Located a couple of miles away from China and Bhutan in the far west of the eastern-most state of India is the beautiful town of Tawang.
Birthplace of Dalai Lama Tsangyang and home to the second largest Buddhist Monastery in the world, Tawang is a fusion of spirituality and the picturesque Himalayas. Enriched with Tibetan culture and inhabited by the friendly and very hospitable Monpa tribe, Tawang is a must on the bucket list of the wanderers of the Himalayas.
Best time to Visit Tawang
The land of dawn-lit mountains is at its best during the summer. The flora is in full bloom in the ‘Orchid State of India’ during this time of the year. During the months of winter, brace yourselves for adventures on the road with heavy snowfall and landslides (personal experience!). The roads can be shut down for two days or more, thereby it is recommended to plan your trip with buffer days for such situations.
Before You enter Arunachal Pradesh
It is mandatory to obtain permits before you enter the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian nationals who aren’t residents of this state, can apply for the ILP (or eILP) ‘Inner Line Permit’ at https://www.arunachalilp.com/ and receive their permit after submitting the necessary documents. A PAP (Protected Area Permit) is mandatory for foreign nationals. This is an offline process , a travel agent can get it done for you. Or you can follow: https://www.lostwithpurpose.com/pap-guhawati/
Getting There
The closest major airport to Tawang is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam. There are two means to get to Tawang from here:
By Land
This involves 1. Travelling from Guwahati to Tezpur 2. Tezpur to Tawang
Tezpur is a 180 km drive from Guwahati. The convenient mode of transport is to take a bus or taxi. One can also take a flight from Guwahati to the domestic airport, Salonibari in Tezpur. Air India operates on this route.
The journey from Tezpur to Tawang can be taken on shared sumo or a rented private vehicle (if the group is big enough). Make sure to travel with an experienced driver on this perilous terrain. Although the distance between Tezpur and Tawang is about 320 km, the rocky roads and stopovers at breathtaking spots (literally!) make it highly impossible to reach in eight hours. Hence this journey can be split in two. i.e to have an overnight stop in the valleys of Bomdila or Dirang.
By Air
Arunachal Pradesh Helicopter Service operates helicopters on certain days of the week between Guwahati and Tawang over Bhutan with a limited number of seats (10) and limited baggage(10kg). More often than not there are cancellations due to unpredictable weather conditions in this region. Not to mention you will also be missing out on enjoying the beautiful places and people on the way.
Where to stay in Tawang
One can find affordable accommodation in the heart of Tawang. One tip: Most of these places are closed for over a week during the Tibetan New Year(Losar Festival). Make sure to check the Tibetan Calendar before you plan your trip!
Tantalize your taste buds in Tawang
Tawang serves lip-smacking Indo-Chinese food from Thupkas and Momos to Roti-sabzi and rice. Start your mornings with the authentic Assamese tea!
Treat to the Eyes and Soul Bhalukpong
A little town in the West Kameng district of Arunachal, at the border of Assam. All travelers going from Assam to Arunachal will have their ILP’s or PAP’s checked here. You can find small restaurants serving authentic Assamese food too!
Hamlets of Dirang
Experience the mountain-life with the locals of Dirang.
Visit the adorable houses made from stones and blocks of wood with oranges growing in the backyard. Arunachal Pradesh has the most delicious oranges!!
Thupsung Dhargye Monastery
Dirang – a Buddhism hub, is home to one of the most stunning monasteries in Arunachal. Located on top of a hill, overlooking the valley of Dirang, the Thupsung Dhargye Ling is the perfect place for meditation!
Sela Pass and Sela Lake
As you set off from Dirang along the winding roads ascending to a height of 13700 ft be prepared to be amazed by the magnificent view of the Sela Lake (frozen during winter) and one of the Himalayan wonders, the breathtaking Sela Pass. Sela pass is named after a local girl Sela, who helped Jaswant Singh to fight against the Chinese troops and killed more than 300 Chinese Soldiers. This pass is the only way Tawang is connected to the rest of the country. Beware of Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS) in this area!
Nuranang Falls
A good place to stop by for a picnic is on the banks of the clean and chilled waters of the Nuranang River (Tawang River) with the spectacular view of the Nuranang Falls. The Nuranang Falls is also named after a local girl Nura, who helped Jaswant Singh to fight against the Chinese troops for three days.
Jaswant Garh
En route to the pristine hills of Arunachal is a war memorial for the brave Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, Maha Vir Chakra, who fought single-handedly with the Chinese troops for seventy two hours after the death of his fellow soldiers in the Indo-China war of 1962. His spirit is believed to be protecting Tawang even today! He is the only Indian soldier who is getting promotions on regular intervals even after his demise. The atmosphere is full of patriotism. Visitors can pay their tributes to this hero at Jaswant Garh.
Tawang Monastery
Gaden Namgyal Lhaste, India’s largest monastery is located on top of a hill, in the heart of Tawang. This three hundred and forty year old monastery is the second largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Tibet. A popular spot for Buddhist pilgrims.
Tawang War Memorial
The Tawang War Memorial which was built in the memory of the Indian Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the 1962 Indo-China war is a must visit while in Tawang.
Spend the evening in the premises of the War Memorial watching the light and sound show organised by the Indian Army that can send chills down your spine.
Pankang Teng Tso Lake
This high altitude lake (12946 ft ) called the Ptso lake in short, is on the road towards Bum La. Like most other lakes in Arunachal this is also frozen during the winter. During the summer one can find beautiful Rhododendron flowers by the crystal clear waters of the lake.
Bum La Pass
Thirty five km north of Tawang, 15200 ft above sea level is the heavy snow covered Indo-China border at the Bum La Pass. The pass through which Dalai Lama entered India while he escaped from Tibet. The track to this is rated as one of the deadliest routes in India, often shutdown due to snowstorms, rainfall and landslides. You’re in luck if its a bright sunny day!
A special permit is required for Indian civilians to visit the Bum La. This can be requested from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner at Tawang. Further, this has to be stamped by the Indian Army cantonment in Tawang.
Tawang is indeed an experience of a lifetime! So what are you waiting for? Plan your next trip to this hidden gem and cherish the wonders it has to offer!