Tawang is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Northeast India and it tops the bucket-list of people planning to travel to Arunachal Pradesh for the first time. Situated at an elevation of above 10,000 ft, proper planning is essential for a hassle-free trip to this mountain paradise. Although a lot has been published on Google about “Tawang Itinerary from Guwahati”, “Itinerary for Tawang”, “Top Itineraries for Tawang”, “Tawang Tour Packages” or “Tawang Holiday Package” but none of them have any updates on the new routes, trails, activities and insider’s tip that can help you to create a bespoke Tawang Tour Itinerary.
This blog is a medium to provide you a real insight about the places you can visit, things to do and different multiple day tours of Tawang with minimum and maximum days you may need to complete the whole circuit. The itineraries are based upon two different routes that now lead to Tawang and it has details about a few unknown new destinations as well. But before you learn about different sample tour itineraries for Tawang you must also know about the facts that make it so special amongst the tourists. Learn a little more about your next destination and some interesting facts about the valley!
Tawang
Tawang has unmatched natural beauty and to discover it, you will have to take the sinuous road that cut through the vertical hills and high passes while leaving behind the gushing rivers at its depth. Here the snowy mountains rise above the clouds to touch the blue skies and the cascading waterfalls plunge from the luxuriant hills to allure your senses.
This heavenly highland lies in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh sharing an international border with Bhutan to its southwest and China Occupied Tibet to the north. It is the land of the peace-loving Monpa community who are believed to be the only nomadic tribe in Northeast India.
The word ‘Tawang’ is a mix of two different words from the local Monpa dialect ‘Ta’ and ‘Wang’ where the former means Horse (Ta) and the latter signifies blessed or found (Wang). It is said that in the 17th century, the 5th Dalai Lama assigned a Buddhist priest named Merag Lama Lodre Gyatso or Mera Lama to establish a monastery in this region. For day and night, he kept searching for an ideal place but even after his intense scouting, he couldn’t find any suitable plot for the monastery.
Upset with his failure, Mera Lama retired into a cave to offer prayers to get divine interventions to choose a perfect site. After coming out of the cave he noticed that his horse is missing. Later when he found his horse, it was grazing at a surreal mountain top. He was mesmerized to see such an amazing greener pasture and took it as divine guidance to establish the monastery at the same place. This is how the monastery got its name and so does the town next to it.
Interesting Facts About Tawang Valley
1. Tawang Monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery in India and second-largest in the world after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, China Occupied Tibet.
2. It is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama.
3. The Monastery in the Tibetan language is known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, which means ‘Celestial paradise in a clear night’
4. Till 1950, Tawang town was under the autonomy of the Tibetan administration and the locals used to pay taxes to the Tibetan regime.
5. Tawang region is also claimed by the People’s Republic of China as a part of South Tibet, under Tsona Dzong of Shannan, Tibet.
6. It is through Tawang that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama entered India after he escaped Tibet in 1959.
7. During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, Tawang was captured by the ruthless Chinese army but later they withdrew their forces after the war got over.
8. There are many existing villages like Thembang, Zemithang and Sangti Valley that boast the rich ancient history and legacy of the tribes inhabiting the region since time immemorial.
9. The region also boasts the highest mountain of Arunachal Pradesh, the sacred Gori Chen Peak or Sa-Nga Phu with a height of 22,500 ft.
10. Tawang is the only Black-necked Crane wintering area in India, this bird is also considered as a spiritual bird by the Tibetan Buddhist community.
11. Tsangestar Tso is one of the most famous high altitude lakes near Tawang and it is also popular as Madhuri Lake because of the Indian Army who named it after the famous Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit who visited this lake for shooting 90’s Hindi blockbuster film ‘Koyla’.
How to Reach Tawang
Fly or take a train to Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast India and travel in a taxi to Tawang. Guwahati is well connected with the rest of India through all modes of travel, hence it is convenient to start your tour from this place. Reach a day before your trip starts so that you can start early in the morning. It gets dark early in Arunachal Pradesh and as soon as 4.30 pm in winters and at around 6.00 pm in summers so it is advised to begin early in the morning.
There is one direct bus that plies between Guwahati & Bomdila through the new highway (the new route to Tawang). Once in Bomdila, take a taxi to Tawang. If you plan to travel through the old route then you can board a Guwahati-Tezpur bus and hire a taxi from this place. Please note that there will be a difference in cost if you do such break journeys because the taxi rates are still not standardized in this part of India and you may end up paying more. You may also prefer to hire a self-driven car or a motorcycle with a unique itinerary from a tour operator.
Ask for a quotation for your Tawang tour itinerary from the Guwahati, Tezpur and Bomdila based operators and compare the prices to take the final decision. But one thing that you must know is that it takes a minimum of 6 days to enjoy a perfect tour of Tawang and there is no shortcut to it. Plan it wisely and go through our detailed Tawang tour itinerary for reference.
Different Tawang Tour Itinerary
Via Old Route | Guwahati – Tezpur – Bhalukpong – Bomdila – Tawang
Until a few years back, this used to be the only way to reach Tawang. Distance between Guwahati to Tawang through this route is just 510 km but considering the terrain, it is difficult to reach on the same day. Your trip starts from Guwahati towards the historical city of Tezpur in central Assam before entering Arunachal Pradesh through Bhalukpong Gate. The uphill road under the shadow of unspoiled tropical rainforest runs along the river to take you to Bomdila. As you move further from Bomdila, you will drive past the fluttering prayer flags and cold mountain passes to reach Tawang.
This highway has rough patches but you will experience some of the amazing destinations enroute. In this route, you have quite a many options to add or choose for either short or long Tawang tour itinerary. Let us now guide you through different travel itineraries for Tawang.
Short Itinerary – Six Nights Seven Days Tawang Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Guwahati to Nameri | 6 hrs | 216 km
Begin your journey from Guwahati to Nameri National Park via Tezpur after an early breakfast. Nameri National Park is nestled on the foothills of the eastern Himalaya with River Jia Bhorali and some of its tributaries flowing through it. This national park is known for its Elephant and abundant population of endangered Golden Mahseer Fish.
On your way, you can have lunch at Khorika restaurant in Tezpur city which is just 39 km before reaching the fringes of the Nameri National Park. Upon arrival, check-in at eco-camp near the park and get fresh after a long journey. As you will reach this place in the afternoon so you may not be able to experience all the activities but in the late afternoon you can opt for a jungle walk with forest guards for bird watching. You can also visit the Pygmy Hog Foundation to learn more about this smallest and rarest wild pig on the planet classified under critically endangered species.
In the evening enjoy watching traditional dance performances and call it a night after dinner.
Day 2 – Nameri to Bomdila | 5 hrs | 122 km
Wake up early and freshen up to head towards Bomdila. Have a solid breakfast at the camp and check out from your tent or hut to start your journey northwest to reach Bhalukpong. This place is just an hour away from Nameri national park and it is an Interstate boundary between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh is checked here (ILP – Inner line Permits for the Indian Nationals and PAP – Protected Area Permits for foreigners).
From this point, the uphill road begins with frequent ups and downs. After two hours drive, you will reach an Indian Army’s cantonment town called Tenga Valley on the banks of a river of the same name. It is a small but strategic military base camp close to the border. Its serenity and the alluring view of the mountains will definitely compel you to get down from the car to take some amazing photographs.
It almost takes an hour and a half to reach Bomdila from Tenga Valley. Bomdila is the headquarters of West Kameng district and a popular stopover for Tawang. Upon your arrival, check-in at your hotel to take some rest. Later visit the Lower Gompa, a double-storeyed Buddhist Monastery in the market area. Your next stop is at a ridge on top of the town to visit the Gaden Rabgyeling Monastery is also known as the Upper Gompa. This beautiful monastery overlooking the snow-clad Gorichen peak is home to almost 300 lamas living a monastic life and learning about Lord Buddha’s teaching.
IN the evening, visit any cafe in the market area to try some teeming momos and other Tibetan dishes like Thupka or Shabaley. Night at the hotel!
* Permit to enter the state is mandatory for everyone except for the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the process of acquiring an entry permit is described in the ‘Permits to enter Arunachal Pradesh’ section.
Day 3 – Bomdila to Tawang | 7 to 8 hrs | 171 km
Today you will have to travel for long hours but it is a very rewarding journey. Check-out from your hotel and have breakfast at the hotel before you start your onward journey. You will be travelling a distance of 171 km only but the elevation, terrain, as well as scenic landscape, makes it a long haul drive.
In just a few minutes from the town, you will cross the first pass on this route, the 8133 ft Bomdila Pass. The route goes down through the forest road to enter Dirang. The Dirang town is situated along the highway and you can halt here for a cup of tea and capture some amazing photos of the place and views of the Kameng Valley below. Hop-on in your car and in an hour and a half you will reach the breathtaking Sela pass at 13,828 ft that sits on top of the clouds. It is the highest and toughest mountain pass in Northeast India and Sela Lake is situated near the pass. Stopover of 15 minutes to take pictures! The oxygen is thin here and it is challenging to walk swiftly at this place.
Your next stop is at Jaswant Garh War Memorial, a hero of Sino-India War of 1962 and the guardian ghost of India’s Eastern Border who himself killed more than 300 Chinese soldiers. This place also offers a mesmerizing view of the Gori Chen Peak, from here Tawang is just 47 km or another two hours.
The driver will take you straight to your hotel for check-in and later take some rest to acclimatize yourself in such high altitude. In the evening you can visit the local market and buy some local art crafts. Stay indoors in front of a fire or a room heater because nights are very cold in Tawang. Have dinner at the hotel!
Day 4 – Tawang
Today you can sleep a few extra minutes and have relaxed sightseeing of all the places of importance in and around Tawang. The town is situated on a hill at 10,000 ft against the backdrop of the mesmerizing mountains and is home to many monasteries.
After breakfast, visit India’s biggest Buddhist Monastery, the Tawang Monastery. It houses a 26-ft high brass statue of Buddha and the main prayer hall has an imposing three-storeyed richly gilded Buddha statue. Situated little on top of the Tawang Monastery at a distance of 5 km is the 500-year- old nunnery called Ani Gompa. Set out on a thrilling ropeway ride to visit this ‘ladies only’ monastery.
The other important monasteries nearby the town are Urgelling Gompa and the Khinmey Monastery. Urgelling Gompa is a hidden gem and it is around 5 km from the town. Very less frequented by usual tourists but this revered gompa is a birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. With paintings of Dalai Lamas and foot/head imprints in stone, it is one cozy building steeped in history.
Your monastery sighting will end after visiting the Khinmey Monastery of the Nyingmapa sect (Red Hat). It is a major shrine of this particular sect that used to flourish in the Tawang region before the emergence of Gelugpa sect (Yellow Hat). This 600 hundred-year-old monastery is located below Tawang near the Lhou village.
Come back to your hotel for lunch and take rest for sometime before heading to the ‘Craft center of Tawang’. Craft center displays the finest traditional and religious art and crafts of the Monpas. You can even buy traditional crafts like bronze statues, Shongbu utensils, masks and incense sticks from emporium nearby. After your shopping, you can go to the Tawang war memorial. It is built according to the Buddhist tradition in the memory of the brave Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1962 war. Old arms and ammunition are on display and the names of the soldiers who attained martyrdom are written on the black plaques.
In the evening you can visit the Dharma Coffee House ad Library for a cup of hot coffee and lip-smacking pizzas. It is the best cafe in the town with an amazing ambiance and nice hospitable staff. Night at the hotel!
Day 5 – Bum La Day Excursion
Today you will be visiting the second-best attraction of this region according to Tripadvisor’s list of ‘Top Attractions in Tawang’. Bumla Pass marks the actual Indo-China border and special permits are required to visit this place. Almost everywhere in this route, you will find abandoned bunkers of the Indian Army from the 1962 war.
On your way to Bumla pass you can also visit Singshur Nunnery, Taktsang Gompa – one of the holiest Buddhist shrines in Arunachal Pradesh, Pangateng Tso Lake and Sangetsar or Madhuri Lake.
Not far from the fork on the Tawang-Bumla Road is the Singshur nunnery. It is calm and serene ‘all woman’ monastery housing sculptures related to dynasties that ruled the region in the past. After visiting the nunnery your next stop is at Bumla Pass at 15,200 ft. This pass connects India with Tibet & China. In 1950, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet and entered India via Bumla Pass. You can stay here for about 30 minutes and walk to the Indo-China borderline with army personnel to see the mountain tops on the other side from where the Chinese army keeps a watch on the Indian Territory. You will be inspired to see our soldiers performing their duties at such hard weather conditions.
After Bumla Pass go to the holy Taktsang Monastery. This is the most important place for the Monpas and a sacred Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site. It is said that Guru Padmasambhava consecrated this monastery and also meditated here. Situated on a cliff surrounded by lush green and dense coniferous forest a trip to this place will surely awaken your spiritual senses. Sangtesar Lake is just 5 km from this place and it can be covered while going back to Tawang along with the Pangateng Tso Lake.
Sangtesar Lake is a beautiful high altitude lake in the middle of the snow-capped mountains. Walk around the lake and spend some time in the midst of a peaceful nature and immaculate landscape. While coming down to Tawang pay a visit to Pangateng Tso Lake also known as PTSO Lake. It is an immensely picturesque lake with a serene atmosphere and mesmerizing surroundings that will leave you spellbound.
After a day full of enthralling experiences return to Tawang and in the evening visit the local market for the last round of shopping or to buy souvenirs for your friends and family. Night at the hotel!
Day 6 – Tawang to Bomdila | 7 to 8 hrs | 171 km
Today you will return to Bomdila after two blissful days in Tawang. Check out from the hotel after your breakfast and get back on the road again. On the way back to Bomdila we will take a diversion at a place called ‘Jung’ to visit the Nuranag Fall. It is a spectacular waterfall where a white sheet of water descends from a height of about 100 meters. Walk to the base of the waterfall see multiple rainbows at a time. You will follow the same route to Bomdila!
This time when you reach Dirang visit the 17th-century fort called Dirang Dzong. It was built to protect the villagers from enemy raids and attack but now it is used as houses by the locals. Walkthrough this historic fort and interact with the existing residents to know more about this Dzong. Last but not the least and if only the time permits then visit the Khastung Gompa on top of the village which is the oldest monastery of in all of Arunachal Pradesh.
Later proceed towards Bomdila, check-in at hotel upon arrival and evening at leisure.
Day 7 – Bomdila to Guwahati | 9 to 10 hrs | 286 km
Most of your time on the last day will be spent inside the car while driving back to Guwahati. Earlier it was impossible to reach Guwahati on the same day but with the new Assam-Arunachal highway it is just a matter of 9 to 10 hrs.
Have early breakfast and check-out from your hotel and proceed towards Rupa to enter Assam after crossing Balemu gate. Have lunch on your way to Guwahati at Majbaat and proceed further. The driver will drop you at the hotel in Guwahati. End of your tour!
Long Itinerary
We have not repeated the day to day details about the same destinations. So you will find some point to point details are missing here, do not worry because we have already mentioned about these places in our Short Tawang tour itinerary.
Day 1 – Arrive in Guwahati
We welcome you to Guwahati, the gateway to the seven sister states of Northeast India. Upon your arrival, the driver will pick you from the airport or railway station and take you to your hotel. If you reach here at morning then go for a half day tour of Assam State Museum, Umananda Temple in the Peacock Island and Srimanta Shankardev Kalakhetra and also do an evening river cruise at the River Brahmaputra. If you reach late afternoon then only the river cruise will be the best thing to do.
Guwahati is one of the oldest cities of Assam and the biggest in Northeast India. Guwahati is a green valley surrounded by low-lying hills and the Mighty Brahmaputra flows through it. This city has many temples and the most famous among them is the Kamakhya temple, Umananda Temple, Balaji Temple, Basistha Temple and the Dol Gobindo Temple.
Start your sightseeing in Guwahati from Umananda Temple. To reach this temple you will have to take a local ferry from Kachari ghat. Umanada is a Shiva temple located at the Peacock Island in the middle of the River Brahmaputra. It is also the smallest inhabited island in the world. After coming back from Umananda Temple now you can go to the Assam State Museum to know about the rich history of Assam and its rich ethnicity. It is a huge multi-storeyed building with about 5000 thousand objects on display ranging from ancient manuscripts to fabrics from different tribes.
Try authentic Assamese lunch at the Paradise Hotel in Goswami Service and from here head straight towards the Srimanta Sankardev Kalashetra. This place is Northeast India’s largest cultural congregation and it is a major tourist spot in Guwahati. Named after the medieval poet-playwriter and the reformer Srimanta Sankardev, this place has a museum, library, artist village, amphitheater and art galleries that reflect the culture and tradition of Assam. A visit to this place will let you know and understand more about Assam.
After finishing a tour of Kalashetra you can go to the Fancy Bazar Ghat for an evening cruise on the River Brahmaputra. Once you are back to the shore, head back to your hotel. Have dinner as per your convenience and take rest for the next day’s journey.
Day 2 – Guwahati to Nameri | 6 hrs | 216 km
Day 3 – Nameri National Park
After a good breakfast at the camp go for rafting at the Jia Bharali River. It is a 13 km rafting upstream and takes about three hours to complete. Hog Deer, Elephants, Monkeys, Hornbills and Fishing Eagles can easily be spotted while rafting. You can also stopover for a picnic at mid-way on the banks; packed food can be arranged from the camp.
After coming back from rafting, hire a forest guard and row over to the other side of Jia Bharali to explore the core range of the Nameri National Park to sight wild animals and birds or you can try angling to catch and release the endangered Mahseer fish. Night at the Eco-camp!
Day 4 – Nameri to Dirang
After an early breakfast at the camp, get ready to leave for Dirang. Dirang is a small but historical town after crossing Bomdila. It takes almost six to seven hours to reach Dirang and upon arrival visit the Dirang Dzong. Dzong means fort in Tibetan language and this fort was built some 150 years ago to protect the villagers from any raid or enemy invasion. Walk around the fort and talk to the locals living around the fort to let yourself sink in its history.
After the fort visit, check-in at the hotel and rest for some time. In the evening visit the local market in Dirang and come back to the hotel to call it a night after dinner.
*You can either choose to stay in Dirang or Sangti Valley according to your wish and budget.
Day 5 – Sangti Valley
After breakfast check –out from the hotel and get ready to go to Sangti Valley, which is around 7 km from Dirang Basti. Sangti is a gorgeous valley with Apple & Kiwi Orchards and a beautiful Monpa settlement. You must have this place in your Tawang tour itinerary. You can spend the night at a luxury campsite in Sangti Valley or go back to your hotel in Dirang.
Day 6 – Dirang/Sangti Valley to Tawang | 6 to 7 hrs | 142 km
Get up early today to commence your journey to Tawang. Freshen up quickly, have breakfast and check out from the hotel. You will follow the Dirang-Tawang highway and the details about the places of interest for this day’s journey is similar to what has been mentioned in the short itinerary for Bomdila to Tawang
Day 7 – Tawang
Day 8 – Bumla Day Excursion
Day 9 – Tawang to Bomdila | 7 to 8 hrs | 171 km
Day 10 – Bomdila to Guwahati | 9 to 10 hrs | 286 km
Day 11 – Drop to Airport
The driver will drop you to the airport or railway station for your return or onward journey. End of services!
Via New Route | Guwahati – Mangaldai – Mazbat – Kalaktang – Bomdila – Tawang
This is a new route connecting Guwahati with Tawang and through this, the distance between the two is 456 km and it is approximately 50 km or two hours shorter than the old road. The road surface is good and wide with bare minimum traffic. It merges with the old Tawang highway at Bombila via Kalaktang and Rupa.
From Guwahati, you will have to cross the mighty River Brahmaputra and travel through the green agricultural land of lower Assam dotted with villages, markets and schools. From Orang the road runs parallel with the Bhutan border to reach Balemu, the Assam- Arunachal Pradesh inter-state boundary. The hilly roads start from this point with absolutely no shops or any human settlement but broad roads till Bomdila.
Consider this route in your Tawang tour itinerary if you have only a week off from your work. Panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas are guaranteed! Let us now take you through two different travel itineraries for Tawang with both short and long holiday days.
Short Itinerary
Day 1 – Guwahati to Bomdila | 8 to 9 hrs | 286 km
You will have to leave early from your hotel to reach Bomdila by evening. Pack dry food items and start your journey to Bomdila. On your way, have a solid breakfast at Mangaldai and proceed further to reach Balemu. From Balemu the road rolls over the hills with a gradual ascent taking you to your dream destination.
Stop at Shergaon for a quick break and if time permits then visit the Chillipam monastery on top of a hill near Rupa before reaching Bomdila. Check-in at your hotel in Bomdila and evening at leisure.
Day 2 – Bomdila to Tawang | 7 to 8 hrs | 171 km
Day 3 – Tawang
Day 4 – Bumla Day Excursion
*If you don’t get permission to visit Bumla due to security reasons or bad weather conditions then you can go to Zemithang. A detail about this place is mentioned below.
Day 5 – Tawang to Bomdila | 7 to 8 hrs | 171 km
Day 6 – Bomdila to Guwahati | 8 to 9 hrs | 286 km
Long Itinerary
Day 1 – Guwahati to Bomdila | 8 to 9 hrs | 286 km
Day 2 – Bomdila to Tawang | 7 to 8 hrs | 171 km
Day 3 – Tawang
Day 4 – Bumla Day Excursion
Day 5 – Tawang to Dirang/Sangti Valley | 6 to 7 hrs | 142 km
*You can either choose to stay in Dirang or Sangti Valley according to your wish and budget.
Day 6 – Sangti Valley
Day 7 – Dirang/Sangti to Bomdila | 1 to 2 hrs | 50 km
Today you can visit the places of interest in Bomdila
Day 9 – Bomdila to Guwahati | 8 to 9 hrs | 286 km
Scenic offbeat Destinations in the Tawang Sector
The mountain valleys of the Tawang region are dotted with some amazing tiny scenic villages which are ideal destinations to find solace from the hustle and bustle of the city. Although not many details are available on the internet about these villages offering stunning views, absolute tranquillity, serenity and peace of mind. Here is the list of five offbeat villages that you can add in your Tawang tour itinerary,
Sangti Valley – Sangti Valley is near Dirang at a distance of seven km from the old village. Dotted with Kiwi and Apple orchards, a visit to this valley will surely be a delightful experience. It is the most picturesque valley in all of West Kameng district with green landscape, meandering river and unusual architecture. Click on the link to know more about this unheard destination of Arunachal Pradesh.
Thembang Fortified Village – Located 55 km northeast of Bomdila, Thembang fortified village is under the tentative list of UNESCO heritage sites. It is an ancient Monpa village with high cultural and historical significance. It has several ancient historical structures and a fortified Dzong which was built using the traditional locally available materials. Due to the structural and architectural richness of the village, the locals consider the entire village of Thembang as a monument.
Thembang Dzong is believed to be constructed before 1100 CE and it bears exceptional testimony to the living cultural traditions of the Monpa tribe depicting the influence of diverse cultures of the Bhutanese, the Tibetans and the indigenous North East Indian.
Zemithang – A hidden paradise in the extreme northwest of Tawang region bordering Bhutan and China is Zemithang. It is approximately 90 km from Tawang town and it can be added as a full day tour option in your tour itinerary. The route from Tawang to Zemithang has a thick forest with waterfalls naturally marking the road as milestones. Zemithang is a famous pilgrimage site for the Tibetan Buddhist known as Gorsam Chorten.
Gorsam Chorten is located five km before reaching Zemithang and has a giant stupa that is believed to be built in the early part of the 12th century by a monk named Sangey Pradha. It is the largest stupa in the area or probably in all of Arunachal Pradesh, having a close resemblance with the Boudhanath Chorten in Kathmandu, Nepal. There are only three stupas of this kind, in Nepal, Bhutan and near Zimithang.
This place also has some of the most scenic short trekking trails but you need prior permission from the border forces to step out on these trails. His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama escaped from Lhasa to Tawang via Khenzamani which is just 10 km from Zemithang and even the Chinese entered through this route during the Sino-Indian War.
On your way to Zemithang you can also visit the spectacular Bap Teng Kang aka BTK Waterfall.
Shergaon – Shergaon is a small village in the West Kameng district and locally it is also as Shenthuk or Sherbumtang. Surrounded by lofty foothills of the eastern Himalayas, Shergaon valley is a fertile land with three rivers Natu Kho, Peng Leng Kho and Chowskorong Kho flowing through the village. You must include this destination in your Tawang tour itinerary if you seek peace and solitude.
Walk around the village and meet the friendly villagers. You can also explore different horticulture farms of this village. Shergaon is known for its Apple, Walnut, Plum, Chestnut, Peach, Cherry, Pear, Pomegranate and Kiwi. The best is Apple at this place and there are more than 15 different varieties of apples grown in this tiny village and its adjoining areas.
The people of Shergaon are expert fishermen as well as hunters and some of the fishing techniques are so unique to this village that you can never find them anywhere else in the outside world. There are two beautiful monasteries that you can also visit near Shergaon.
Permits to Enter Arunachal Pradesh
Everyone apart from the local resident of Arunachal Pradesh needs a permit to enter the state. It is mandatory to have a proper permit or else you will be stopped at the interstate boundary and not be allowed to enter Arunachal Pradesh. Permits required by the Indian national is known as Inner Line Permit (ILP) and for a foreign tourist it is a Protected Area Permit (PAP).
Arunachal Pradesh shares an international borders with China, Bhutan and Myanmar hence tourist movement in the state is closely monitored by the state government. ILP can be applied both online and offline. An offline application is received and issued at the office of the Resident Commissioner or the Deputy Resident Commissioner of Government of Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, North Lakhimpur and Jorhat. You can apply it online at https://arunachalilp.com or get it on arrival at the Guwahati Airport, Guwahati Asom Paryatan Bhawan, Naharlagun Railway Station and Gumto Railway Station.
If you are a foreign tourist, you will have to be in a group with a minimum of two people or more to apply for the permit. It cannot be applied online and you will have to get it done through a state-approved local tour operator only. Copy of your passport, Indian visa and entry stamp, flight tickets and passport size photographs are needed at the time of application as an attached document. Once issued, a protected area permit is valid for 30 days only and it cannot be extended at any circumstances.
Useful Advice for the Journey
- Carry warm clothes and thick socks while traveling to Tawang. You cannot enter monasteries with your shoes on and the floors are cold, so it is advised to bring thick to keep your feet dry and warm.
- Do not rush to places, at first get your body acclimatized to high altitude. The human body is prone to Acute Mountain Sickness anywhere above 8,000 ft so halt at places before Tawang.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke a cigarette if you feel dizzy or shortness of breath, you may be suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Consult with a doctor asap!
- Carry your prescribed medicines if any and take proper precautions for Acute Mountain Sickness and Motion Sickness.
- There are not many roadside eateries in the highway so carry dry food items with you especially if you are traveling with kids.
- Do not panic if you get dizzy or unwell at Bumla Pass, Army Medical Unit is based at this place.
- Turn off the room heater before you fell asleep in your hotel in Tawang.
- If you are bitten by an insect called ‘Daamdum’ then take out the sting immediately to avoid inflammation. Daamdum is as big as mosquito and it also sucks blood.
- Carry extra batteries for your camera because due to the cold weather it quickly gets exhausted.
- Always carry a hardcopy of your entry permit and keep it handy.
- Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary – If you are a wildlife lover and a bird enthusiast then you must stay at Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary for two to three days. It is close to Dirang near Tenga and has a pristine mountain forest and dense canopies. It is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a best kept Himalayan secret. Go out on a long walk with the forest guide and you may be rewarded with a sight of a rare Blyth’s Tragopan, Grey Peacock Pheasant or Temminck’s Tragopan as well.
- Orchid Research Centre, Tipi – If you like colorful orchid plants and wish to see more than 100 different varieties of it in one place then you must visit the Tipi Orchid Research Center in Tipi. It is just after crossing Bhalukpong gate at Tipi village.
- Nature and wildlife enthusiasts can also add at Mandala-Phudung forest area in their Tawang tour itinerary. The view of the Gorichen peak and the great diversity of birds make this place a goldmine for the birders and photographers.
For any further details about the present road conditions, weather, hotel bookings, guides and transport booking you can contact us by filling this contact form. Do let us know if we have missed something to list in our Tawang tour itinerary. We wish you a safe and happy journey!
