Discover Arunachal Pradesh – Proverbial Tawang
Travel to the high mountains of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, a proverbial land of supreme beauty and an enlightening beacon of Tibetan Buddhism.
"The austere serenity of Shangri-La..." describes James Hilton in his 1933 novel, Lost Horizon, "allured by a land of milk and honey in a hidden valley in the Himalayas." Over the years, this has led explorers to venture deep into the Himalayas, scouting one valley after another, and founding their own perceptions of a paradise on earth. For some, this search brings them to Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal Pradesh, due to its easternmost location on the map of India, is called "the land of dawn-lit mountains". The entire terra firma falls under the eastern Himalayan landscape, a land of supreme natural beauty and rich in ancient traditions. The altitudinal and climatic variation of the state results in a variety of landscapes and forests which harbors one of the planet's last great biodiversity.
In this exploratory journey to the wildest frontier of India, you will visit the proverbial Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh to the state's western boundary with Bhutan. In this journey starting in the plains of Assam, you will begin at Nameri National Park for a brief introduction to the biodiversity of the region. You will then drive as far as the holy lands of Tawang and beyond to the paradisiacal landscapes of the mysterious eastern Himalayas.
At Dirang, you will experience the slow life of an Arunachali mountain town, visit nearby villages, and orchards, and take leisurely strolls in the scenic landscape, all the while acclimatizing for the journey ahead. Moving further high in the mountains towards the frontier borderlands with Tibet, the tour will take you to the holy town of Tawang where the Galden Namgey Lhatse Monastery sits atop the hill and appears radiant, like a beacon of higher consciousnesses. The town is both a cultural and commercial hub in this remote region.
Numerous important monasteries and nunneries have been established in and around. Such as the 15th-century Urgelling Monastery which is the birthplace of His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso. The Anni Gompa is the oldest nunnery in this vast area with several quarters housing many Buddhist nuns, built around five hundred years ago by a Tibetan lama. The newly opened ropeway between Tawang Monastery and Anni Gompa is an enjoyable ride. The large and artistic Khinmey Monastery is the only major shrine of the Nyingmapa sect (red hat) of the Tawang region, where according to legend, the great hermit Kudun Sangey Rinpoche tamed several barking hunting dogs while meditating.
Lastly, as you travel near the borderlands beyond Tawang, the geography opens up into spectacular high-altitude peaks and pastures. While Indian travelers can go on a day trip toward Bum La pass to enjoy the scenic beauty of breathtaking lakes, foreign nationals get to spend a day traveling towards Bhutan to visit the Zemithang village to see the traditional lifestyle of people living in the secluded frontiers and visit the large Gorsam Stupa which is a sacred pilgrimage site resembling the colossal Boudhanath Stupa of Nepal. On the way back down you spend a night in the Sherdukpen village of Shergaon.
A revealing journey through one of the planet's last thriving natural paradises, this tour provides a simple insight into distant lifestyles and cultures, all the while traversing a diversity of pretty landscapes of western Arunachal Pradesh. A quote by the great anthropologist Dr. Verrier Elwin aptly describes the people of the region "Gentle, friendly, courteous, industrious, good to animals, good to children, you see in the Monpas the influence of the compassionate Lord Buddha on the ordinary man."
At a Glance
Buddhist Highlands
Enter the Buddhist highlands of Tawang and beyond.
Eastern Himalayas
An awe-inspiring road trip through beautiful remote mountains.
Village Walks
Cultural experiences and meaningful travel.
Day by Day
Guwahati - Nameri National Park
Upon arrival at Guwahati Airport, drive to Nameri National Park (6 hours) for an overnight halt, one of the most scenic national parks of India with a view of the Himalayan peaks; a haven for rare and exotic birds. The evening will be at leisure. You can request a bonfire. You stay at Sonai Nameri, a tented camp at the edge of the park.
Nameri National Park - Dirang
During the winter season, go for an early morning guided jungle walk for bird watching and if lucky some larger species such as deer, elephants, and bison can also be spotted. After breakfast, leave for Dirang (7-8 hours), a tiny village in the Kameng Valley. Your journey will thus enter the lush and pristine Himalayas of the east. En-route visit Tipi Orchid Center which has an amazing diversity of orchid species. Evening at leisure. You stay at a riverside resort outside town.
Dirang
Spend the day in and around the scenic village of Dirang and go for an excursion to the scenic Sangti Valley where you can learn about the local life and visit Kiwi Farms. Also, visit the ancient fort of Dirang Dzong and the local ancient monastery. Evening at leisure.
Dirang - Tawang
After breakfast, drive to Tawang (7-9 hours), a sacred and hidden Buddhist highland where the essence of ancient Buddhist preaching and spirituality has flourished for ages. In testimony to this stands the beautiful Tawang Monastery, a center for Buddhist learning. Drive through the scenic Himalayan landscape, halt on the way at the high-altitude Sela Pass (4000m), Jung waterfalls, and Jaswant Garh War Memorial. Enjoy hot tea and snacks served at the army camps. The evening will be at leisure. You stay at a small boutique hotel in town.
Tawang
Spend the day visiting the significant monasteries and nunneries located in and around the town, with further visits to markets and craft centers that will help you understand the lifestyle and skills of the town's people. Evenings at leisure where you may taste some steamy hot Tibetan food in the busy market area.
Tawang
Indian nationals will spend the day on an extremely scenic excursion to the picturesque Sangetsar Lake. The region is filled with high-altitude wetlands and pristine nature. You will be going as far as the untouched borderlands with Tibet with a visit to the Bumla Pass army base right at the Line of Control. Return to Tawang for an evening at leisure. You can request your hosts for some local cuisine for dinner. Alternatively, for foreign nationals, the day will be spent on an extremely scenic outing. You will drive to Zemithang, an interesting village of the Monpa tribe, located near the tri-border between India, Tibet, and Bhutan. Located right at the secluded frontiers of the Himalayas, the village is an example of traditional Monpa living where nature provides for the community. You will also visit Jhamtse Gatsal en route, a local sustainable community or rather a school of life, which is doing commendable and heartwarming work for local children and allows for interaction with travelers. Return to Tawang for an evening at leisure.
Tawang - Shergaon
Drive back over Sela Pass and down to Shergaon (7-8 hours), a quiet Sherdukpen village of wooden houses among orchards and pine forest, named one of India’s best tourism villages. Evening walk around the village. You stay at Chhoms Homestay with a Sherdukpen family.
Shergaon - Guwahati
After breakfast, drive down to Guwahati airport (6-7 hours) for an evening flight. End of tour.
Your Retreats
When you travel with us, we make sure that you stay in the best available accommodations in the places you visit, especially since many areas in Northeast India are remote and do not have many options to stay. These properties are highly reviewed by our team of experts and are aesthetic in nature when possible. Our itineraries are flexible, highly customizable, and you can always choose a different property depending on budget and style.
Sonai Nameri
Six tents with attached bathrooms, three of them air-conditioned, on the edge of Nameri at Sonaipam. The Jia Bhoroli river is close by for rafting, and the camp runs nature walks and visits to nearby villages.
“Fall asleep to the gentle rush of the Jia Bhoroli”
Summit Rungkhung Village Resort
Part of Summit Hotels’ Signature Collection, the resort sits in Rungkhung village on the banks of the Kameng river, among kiwi and orange orchards below the hills of Dirang. Every room faces the valley and has its own balcony, with warm interiors, Wi-Fi and a tea and coffee maker.
“A balcony over the Kameng river, with orchards all around.”
Timilo Boutique
A small boutique hotel of about ten rooms in Tawang, with a garden, terrace, restaurant and bar. Rooms look out over the mountains and have private sit-outs, heaters, electric blankets and heated bathroom floors.
“Prayer flags over the lawn, and heated floors for the cold nights.”
Chhoms Homestay
A Sherdukpen family homestay in Shergaon, finished throughout in local timber — pine walls and floors, low seating, and a run of windows looking straight out at the hills. Meals are Sherdukpen home cooking. Staying in houses like this is the reason the village was named among India’s Best Tourism Villages in 2023.
“All wood inside, and the valley through the window wall.”
Why Travel With Greener Pastures?
Curated Experiences
Our itineraries are one of a kind, curated from our own personal travel experiences, from choosing the best logistically correct routes to the most interesting stay options.
Native Guides
Our tour guides are native to the region, and bring you an insider view into the life and culture of Northeast India, sharing with you authentic local experiences and fostering friendships.
Experts in Tours
When traveling with Greener Pastures, you can be assured that you are in the hands of experts who are knowledgeable and passionate about the region. Expect hassle-free, easy-going, and insightful travel.
“By choosing us, we share together a pledge towards responsible tourism, and share a belief that travel has the power to positively transform local livelihoods, cultures and environment.”
— The Greener Pastures Promise
Read the travel guide to Arunachal Pradesh for the seasons, the festivals and what else is worth the detour.
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