guide will help you do just that! We will provide you with all the vital information you need to make your road trip experience enjoyable, safe, and hassle-free. We’ll also provide you with some tips and tricks to make sure your journey goes as smoothly as possible. Read on to learn more!

Best Time to Visit

Knowing the best time to visit should be at the top of your priority list. Visiting Tawang during the right time of year can help you make the most of your road trip. The ideal time for a Guwahati to Tawang road trip is from late October until mid-April. This is when there will be snow on the roads, but it won’t be too thick yet, so you can still enjoy scenic drives along mountain passes and through lush valleys.

During this period, temperatures range from 3°C to 15°C during the day and 0°C at night. However, if you plan to visit during peak winter months (December and January) then you must come well prepared as temperatures might dip even further. Additionally, keep in mind that Tawang remains closed for almost a month in summer due to heavy rainfalls in Arunachal Pradesh so try to avoid this period if possible.

Things to Pack

When packing for a road trip from Guwahati to Tawang, it’s important to give thought to what will make your journey more enjoyable and comfortable. Depending on the length of your stay, these items may prove useful.

A smartphone, tablet or laptop: This item is especially useful for searching the best routes and planning exercises. Also, you can use it for entertainment during long drives if you have stored music or videos.

An Internet subscription: This is important, especially if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi along the way. Also consider a GPS navigator app which can be helpful in navigating pitfalls or heavy traffic areas.

Written maps and guidebooks: While GPS seem like a must have nowadays when traveling on highways, downloading some written maps of the route can be just as helpful—especially if your phone stops receiving signals due to unexpected changes in weather or lack of cell service along the way.

Clothes and toiletries suitable for different climates: The climate along Guwahati to Tawang road trip will vary as you move away from sea level and ascend higher altitudes. Make sure that your clothing allows flexibility depending on the prevailing temperatures when you reach various points in your journey.

Emergency kit: Besides carrying necessary documents such as driving licenses, vehicle registration papers and insurance papers; include items such as a tire repair kit with patches covering multiple sizes, extra petrol/diesel containers and refrigerated water bottles with essential medicines in case of an emergency breakdown at any point during the journey.

Extra snacks/food: If your scheduled stops turn out longer than expected, it is always recommendable that one should not rely solely on restaurants / eateries by the road but instead has sufficient snacks and food supplies in between stops. That’s why road trips require enough space to contain provisions when travelling further distances!

Things to Avoid

When it comes to road trips, there are certain things you must avoid in order to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.

First and foremost, take your time. Make sure not to rush during your journey, as this can lead to rushing decision-making and potentially missing out on important stops or sights. Plan your route beforehand so that you have an idea of when to arrive at each destination.

When it comes to packing, remember that less is more. Although it is understandable that some people may be tempted to bring more than they need on a trip, try not to overpack; bringing along more things than necessary can become cumbersome and difficult to manage.

Additionally, make sure that you take regular breaks in order for both driver and passengers alike get adequate rest. Drowsy driving can jeopardize the safety of both the driver and passengers on the road as well as other vehicles on the road. Whenever possible, plan ahead for times when fatigue may set in; plan healthy snacks and drinks for those moments when drowsiness hits or when hunger strikes!

Moreover, make sure to remain aware of your surroundings throughout the journey; although it is easy for drivers or passengers of a car become distracted with their smartphones or conversations among one another, keeping track of passing vehicles around you can save you from potential hazards while driving on a highway such as another car suddenly merging unto yours! Properly maintaining speed limits is also essential in order for everyone’s safety; being mindful of speed limits will ensure that everyone stays within legal boundaries while enjoying their road trip experience.

This guide has highlighted the many beautiful attractions between Guwahati and Tawang which make this road trip a must-do for travelers in northeastern India. From the ancient ruins of Bhita to the serene beauty of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, this area is home to many wonderful sights and experiences.

The journey itself contains multiple challenges including treacherous roads, no phone signal in certain areas, and occasional closures due to weather or political turmoil. Therefore, it is essential that travelers plan carefully before embarking on this road trip.

Above all, Guwahati-Tawang is an iconic journey for anyone looking for a taste of tranquility or adventure in Northeastern India. The route provides the perfect opportunity to immerse oneself in the culture of Assam while still having plenty of breathtaking scenery to admire along the way. With seasoned local guides and some caution, it’s definitely worth making this trip!

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Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip – Food, Route, Stay, Places to Visit, Trip Cost

Tawang is an extremely adventurous and unique place to experience. Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip is an adventurous road trip which one must do in their life at least once. This road trip is made for those who love to explore and travel to amazing places.

Visiting a place like Tawang is in the wishlist of every traveler. Before taking this road trip, you must know about several things like how to go there? what is the best route? where to eat? where to stay? how much it will cost? etc. We’ve got you covered with all your questions regarding your upcoming Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip.

Every individual needs to draw the Inner Line Permit (ILP) . It doesn’t matter if you are Indian or foreigner, you will have to get ILP to enter Arunachal Pradesh. The distance of Tawang from Guwahati is about 510 Km and cannot be covered in one go. Here is the complete itinerary of Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip. Also, if you like this article then please don’t forget to rate this post out of 5 stars given at starting of this article.

• Best Time to Do the Road Trip
• How to Get Inner Line Permit (ILP)
• Cost of the Road Trip
• Recommended Vehicle
• Best Route for the Trip
• Places to Visit on Route
• Food Places on Route
• Day 1: Guwahati to Bomdila
• Day 2: Bomdila to Tawang

Day 3 and 4: Exploring Tawang

• Day 5 and 6: Back to Guwahati
• Hotels in Tawang

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to do guwahati to tawang road trip.

Before planning your trip, you must know about the best time to visit the place you are planning to go to. Tawang is a place where weather is pretty uncertain and due to weather, survival situations in Tawang gets worse. Many people visit Tawang in winters but it is not a suitable time for the trip. The best time to do Guwahati to Tawang road trip is summers and the onset of monsoon. Weather at this time is comfortable for tourists. You can visit Tawang in March, April, May, June, September, and October . These months are perfect for your trip.

How to Get Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Tawang?

Getting an inner line permit is easy. You can apply for ILP online on their official website. Form on the website of Arunachal ILP needed to be filled with all the required information. Districts which you have decided to visit must be selected while filling the form for ILP. To make this process simple, we have mentioned all the steps which you need to perform to get ILP for Tawang . Here are the steps:

• Click here to go to official website of ILP filing portal of Arunachal.
• Fill the form with all the required details.
• Take a printout of the ILP you get from portal after making payment. Fee will be Rs.100 + transaction charges.

What is the Cost of Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip?

Estimations on our website are give both for those who are going by Car and also for those who are going by bike. We’ve included all the necessary things like Fuel, Food, Stay, Vehicle (If Rented). So, let’s see how much this trip gonna cost you.

Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Cost by Bike

For the bike, I am taking estimates for 2 People. Guwahati to Tawang trip will be of 6 Days and 5 Nights. On average of 25 Kmpl, Fuel cost will be approximately 2,800 Rupees. If in case you have rented the bike, then you have to add Bike rental cost + 2,800 Rupees. For stay, you will be taking a hotel for 5 nights. Hotel room for a 1 night will be booked between your way towards Tawang and 1-night hotel room while coming back to Guwahati. We have mentioned hotels according to the place at which you will be needing a hotel. For an estimate, we are taking 2,000 for a hotel room per night. So, you can get a hotel room for 2 people at 10,000 Rupees for 5 Nights (Day 1 11 AM to Day 2 11 AM, Day 2 11 AM to Day 3 11 AM and so on). Food including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will cost 10,000 Rupees for 2 people. Totaling all the expenses, your Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip by Bike will cost you 22,800+ Rupees approximately .

Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Cost by Car

For Car, I am taking estimates for 4 people and a Petrol car. The trip will be of the same 6 Days and 5 Nights. If in case you have rented your vehicle, then you have to add Car rental cost + fuel cost. On average, a car would give you a fuel economy of 12 Kmpl because in mountains you will be slow and gears will be changed frequently. Fuel will cost you 5,800 Rupees approximately for a petrol car.

For stay, you will be taking a hotel for 5 nights. Hotel room for a 1 night will be booked between your way towards Tawang and 1-night hotel room while coming back to Guwahati. You can get a nice hotel room for 4 people at 15,000 Rupees for 5 Nights (Day 1 11 AM to Day 2 11 AM, Day 2 11 AM to Day 3 11 AM and so on). As you are going by car, you have to pay the toll tax. Toll tax will cost you around 1500 for a return journey. Food including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will cost 15,000 Rupees for 4 people. Totaling all the expenses, your Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip by Car will cost you 37,500+ Rupees approximately .

What is the Recommended Vehicle for Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip?

When you are going on a road trip, you have to make sure that your vehicle must be in good condition. Also, avoid taking vehicles older than 8-10 years to places like Tawang. Roads at many places are not in good condition, as you get closer to Tawang you will notice bad roads. So, these are the recommended vehicles for this trip:

• Car – Any Compact SUV or SUV will work (Petrol / Diesel). With a little bit of issue, you can get there with a car like Maruti Celario which gets higher ground clearance. Electric cars (like E2o) are not suggested because you won’t be getting any charging station for your electric car. Also, Electric cars are not able to do long journies.
• Bike & Scooty – You can use any bike or scooty for doing this trip. Scooters with manual gears are not recommended because your hands gonna get tired a lot. Also, with scooty you will face issue so it will be good if you can get a bike for this trip.

Best Route for Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip

There are two different routes available for Guwahati to Tawang road trip. We will be taking you through the best possible route for this road trip. This is the best route available for going to Guwahati to Tawang:

• NH13 (450 Kms – 15 Hours Approx.) (BEST ROUTE) – Barasapra Cricket Stadium, Guwahati >> Baihata >> Sipajhar >> Kalaigaon >> Bhairabkund >> Kalaktang >> Rupa >> Rahung >> Marmang >> Old Market, Cona, Tawang.
• Chariduar – Tawang Road (509 Kms – 15 Hours Approx.) (NO TRAFFIC ROUTE) – Barasapra Cricket Stadium, Guwahati >> Khetri >> Nagaon >> Kaliabor >> Tezpur >> Balipara >> Bhalukpong >> Bomdila >> Dirang >> Marmang >> Old Market, Cona, Tawang.

Guwahati to Tawang Route via National Highway 13 (450 Kms and 15 Hours Approximately)

• Follow NH27 and after 30 Km turn right onto NH15 and continue driving for about 31 Km.
• After NH 15, turn left at Banglagar Mojiolia Vidyalaya and continue for 4.5 Km and then turn left at Mollapara L.P. School onto Mangaldoi Deomornoi road and continue for about 500 meters. Then turn right on Nagarbahi Shock and continue for 7.3 Km.
• Take a slight left onto Mangaldai Bhutiachang road and drive for 6 km and then turn right at Priya Medikoj onto Harisinga-Kalaigaon road/Kaliagaon-Bengbari Road/Kaliagaon-Khairabari Road/Udamguri-Talumpur Road and continue for 1.4Km. The turn right and continue for 17 Km.
• Take a right turn onto Goroimari road and continue for 2 Km and then turn right onto Rowtaudalguri Road and drive for 3.5 Km. Continue straight onto Udalguri-Bhairabkund road for about 16 Km and then Arnatulla Kalaktang road for 56 km and then turn right after hotel highway Inn and continue for 33.5 Km.
• Turn right and continue for about 12.4 Km and then turn right after 28.2 Km and then turn left on NH 13. Continue for 12.4 Km and then take a left to stay on NH 13 and drive for about 172 Km. You will then arrive at Tawang.

What are the Places to Visit During Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip?

A road trip is not limited to the destination and place from where you are traveling. You must make your road trip a memorable experience. On a road trip, you should experience and enjoy each and everything which comes on your way. So, there are some places which are on your way toward Tawang from Guwahati:

• Bhairabkund Satsang Vihar, Bhairabkund – This is a place where you will be able to see Bhutan and India border. You are just a few meters away from Bhutan at this place. Along with this, if the weather is nice you can click some amazing pictures here. Also, this place onwards, you will enter in the region of extremely beautiful nature and every spot is perfect for photography.
• Buddha Park, Cona, Bomdila – At this place you can take a halt and enjoy with friends for few minutes.
• Dirang River, Shannan – If you want to enjoy hot water spring then this is the place for you. Also, you can enjoy some sports at this place.
• Nyukmadong war Memorial, Shannan – This is a popular tourist attraction which was built after the 1962 War. You must visit this place and pay a tribute to our great soldiers.
• Sela Lake and Sela Pass, Shannan – This is an extremely popular tourist attraction on the way towards Tawang. You should stop here and take some amazing pictures.
• Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Shannan – Again a War Memorial which is popular among tourists going towards Tawang.

You will soon arrive in Tawang and then do explore it and enjoy.

What are the Best Food Places on Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Route?

Generally, there are a lot of food places in between trip route. While traveling, you should only have lite meals. Avoid eating a lot of spices and also avoid trying unhealthy dishes. Among a lot of places lying between the route, there are some well-known food points and restaurants from where you can have a good meal. We’ve listed down all the preferred food places in between Guwahati to Tawang. These are the food places you should eat at:

• Khar Khua Resort and Dhaba, Mangaldoi, Assam
• Green View, Cona, Shannan
• Lobsang Hindu Restaurant, Shannan

Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Itinerary

Strech of 450 Kms from Guwahati to Tawang cannot be covered comfortably in a day. So, first two days will be the journey to reach Tawang, during which we will be exploring a lot of places lying on route. So, this is going to be a 6 days and 5 nights trip from Guwahati to Tawang. So, let’s start with the trip:

Day 1: Guwahati to Bomdila (270 Kms)

• Leave from Tawang in the early morning so that you have enough time to explore places lying on route and reach Bomdila with enough time in hand to relax and continue for tomorrow.
• First stop will be Bhairabkund Picnic Ground from where you can spot Bhutan just in front of you. Enjoy this place by sitting along the Dhanshiri River. Bhairabkunda Picnic Ground is 139 Kms ahead of Guwahati which will take around 4 hours to reach here.
• Just a few kilometers before Bhairabkunda, you can take a break at Gethsemane Man-Made Forest which is an amazing place. I would suggest you to come here when you have at least a day to explore.
• Next and the last stop for the day will be Buddha Park in Bomdila. So, once you reach Bomdila, check-in to the hotel and spend rest of the day here.

Bomdila and it’s surroundings doesn’t get so many hotels and other type of accommodations. So, we’ve sorted out some best properties where you can spend night time and then continue for Tawand on 2nd day. Have a look at them:

Hotel Tashi Den

Free WiFi, Parking, Kettle, Air-Conditioning, Flat Screen TV

Pemaling Lords Inn

Tea/Coffee Maker, Breakfast, Air-Conditioning, Free WiFi, Soundproofing

Day 2: Bomdila to Tawang (176 Kms)

• Leave from Bomdila around 6 AM so that we can explore what lies on the route. It won’t take long in reaching tawang from here, so you can drive moderately. Not so fast not so slow.
• Our first stop for the day will be dirang river which is about 42 Kms from Bomdila which will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach. Just half hour ahead, you’ll arrive at Nyukmadong war Memorial in Shannan which will be the second break.
• Our thirst stop for the day will be Sela Pass which is an important point of attraction on this route. Sela pass is elevated at 13,680 ft height.
• Forth stop for the day will be Jung Falls which is a highly popular and breathtaking waterfall lying on the route. You cannot miss this point of attraction. Jung Falls are located just 45 kms ahead of Sela Pass.
• After Jung Falls, drive for about 30 Kms and you’ll arrive in Tawang where you first need to check-in to the hotel and relax yourself a bit.

Tawang gets only a few hotels where you can stay during your trip to Tawang. We’ve sorted out some best properties where you can stay in Tawang. Have a look at them:

Hotel The Oak

Free WiFi, Parking, Ensuite Bathroom, Heating, Flat Screen TV

OYO 70544 Hotel Ashoka

Air-Conditioning, Private Bathroom, Minibar

Tawang has got several amazing places that you can explore during the trip. Be it any season, tawang won’t disappoint you in terms of its offerings of nature and raw feeling. It is surrounded by snow capped mountains that gives it a perfect backdrop. So, Day 3 and 4 we’ve kept for exploring Tawang. Let’s see what are the places you can visit during your stay in tawang:

• Tawang War Memorial
• Panga Teng Tso Lake
• Bumla Pass – Indo-China Border
• Jaswantgarh
• Nuranang Falls
• Nagula Lake
• Shong-tser Lake
• Geshila Peak
• Thingbu Hot Spring
• Gorichen Peak
• Urgelling Monastery
• Tawang Monastery
• Taktsang Gompa

Day 5 and 6: Getting Back to Guwahati

Similarly, as we came to Tawang, we’ll get back to Tawang. I would suggest you to take a different route for getting back to Guwahati to experience a new way. Take route via Tezpur which is a about 60 Kms more as compared to our previous route. You can take a break in Tezpur and continue your trip to Guwahati.

Best Hotels for Stay in Tawang During Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip

Being a hill station and popular travel spot, Tawang has a decent number of hotels, villas, resorts, and cottages for a stay. One thing which fluctuates your stay place is your accommodation budget. We’ve taken out some of the best locations to stay in Tawang. Also, we have mentioned 1 hotel for the stay while you are on your way towards Tawang and getting back to Guwahati. Have a look at them:

When you are travelling towards Tawang, you can take a room at Galaxy Lodge, Station Road, Udalguri. Also, you can take the same hotel when you are coming back to Guwahati.

Hotels in Tawang:

We have provided all the necessary information you will be needing for Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip. If you want to know anything relating to your trip then feel free to ask us in the comments section below. We will get back to you very shortly.

How much is the Guwahati – Tawang trip cost?

Guwahati to Tawang trip is not a costly one. Anyone with a decent budget can do this trip by a bike or a car. Doing this trip by bike will cost you Rs.22,800 for 2 people and if you do this trip by car for 4 people it will cost you Rs.37,500 approximately.

What are the best months to visit Tawang?

The best time to do Guwahati to Tawang road trip is summers and the onset of monsoon. Weather at this time is comfortable for tourists. You can visit Tawang in March, April, May, June, September, and October. These months are perfect for your trip.

Is it fine to go tawang by bike?

Yes, Tawang can easily be reached by a bike or a car. You just need to be good with biking skills as the route is not so wide and also this is mountain region so you’ll need your biking skills there. Also, you should be physically fit in order to travel to tawang by bike.

Do we need Inner Line Permit for Tawang?

Yes, you have to get inner line permit to enter tawang region. Inner line permit can easily be withdrawn online on official website of andhra pradesh government. You need to fill basic information in ILP form on the website and you’ll get ILP to enter tawang region.

I love to travel places and write about my experiences and travel guides to help people in making their travel plans with ease. Otherthan traveling and blogging, I work on my internet ventures and provide internet business consulting.

14 thoughts on “Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip – Food, Route, Stay, Places to Visit, Trip Cost”

Wonderful picture!! Very well written post giving in depth knowledge about the location.

What about Covid regulations for tawang

Nothing much to be worried about, just make sure about the mask and distancing. Covid test report is not required now.

4 person in the age group of 70+

Avoid peak weather conditions for 70+ aged tourists.

Hello Shashank, how is the weather conditions for travel in late December? Thanks

Weather conditions are not good during late december, I would suggest you to reschedule your trip before December or after January.

Hello Shashank, we are group of 8 people, and we need advice from you about which vehicle we should hire, Tempo Traveler or Sumo or Innova to have comfortable tour. and what will be cost per person including hotel, lunch, dinner, and travel. Thanks

Hi Vitthl, As your group size is 8, I would suggest you to go by a Tempo Traveler. Cost per person will be around 8000-10000 INR (excluding tempo traveler cost). If in case you can have 2 self-drive SUVs or Compact SUVs then that’ll be more fun.

Hi Shashank, we are six people traveling from Guwahati to Tawang on 9 days trip. What is best vehicle n how much hiring charges would cost. We plan to go in mid Nov

Hi Sasanka.We r group of 6 person among two are of 70 plus for travelling tawang in 6 days tour.Which Vehicle and approx rental coat will suite. Please suggest.

You can consider any SUV like XUV, Scorpio, Innova for a comfortable trip.

Very helpful indeed!! Thank you

Hi Shashank, I am planning a solo bike trip in March from Guwahati to Tawang. Wanted to know if the roads are good for a solo ride, especially if there will be snow or if it will be too cold?

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One week Trip To Tawang Roadtrip Through Arunachal Pradesh

Home » Destinations » One Week Tawang Tour Package (Arunachal Pradesh)

One Week Tawang Tour Package (Arunachal Pradesh)

A road trip to Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh is one of the best road trips in North East India that you can go on.  This Tawang tour package takes you through the deep valleys of the eastern Himalayas, deep inside the tribal areas of the state, historic Buddhist monasteries, and towering mountains . The Tawang monastery tour on this trip is one of the highlights of this Tawang tour package from Guwahati. And if you have another day to spare, you also make in a Kaziranga Tawang tour in 8 days . Whether done as a Meghalaya Tawang trip or just a Tawang road trip, this arunachal pradesh package tour is sure to keep you mesmerized every single moment, while you are here. Get ready to visit Tawang and experience the beauty of the place and its omnipresent Buddhist way of life in one of the best possible ways in this one-week Tawang trip.

Guwahati – Arunachal Pradesh North East Tour

The Guwahati – Arunachal Pradesh tour’s day-based itinerary will be as follow:

• Day 1 – Guwahati to Bomdila / Dirang
• Day 2 – Bomdila / Dirang to Tawang
• Day 3 – Explore Things to see in Tawang
• Day 4 – Tawang – PT Tso – Shungestar Lake (Madhuri Lake) – Bum La (India – China border) – Tawang*
• Day 5 – Tawang  to Bomdila / Dirang
• Day 6 – Bomdila / Dirang to Guwahati

A Week-long trip To Tawang and Bum la including Bomdilla, Dirang, and Sangti Valley – Arunachal Pradesh

Day 1 – guwahati to dirang .

We start from the Guwahati airport in the morning and enjoy our drive through the golden fields of Assam before we start ascending the hills of Arunachal Pradesh , taking a newly built road that makes for a fantastic drive and even better views.

On our way, we stop by the beautiful Gyuto monastery and spend some time exploring it. We stop for lunch at a small Tibetan settlement en route for lunch before proceeding further ahead. We halt at a lovely little town Dirang, overlooking two mountain rivers, for the night.

Day 2 – Dirang to Tawang.

We start for Tawang today and en route stops at the Nyukmadung war memorial and pay our respect to the fallen soldiers there.

Next, we stop at the mighty Se la and soak in the gorgeous views on and around it. We visit & pay our respect at the Tawang war memorial there and then warm ourselves with piping-hot tea at the army canteen there before we resume our onward journey. We stop for a small stroll by the lovely Sela Lake if time permits and then start for our next stop, the Nuranang waterfall, the sheer grandness of which is sure to make your jaws drop.

We reach our lovely homestay in Tawang by late evening and call it a day.

Day 3 – Tawang Tour.

We start our day by visiting the largest monastery in the world, the Tawang Monastery . We explore the place at our own pace before heading to the Urgeling monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama and the Ani Gompa.

In the evening, we visit the war memorial and experience the light and sound show there.

Day 4 – Penga Teng Tso, Madhuri Lake and Bumla.

We start early today to explore the beautiful lakes and valleys in the higher reaches of the region. On our way to our first stop, the Penga Teng Tso, we drive through what was once the battlefield.

The scars of the war can be seen scattered all around. From there we head to the uniquely beautiful Sungester Lake , also known as the Madhuri lake of Koyla (the Bollywood movie) fame.

Finally, we head towards the India-China border at Bum-la and spend some time at the border before starting our return journey to Tawang.

Day 5 – Tawang to Bomdila/Dirang.

We drive down to the Buddhist town of Dirang/Bomdilla today, taking the same road we took on our way up to Tawang. Only this time we will stay at a unique and special place for the night instead of staying at the same homestay (if staying in Bomdila ). By evening, we reach Bomdilla and stay in the monastery for the night(if available) or else at a lovely Monpa homestay, of course after exploring it.

If we stay at Dirang, it will probably be the same wonderful Dirang homestay of ours that will be your stay for the night.

Day 6 – Bomdila/Dirang to Gauhati.

We wake up early today so that we can explore the monastery once again, this time while the monks are busy praying.

After a hearty breakfast at the monastery, we start our return journey back to Guwahati which marks the end of this beautiful trip.

• All permits for Indian Nationals as required.
• All Toll Charges.
• A dedicated vehicle with a driver cum guide for the entire trip.
• Local guide wherever required.
• Accommodation for 5 Nights on a twin-sharing basis.
• Breakfast on all mornings from Day 2 till the last day’s check-out.
• Any personal/sanitary/medical expenses.
• Any entry fees applicable at places you visit.
• Any unplanned extension in the number of days staying.
• Food and snacks.
• Fee for the Bum La leg (Costs around Rs.5,500-6,000 per vehicle. To be paid in cash to tour representative.)
• PAP Fee for non-Indian Passport Holders
• Parking Fee
• Anything that is not mentioned in the inclusions section above.

Cancellation & Refund

• 50% cancellation charge until 45 days before the start of the trip.
• In case we cancel the trip for any unavoidable reason, we will refund 100% of the payment made to us. We will not be liable to pay any expenses the guest might have incurred (train tickets, flight tickets, etc.) to reach the starting point of the trip, Guwahati airport in this case.
• Prices are subject to change without prior notice, based upon the cost of variables of the trip logistics.
• Any govt. fee or Tax paid to us is non-refundable

* Non-Indians are not allowed towards Bum La and the upper reaches. For non-Indian passport holders, on this day, we will visit additional areas and attractions around Tawang. **Elephant safari is allotted by the Kaziranga National Park authorities, purely on an availability basis.

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Journey to Tranquility: Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip

Introduction: Nestled in the pristine landscapes of Northeast India, a road less traveled awaits those who seek adventure, serenity, and breathtaking beauty. The road trip from Guwahati to Tawang is a journey through the rugged terrains of the Himalayas, revealing the untouched wonders of Arunachal Pradesh. Join us as we embark on this road trip of a lifetime, where every turn unveils a new chapter in the story of the Northeast.

Day 1: Guwahati to Tezpur (Distance: Approx. 175 km) The journey begins in Guwahati, a city steeped in history and culture. After fueling up and loading your vehicle, hit the road towards Tezpur, a picturesque town on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. En route, take a detour to visit the ancient ruins of Da Parbatia, a reminder of Assam’s rich past. In Tezpur, explore Agnigarh Hill and its panoramic views of the Brahmaputra, setting the tone for the journey ahead.

Day 2: Tezpur to Dirang (Distance: Approx. 180 km) Leaving Tezpur behind, the road climbs into the hills as you make your way to Dirang. The Sela Pass, at an altitude of 13,700 feet, welcomes you with its snow-capped peaks and pristine lakes. Stop at Jaswant Garh War Memorial to pay homage to the brave soldiers who defended the pass. Continue the journey to Dirang, a charming valley town known for its apple orchards and hot springs. The Dirang Dzong and Thupsung Dhargye Ling Monastery offer a glimpse into the local culture and spirituality.

Day 3: Dirang to Tawang (Distance: Approx. 130 km) Today’s drive takes you further into the Himalayas, as you make your way to Tawang. The road winds through dramatic landscapes, offering breathtaking views of valleys and peaks. On arrival in Tawang, visit the Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India, and immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance that surrounds it. The town’s quaint streets and friendly locals add to the charm of this high-altitude destination.

Day 4: Exploring Tawang Dedicate the day to explore Tawang’s hidden treasures. Visit the serene Pankang Teng Tso Lake, also known as the PT Tso Lake, surrounded by prayer flags and stunning mountains. The Nuranang Waterfall, also called the Jang Waterfall, is another natural wonder that shouldn’t be missed. Spend your evening strolling through the local market, where you can pick up handicrafts and souvenirs.

Day 5: Tawang to Guwahati (Distance: Approx. 520 km) As you begin your journey back to Guwahati, the memories of Tawang’s tranquility linger in your heart. The road trip might be coming to an end, but the experiences will stay with you forever. Cherish the moments spent amidst the Himalayan grandeur as you drive through the changing landscapes and relive the highlights of the journey.

Conclusion: The road trip from Guwahati to Tawang is more than a drive; it’s an odyssey through breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and the serenity of the Himalayas. As you traverse the winding roads, you’ll discover the hidden gems of Arunachal Pradesh, where each stop tells a unique story. From the ancient ruins to the monasteries perched on high ridges, every moment of this journey is a step closer to the heart of the Northeast’s beauty and tranquility. So, pack your bags, rev up your engines, and let the road take you on a journey that promises memories to last a lifetime.

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Guwahati to Tawang, Day 1 of Tawang Itinerary

We reached the taxi stand at Paltan Bazar early morning itself, and our Tata Sumo was waiting there. It was a rainy day in Guwahati. Our driver covered all our bags in tarpaulin and tied to the carrier on the top. I was excited, and had a feeling that it was the beginning of a great journey. Soon all the passengers came, the sumo started and we were on the way from Guwahati to Tawang. This is my second journey to North-east India, the first was Sikkim, but long before I began writing about my travels.

The places to visit in North-east India is a quite long list for me. Those who comes here, usually, plan a sprint between all the major touristy spots. The travel between two places is long and exhausting. Also, the internet has spoiled the thrill of the root bridges and waterfalls, so those were not an option for me. I didn’t want to rush, have to go somewhere far, somewhere that still has the charm and people I wanted to experience. My friends Sankar and Ajay were also with me.

There is a movie in Malayalam, where the hero goes all the way from Kerala to Tawang to meet his girlfriend. That was the first time I heard about this place located in one corner of Arunachal Pradesh. People we met on the way were curious to know how we came to know about Tawang. The difficult part was to explain the story of the movie in my broken Hindi. 

Whomever we met in Tawang, they were so friendly and made sure we never had a bad experience. They were so happy to see us coming from down south of the country.

Day 1: Guwahati To Tawang

We arrived in Guwahati on a Saturday evening. The first thing to visit Tawang was to get the Inner Line Permit (ILP). I knew there was a tourism department office at the airport and we could obtain the ILP from there. But by the time we arrived, the office was closed. 

The next day is Sunday and the offices will open only on Monday. Someone told us to reach Paltan Bazar and enquire there. From there, we were told to check the Assam Tourism office near Nepali Mandir. Finally, we found a place to get the permit but we could only get it by Monday. In that case, we could start our journey on Tuesday, that is late. That news was a little disappointing but things took another turn quickly.

Later, we were just roaming on the streets and found this taxi stand, there was a counter and they said it is possible to get the permit by morning the next day. Though it is a little expensive, we agreed. We booked three seats for the Tata Sumo leaving for Tawang next morning. These guys will arrange the permit and send it to us by the next day before we cross the Arunachal Pradesh border, that was the deal. 

That was a small flashback. Now it’s day one of our journey.

Once our taxi was out of the city limits, the villages of Assam started to appear. We only got the last row seats. It was obviously uncomfortable.

These Tata Sumos are worth mentioning. The roads in the Northeast are terrible. One reason is because of the landscape. They are not good for buses. I heard that the bus from Guwahati to Tawang takes two days to reach. So these Tata Sumos are the most common and quick means of transport. The real seats are replaced by three bench seats.

The front row is the most luxurious with some legroom. Those who book first always prefer the first-row seat. Three people sit there apart from the driver. The person next to the driver has to put legs over the gear lever. Four people have to sit in the second and third rows. So there will be 11 passengers. The kids go to the lap of the responsible person. You may feel a little uncomfortable initially, but that too shall pass. 

Our taxi was not full that day, we got enough space to sit. Apart from the three of us, none traveling in the taxi was interested in what’s happening outside. Soon, one by one, they dozed off. It was like we three, the driver and those Hindi songs from the music player going to Tawang. Funny thing is during the entire journey, I heard the same songs multiple times, even though the playlist was long, and came to a point where I can guess which song will play after the other. 

I’m not gonna talk about the scenes on the way or how beautiful the green lush of Assamese villages and all. That’s for you to experience see when you come here.

The roads were bumpy, the rest of our mates were less bothered, they were at peace with the chaos on the road, they slept over and over. Once in a while, the taxi stops for a break, everyone will get down, go to the toilet, have some food, come back to the taxi and sleep again. This continued almost for the major part of the journey. 

The sumo was moving at a steady pace, we reached the check post. Our permit was there already in our inbox. Little later, we started ascending the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh.

This part of the country has a huge military presence, India shares border with China here and China still claims Arunachal Pradesh as their land. We can see large military convoys all the time on the road.

On the way, we stopped at Bomdila and Dirang for break. These are the two major cities en route to Tawang. If the straight stretch to Tawang is too much for you, stop by any of these places and continue the journey next day.

After Dirang, it is the snow-laden Sela pass. In one word it is beautiful but realized only on the way back. It was already night when we crossed Sela pass, all we could see was whatever appeared two meters in front of our vehicle. It was dark and foggy.

There was a Buddhist monk in our taxi, once his sleep limit was over, he started talking to us. When he knew that we didn’t book any stay in Tawang, immediately called his friend in Tawang and arranged his homestay.

It was a really long journey, took almost 15 hours, and finally, we reached Tawang. The taxi dropped us at the homestay. The monk lives in Tawang monastery, it was closed by the time we reached there, he couldn’t go inside, he also came with us to the homestay.

Our host Tashi Bhai was waiting for us and served a wonderful dinner. The food and the home; It didn’t take us much time to decide where to stay for rest of the days in Tawang. 

Few things to know for Day 1 to Tawang

How to get inner line permit (ilp) to tawang.

Getting an ILP to Arunachal is not a big task for Indians. All you need is a photo and ID proof. Also, you need to be sure where to go in Arunachal. ILP is generally issued to a particular destination and the places on the way.

You have to show ILP to get an additional permit to visit the India-China border and other military secured areas. Otherwise, nobody is going to check the permit other than the Assam-Arunachal check post.

You can obtain ILP online and offline. 

There is an Arunachal Pradesh tourism office in the Guwahati airport, you get ILP from there before 4 in the evening. There is one counter in the Guwahati railway station also. Else go to the Assam tourism office near Nepali mandir near Guwahati railway station.

If all these options didn’t work, go to the taxi stand and ask the people there. Surely, they are ready to help but will be expensive. We paid INR 300 for each permit.

Below is the link to the Arunachal Pradesh Toursim department website where you can apply for ILP and travel from Guwahati to Tawang without any worries. This webpage has link for both Indian and Foreign travellers.

Arunachal Pradesh toursim website for ILP

Shared taxi from Guwahati to Tawang

Buses are available, but only if you have plenty of days and don’t want to reach Tawang that quickly. 

The best option to travel from Guwahati to Tawang are the shared Tata Sumos. Even the people of Tawang rely on them. Book it in advance, at least one day before. Most of them start from the taxi stand in Paltan Bazar. We paid INR 1300 per person.

All the taxis start early in the morning, at about 6.30 AM.

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Guwahati to Tawang drive

Guwahati to tawang road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Guwahati to Tawang. If you're planning a road trip to Tawang, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in Guwahati drive for about 3.5 hours

1:20 pm   Dirang stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:20 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

3:40 pm   Tawang Monastery stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:40 pm drive for about 7 minutes

4:47 pm  arrive in Tawang

driving ≈ 5 hours

Where should I stop along the way?

Dirang Tawang Monastery

What are some things to do in Tawang?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Tawang.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Tawang to Guwahati drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Guwahati? Try searching for places within 5 hours of Guwahati .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Guwahati to Tawang . Or get a full Guwahati to Tawang flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

And if you know Guwahati well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Guwahati!

More info on this route:

road conditions from Guwahati to Tawang

places to eat

alternate routes

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08/12/2020 11:53:14

Guwahati To Tawang Road Trip: Routes, Stopovers, Time to Visit

/guwahati-to-tawang-road-trip.

27 Jan 2022

Exploring nature is one of the common reasons why we go on road trips, and the trip from Guwahati to Tawang is one such trip. Having said that, you have to read this article completely to prepare yourself for the trip. It does require overnight halts and the journey is long. The average distance is about 510 kilometres and you need to obtain permits. One thing is certain, this trip of Northeast India will show you a side of India you haven’t seen before. So buckle up for this epic drive.

Best Time To Visit

Arunachal Pradesh is a state with multiple colours. From snow covered passes to tribal populations, from frozen lakes to gushing rivers, Arunachal Pradesh is one unique state. The drive to Tawang will show you a glimpse of all these flavours and hence, travelling at the right time is important. Both, peak monsoon season and peak winter season should be avoided for the trip. Generally speaking, the time period between February to May and October to December is a good time to hit the road. Another point to consider is the closing of the Sela Pass. Make sure you find out if the pass has been closed temporarily due to weather conditions.

Places To Eat In Tawang

The cuisine in Tawang is a beautiful blend of the traditional North Eastern food and the colourful influence of the Monpas. This makes the cuisine truly different and makes it stand out. Street food culture is also very famous in Tawang, giving it a vibrant colour. There are a certain must try which include Paratha Sabzi and Gyapa Khazi. Here, we have a small list which you can explore.

Orange Restaurant: In the easternmost state, this restaurant is like an oasis for food lovers. The service is efficient and the food is delicious. You will enjoy your meals even further when good music fills up the room.

Dragon Restaurant: It is said that, if you wish to savour the local dishes with the earthy regional taste, this is the place to be. There is a famous dish here called Churpi and we highly recommend you to try it.

Mon-Valley: This restaurant is located in a nice and airy region of Tawang. Try the Momos here. They are supposed to be really good.

Woodland Restaurant: Sit at the back corner in this restaurant and enjoy the beautiful sight of the Tawang monastery while you enjoy your meal. The restaurant serves a good selection of soups and local dishes without burning your pocket.

Getting to Tawang from Guwahati, you have two options. Both routes take approximately the same time and cover a similar distance of about 500 kilometres.

Route:1 This route goes through NH13 and is slightly shorter.

Guwahati Baihata Sipajhar Kalaigaon Bhairabkund Kalaktang Rupa Rahung Marmang Tawang.

Route: 2 This route avoids traffic and can be taken if you want to have a relaxed, smooth drive.

Guwahati Khetri Nagaon Kaliabor Tezpur Balipara Bhalukpong Bomdila Dirang Marmang Tawang.

In this article, we would cover route: 2.

What to Eat and Stopovers

During your trip, there are multiple destinations where you can halt, explore the nearby attractions and then continue on your journey. Some of the well-known stopover points are.

Tezpur: On a relaxed, well timed trip, you can halt at Tezpur for the first night. It is a bustling commercial center. While you are there, and if time permits, do take a walk along the Brahmaputra, a wide river which is also calm. A perfect walk to end the first day in peace.

Nameri National Park: Another beautiful destination to park your car for the night. Not only is the park very diverse, but there are also multiple staying options. While you are there, try to get a tour by the forest guards. You can stay at the Eco Camps or a lodge or a resort.

Dirang : Dirang is a perfect stop for a small holiday or a relaxed night. It's a small hill station which comprises of an old settlement and a new town. While you are there, the hilltop fort should be on your list. You can find small hotels both in the old settlement as well as in the new town.

While you are travelling, try and consume light meals. If you are staying in high-end accommodation, you may experiment with the food but otherwise, stick to the basics.

Reaching There And Places To Visit

Reaching Tawang might take you upwards of 3 days depending on your stops and the time you have.  We would suggest you to pace your journey so you can enjoy the attractions which are on the way as well.

Day 1: Guwahati to Tezpur

Day2: Tezpur to Nameri National Park

Day3: Nameri National Park to Dirang

Day4: Dirang to Tawang

When you reach Tawang, there is no shortage of places and things to do. Make sure you have ample time to soak in the mesmerizing views, amazing Monasteries and the Giant Buddha Statue.

Tawang will capture your senses with its unparalleled beauty. You will be amazed at how nature has laid itself at every square inch of Tawang.

Sela Pass: The only high altitude mountain pass in the world which can be accessed by vehicles. You will be crossing the Sela Pass to reach Tawang. Do not miss the “Paradise Lake” while you are at Sela Pass. You will surely cherish the views of the sun kissing the mountain tops and rays being reflected off the frozen lake.

Tawang Monastery: Tawang Monastery is the second largest in Asia. Established in the 17th Century, its location is perfect. This is the place where young Buddhist monks learn about culture. Needless to say, this monastery is of high importance for followers of Buddhism.

Shonga-tser Lake: It used to be a grassland until an earthquake in 1971 caused it to become a lake. It is famously known as the “Madhuri Lake”. An absolute delight for the photographer in you, take a stroll along the pathways and soak in the magnificent views of the snow clad mountains.

Bap Teng Kang Waterfalls: Bap Teng Kang Waterfalls is located at around 80 kilometres from Tawang but is totally worth a visit. There is a reason this waterfall is one of the most visited, it's 100 feet high. Don't be surprised if you are tempted to swim looking at the crystal clear water. It is popularly known as the “BTK Falls”.

Jaswant Garh: Not many people fight for their motherland until their last breath. Jaswant Singh was one such brave soldier. Jaswant Singh Rawat, of the Indian Army, held this post against the Indo-China war in 1962. He stood at this position for 3 long days at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Something we can't even imagine of doing. Today, Jaswant Garh stands tall as our gratitude to the brave soul.

The most important point to note for this road trip is to get an Inner Line Permit (ILP). Even if you are of Indian Nationality, this permit is compulsory for you

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Points to note while planning a trip (bike/car).

The most important point to note for this road trip is to get an Inner Line Permit (ILP). Even if you are of Indian Nationality, this permit is compulsory for you. You can obtain this pass in advance from Guwahati as well. You can get further information on the state’s official website.

Make sure you carry the essential items with you. A torch is a must since there might be power outages during your journey. Stay well hydrated during the journey and stick to basic meals on the way. Make sure to dress properly as there will be a considerable change in the weather. Also, carry a physical copy of the entire route with you. Make sure your phone is charged and you have a power bank for reserve charge as well.

Diesel/Petrol Pumps

You can find petrol pumps at a few towns between Guwahati and Tawang. It is advisable to fuel up your tank when you see one. There are not many. You can find fuel pumps in Bhalukpong, Bomdila, and Dirang. It would be great if you can fill up your tank at Bhalukpong since Bomdila, as well as Dirang, only have 1 petrol pump.

Overnight halts

There are quite a few overnight halts which you can take during the journey. They not only provide a resting place but also grace you with some nice attractions.

You can halt at:

Nameri National Park

Distance/Altitude change graph

The distance between Guwahati and Tawang is about 500 kilometres. There is considerable change in altitude when you head to Tawang.

Here is a list of major stops with their altitudes.

Guwahati - 800 feet

Tezpur - 158 feet

Dirang - 4910 feet

Tawang - 8757 feet

Stay and Eat with other eating places

On the route to Tawang, your major stops will be at Tezpur, Nameri, and Dirang. You can also add stops at Bomdila.

Some of the well-known staying places at these locations include

Tezpur - KRC Palace, Prashanti Tourist Lodge, Fern Residency.

Nameri - Eco-Camps, Prashanti Lodge.

Dirang - Hotel Pemaling, Awoo Resort.

While you are in Tawang, you will find ample other eating places. The best hotels are usually located in and around the main bazaar. Hotel Alpine, Tourist Lodge, Tawang Inn are all decent options to stay and eat.

Mobile Connectivity

Mobile connectivity is not the best on the route. You might cross areas where you will not find any connectivity. In Tawang, mobile connectivity is better.

ATMs are also not very common and it is advised that you carry enough cash with you. You will be able to find an ATM at Bomdila.

You will be able to find small puncture shops and mechanics in a few towns on the way. These include Bhalukpong, Bomdila, and Dirang. It is highly recommended that you get your car serviced before the trip and know the basics of the engine.

Medical Facilities

Medical facilities are also scattered. Once again, major towns such as Bomdila, Bhalukpong and Dirang have medical centres and hospitals.

Electricity

Being a town in the northern part of India you can expect frequent power outages. On average, you can expect electricity for 12 to 18 hours a day.

A must-have in your tool kit for this journey is a torch and some extra batteries. The road is not well lit and it gets dark early. In addition, you cannot expect electricity in Tawang for 24 hours a day. So be travel prepared.  Another suggestion is to carry empty bottles to stock up on fuel. You might not need it but it is better to have them. A standard tool kit with a hammer, screwdrivers, and tape should be sufficient. If you plan to travel during the winter, do carry spades in case the car tires are stuck in the snow.

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A Tawang Travel Guide: Dramatic Escape to the Obscure Himalyan Landscape

Tawang, an ancient hamlet studded on the craggy peaks of Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh, is the last bastion of Tibetan Buddhist monastic community. The indigenous Monpa tribesmen harps on the olden historic way of life. A well chalked out road-trip to Tawang from the plains of Guwahati is a delight for a mountain lover. In this Tawang travel blog, I recount my days of exploring the dramatic landscape of the high Himalayas. The week long road trip to Tawang touched the heart of Bhalukpong, Dirang, Bomdila, Bum La on the way , where mountain life thrives in its glorious existence. 

Tawang: Allure of a Distant Azure Himalayan Sky

Why we decided to visit Tawang?

A place rich with all the strange beauty of your nighttime dreams. Heinrich Harrer, Seven Years in Tibet

On the second day in Tawang, I sat breathless under a starlit night in the Taktsang hotel courtyard. My head was bursting out with a teeming pain. I wanted to throw up, but my empty stomach held on to the last bout of life in body. Earlier that day, we returned from the Bum La Pass, a high altitude terrain, home to countless glacial lakes and escape routes from the oppressive Chinese regime that overtook Tibet’s heartland and capital city, Lhasa. 

Raghunath, the janitor and a young Assamese boy took pity on me, and sat next with a glass of potable lukewarm water. Our previous conversations were all about me going gaga over the Assamese Thali I tasted on the way up the mountains. The jovial fellow shared with me the secret recipe of his grandma’s duck curry. Hotels and guesthouses in Tawang are mostly run by Assamese fellows. In those roughly ten days of exploring Tawang, we came by locals only a handful of times. 

I recall wondering how my friend Samarpita, whose pictures of prancing around the Madhuri lake with two young kids had originally inspired me to embark on this journey. How she managed to remain unscathed from the Mountain sickness which was pushing me to the verge of giving up? From her posts, I figured she was spending a glorious summer in Darjeeling. Suddenly the roads seemed to be more obscure, the Tibetan Buddhist gomphas seemed to be unforeseen, the road more lethal and those stretching off to faraway lands.

Upon enquiring, I found out she was treading on the route through which Dalai lama made it back to India when the Chinese PLA made advances to gulp down Tibet. The road is thrilling, studded with steep crags and wooded hillsides. The call to traverse this unknown land was inevitable!

Did I regret making this trip, down with a sudden attack of mild mountain sickness? Nay Nay! In all these years of romancing the Himalayan terrains in Himachal, Kashmir, Darjeeling, Ladakh and Arunachal, I would redo Tawang in a heartbeat!  But I will be honest with you. AMS hurts and it hurts very bad. My body, made of all the ingredients found in abundance in the delta of Gangetic plainland, was in shock and memorizes the agony without fail.

Stressing on the craggy mountain’s breathtaking beauty is a rather cliché way to describe Tawang, land of high mountain passes and glacial lakes. In absolute truthfulness, visiting Tawang is challenging, requires procuring complex permit procedures even as an Indian national, dangerous to a certain extent considering the steep ascent and thin air and uncertain too. Think snow fall. Think landslide. And the road to Tawang is cut off midway! You will have no other option but to make way back to one of the other ten tourist routes in Arunachal Pradesh. 

I did not come to Tawang in the muse of glossy magazine covers and picture perfect postcards. I came here to experience the glimpses of Tibet used to be, as portrayed in the movie Seven years in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt. And I was not disappointed. If you have watched the film, you will know what solemn splendor the Himalayas had showed them at every bend of the road.

Also read: 5 days travel itinerary for Leh with offbeat day trips suggestions

Also read: Complete guide to visit Sa Pa in 3 days!

Tracing Back History of Tawang

Thanks to centuries of British rule, the independent nations of Indian subcontinent inherited a McMohan borderline where dispute is the regular order of the day. Tawang, straddling the border of Tibet (now part of the Chinese map), has suffered for decades. Bloodshed was, bloodshed is an integral part of the old town, housed at an extraordinary elevation of 10,000 ft on the Himalayas of West Kameng.

The aftermath of Doklam stand-off rendered Tawang rapid change of infrastructure. Long stretched tunnel eliminating the winter obstacle of snow clad Sela pass is being worked on as I type this. BRO (border road organisation) is relentless in curving out an alternate path connecting the barren landscape of the upper Himalayas. A fantastic railroad connecting Bhalukpong to Tawang is being planned. The very thought of taking that train ride is exhilarating, even though a larger part of the road will be in a dark tunnel to maintain ecological balance of the fragile mountains. 

In this slew of proposed and inevitable face-lifting changes, I wonder how Tawang will retain her original identity. 

Known as North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) in olden days, Arunachal Pradesh, the state of India’s far east has historically played home to a number of tribes with distinct lifestyle practices. 

In Tawang, you will meet the nomadic Monpa tribesmen. Wearing a sheepskin Chuba and elaborate headdress made of yak hair, the Monpas are immaculate in the art of Thangka painting and weaving. For centuries, they have been following Tibetan Buddhism, combined with rituals stemming from the scriptures of Bon, the ethnic religion of the region. You will find Monpas residing in Tibet Autonomous Region and Bhutan as well.

The sixed Dalai Lama was born to a Monpa family. Needless to say, influence of the Tawang monastery in local life is paramount.

Historically, Tawang has shared strong cultural ties with Tibet. The border was porous with people crossing through the high mountain passes. We are talking about the 1950s, when life was slow paced. Tawang remains buried under a deep snow bed for the prolonged winter months. Geo-political disputes were less uglier than what they seem to be now! 

Tibet had claimed Tawang as their own land, resulting in occasional skirmishes until the Chinese PLA aggressively marched forward for Tibet. The ensuing Sino-China war lasted for a while, costing thousands of lives to armed forces on both sides. They withdrew their claim for the time being from Arunachal Pradesh, however you will find remnants of the war on the plains of Tezpur, Assam. We are talking about India in 1960s, a newly formed independent nation with limited resources. 

With the Tibetan capital Lhasa under attach, the 14th Dalai Lama took the perilous night journey traversing the arduous peaks of Himalaya with a caravan of Tibetan men on foot. Upon reaching Bomdila, he sought asylum and was grated so by Indian PM Nehru. In his autobiography, Dalai Lama writes, “India was our only hope!” 

The Red Chinese clashed virulently afterwards, souring the diplomatic relation with our neighboring nation with another billion people. That story is being rewritten everyday.

I was told, many locals in Tawang were startled with the advances made by Chinese. Unaware of who was fighting for their cause, they ended up helping PLA. Many parts of Northeast India has only recently made a mark in the tourist map of India with roads and other tourism infrastructures booming.

In the 60s, forget about roads, there was hardly a similar language spoken in the hills. “We have only seen mainland Indians in Bollywood movies. I am so glad now you guys are coming to visit us.” Words by an old woman of the Apatani tribe which remains deeply rooted in my heart.

The mountainous valleys of Tawang are mostly bereft of living souls. Only a few wild yaks graze on the highland. 101 sacred glacial lakes adorn the valley, changing the face to frozen ice to palpable azure reflecting the dome of the sky depending on the time of the year!

Please note, visiting Tawang also means you will be cut off from the rest of the world at times. Only the major towns or market places had good network connectivity. No hotel had provided us with reliable wifi connection. Digital Nomading is a hard choice in Tawang.  

Also read: Travel Guide to Old Silk Route in Zuluk, East Sikkim

Road-trip to Tawang, Suggested Routes

Things to know before planning a road-trip to tawang from Guwahati:

• Distance from Guwahati from Tawang: nearly 500 KM
• Nearest domestic airport to Tawang: Tezpur
• Nearest International airport to Tawang: Guwahati
• Nearest Railway Station: Tezpur Railway station (station code TZTB)
• Helicopter ride to Tawang: Pawan Hans conducts a couple of helicopter rides every week from Guwahati to Tawang. However, flying is subject to weather conditions and almost non existent during monsoon months. Price of a helicopter ride is INR 700 and you miss the whole fun of a road trip! Helicopter accidents are rather frequent incident too. Take your call after weighing the risk factors.

Road trip to Tawang also comes with prized sighting of the Jung falls (Nuranang falls), stopping by the majestic Sela lake by one of the highest motorable mountain pass, paying tribute at the Jaswantgarh war memorial, a martyr’s retiring abode and countless Mahayan Buddhist monasteries in Bomdila and Dirang. If you fly directly to Tawang, or reduce allotted time from the road trip, be prepared to let go of these attractions on the road. 

The Two routes leading to Tawang! 

There are two routes from Guwahati through which you can make this epic roadtrip to Tawang. Both the routes are scenic and span nearly 500 KM in stretch. We have taken one to reach Tawang and the other to make the reserve journey to the plains of Guwahati. 

Both the routes require a span of twelve to fifteen hours of driving, weather permitting, to complete the trip in a day. However, I suggest not to opt for reaching Tawang in a day from Guwahati. Not only you miss the breathtaking scenic beauty enroute, you also do not allow your body to get accustomed to the sudden height (acclimatize). Remember, the mountain air is thin and AMS can become lethal if not dealt with due reverence. 

Route one: (The route we took to reach Tawang for the onward journey)

Guwahati to Tawang to through Bhalukpong & Dirang

Guwahati> Tezpur> Bhalukpong (night stay) > Nameri National Park (night stay) > Dirang (night stay) > Sela Pass> Tawang

Also known as the Chariduar Tawang Road, this route is more scenic and has multiple stops on the road with an established network of hotels and guest houses. Route two takes a slight deviation with NH 13 however eventually merges with the same route from Bomdila. Time taken may be a bit less with Bhalukpong being omitted from the route.  

However, if you are running low on time and want to save a couple of days on the road, please consider the second route to Tawang. 

Route Two: (the reserve route we took to reach Guwahati on the way back from Tawang)

Guwahati> Sipajhar> Kalaigaon> Udalguri> Bhairabkunda (night stay) > Kalaktang> Rupa> Bomdila (night stay) > Sela> Tawang

Local Transport (Shared jeep or bus) to Tawang

You should account for at least three days or more for Tawang . There are shared local sumo that take locals on a whirlwind tour to Tawang in a day’s time, driving straight for 15 hours with fewer pit stops. I would not recommend a hurried road trip that strips away most of the fun! 

From Tezpur, you will find shared Sumo or jeeps leaving for Tawang. At a meagre 500 INR, you will be packed up in the car with locals and be taken to the next destination. The Jeeps run directly to Tawang, but they can drop you at Bomdila. You can spend a day in the mountain hamlet and take the jeep on the next morning and reach Tawang.

Shared jeeps usually do not make pit stops on the road unless the scene is pained with ethereal beauty of Sela Pass. Bus and Sumo leave as early as 5 am in the morning. This is Arunachal Pradesh. Sunrise takes place before anywhere else you have been to in India!

Our 10 days Itinerary for Road-trip to Tawang from Guwahati

We traveled to Tawang in the month of December. It was the first leg of our month long trip to Northeast India.

Obtaining a tourist permit for Tawang (ILP)

Arunachal Pradesh has 11 designated tourism routes in the state. Unless you are employed in the state, you are to strictly abide by these routes to enter Arunachal Pradesh as a tourist. Even when you are an Indian citizen (mainlanders, roughly speaking). No kidding. This rule applies in many parts of Northeast India, including Nagaland. 

To reach Tawang, you need to procure a permit called ILP (Inner Line Permit) . For the foreign readers, you need PAP. 

ILP can be procured online . Apply a couple of days before, online with necessary documents and a passport sized photograph with white background. ILP issued will be valid for 15 days and can be extended. We were asked to show the permit papers at Bhalukpong and near Dirang by a military man. Talks are ongoing for issuing ILP at the state border.

You need to procure another permit upon reaching Tawang to visit BumLa the next day. Permit to Bum La is a centralized, and regulated system and can be issued only a day before, keeping a watch on the weather condition. Only a limited number of vehicle can make it to Bum la on a given day (a lot like Rohtang in Himachal). Only an Indian passport holder can visit Bum la. 

I can not stress enough on planning the trip well to make it to Bum la. That was definitely the highlight of the entire Tawang trip. If you are coming all the way from plain land, you must make some effort to make it to Bum La, a pass as pristine as the beginning of the time! You should stay in Tawang for at least 3 days in order to arrange a visit to Bum La even if they cancel it on the first day based on the weather condition. In mountains, weather changes on an hourly basis.

You can also get in touch with your hotel to book it beforehand. I hate to compare destinations, but it is Bum La pass that in my mind renders Ladakh a second rank to Tawang! There, I said it! 

Cost of traveling to Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh (and Money saving tips)

We hired an Innova car that charged us 5000 rs per day. For Bum la pass, we had to pay another INR 5000 a day and hire a local car. Only cars from Arunachal Pradesh plate numbers can make it to Bum La. You may request your hotel to help you find a shared commute with other travelers (we were asked to accommodate two young men which halved the cost for us). 

We had also booked hotels enroute (which I have mentioned in every section). Average cost of the hotels were INR 2500 for a night. 

You may also choose to stay at homestays. You can also ask the driver to help you choose homestays. Drivers in this part of the country have an amazing network that may put WWW to shame. We didn’t know better and had made payment already. 

Homestays on the way to Tawang are amazing, but lack in a few specific amenities compared to the hotels. Think hot water supply. Think of an adjacent restaurant at the dark of night. Though a room heater is an essential part of life here. 

A meal on the way to Tawang at the adjacent Dhabas will cost you anywhere between rs 80 to 120. You hardly have the luxury of dining at a restaurant or cafe except for a handful options at the Tawang town.

Permits for both Tawang and Bum La can be arranged within INR 500. If you are arranging it through agents (whom you have to trust with your ID), it may cost you a few hundred bucks extra. 

Considering everything, the travel cost of a road trip to Tawang was capped within INR 75000. Nine days and two people. We were not backpacking. With homestays and shared transport, you can bring down the cost significantly. 

Shared jeeps to Tawang charge you INR 500 one way at every stop. Opting for a shared jeep or the state bus, you will bring down the commute cost to 500 from 5000 (thus a total of maximum 4500 for 9 days). That is a lot of money saved. 

If you have another family to share the car with, that will do significant saving too. 

Many opt to stay at the monasteries as well in exchange for a little donation. However, that could be challenging on a long winter nights, especially once you have crossed Bomdila.

Day 1: Reaching Guwahati

We started at the wee hours of the day and reached Guwahati by 11 am. We had a pit stop in Kolkata and in the short time to catch the connecting aircraft proved to be hastened!

Guwahati airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport) was a tiny port back in time. In between the clatter of new construction, we had a glimpse of the illustrated masks of Majuli.

Here is the deal. If you reach Guwahati early enough, you may start for Bhalukpong that day itself, like we did. We had time designated for Assam during the last leg of the month-long journey in Northeast. 

If you can, allow Guwahati a few days. It is an absolutely beautiful city by the banks of Brahmaputra. Apart from being home to the iconic Kamakhya temple, Guwahati houses pretty old bungalows of colonial times, busy markets overflowing with vibrant colors and Paltan Bazar selling fresh grilled shrimps from the river. 

In Guwahati, you can in person arrange for an ILP, the mandatory permit for Tawang. You can rent a bike or car from one of the many tourist companies. The standard price is INR 500 per day. 

We contacted our driver from a discussion thread in Tripadvisor forum. His name was Anirul (9880692542). Anirul drove bravely and was very eager for candid photoshoots with a DSLR! S clicked his pictures with more heart than mine.

The best part of traveling the highway stretching across Assamese plainland is to so at the Dhabas and indulge in a traditional Assamese thali. The washroom breaks are terrible but the food is beyond worldly praise. It bears an astounding semblance with that of Bengal. 

A brassware large plate shining with the sheen of gold. A heaped up mould of rice in the middle, juxtaposed with countless bowls containing Assamese dishes, the Khar, the daal, The Tenga, the pitika, Chutney. To end the grand affair, they bring a beautiful bowl of Doi. Though named as Doi, the Assamese Mishti Doi is a distant cousin of Bengal, where dousing in sweetness is a rare occurrence. 

Words fail me when I start to praise the river fishes of Assam. The Chital peti, the Carp fishes, the small fish fries (Mouralas). The waterfowl which becomes tastier with winter thanks to Hasher Tel, the seasonal winter fat that a duck acquires!

The plain land of Assam was also preparing for the Bihu festival (Magh Bihu). Little did I know, I would later attend a Bihu in the dense forests of Manas National Park with the dwellers of Bodoland. 

Best place to stay in Guwahati is Paltan Bazar.

Day 2: Bhalukpong, Meeting river Jia Bharali

Distance between Guwahati to Bhalukpong: 240 KM (6 hours)

Having spent a day in Guwahati, you should start for Bhalukpong the next day. If you start early, you will have the evening to stroll by the riverside of Jia Bharali .

We reached Bhalukpong at sundown when the town was stripped of its power supply. We waited for 15 rough minutes as the border police checked our permits and asked a few questions. Who are we? Where are we headed? All amicable exchanges. 

A small clandestine momo selling shop was left forlorn. Next to it, a local shop was selling exotic fruit wines. Think strawberry wine. Litchi wine. Kiwi wine.

We could park the car at the hotel (Druk Hotel) for the night, who readily took order for dinner (Roti and chicken curry) and supplied us with two buckets of warm water. 

The next morning, I woke up to a gazillion birds’ chirping by the window! 

Bhaluppong is not sitting at a high altitude. One would be able to see narrow winding roads going down by the backyard eventually merging by the river bank. I found a house that had numerous rabbits caged in the backyard. I am not sure if those rabbits are just pets or food. 

The river Jia Bharali is the heart of Bhalukpong. Its pebbled bank, ice cold water and wide sandbanks are perfect backdrop for a quick family picnic. And locals do it in style. I have seen locals going fishing in the river and coming back with fresh catches. 

Once your heart is content with the riverbank, you should proceed towards the Tipi Orchidarium. Home to 7500 or more rare orchids, Tipi Orchidarium is India’s largest orchid house. Near to Tipi, you will also come across a small waterfall named Sesha falls.

Day 3: Nameri National Park: Birder’s Paradise!

Nameri National Park is located at a distance of 30 minutes drive from Bhalukpong. 

If you love birding and river rafting, there is no better place than the Nameri National Park in the whole of Northeast. Nameri Eco Lodge is one of the finest sustainable jungle resorts of the country, located right at the heart of Nameri. Stay here for a night (or more) and go for guided birding trails. B

e aware you might come across dangerous animals (think the elusive Bengal tigers, because Nameri is a tiger reserve or the Asiatic elephants). It is best to venture into the jungle with an experienced guide by side. 

Experienced birder and a Nameri veteran, Rupankar Sarkar suggested we go with the naturalist guide named Jitu Bohra. It is a good etiquette to tip the guides once your trip in the jungle is done. 

If you have plans to visit Kaziranga National Park, you may combine that with Nameri, a rather offbeat destination in Northeast India. 

If you do not get a place to stay at the Nameri Eco camp, you should stay at Bhalukpong and make a trip to the Nameri national park as a part of the day visit.

In Nameri, among hundreds of avian species, do look for the endangered white winged wood duck, endemic to the region. 

Day 4: Ascend to Dirang, the Scenic Stop En-route Tawang

Distance between Bhalukpong to Dirang is 135 km (6 hours).

From Bhalukpong. We started for Dirang at 8 am in the morning. It is a long journey covering 140 km of winding road and requires a day’s patience. 

Many prefer to stop at Bomdila, which is about 100 km ahead of Bhalukpong. In my mind, I find Dirang to be more scenic and Bomdila was anyway a stop on the way back. Another reason I prefer Dirang to Bomdila is, in case you can not make it to Tawang (Sela pass being closed due to excessive snow or similar hazards) you can still do a few activities in Dirang for a couple of days or so. 

Dirang sits atop an elevation of 1560 meters. It was Dirang where cold mountain air first kissed my face during this road trip.

We stayed at the Pemaling Dirang Resort, which looks endearingly over the Dirang valley. At a distance you can spot the Dirang river. She sang lullaby to us for the whole night! With increased demand, Dirang is now studded with many beautiful resorts and cottages, Luxury may not be the order of the day (yet) but you do have choices to make.

Things to do in Dirang valley

In order to reach Tawang, more people make a rushed pit stop in Dirang. However, I think the valley has a lot more on offer. Starting from a yak research center (which was closed when we visited) to beautiful steppes of paddy cultivation and olden rope bridges connecting the banks of Dirang river. 

At a distance, you shall see a winding road embracing the mountain. On the snowy nights, that road will be beyond reach and you shall have to take a detour. 

Dirang is best explored on foot, winding down and up the mountain roads and befriending curious children on the way. 

• Dirang Dzong

A living fort (dzong literally translates to fort) dating back to many centuries, Dirang Dzong is a steep hike from the Dirang Market. On the way you will stumble across many local houses. Corns are piled up and hung from the entrance doors. A peek into the houses will see you a long wooden staircase to access the first floor. 

The Dirang Dzong stood resilient to many invasions throughout history. 

• Khastung Monastery

On the opposite bank of the Dirag river, tucked away is one of the oldest Buddhist Gomphas of the world, Khastung monastery. Masked Khang Pa dancers perform here on sacred ceremonies. 

• Sangti Valley

You can visit Sangti valley instead of going back to Guwahati. However, if you have a clear go for Tawang, I would suggest visiting Tawang first and Sangti valley can wait for the reserve trip. It is a beautiful valley with countless Kiwi farms. Sangti valley is located 12 km off Dirang valley and can be accessed by a 40 minutes car drive. A river with crystal clear water flows by the side. Serene village life unfolds in myriad hues. Yak farming and grazing is one of the main earning sources of the people. 

• Dirang Hot Spring

One of the small mountain springs, Dirang Hot Spring is a small pit stop on the way to Sela. It is located close to the Dirang market. I saw a few local teenagers floating on the water. Visit this spot to get a bird’s eye view of the entire Dirang Valley and the widespread of Dirang river. During monsoon, that is how large the riverbed becomes. 

Day 5: Reaching Tawang

Distance between Dirang to Tawang: 135 km (5 hours)

The ride from Dirang valley to Tawang is the most breathtaking leg of the journey, with sky high passes, ice sheets on roads and barren tracts where one of the most dangerous wars of past centuries have been fought. 

We finished an early breakfast, bought a few woolen gloves from the Dirang market, S popped a pill to fight motion sickness and hopped into the car. 

S goes off to sleep as soon as the car starts to move. As the Innova climbed atop the hairpin bends, leaving past Dirang valley at a distance, I gasped in wonder! What a wonderful world this is!

At a distance, I could see jagged peaks. Cottony snow coyishly kisses their heads. The road we are on is barren. Next to it stands the blue sky. I can take an extra step and I would be lost in oblivion. Dirang is far away. Further away is home. I felt I am not from this world even! We had come this far!

In 3 hours, we reached Sela Lake tucked by the mighty Sela pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world. It is important to reach Sela before noon. Firstly, the sky brings in ominous clouds after that, making it dangerous to cross the road. Secondly, you will have more time to frolic around the lake. 

Sela is not the only wondrous spot on the way to Tawang. 

We pranched around Sela lake for a while. The lake had just started to turn into a frozen sheet. A few yaks grazed by its side. All the glacial lakes of Tawang are sacred to locals. Sela is no different. 

With Sela done, we started to enter the dry arid part of the Himalayas, characterised with scarce rainfall. We spotted countless army camps. Signboards indicate where you can not partake photography. I stopped. 

My love with river Jia Bharali was rekindled after Sela. The river appeared soon after, now partly covered with thick ice shields. The geography had changed significantly. Not a single human habitat can be found at a distance. Towering alpine trees and thick ice blankets wait patiently by the road, ready to gulp it down when the high commander agrees. 

A few hours later, we stopped at Jaswant Garh War memorial. 

What is more pitiful to be a part of a species who is involved in warfare in such celestial land? The entire journey from Guwahati to Tawang was a reminder of the Indo-Sino war, remnant of which still haunts the mountains. The Doklam standoff was taking place at that time, scaring off tourists. We were not aware (blame 9/5 job and scant coverage of Northeast on media). However, we had not faced any issue apart from sensing a mild tension in the air whenever we engaged with the locals over political conversation. No wonder people prefer to keep politics to their own. A political discussion never yields well. 

A Sepoy of Indian Armed forces, Jashwant Singh Rawant breathed his last resisting the Chinese advancement in the mountains. He held the fort against enemy attack for several days, helped by a couple of local women (Nura and Sela, who are immortal in naming the lakes and the waterfalls of the surrounding area). 

Legends say, his spirit looms large in the mountains and presides over the officers deployed. “He even slaps them if they fall asleep!” Told a guide! Amused at the humane connection between a deceased soldier, I tried to picture how gallant it would have been to be there, defending against all the odds, with meagre armour supply. 

The adjacent museum and bunkers will show you a few things used by him. There is a quick snacking joint and a washroom (which remains the cleanest of all I have used in the whole of the country. Brilliant work there!)

We thought we were heading out for Tawang next, but Anirul, the driver told us he would stop by a beautiful waterfall on the condition we would hurry up! 

We agreed and boy oh boy, we reached the banks of Nuranang Waterfall (also known as Jang Waterfall). Home to a small hydel power plant, Nuranang Falls is where Nura river comes to meet Tawang Chu (chu is river in local language). 

The song Tanhai from the movie Koyla starring SRK & Madhuri was filmed at this fall. Hardly anyone else knew about this place before that. But what do I know? I was a five years old kid at that time anyway. 

A fellow Bengali traveler exclaimed, “Pran ta bhore gelo… My heart is so full” after hiking up to the fall. It is a short hike, not very steep. Even if you do not hike, you can see the fall from a distance. I walked till the river bank. On the other side of which, countless yak gently grazed.

Day 6: A day Exploring Tawang (and essential Stop to Acclimatize)

I can not thank my stars enough to have woken up to bright sunny days all through my stay in Tawang. One privilege, highly coveted among the tourist circuit. 

Your body needs a day to acclimatize with the sudden high. I suggest taking your first day in Tawang rather slowly. Rest. Drink loads of water. Take a car for local sightseeing. Refrain from drinking alcohol lest AMS gets the better of your health. It will jeopardize the rest of the trip. 

I was keen on learning the exodus of Tibetans from the original land. The Tawang monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in India, safeguards and exhibits plethora of information of the local heritage like a premier institute does with élan. Tawang Monastery is believed to be the largest in the world, after that of Potala Palace, Lhasa .

We started the day from the door of the Tawang monastery. We took time to speak to the young monks, clad in blood marron robes. We wandered inside the profound prayer hall at the center of which Maitreya Buddha sits in the state of Nirvana. This is where the morning prayer ceremony takes place. You can attend as an onlooker on certain days of the week. 

The monastery had monk hostels, and a museum adjacent, exhibiting remnants of history and political ties with Indian nation state. Posters of the 14th Dalai Lama are on display everywhere. 

The monastery courtyard was being used as a drying place of few crops. A few hens roamed around fearlessly. A fat cat sat on the rooftop next, with closed eyes. A few monks basked under the sun. The sun shone bright for a brief period. Everyone wanted to make the best of it. 

At the prayer room of the tawang monastery, we lit a lamp filled with yak butter. 

We learnt about a nunnery located closeby, Ani Gompha. I have been to distant parts of Southeast Asia and Ladakh, but never could spot a Buddhist nun except for Tawang. S was hesitant ,if he would be allowed, But they allowed him to enter, probably seeing me as the accompanying traveler. 

The Nunnery is located amid a small settlement, which seemed to me like a residential area. A monetary stood erect, where a nun, very young in age, sat with a book in hand and chanted. She looked at us and engaged in a conversation soon after. She asked for my number, and wanted to call us on Wednesday as she would make a trip to the town. 

After a brief visit to one of the cafes at the Tawang town, we proceeded towards the light and sound show at the war memorial. The show lasts for 30 minutes, but be sure to reach soon to get a place in the front row. The open air show ends with the sun going down and wind bursting in. Take layers to cover up well. Mountain wind can be lethal for the uninitiated. 

Oh, in between all these, do not forget to ask you hotel to arrange for the Bum La permit for next day.

Day 7: Visit to Bum La Pass, Tawang

With thin air and distant peaks, Tawang poses an imminent risk for those with weak lung capacity. Think twice before heading out to Bum La if those conditions persist. Bum La is located at an elevation of 16000 feet. Google map will show you a meagre distance of 35 KM but that can turn invisible for mere mortals. 

However, you can make it to Bum la pass, you will talk about it forever, like I am doing now! 

If at all, Bum La turns down beyond possibility, head out to Zemithang. It is a secluded valley bordering Bhutan. The drive to Zemithang is a scenic escapade amid dense lush forest and remains unknown to the greater population. Zemithang is home to the gold studded 12th century monastery of Gorsam Chorten, which opens its doors to devotees once in 12 years! 

Now coming back to Bum la, let me begin with enough (and more) emphasis on starting early. Early in Arunachal is not your regular early. This is the easternmost part of the country. 5 am in the morning and you have a valley awashed with sun rays. 

So, start early. 

We thought it would be fine if we start by 8 am. Then the sumo we had hired, had a flat tire. He asked us to wait. I panicked and called and called a few more times. The driver came, picked us up, stopped the car by a chicken shop and got into fixing his tier. My anxiety shot up sky-high but I looked at the Buddha statue of Tawang visible at a distance and took a few deep breaths. Sometimes, it is okay to trust destiny. There, my Indic heart listens. 

We have a saying in Tibet: If a problem can be solved there is no use worrying about it. If it can’t be solved, worrying will do no good.” ―  Heinrich Harrer,  Seven Years in Tibet

We started for Bum la by 11 am. While ascending we saw the other tourist cars start descending. 

We drove directly towards the India-China border, also touted as the Maitreestall, the friendship zone. As a civilian, you are unlikely to be able to cross this point. This is also the highest point I have ever ascended in my life. The peaks at a distance looked like my neighbors. It started to snow and we scrambled inside the Tata Sumo to descend down. 

Bum la Pass is an arduous road. Men and women (with very small children on shoulder) were at work to widen the road, so troops moved at ease. I tried to speak to some of them, but Hindi was not a common tongue and English is the language of aliens here. With a darker skin tone and longer nose, they looked very different than the Monpas. 

I recall 6 of the sacred glacial lakes on the way to Bum la. All of them were covered with a thick sheet of ice, and looked menacing. 

We stopped at the Madhuri lake, and were the last to leave as the Sun started to pack up for the way. Also known as the Sungester Lake, Madhuri lake was resultant of a massive earthquake. The erect branches looked a lot like Periyar lake of Thekkady, Kerala. 

At Bum la, you should also make a pit stop at the PTSO lake, and many other but we rushed down the winding road (how am I alive?) to race with time. that story will wait. But remember, start early to visit Bum la. There will be other tourists, but I am assuming your life is dearer than offbeat places, no?

Day 8: Start the Descend from Tawang, Stop at Bomdila

Distance between Tawang and Bomdila: 180 km (6 hours)

The last day at Tawang, we had started to ascend. The night before, I had a mild attack of AMS. It is Bum La that cast her spell if I can reason it correctly. Nonetheless, I am glad I did it and was finally going down the next day. 

On the way we stopped at Sela. The ice sheets had turned into sheet blankets of white snow. Who would know this is actually a lake and not another meadow? I could not spot any yak nearby. 

In a few weeks time, I read in the newspaper, Tawang was cut off from the mainland with incessant snowfall. 

Bomdila was a populous town compared to other stops we made on the road. There is a monastery, a craft center and ethnographic museum. I remember walking by the Bomdila market and spotting a high school. Children practiced football at that ground, under a starry starry night. A wall graffiti read, “Children by choice not by chance!”. It read so much better than the usual population control slogan of India, “Hum Do Hamare Do… we two our two!”

Day 9: Reach Guwahati at the dark of the night

Distance between Bomdila to Guwahati: 270 km (8 hours)

From Bomdila, the downward hill drive to Guwahati is a rather melancholic experience. You finally realise you have to bid adieu to the last Shangrila of the Himalayas, the land of celestial beauty and turn to the mundane drudgery of life. The snow capped peaks leave the last residue of glamor on the dome of sky. Sparse population becomes redundant. The lost network connection finds a way back as smartphones start to chime in with new life. 

On the way back, we met an armed forces troop. The Man was posted in Kashmir. On his advance to the North eastern frontier, he wanted to know how cold would be Bum La. A young man in the 30s from Delhi. 

We also came across a rural settlement, where a tribal woman was weaving a skirt. It took anywhere between 7 days to 10 days to finish one. She was not going to sell it. S was looking for a washroom and the son took him inside the house. They asked us to join for lunch, but we had a long way to go and had to refuse the offer. 

At the end, all that remains is kindness. 

We reached Guwahati by 8 pm. The massive Brahmaputra was there, unchallenged. So was the fiery orange sun. The day’s travel worn us out and we started for the next destination (Shillong) the next day. Besides, we could not trust the treacherous  roads to facilitate another timely onwards journey. 

Day 10: Leave Guwahati

On day 10, you can leave Guwahati and start a new journey. We started for Meghalaya. The Himalayas had ceded to the Khasi-Jayanti hills of Khasi and Garo dwellers. the Buddhist monasteries are replaced with countless Jesus Christ’s altars. I will write about that experience soon. 

Best Time to Visit Tawang

Mountains are an old whimsical lass, having no control on her mood swings. On more days than I could recall, I woke up to the view of a sun washed valley on the way up Tawang. Soon after, ominous boats of crowd would float in, making the inhospitable high passes connecting Tibetan arid land look precarious. 

In the realm of high mountains, each day unfolds a new beauty of the land. The deep snow of winter months make Tawang wear a white shimmery blanket. Frequent roadblocks will render Tawang to be an isolated world for continued months, with Sela pass being cut off with impenetrable cover of snow. The fierce monsoon winds, on the other hand, blows things out of proportion. Benign streams turn into monstrous flows, making numerous serpentine bends, making and breaking on their downward paths. Landslides, broken roads are regular occurrences. The white nights of Tawang wear a lush green shawl in the rain. 

You need to plan your trip with a bit of luck. Ideally, you want the road to Tawang to be open for the handful of days you will be traveling in the valley. You want the road to remain open on your way back. Upon completion of these two conditions, you should think about the amount of snow the mountains will bestow on you! 

I will try to break down Tawang’s generic weather condition based on each season. But remember, remember, mountains are a whimsical lass… Her promises are in particular meant to be broken. 

November to Mid-January: The onset of winters in the Himalayas. December is the best time to visit Tawang in my honest opinion. We visited Tawang from 20th December onwards, for 10 days. The sky is mostly clear with azure paint. Scant snowfall at the end of the night reminds you of the long wintry nights that are about to commence. 

Mid-January to March: The winter has taken control on Tawang in all her might. Bitter cold snow has masked the valley in entirety. Sela Pass that connects Tawang with the rest of the world is buried deep under the snow. The cemented road is lost in oblivion for the longer parts of the winter months. Even if you make it in tawang, you may not be able to come out of the valley. 

Only the fortunate ones can actually make it till the end of Tawang valley bypassing the hazardous snow. I had met a family from Delhi in Dirang, for whom it was the third time roadtripping Tawang. Third time lucky as they trusted and the Universe listened to them. We are mere mortals, we may shy away from attempting the ascend. The order forces stand in guard in the knee deep snow at elevations higher 3000 meters. I wonder how the supply route stays active for the prolonged months of winters. 

April to June: The end of winter and a bright summer shines on. Summer in Tawang may sound oxymoronic considering the scorch that is reigning in the rest of the country. However, it is time the snow melts. Life finds a way. Yaks come out to graze in grace. The harbinger of life’s cyclical play starts again. Tawang returns to her vibrant ethereal beauty. Blue lakes, green vegetation and pink sunset canvas play along, reflecting hues to the traditional Monpa skirts which heart the riot of the colors at ease. Many prefer to visit Tawang in the summer months for ease of access, less snow and avoiding the bitter cold. Sela lake is not frozen at this point of time. 

July to October: The age of shrill thunder and prodigious rains begins in Tawang with monsoon clouds bearing news from Arabian Sea. Those who have not seen, it is hard to convince them of the inexplicable beauty of the lush green that monsoon brings forth in the high Himalayas. Think Kerala, with a wind storming in at higher altitude with shrill sound of incessant rain. You will wake up surrounded with pregnant clouds. Showers and ominous clouds will appear on a cycle. Monsoon reaches the eastern end of Himalaya sooner and remains there for the longest time. Mood of the days changes abruptly, revealing myriad colors of the mountain passes. It is a matter of luck to be able to roadtrip to tawang during monsoon, given frequent landslides are order of the rainy season. 

Please note, this is a generic overview of the seasonal occurrence in the mountains. I can only tell you about my experience of traveling in the mountains and reaching Tawang which may drastically vary from yours given the ensuing climate crisis of the world is impacting the fragile Himalayas to a great extent. As a rule of thumb, choose the summer shoulder season of wintry months to visit Tawang to get a clear road ahead. 

When all the planning and precautions fail with a mean lasting roadblock or landslide, BRO (Border road organization, a wing of Indian Army) helps clear the path. Tourists influx or not, troops have to move, That is the curse of the subcontinent.

Is it safe to visit Tawang?

If your safety concern is drawn around clashes with others, say molestation, robbery and likes, you are absolutely safe in tawang. In the 10 days, we came across rural habitats of local tribes and countless Buddhist monasteries. Life is humble in the mountains. Resources are scarce, hence revered. The old way of life automatically reaches people to respect nature and embrace sustainable lifestyles in sync with nature. 

I have seen small kids traversing a long way to school on a steep uphill climb, with books in hand. Pages flip, flags flutters. Women sit patiently by the river Jia Bharali to fish. They tend to small kitchen gardens, where radish and cauliflowers are grown. Stalks of the vegetables will be cooked and served with a warm plate of Rice and Daal. Waste? What is that? A few yaks have a red piercing on their ears, indicating they have been domesticated. They graze nonchalant to all the commuters brushing past. An old man stands at a distance. His wrinkled face seemed to have hearted the map of timeless Tawang.

Safety is not a concern in Tawang. 

But nature can be vehement. The roads are laden with shooting stone, streams overflowing roads which may turn violent at the advent of rain. A fury of dust swivels at a distant landslide zone. Treacherous snow can protrude a trap. 

If the mighty Himalays want, you will come across an astounding nature trail, witnessing the changing face of the mountains from Himalayan foothills and the craggy peaks of high Himalayas, a journey of a lifetime! Unfortunately, the whim of nature can not be neglected. Good news, I (like many others) was bestowed to go all the way up to Bumla. Nature agreed with me. I was armed with the necessary permits. What I had seen was blissful and I hope all my readers get a chance to experience the same in a responsible (And unharmed) way. I guess it is my anxiety that is compelling me to stress on the dangers involved consecutively.

Responsible Travel tips for Tawang

Deeply spiritual in nature, Tawang is filled to the brim with the prayers flags. It feels like mankind is bowing down to the mountains, the omnipotent nature. Locals are humble and rather shy. There is a strong sense of “distinctness” in the culture. You may mistake it as “othering” but you should educate yourself on the power struggles of the land since millenia. 

It is imperative to be respectful to every custom and cultural practice of Tawang (or the fringe villages you come across on the way). 

Maintain silence while entering the Buddhist monasteries. If you plan to attend a morning prayer session, observe it in silence. Refrain from touching the monks. There is a buddhist nunnery tucked atop the mountains, where you need to ask if you are allowed to enter as a single male traveler. S could enter as I was accompanying him. Ask if you have any doubt. Your driver is likely to be the best guide.

Do not venture into distant land if weather looks like a deterrent. If you are stuck, the world has to move to bring you back to life (and they do). For every resource you consume, please be thankful to be able to access them at that astounding height despite all the odds. 

Last but not the least, it goes without saying to bring back all the plastic waste from your travels lest they impact the fragile ecology of Himalayas. Otherwise, come monsoon, the floods will bring them down, displacing thousands residing at the foothills. Google Brahmaputra flood and you will know why waste management is of utmost importance in the mountains. 

In the riddle of permits and dangerous roads, Tawang can only be experienced best with the local guides. Wander in the town and you shall meet many locals, eager to show you around. Though they do not instantly open up to strangers, you need to earn their trust with a genuine heart. Rest unfolds as a part of human connection!

Things to eat in Tawang

Compared to other routes of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang attracts a substantial crowd of tourists. Many Bengalis come here as a part of summer holiday or Durga Puja vacations. As a result, the small joints enroute serve decent bengali thali options, with a staple of rice, daal and chicken curry. Fish is a luxury in Tawang. You will often come across hot bowls of maggi noodles at the roadside Dhabas.

However, the gourmand in me looks for hotplates of local food to touch the pulse of the land. Tawang did not disappoint. 

Bowl full of short grained red rice coupled with a mushroom curry made a dinner meal a day. Button mushrooms and bamboo shoots romance with carrots pieces, onions and yak milk. Yak milk is found in abundance and cooked abundant too. I tasted chicken curry, where chicken breasts were poached in yak milk. The hot momos are cooked with a touch of fiery red chilies. Dragon restaurant served us momo fried in red hot sauce and an assortment of soup and tea( Sueja – the butter tea), all riddled with yak milk. The thick cream and buttery aftertaste of yak milk are stuff dreams are made of! 

To battle the winter months, Monpas of tawang often store fermented wheat, dried fish, yak meat and fermented cheese in store. Do not miss to taste the local moonshine in Tawang, also known as Chang. A sip on the glass of Chang and you are ready to take on the world!

Souvenir to buy in Tawang for art & craft lovers

I have a thing for collecting edible souvenirs. I readily picked up candy, yak jerky, yak butter and small flags from Tawang main market. At the main market, you will also find a number of traditional Tiberan jewelry studded with turquoise and corals on silver plates. The hand painted elaborate Thangka paintings are gorgeous. The markets at Bomdila and Dirang are stocked with beautiful shawls, tubical skirts that the Monpa women wear, jewelry, Buddhist prayer wheels. They are stacked with each other in a colorful manner and brings out the best of  

I found a Marwari man selling heavy woolen at Dirang town. Upon enquiring, I learnt he is the third generation of his family. His extended family has a few shops at Tezpur and Itanagar (capital of Arunachal Pradesh). As a small business owner, I have nothing but respect for the man who ventured all the way up in the hills to run his shop. I nod in elation looking at the invisible trade-human connect.

FAQs on Traveling to Tawang

Is tawang worth a visit.

I have been to more than 20 states in India. I think tawang is one of the top 3 destinations in this country. I loved it more than Ladakh. I also think it remains obscure from the regular tourist trails and is a rather offbeat destination in India. The road trip from Guawahti to Tawang is the ubiquitous best travel experience, especially in December. 

When can you find Snow in Tawang?

You will find snow on the way to Tawang. Sela Pass flaunts snow caps all the year round, with exaggerated snow muscles in the winters. You will also find snow on the way to Bum la. 

Is it okay to travel to Tawang with a small kid?

Infants under the age of 12 months often have their lungs undeformed. It may be a challenge for them to breathe in the thin air of Tawang. A consultation with the medical practitioner is a must before you take the trip, because there are many small kids in Tawang as well. 

Best Route to visit Arunachal Pradesh

For the more scenic route, visit Tawang from Bhalukpong. The route goes through Nameri National Park, Bomdila, Dirang, Sela Pass and ultimately reaches Tawang. The other route through Kalaigaon and Rupa is relatively shorter but lacks in tourist infrastructure. There are no petrol pumps from Bomdila and the jungles are infamous for robbery. 

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3 Responses

Oh my what a post and what gorgeous pictures Madhurima. I am totally blown away by your research and the info you have assimilated in this post. Fabulous reading! I hope to visit North East India some day and Tawang is definitely on that list 🙂

Such detailed information & such beautiful pics! Very helpful for planning a trip to Tawang.

This looks like a really interesting and beautiful place to visit. I’ve never heard of it but I’m adding it to my list for sure! I always love road trip ideas.

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Best Route of Tawang

Exploring the picturesque and remote terrain of Tawang is a must-do for any traveler to India’s northeast region. With stunning mountain views, cascading waterfalls, and ancient Buddhist monasteries, Tawang is the perfect destination for an unforgettable road tour to Tawang. 

Here’s a itinerary for a Tawang road trip that covers the best route:

Day 1: Guwahati to Shergaon

Start your journey from Guwahati, the largest city in Assam, and make your way towards the town of Shergaon, located in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The drive will take you approximately 10 hours and cover a distance of around 350 km. Once you arrive in Shergaon, take some time to relax and get accustomed to the cooler climate.

Day 2: Shergaon to Tawang

On day 2, head towards the quaint town of Tawang. The route to Tawang from Shergaon is an adventurous one, with treacherous roads and steep inclines. The drive will take around 5 hours, covering a distance of 150 km. Along the way, you’ll pass by the stunning Sela Pass, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 3: Tawang Monastery

Spend the day exploring Tawang, starting with a visit to the famous Tawang Monastery. The largest monastery in India, Tawang Monastery is a revered site for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The monastery is also home to a museum that houses rare artifacts, scriptures, and thangkas.

Day 4: Tawang to Bumla Pass to Madhuri Lake

On day 4, take a day trip to Bumla Pass and Madhuri Lake. The drive to Bumla Pass is a challenging one, but the stunning views and serene surroundings make it worth the effort. From there, drive to Madhuri Lake, a stunning glacial lake named after the Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, who shot a film here. Take in the scenery and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back to Tawang.

Day 5: Tawang to Dirang

On day 5, make your way to Dirang, a small town in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The drive will take approximately 4 hours, covering a distance of around 140 km. On the way, make a stop at the picturesque Jung Falls and the hot springs at Nag Temple.

Day 6: Dirang Valley to Bomdila

On day 6, head towards the town of Bomdila. The drive will take approximately 2 hours and cover a distance of around 70 km. Along the way, stop at the Dirang Dzong, an ancient fort that offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys. In Bomdila, visit the Bomdila Monastery and the craft center, which showcases traditional Arunachal handicrafts.

Day 7: Bomdila to Kaziranga

On day 7, leave Bomdila and head towards the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its one-horned rhinoceroses. The drive will take approximately 7 hours, covering a distance of around 250 km. Once you arrive at Kaziranga, rest up for your early morning jeep safari the next day.

Day 8: Kaziranga Jeep Safari and return to Guwahati

On your last day, wake up early for a jeep safari through Kaziranga National Park. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and varieties of birds.  The jeep safari is an incredible experience, and you'll get the chance to see the wildlife up close in their natural habitat.

After the safari, you can have breakfast and spend some time exploring the park. There are also some souvenir shops where you can purchase some gifts for your loved ones back home. Afterward, it's time to start the journey back to Guwahati, which will take approximately 4-5 hours.

Once you reach Guwahati, check into your hotel and freshen up. You can spend the rest of the evening exploring the local markets, trying out some delicious street food, or just relaxing before your flight the next day.

The Tawang-Bumla-Madhuri Lake-Dirang-Bomdila-Kaziranga-Guwahati route is a perfect blend of adventure, nature, and culture.

The route will take you through some of the most beautiful and unexplored parts of Northeast India, and you'll get to experience the hospitality of the locals and learn about their culture and traditions. Make sure to pack warm clothes and good hiking shoes, and keep your camera handy to capture the stunning views and wildlife along the way.

For more information, you can visit our site:  Best Offroading Ride in India

Tawang Biking and Backpacking

Guwahati – shergaon – tawang – kaziranga – guwahati.

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Guwahati to Tawang - a road trip to serenity

• Arunachal Pradesh
• DATE 09/15/2021

Namaste ji!

Here we go with yet another trip that will test your endurance and perseverance, simultaneously providing you a with the best 7 days of your life.

  We suggest you to start off early morning from Guwahati city to avoid the traffic and achieve easy passage through the city. Travelling to Guwahati by public transport & then renting a car from the city for the trip will help you save cash as there are a lot of toll booths to reach Guwahati by road.

DAY 1- Guwahati to Bomdilla

Here is a very less travelled route to Bomdilla from Guwahati with very moderate traffic and scenic views. Starting off early will get you in Bomdila in merely 8 hours, while on route you can have breakfast and lunch at roadside dhabas. On reaching Bomdila by afternoon you can find a good accomodation, lay down your luggage and head out in the city on a leisure walk through the town and visit the famous “Bomdila Bazar”, you can also visit the Bomdila monastery.

  DAY 2 - Bomdila- Dirang - Tawang

Head out to Dirang as early as possible as the roads are tricky and may take extra time to cross. On the route towards you will find a scenic road along Dirang Valley, there are many pit stops on the road which provide Momos and tea along with superb valley views to make your drive more refreshing.

The LDL Buddhist Monastery is a must visit when you are in Dirang. It is an eye catching, beautiful structure standing peace amongst the green lush mountains where you will feel each and every breath you take passing through your body giving you the ultimate experience of peace that you were longing.

Dirang to Tawang is a long tedious drive providing the bumpy, narrow roads and a lot of other driving challenges. After about 340kms from Dirang towards Tawang, saddle up for the high-altitude mountain pass- The Sela Pass (4170 mts above sea level) which connects the town of Tawang with Dirang.

This is the Tawang Gate at Sela Pass which leads you the road ahead, this pass may test your driving skills so be ready for some challenges along the scenic view.

After merely 40kms of travelling, you will find yourself looking at a majestic Buddha Statue sitting in peace, watching over the town & that is where the town of Tawang starts.

DAY 3 - Tawang

Tawang is a small town that gives a warm welcome to the tourists, while you are literally shivering with cold due to low temperature and fast flowing breeze. Tawang has India’s largest monastery and second largest in World so when one is in Tawang there are few basic things one should do, like visiting Tawang monastery, Tawang War Memorial, Ani Gompa, Urgelling Gompa etc.

  DAY 4 - The lakes around Tawang

So, Tawang is surrounded by these mind-boggling lakes that are created naturally and very recently. The list starts with the Mysterious Lake, the Sangetsar lake which is also known as Madhuri lake because it was first featured in Bollywood movie “Koyla” with Madhuri Dixit as the lead character.

The next point is Pt Tso Lake which is also a scenic place to visit. Just a few minutes away from Tawang there is a Bumla Pass. After spending the day around these lakes you can accommodate yourself in the Tawang Monastery itself which provides very affordable and comfortable stays for tourists.

DAY 5 - Tawang to Dirang

When on the returning route you may feel like it's the end of the trip but that’s when you get the chance to visit the off-beat places on the route that will wear off the heavy feeling in your heart.

On the way to Dirang, there are few places like Nuranang Waterfalls, Sangti Valley that you can visit. It is very convenient to spend the night in homestays and hotels in Dirang providing homely services. The main attraction in Dirang is the Hot water Spring.

  DAY 6 - Dirang to Bomdila

After a tiring drive from Dirang to Bomdila, you can check-in into comfortable home-stays where you can rest for the day and enjoy local food and culture. As on the way up, we had done sightseeing around Bomdila, now is time to sit back, relax and enjoy the main attraction of Bomdila- “ Apong” the rice beer.   Apong is still made with traditional methods and contains a comparatively higher amount of alcohol than regular grape wine. Hence getting high on Apong or should I say Getting “Aponged”, should be on your to-do-list.

DAY 7 -   Bomdila to Guwahati

This time we advise you to take the “Bomdila-Bhalukpong-Nameri-Tezpur-Guwahati” route for a much more comforting ride accompanied with better hotels and scenery of The Nameri Tiger Reserve & National Park.

NOTE: ALL ROADS MENTIONED ABOVE ARE ONLY ACCESSIBLE IF YOU HAVE “Inner Line Permit” PROVIDED BY INDIAN GOVERNMENT.  

Keep the mountains clean and green.

Article by Meghal Khot . Follow him for more stories on Instagram

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Price breakup.

RE Himalayan Solo : ₹ 45500/-

Enfield 350cc Solo Rider ( Triple Occupancy ) : ₹ 42500/-

Dual Rider Himalayan ( Triple Occupancy ) : ₹ 39500/-

Triple Occupancy - Tempo Traveller : ₹ 34000/-

+ 5.00% GST

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Tawang Valley Road Trip

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All About It

• 5 Days 

Located 444 Km from Guwahati, Tawang, the land of Monpas, and beautiful mountains, is both historically and naturally endowed. The name ‘Tawang’ means: ‘Ta’- Horse and ‘Wang’- Green pastures. It is situated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude of 3,048 meters above sea level. The Tawang valley road trip and backpacking tour is one of the most adventurous trips you can go on. This bike expedition is the ultimate adventure for all those seeking the thrill of raw roads. The journey from Guwahati to Tawang is full of surprises and attractions. Riding on the mountains and passing by the majestic spectacles will leave you exalted.

Tawang is a treat for nature enthusiasts, photography lovers, and adventurers, making it one of the most sought-after destinations in the Northeast. Ancient monasteries, waterfalls, lakes, and rugged landscapes are only a few of the things that you will be seeing. Since the routes are raw and rugged, it is very famous in India as well as for bikers from around the world. You will ride over the highway, mountains, off-road, and rocks to get to Tawang, the blessed valley of the North East. It takes a certain level of zeal to go biking through the “Land of dawn-lit mountains”.

We start our 7 nights, 8 days bike expedition to Tawang from Guwahati. Guwahati, the capital of Assam, with rich and diverse flora and fauna, is known as ‘the city of Eastern Light’. It stands on the southern banks of the mighty river Brahmaputra and is a gateway to the entire northeastern states.  Dirang, a serene village in Arunachal Pradesh, lies in the West Kameng district on the banks of the Jia Bharali River. While in Dirang, you can take a walk through the peaceful village and take in the beautiful and calm environment.  The PTSO Lake, or Sangestar Tso, is a lake located on the way from Tawang to Bumla pass. This lake has one of the highest altitudes in India and the world at a height of 15,200fts. It remains frozen in winters and becomes a haven for migratory birds during summers.  The Bum La Pass is located about 37 km away from Tawang, at the Indo-China border 16,500 ft above sea level. The roads are mostly covered with snow. The road to Bum La is also a historical route; here in Bum La Pass one of the fiercest battles took place in the 1962 Sino-Indian War.  

Up next is Tawang, which has an unmatched natural beauty that will leave you in awe. Here are some of the quintessential places to visit in Tawang. The Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India; the Thembang Heritage village identified by UNESCO as a world heritage site village and so much more.

The ideal time to visit Arunachal Pradesh would be during summers when the valley comes alive with wildflowers and greenery and the weather is pleasant. If you want to experience Arunachal Pradesh during winters, October to February is the best time to experience snow-covered landscapes and mountains. Here is the Tawang Valley Road Trip itinerary with Plan the Unplanned:

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Meet fellow travellers and kick off your journey from Guwahati.
• Spot the largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds at Kaziranga National Park.
• Memorable sightseeing of viewpoints and stay.
• Experience of a proper traditional Monpa house built of stones.
• Rev your bike through the “land of dawn-lit mountains.”

DAY 1:  Guwahati – Kaziranga National Park

DAY 2:   Kaziranga National Park to Bomdila

DAY 3:   Bomdila – Tawang (140 kms – 6 hrs)

DAY 4:   Tawang – Bumla Pass – Tawang (100 kms – 5Hrs)

DAY 5:   Tawang Local Excusion

DAY 6 : Tawang – Dirang (140 kms – 6hrs)

DAY 7 :  Dirang – Guwahati

DAY 8:   Departure from Guwahati

Royal Enfield

Twin/ Triple sharing basis

Breakfast, Dinner

You will Meet upon arrival at Guwahati and proceed to the accommodation site where our representative will receive you and give a brief description of the route of Tawang valley road trip. After which we will be departing towards Kaziranga, where we will stay for the night. 

Post breakfast, we will go for a Jeep safari. Through this wonderful ride, you can explore one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, tigers, deer, and many other animals and birds as well. Later, we will ride towards Bomdilla. En route, we will stop for lunch at Bhalukpong. We will arrive at Bomdilla late in the evening. It is a beautiful destination, worthy of your attention and time. We will check in to the hotel, have dinner and will sleep to regain energy for the next day.

After breakfast, start for Tawang. While you are en route, the mesmerising landscapes will leave you spellbound. Make a pause at Sela Pass, located at an altitude of 13,700ft above sea level. And pay homage to the Jaswant Garh War Memorial and enjoy the valley view. The mountains and roads as you approach Tawang are beautiful and adventurous. On reaching Tawang, check in to the venue and get yourself refreshed. We will arrange an evening tea/coffee time for you at Café Suburb where a renowned local Lama will tell you about the history and significance of the place, and will also guide you on your next day’s travel track. After which, we will get back to the hotel and rest for the day. 

After breakfast, leave for Bum La pass on cabs. And your bikes will get serviced at Tawang on this day. The beautiful and adventurous Bum La Pass is located about 37 km away from Tawang, at the Indo-China border above 16,500 ft above sea level. The roads are mostly covered with snow. The road to Bum La is also a historical route; here in Bum La Pass one of the fiercest battles took place in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. On the way, also enjoy the beauty of Heart Lake, the P. T. Tso, and the Sangetsur Tso. Here “Tso” means “lake” in their local language. Way back to Tawang from Bum La Pass and reach the hotel. Evening you are free for shopping and personal activities.

Tawang Valley is dotted with monasteries and stupas. One can spend a whole day visiting monasteries in Tawang. Post breakfast, visit the Tawang Monastery, known in Tibetan as the Golden Namgey Lhatse, it is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. Then visit the Urgelling Monastery which is the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama (born Tsangyang Gyatso). Then we will leave for a short adventure ride to Chakzam Village (25 km from Tawang) where you will find a hanging bridge hand-made of iron wires dating back to 560 years. Also, watch the sound and light show at the War Memorial of Tawang in the evening. After a hard-core exploration of the day, relax in the evening in your hotel rooms. 

After breakfast, set out for Dirang and en-route visit the Nuranang Falls at Jang which is a 100 meters high waterfall and Apple Garden, Kiwi Garden, Kameng River at Dirang and stay overnight at our campsite. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes; snow-filled mountains and foggy roads along the way. And not much far below, you will see the roaring Kameng River. This view is so beautiful that it cannot be explained in words, one must experience it.

After breakfast, we will take you to Thembang Heritage Village which has been identified by UNESCO as a world heritage site village. Here you are going to have an experience of proper traditional Monpa houses built of stones. We will travel from Dirang to Guwahati. We will rest for the day and settle ourselves in Guwahati.  

Stay Not Applicable

After Breakfast, depart with amazing everlasting memories of the Tawang valley road trip from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Hosted by Plan The Unplanned

What’s life without adventure? Isn’t the real purpose of life to travel, to experience new places, and witness the sunrise from new mountaintops? This thought is what united Jatin and Tarun over a cup of chai, in spite of being from two unrelated backgrounds (CA and IT). They knew each other since the time Jatin was helping Tarun learn the ways of the wilderness through weekend treks and outings with another traveling group. Their love for traveling and trekking together motivated them to start something of their own. Thus was born “Plan The Unplanned”, where travel goals come true. Under the Companies Act, Plan The Unplanned is incorporated as Unplanned Journeys Private Limited They started their journey on unsteady ground, much like any other company, but they shared an infatuation for travel and adventure with their customers, which amplified their determination, and thus, Plan the Unplanned family keeps getting bigger every day! Just about any travel idea can come alive with Plan The Unplanned…treks, adventure activities like rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, backpacking trips across the country, cultural outings, photo walks; everything that fellow travelers need, to explore the great outdoors together. Well now that the wanderlust has kicked in and you can already see a vacation in your nearest future, here’s what we have to offer!

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• Royal Enfield Bikes ( As mentioned )
• Outdoor Leader throughout the trip
• Back up vehcile
• Meal Plan ( Breakfast and Dinner 0
• 7 Nights Hotel Accommodation
• Inner Line Permits
• Riding Gears
• Driver Allowances
• Parking Charges ( Only for Tempo )
• Any thing not included above
• Any entry fees to monuments, places to visit
• Lunch on every day
• Any kind of insurance
• Expenses arising due to unforeseen contingenceis, natural disasters, breakdowns and government orders
• Any kinf of personal expenses
• Riding Jackets and Boots
• Any damage expenses to bikes

THINGS TO CARRY

• Down Jacket /Main Jacket
• Thermals (Upper & Lower)
• Undergarments
• Running Shoes/ Outdoor Shoes
• Medicines (Diamox – to reduce chances of AMS)
• First Aid Kit
• Documents – ID (Driver’s License, AADHAR Card, Voter ID :: Passport and Visa copy for Foreign Nationals)
• Sun Glasses
• Water Bottle
• Mobile Charger / Travel Charger
• Hand Sanitizer
• Sunscreen Lotion

HOW TO REACH

By Air: Guwahati International Airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport), is well connected with all the prime cities in India. The Airport is situated 25 km away from the main city. Regular flight options are available by airlines for cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Imphal, Bagdogra, Agartala, Mumbai, etc.  

By Rail: Guwahati railway station is located 5km away from the city centre. It is the major railway station in the city and is well connected to all major Indian cities through rails.

By Road: By road, Guwahati can be reached from Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, through NH 31, and all major cities of Assam through NH 37.

Policy and Terms

- No cancellations will be taken over calls or WhatsApp msg. Please reply to the email with the payment receipt that you have received at the time of booking.

- Free Cancellation up to 45 days before the departure date

- 44 Days to 30 days of Departure date. 10% of the total Trip cost along with the booking amount will be charged as a cancellation fee.

- 29 Days to 20 Days of Departure date. 25% of the total trip cost along with the booking amount will be charged as a cancellation fee.

- 19 Days to 10 Days of Departure date. 50% of the total trip cost along with the booking amount will be charged as a cancellation fee.

- 10 Days to 6 Days of Departure date. 75% of the total trip cost will be charged as a cancellation fee.

 - 6 Days to Trip Departure date. 100% of the total trip cost will be charged as a cancellation fee.

 - No Show. No refund.

- In case of government orders, harsh weather conditions, protests, landslides, or any other unforeseen circumstances, we work out the best possible alternate plans or trips/treks. At times even if certain activities are canceled, the organization provides the best alternative but no refunds are provided.

 - If a trek is called off at the last moment due to a natural calamity/unforeseen circumstances (like rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, bandh etc.), JustWravel will issue a trek voucher for the full amount and if possible will provide an alternate trek. The voucher can be redeemed up to the same amount for the same trek or another trek in the next 365 days from the trek departure date.

- If a trek or trip cannot be completed due to natural calamity/unforeseen circumstances (like rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, bandh, etc.). No refund would be provided.

- Any extra expense coming due to any natural calamity/unforeseen circumstances (like rain, snowfall, earthquake, landslides, strike, bandh, etc.), Will be borne by the customer. The company will not be liable.

- Cancellations policy will differ during the peak season and in popular places.

Frequest Questions

Q: I have booked the trek when will I get further updates regarding the trek? A: Well, most of our treks are usually confirmed by Thursday and you would receive a BON VOYAGE mail that would contain details as regards Pickup Points ( Location and Timings ), Outdoor Leader ( Point of Contact ), Do’s and Don’ts. You’ll be added to Whatsapp Group for all the further updates.

Q: Would I be added to a WhatsApp Group once the trek is confirmed? A: Yes, the Bon Voyage mail would contain a link for Whatsapp Group through which one can join and interact with fellow travellers and outdoor leaders.

Q: I'm a solo traveller, Can I join? A: The interesting thing about travelling alone is that you get to meet new people from diverse backgrounds, and towards the end, you are no longer strangers. Hence solo travellers are always welcome to join us on our trips. Read more about solo travelling here and get inspired! https://www.plantheunplanned.com/solo-yet-accompanied/

Q: Is it safe for Women/Girls? A: Safety and security are our priority at all times. Hence it is safe for women/girls to join us on our treks and travels. Our trek leaders accompany the team at all times, and our campsites are secured and safe for accommodation. We also have female trek leaders who accompany us on most of our treks.

Q: How do I avail discounts? A: Details for availing discounts are mentioned in the following link, https://www.plantheunplanned.com/membership/

Q: Would I be able to postpone to the future in case I do not attend the trek/trip on the day of departure? A: We are extremely sorry, you cannot postpone to any future date in case you fail to attend the trek on the mentioned date for any reasons whatsoever (family/health/work emergencies). You can write to us at [email protected] as regards and our team will get in touch with you on the same

Q: What makes Tawang unique? A: For its 400-year-old monastery, it is renowned. One of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India, this monastery serves as a major destination for pilgrims who practise Buddhism. In addition to its religious significance, Tawang is also known for its breathtaking natural beauty, which draws and charms tourists.

Q: In Tawang, which network is the best? A: The best are Airtel, Jio and BSNL.

Q: What season is ideal for visiting Tawang? A: Summertime and the beginning of the monsoon season are the finest times to visit Tawang. The weather is still pleasant and suitable for sightseeing. March, April, May, June, September, and October are the ideal months to travel. Accommodations in Tawang range widely in price from moderate to luxurious.

Q: Where is the Tawang Valley? A: Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian state, contains the town of Tawang.

Q: What is the weather like in Tawang? A: The temperature swings from - 11°C to 12°C, and the climate is exceedingly chilly. Summertime and the beginning of the monsoon season are the finest times to visit Tawang. The weather is still pleasant and suitable for sightseeing. March, April, May, June, September, and October are the ideal months to travel.

Q: How to reach Tawang? A: By Air The closest airport is Tezpur Airport, which is about 143 kilometres away. Flights to Guwahati and Kolkata link it. The closest international airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, which is 170 miles distant. Taxis may be found at the airport. By Rail The significant rail hub nearest to Tawang is Tezpur. To get to Tawang, there are buses and cabs available for hire. By Road Regular bus and taxi service connect Tawang and Bomdila with Tezpur, Assam. From Tezpur, Tawang can be reached in around 12 hours. There are shared taxis in addition to private taxis. The road trip to Tawang is challenging. The majority of the road is made up of loose asphalt and gravel that frequently gives way to mud. Although it is a strenuous trek, the scenery makes up for it.

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Road Trip To Tawang via Kalaktang-An Offbeat Route

Tawang is both historically and naturally endowed. It is located at a distance of 183 Kms from Bomdila and is situated at an altitude of 3500 metres above sea level. It’s not only a natural paradise it is a unique combination of Buddhist culture and Tibetan heritage.  The road trip to Tawang from Guwahati is a destination itself which passes through gorgeous hills, lively deodorant forests and sprawling rivers.

Tawang Monastery is one of the most historical places in India to visit, making the journey up to the far NE India well worth your time.

There are two roads to reach Tawang from Guwahati,   One is via Tezpur, Nameri, Bomdila, Dirang.  And another is via Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Rowta, Orang/Bhairabkunda, Kalaktang, Shergaon, Rupa, Bomdila, Dirang. The road trip to Tawang is the most thrilling experience where you have to overcome uncertain weather conditions, unpredictable road. This is one of the most scenic road trips in entire India.

Route 1-Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Route (via Kalaktang)- Distance: 457 kilometres

Guwahati  →  mangaldai → orang    →     kalaktang   →  shergaon      →  rupa  →  bomdila→ tawang.

The road to Bomdila via Kalaktang is in good shape. Very fewer people travelled by this road. This road was constructed recently and is known as Trans Himalayan Highway. 

Route 2-Guwahati to Tawang Road Trip Route (via Bhalukpong)- Distance: 509 kilometres

This is the most popular route for traveller, this road goes to via Tezpur & Nameri Tiger reserve. After Nameri the fascinating Kameng river accompanies you. Though construction is going on in this road still some part have bumpy stretches.

Guwahati→ Tezpur → Nameri → Bhalukpong → Bomdila  → Dirang → Tawang

How’s the tawang weather.

The reason people come in the cold months of Nov-March is because the other months have monsoon rain. It is COLD. You have to plan ahead and pack properly! It was -2 celsius at night in November.

Eateries Locations in Guwahati – Tawang Road Trip

Very few eateries or roadside Dhabas are available on the road. So it’s better to have early lunch or pack your food in the hotel.  A few roadside stalls are available along the road, which offers delicious Momo, Maggi or Roti Sabji etc. If you miss the roadside Dhabas, Indian Army canteen is your last rescue. One such canteen is available in the Sela Pass and Jaswant Garh. Stock up water as much as possible and drink enough water to keep yourself away from dehydration.

Suggested Itinerary-

DAY 01 : GUWAHATI – BHALUKPONG (ABOUT 230 KMS/5-6 HRS)

After arrival at  Guwahati  transfer to  Bhalukpong . Night stay.

DAY 02 : BHALUKPONG – DIRANG (ABOUT 135 KMS/ 05 HRS)

After Breakfst Transfer to  Dirang  ,Enroute visit  Asia’s second largest Orchidarium at Tipi  where one can have a quick look over  7500 orchids  from a collection of about  300 species . On arrival in  Bomdila , check in at your hotel for overnight. If time permits visit  Bomdila Monastery .

DAY 03 :DIRANG – TAWANG (ABOUT 165 KMS/ 06 HRS

After breakfast drive to  Tawang , en-route stop over at  Sella Pass  (13,700 ft) to enjoy the area. Arrive Tawang and transfer to your hotel. If time permits visit the local market area. Overnight in Tawang.

DAY 04 :TAWANG

After breakfast visit of  400 years  (17th century)  old Tawang Monastery which is the  second largest monastery in the world after Potala Palace in Tibet . The building is about 113 feet longand 80 feet wide and houses valuable antiquities, books and manuscripts-handwritten and printed. Later visit  Tawang War Memorial , a 40 foot high multi-hued memorial, has a structure constructed in stupa design. Dedicated to the martyrs of  Sino-Indo War  held in 1962, this memorial is nestled among beautiful peaks, which overlooks the  Tawang-Chu valley . Rest of the day free to stroll round the streets of the town. Overnight in Tawang.

DAY 05 : TAWANG – BOMDILA – (ABOUT 187 KMS/ 07 HRS)

After a leisurely breakfast drive to  Bomdila  and check in at your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing in and around Bomdila. Overnight at Bomdila.

DAY 06 : BOMDILA – GUWAHATI ( ABOUT 07 HRS)

After breakfast drive to Guwahati. Night stay at Guwahati

DAY 07 : TRANSFER

Early morning visit  Kamakhya Temple . Later transfer Guwahati Railway Station

Trip Essentials for Guwahati–Tawang Road Trip

• Enough water bottle to keep you dehydrated
• Bring some packed food since food joints may not available in some stretch
• Battery Pack
• Documents and IDs
• Inner Line Permit.

Arunachal Pradesh Tour Package 6 Nights & 7 Days

• +919830011715
• 11A Hari Pada Dutta Lane, Kolkata-700033, West Bengal, India
• [email protected]

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A Road Trip to Tawang 

A car, a bag full of warm clothes, some snacks for the road, a mobile for navigation and a camera to capture the moments - That's all me and my wife started with, for our much awaited road trip to Tawang - The beauty spot of Arunachal Pradesh. Situated on Arunachal's western flank, bordering Bhutan in the West and China in the North, at an elevation of around 9000 feet. The plan we chalked this time was not to hurry our way to the destination, but to savor the journey, taking stops at some of the most fascinating places en route.

To set the context, our itinerary was - Guwahati > Dhekiajuli > Nameri > Dirang > Tawang > Bomdila > Guwahati

Day 1: Guwahati to Dhekiajuli

We reached Guwahati a day before, at around noon and rented a self-drive car that had been our most trusted friend for the next 10 days - A Duster from Panda Rides in Guwahati.

Link- https://www.pandarides.com

They provided us with a well maintained, clean car and a hassle free service.

With some breakfast packed for the day and car tanked up, we set off from Guwahati at around 7 am in the morning - destination Sapoi Tea Farm, Dhekiajuli. The home-stay at Dhekiajuli was the tea garden owner's residential bunglow at Sapoi Tea Farm. A leisurely drive through the villages of Assam took us around 4 hours to reach the place, the last leg being a 10 to 15 kms. detour from the highway to Tezpur.

Route- Guwahati to Dhekiajuli

Airbnb Link - https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/4379856?location=Dhekiajuli%2C%20Assam%2C%20India&source_impression_id=p3_1561305338_U03baMYu0%2FxuZwvT&s=JGzV5tpV

Our host Keshav and his grandmother were very cordial and welcoming to say the least. We were greeted with "Chandan Tika", as we parked our vehicle at their well decorated portico and entered the bungalow to discover its aesthetically pristine interior - the lavish furnitures, the antique belongings, a fireplace from the yesteryear, a huge "cheetah skin" hanging from the wall, the old hanging maps of Assam valley, dated and drawn some hundred years ago and many more adding to the subtle grandeur of the place. The organic food grown in the back yards, the tea garden tour, the tea factory visit and the warmth of the Bonfire in the chilly evening added to the wonderful experience we had at Dhekiajuli.

The Duster for the Trip

En Route Dhekiajuli, Assam

The Sapoi Tea Garden

The Tea Factory

While strolling through the tea gardens

The estate was serine and calm

No caption needed

The garden in front of the bunglow

They were the most sweet people setting up the bonfire

Nameri National Park And Forest Reserve

Day 2: Dhekiajuli to Nameri Forest Reserve

Next morning we bid goodbye to the good people of Sapoi and continued on our journey. Destination for today - Lalimou Camp, Nameri Forest Reserve, Assam.

Route- Dhekiajuli to Nameri

A two and a half hour drive from Sapoi, Nameri National Park and forest reserve shares its northern border with the Pakhui forest reserve of Arunachal. Though Nameri was only our pit stop before we delve deep into Arunachal's landscape, we had our fair share of "Forestry experience", all thanks to the beautiful camping destination (Lalimou Camp). We had a sumptuous lunch with local chicken and rice and a lazy afternoon stroll amidst the chirping birds and mild sounds made by various animals (my knowledge is too limited to identify the animals and birds by their names though).

The world seemed so calm and peaceful here! That chilly evening we again had a bonfire in the woods and an early dinner as we plan to start early for our next destination, Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Entering Nameri

The Campsite (A 4 sharing Camp)

Our Camp for the day

A Separate Dining Space for the campers

Nameri and beyond

Inside Nameri National Park

Day 3: Nameri to Dirang

We planned to start from Nameri very early in the morning, around 3 or 4 am, but a person at our camp said - "Sir, you can stumble into elephant herds that early in the morning", and to us that is not desirable at all!

The reason we wanted to start early, is to cross a place called "Nag Mandir, Chariduar" on the Tawang Road (a 3 hours drive from Nameri ) before 9 am as the uphill vehicle movements were being stopped from 9 am to 2 pm for Road construction. (as of December 2018)

At 5 am we started our journey postponing it by 1 hour, and were instantly awed by one of the most beautiful morning drives so far. The broad roads, tall sleepy trees stooping from its sides and the blue shaded mountains in the horizon caressed by the rays of rising sun - the beautiful landscape of Arunachal seemed to welcome us with open arms.

Early morning Drive from Nameri to Bhalukpong

Route- Lalimou Camp,Nameri to Dirang

One point I must mention here - there are two routes from Guwahati to Dirang to choose from,

1. Via Mangaldoi, Kalaktang, Rupa, Bomdila, Dirang

2. Via Tezpur, Bhalukpong, Rupa, Bomdila, Dirang

Though the ETA is almost similar for both the routes, travelling on the second one might take a bit longer time due to the intermittent bad patches. The first route carry lesser traffic and has better scenic beauty to offer. On the flip side, we got to stop by some of the best tea gardens and the forest reserves on the later route.

We stopped briefly at Bhalukpong (Arunachal border) for document verification by the border force (ILP and Driving License were checked) and filling the fuel tank up to its brim as we were apprehensive about the diesel availability high in the mountains. (We later found out that in normal circumstances, fuel availability is usually not an issue in these routes)

ILP application link - https://www.arunachalilp.com/index.jsp

From here onward to Tawang, we drove through roads of almost all types - twisty, muddy, dusty, smooth, relishing and what not. All I can say as a driving enthusiast is that the drive was extremely challenging but satisfying and enjoyable at the same time.

This was my first time drive through the Himalayas, which did give me some butterflies in the stomach initially, but the sheer beauty of the surrounding mountains, the valleys that we passed, the tiny villages that we came across, the chilly morning breeze - all culminated to make our maiden road trip to the north eastern Himalayas a splendid experience.

On our way to Dirang, we got a view of the majestic Gori Chen mountain peak, standing tall at 22500 feet, the highest mountain peak in Arunachal.

View of Gori Chen Peak on our way to Dirang

Our destination in Dirang was a beautiful cottage called Gonpalok Homestay, which belongs to a very cordial young gentleman named Tsering Tashi. When we were booking the homestay through Airbnb, I could not gauge how the place and its surrounding will be. As we stepped in and saw our room we were pleasantly surprised by the size of it, the aesthetics of the entire property and the two attached balcony, one of them being a river facing one.

Airbnb link - https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/20559272?location=Dirang&source_impression_id=p3_1561890926_gWp3fLmQVTOR4XG3&s=HW45-64S

We had our lunch at Dirang with local sticky rice and chicken cheese curry which gave us the much needed warmth for the afternoon. The Kiwi orchard in the backyard of our homestay (though fruits have already been plucked for the season) was a beautiful sight and was something new for me.

While entering the town of Dirang

The view from the Balcony of our homestay

The Kiwi orchard in the backyards of the homestay

Day 4: A day in Dirang

The town of Dirang sprang up as a small settlement on the sides of the river by the same name. Though Dirang mostly serves as a pit stop for the tourists and travelers going towards Tawang, it has its share of interesting places that is worth mentioning. The National Center of Research for Yak, the tribal area of Dirang Dzong, a sulphur rich hot water spring, Sangti valley (famous for the black-necked cranes) etc. are some of the places to visit in and around Dirang. Having said that, we spent most of our time in Dirang by trekking along the banks of the river, observing the life of local people and enjoying the colloquial beauty that Dirang had to offer us.

We woke up in the morning and packed our bags for a day-tour on foot in and around the town. The banks of the river, where we spent a couple of hours was very peaceful and enjoyable. The soothing sound of continuous flow of mountain stream, horses grazing in the lush meadows at a distance and the occasional chirping of unknown birds graced the ambiance.

The market area of Dirang town was typical to any small hill stations in India where we came across its humble, peace loving dwellers, small shops with colorful items on display, mothers with their cute red-cheeked toddlers tied to their back, doing their daily chores.

The temperature at Dirang ranged from a cherishing 15 degrees during the day to a chilly, 0 to 5 degrees during night. We spent the evening chatting over a bowl of hot thukpa and some delicious chicken momos as we started preparing for our next and the last destination - Tawang. The feeling of butterflies in my stomach started creeping in again because tomorrow I will be driving through "The Se La pass" - the world's second highest motor-able road at an altitude of 13,700 feet on our way to Tawang.

Banks of Dirang River

Not sure what I was looking for in the waters

Horses grazing on the valley

We tried some Street food at Dirang Market

The afternoon alleys - Dirang market scene

The best part of childhood - a playful mood on the way back from school

Cant think of a caption, though the taxi timings might be helpful

Day 5: Way to Tawang

As we dragged our bags towards the car early in the morning we discovered our first hurdle of the day - windscreen of the car was covered in a thin layer of ice and the car did not start in the first attempt. Our host Tashi, helped out by providing boiling water to clear the ice layer from the windscreen. Now, a second attempt to start the car, and Bingo! It started with a grunt-ling sound.

Before we drove our way out of the gates of our Dirang nest, Tashi gifted us a packet full of homegrown kiwis for the road. We thanked him and bid good bye to Dirang.

Route - Dirang to Tawang

As a first time driver in the high mountain passes, we had lot of unknown possibilities in our mind. Though we were well acclimatized to the high altitude by now, we took precaution by having some medicines to avoid any high altitude sickness as we would be nearing 14,000 feet today.

As we started gaining altitude and nearing Sela, we saw snow on the leaves of the shrubs by the side of the road, we noticed the magnificent blue color of the clear sky that we, the city dwellers, can hardly get a chance to experience, the clouds hovered in the deep gorges as we look down from the high altitude mountain roads.

Snow by the side of the road, near Se La

We looked down at the clouds

Entering Se La , Gateway to Tawang

World's 2nd Highest motor-able road

The roads to Tawang

A frozen lake at Se La

We cautiously drove through the icy roads to Se La and reached the highest point at around 9 am in the morning. Both of us did feel the lack of oxygen to some extent as we stopped by the frozen lakes of Se La but we adjusted ourselves quickly by reducing the running around and taking slower steps as we walked to the banks of one of the frozen lakes. As we were standing by the lakes, we could hear a strange sound, which on the first impression seemed to be a sound of some wild animals nearby. But soon we realized that the sound was coming from the frozen lake itself. Later, we came to know from a local that this sound is created when lakes are frozen and there are air pockets created between the layer of ice and water. The ice layer moves slowly creating a "GLOB- GLOB" sound. Standing by the lake, we stared at a distance and discovered the absolute beauty of nature. All the hard work that went behind reaching the destination seemed to have paid off immediately as we took a 360 degree view of Se La.

With a brief stop at Se La, we carried on with our journey and reached Jaswantgarh War Memorial in another 50 minutes. The war memorial was made to honor the bravery of Jaswant Singh Rawat, an army man who bravely defended our territory against the impending Chinese invasion during the Indo-Shino war of 1962. Near the memorial, we met some very helpful and cordial military personnel who offered us some hot tea and refreshments. We interacted with them for a while and got a sneak peek to their life in these snowy passes of Tawang. After a halt of 30 mins we carried on our way to the nest we booked in Tawang - The Dondrub Homestay.

Link - https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/dondrub-homestay.en-gb.html?aid=356980;label=gog235jc-1DCAsobEIQZG9uZHJ1Yi1ob21lc3RheUgzWANobIgBAZgBCbgBCMgBDNgBA-gBAYgCAagCA7gCoefx6QXAAgE;sid=a3e2d3379d6858e12078323d92da5cb6;dist=0&group_adults=2&keep_landing=1&sb_price_type=total&type=total&

We reached the Tawang homestay by noon, and met our host Lahm and his wife. The homestay was perfect for us with a large space to park the car just in front of our room. A road trip like this comes with a lot of risks and challenges and I believe luck also plays a vital role in making a trip like this cherish-able in the years to come. We felt really lucky to have chosen Dondrub for our stay in Tawang - the beautiful couple and their family hosted us with utmost care and were ever-ready to help us in any kind of problems we faced. Be it asking for heaters of all sizes possible to survive the December cold in Tawang or helping us to repair the puncture of the car tyre or serving us butter tea in the shivering sub-zero temperature at night, Lahm and his wife had been awesome.

After our lunch we went for a tour to the Tawang Monastery, the largest in India and the second largest in the world after Lhasa, The Giant Buddha Statue at the center of Tawang city, the Handicraft Center of Arunachal Pradesh (good place to buy souvenir) and the Tawang War memorial. It was around 4 pm in the afternoon when we reached the war memorial. After a quick tour inside the memorial, we watched the ceremony of lowering the India flag by the army. At around 5 pm in the afternoon the temperature dipped to around 0 to 1 degree when we decided to drive back to our nest for the night - a very cold one indeed.

On our way from Se la to Tawang

A Yak posed for a photograph

At Jaswantgarh War Memorial

What the memorial stands for

View at Jaswantgarh War Memorial

The Tawang Monastery

Inside Tawang Monastery

Buddha and Me

Artifacts and statues at the monastery

Outside view of Tawang Monastery

The Giant Buddha statue at the center of Tawang City

Tawang War Memorial

Temperature 1 degree Celsius at 4 30 pm, Tawang War Memorial

Not for shooting, but for shooting

Tawang War Memorial Gate

The Defenders of Tawang

Bum La Pass

Day 6: A Day Trip to Bum La and Sangestar Tso

Today our car was sent to a local garage for checkup and the puncture repair. We were driven in a local cab for our day tour by a very cheerful local named Tashi. Before I go into the journey details, let me give a quick background of our destination for the day.

Bum La, right at the India- China border, at a height of more than 15,000 feet holds accounts of the fierce battles during the Indo-Shino war of 1962. This is also the route of 14th Dalai Lama's great escape to India.

On our way to Bum La, we heard stories of war and folklore of the people of this region from Tashi. We reached a military post called, Y-Junction at an altitude of 14,600 feet, from where the routes are divided in two - the right side goes to Bum La and the other to Sangestar Tso, a lake created during an earth quake.

Bum La has restrictions in visiting time and we chose to go there first and then to the lake. It took us a half an hour of treacherous driving through bad or no road to reach till the last point where public vehicles are allowed. Ahead of us, we saw few army camps and military settlements beyond which is the McMohan line, the border between India and China. Though tourists are allowed to go till the McMohan line on foot, they are controlled, guided and cordoned by military personnel.

Bum La is a flat corridor flanked between small mountain peaks on both sides, which makes winds pass through the area intensely, making the place extremely cold; at 11 am in the morning that day, the recorded temperature was -11 degree Celsius which dips down to less than - 20 degree during the night . Salute to our Jawans who are posted at Bum La to keep an eye on Chinese movements 24*7. An army man gave us briefing about the place, about their life and relationship between their Chinese counterparts (which seem to be cordial enough).

We stayed at Bum La for around 45 mins and started our journey for Sangestar Tso - Tso means lake in Tibetan. The lake is also called "Madhuri" by some locals and tourists, as bollywood star Madhuri Dixit shoot there for the bollywood movie "Koyla". Amidst the high rocky mountains sits a frozen body of water, with scattered tree trunks protruding out from all over the surface of ice, small number of birds flocking in the water puddles created from meting ice - "Madhuri Lake" was picture perfect. We had some snacks from a military canteen by the side of the lake which serves hot soup and momos, puri sabzi and tea.

We took some great snaps in and around the area - rocky mountains at a distance, snow on the road, frozen lake Sangestar, our day tour itinerary was complete. We came back to Tawang and had late lunch. The rest of the day we went around the town of Tawang on foot to have a closer look a the local life of the town. Tomorrow we start our return journey - destination Bomdila.

Day 7: Return journey - Destination Bomdila

We packed up and started our journey at around 8 am in the morning bidding goodbye to Lahm and his family. A 6 hours drive with very little break in between took us to the town of Bomdila, about 170 kms from Tawang at an altitude of 7900 feet.

Route - Tawang to Bomdila

Bomdila unlike Dirang or Tawang, is a place with many people - crowded market area and business centers, sellers marketing their products from their shops - all in all Bomdila appeared to be a small but bustling and colorful town amidst the high mountains. After lunch in a local restaurant, we dropped our bags in our homestay (Anu Homestay, Bomdila) for the day and traveled to the helipad just outside the city which is also a good viewpoint of the entire Bomdila town. In the evening we roamed around in the market area to try some sweets and street food and bought some local Rajma for our family back home.

Shades of the Himalayas

Bomdila Helipad and viewpoint

Bomdila market scene

We did not want to strain ourselves too much that day and crashed early in bed as tomorrow we were to do the longest stretch of driving in the entire trip - Bomdila to Guwahati - A 280 kms. drive without any major break in between.

Day 8: Back to Guwahati

Once I came across a dialogue from the Hindi movie "Highway" which says - I don’t want to go where I have started from, I don’t want to reach where I will be reaching to, but the road, the road I travel is beautiful, I don’t want this journey to end - This is exactly what we felt when we were driving down the Trans-Himalayan highways amidst the high mountains of North East Himalayas. We started from Bomdila at around 6 30 am in the morning, with packed breakfast for the road and fuel tanked up for the 280 km journey to Guwahati. We stopped for a while in Khalaktang and at the check post of Arunachal borders as we descended towards the foothills.

Route - Bomdila to G

We drove through the beautiful forest reserve of Sonai-Rupai near the borders of Bhutan, we stopped by the lonely roads for a while just to breathe the fresh air and savor the winds caressing lazily through the leaves of long pine trees standing upright from the deep gorges, the dry leaves fallen on the sides of the road creating magnificent colors that we only get to see in a canvas of a painter.

The picturesque high mountain roads of Arunachal

The Sonai - Rupai forest reserve on our way to Guwahati

The Himalayan highways

The Assam Valley

Driving through the tea estates of Assam

The long road coming to an end

As the winding mountain roads came to an end the canvas outside our car started changing rapidly - miles of open field with cattle grazing on them, the tea plantations on both sides of the road and blue mountain ranges of Arunachal in the horizon bidding goodbye to us.

After 8 to 9 hours of drive, we reached Guwahati at around 3 30 or 4 pm in the afternoon. We paid a quick visit to the Kamakhya temple and parked our car at our hotel to end our amazing road trip to Tawang - An event that we will cherish for a long time to come.

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Top Bike Routes for Enthralling Road Trips Across India

Attention thrill-seekers and Bajaj Dominar enthusiasts!

Are you ready to feel the rush of the wind and the thrill of adventure on India's open roads this winter? The best part?

Imagine cruising on vast stretches of tarmac, surrounded by stunning landscapes, atop a robust and reliable long touring bike.

Feels exciting. Isn’t it?

The rush of the wind and the thrill of adventure on India's open roads is what every bike enthusiast craves for.  

Therefore, we decided to put a list of top bike routes for epic road trips for bike enthusiasts like you. You can look forward to the enthralling ride from the historic Agra's expressways to the curvy ascents towards Mahabaleshwar, from the beach routes of Goa to the mesmerizing Gokarna, through the mountainous challenges en route to Tawang, and to the soft-touched paths to Dhanaulti.

If your heart beats to the hum of the engine and the lure of the horizon, these curated routes are your call to adventure. 

Ready to conquer these roads? Let’s throttle up and embark on this journey together, discovering the thrill that each turn has to offer.

Here are the top recommended routes and destinations to ride for bikers:

• Length: 231 km one way trip
• Estimated Time: 5 hours
• Best Time: November to February
• Best Viewpoint to Stop: Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan (situated on the banks of the River Yamuna)

A quick getaway from Delhi during peak winters is the Yamuna Expressway route to Agra. The weekdays see sparse traffic on the 6-lane expressway allowing you to let loose the Dominar’s powerful 373cc engine. Cruising at 120km/hr, riders can reach Agra comfortably under 2 hours.

The route takes you past landmarks like the F1 Circuit and Buddh International Circuit . Stop on the way at Surajpur wetlands , perfect during winter for spotting migratory birds.

At Agra, spend time appreciating the Taj Mahal during the day and return along the same expressway by sunset. The Yamuna expressway’s street lights let you ride back safely even at night. Overall, it makes for the perfect one-day joyride for Dominar riders from Delhi.

• Length: 222 km
• Estimated Time: 6 hours
• Best Time: December to February
• Best Viewpoint to Stop: Lonavala (Located at barely 100 km from Mumbai)

A refreshing getaway from Mumbai is the ride to Mahabaleshwar. Situated at an altitude of 1,439 m in the Sahyadris , the hill station offers cooler temperatures, strawberry farms and lush vistas.

Begin the journey at dawn from Mumbai via the Mumbai-Pune expressway . Post Pune, the route becomes more scenic with curvy ghat roads passing through towns like Panchgani and Wai . One can stop for breakfast at the iconic Sun-n-Sand hotel which offers stunning views of the Krishna Valley .

After hitting the Mahabaleshwar plateau , spend time at viewpoints like Arthur’s seat and Wilson point to take in the green vistas. End the evening enjoying Mahabaleshwar’s local strawberries with cream before riding back under moonlight.

• Length: 135 km
• Estimated Time: 4 hours
• Best Time to Ride: December to February
• Best Viewpoint to Stop: Palolem beach (This beach is very popular due to it's white sand and clear water)

A route that’s rapidly gaining popularity amongst riders in India is the ride from Goa to Gokarna along the coastal roads. The route takes you past undiscovered beaches, temples, and coastal villages of northern Karnataka.

Start early in the morning from Goa to avoid traffic entering Karnataka. Pass historic towns like Karwar and move deeper into the Western Ghats. Waterfalls like Sathodi and Magod are perfect stops to stretch your legs.

Gokarna’s pristine beaches like Kudle and Palolem offer amazing seafood shacks to enjoy lunch. Spend the evening admiring the Mahabaleshwara temple before starting your return journey in the morning.

The route lets you experience the best of Goa’s beaches and Karnataka’s natural charm during the peak winter months from December to February.

• Length: 436 km
• Estimated Time: 12 hours
• Best Time: Mid October to February
• Best Viewpoint to Stop: Sela Pass (A high-altitude motorable pass with views of "Paradise Lake" and mountain tops)

For riders in India's northeast, the trip from Guwahati to Tawang crossing Sela Pass makes for a challenging yet incredibly scenic ride.

From Guwahati, head east towards Tezpur entering Arunachal Pradesh. Stop at temples like Bhismaknagar and ancient ruins before reaching Bomdila . Stay overnight here to rest and acclimatize to the increasing altitude.

Starting early the next day, the road to Sela Pass tests both you and the Dominar's nerves. But cresting the 13,700 ft high pass is an amazing feeling, as you’re surrounded by snow-covered peaks. Stop frequently to avoid altitude sickness.

Reach Tawang by late evening to explore India’s largest Buddhist monastery the next day. With high-altitude terrain, comfortable cruising speeds lie between 50-60 km/hr but the views make up for the slow speed.

• Length: 276 km
• Estimated Time: 6.5 hours
• Best Viewpoint to Stop: Surkanda Devi Temple (The age-old temple is devoted to Goddess Parvati and is one of the Shakti Peethas)

Nestled amidst Mussoorie and Tehri Garhwal , Dhanaulti is an offbeat weekend getaway from Delhi-NCR. The hill town offers snow-clad views of the Himalayas and leisurely walks through alpine forests.

From Dehradun, the route passes through the forests of Rajaji National Park before entering Dhanaulti. Enjoy the last 20 km uphill ride with multiple hairpin bends testing your long touring bike’s capability.

On reaching Dhanaulti, spend the evening watching sunset views of the snow-peaked Bandarpoonch range . Wake up early the next day for a short hike to Surkanda Devi temple.

The ride to Dhanaulti is perfect for Dominar riders to experience light snowfall in December/January without traveling too far from Delhi-NCR.

While India's diverse routes provide endless options for road trips, the right two-wheeled companion can make or break your travel experience. 

This is where Bajaj's flagship offering, the Dominar 400 power cruiser, fits the bill. 

Powered by a 373cc liquid-cooled DOHC engine, the Bajaj Dominar pumps out 40PS of maximum power and 35 Nm of peak torque. This enables maintaining cruising speeds of 100-120 km/hr easily, with smooth overtaking power even when riding with a pillion.

Dominar’s robust build quality ensures reliability during long distance trips across varying terrains. Key features like its 14 litre fuel tank, dual-channel ABS brakes, and upright comfortable seat position reduce stops and prevent fatigue over extended journeys.

While its sporty dual-tone colors and muscular fuel tank give the Dominar 400 its distinctive style, the bike still retains everyday practicality with its large storage compartment and 35 liter saddlebags. This allows packing necessary gear for multi-day expeditions to destinations like Spiti or the Northeast.

For riders embarking on challenging routes, the Dominar 400's capable telescopic forks, monoshock rear suspension and perimeter frame provide stable dynamics even around twisty bends. Maneuvering the bike at slow speeds is also fuss-free thanks to its lightweight 182 kilo curb weight.

Before embarking on challenging expeditions, bike riders should visit authorized service centers to get proper bike maintenance checks, oil change, brake assessment, tyre inspections and other pre-ride checks.

Riders must also pack appropriate protective gear including thermal liners (if riding in winters), waterproof gloves (for unforeseen rains), knee guards and other biking gear.

We hope you enjoyed the article. Have you rode on any of these bike routes shared above? If yes, do share your experience with us in the comments section below. ar

For more such articles for bike riders, checkout our New Bikes category page. 

And one last recommendation - you must own a quality long touring bike to conquer challenging terrains. If you don’t already own one, then you should definitely book a free test ride for the latest Bajaj Dominar models here: 

https://www.bajajauto.com/bikes/dominar