8 Days / 7 Nights. From ₹48,000 per person (twin sharing), plus 5% GST.
An 8-day road trip into western Arunachal Pradesh that starts and ends in Guwahati. You drive up through Bhalukpong and Dirang, cross Sela Pass at about 4,170 m to Tawang, and spend three nights there for the great monastery, the war memorial and an optional permit day to Bum La on the China border. The return is via Bomdila. Days are long on mountain roads, and an Inner Line Permit is required.
Highlights
Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India
Crossing Sela Pass and Sela Lake at about 4,170 m
Jaswantgarh war memorial and Nuranang (Jang) Falls on the way to Tawang
Tawang War Memorial and the evening light-and-sound show
Optional day to Bum La Pass on the India–China border and Sangetsar (Madhuri) Lake
Dirang Dzong, the old stone village of Dirang
Bomdila Monastery and the view over the Kameng valley
Urgelling Monastery, birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive Guwahati · Drive to Bhalukpong — Our driver meets you at Guwahati airport or railway station, preferably by 11 am, and drives you about 230 km to Bhalukpong on the Assam–Arunachal border (5–6 hours), via Tezpur. Your Inner Line Permit is checked at the Bhalukpong gate, so keep the e-ILP (printed and on your phone) with your photo ID. Check in at a riverside lodge on the Kameng river and rest.
Bhalukpong to Dirang via Bomdila — After breakfast, drive about 140 km to Dirang (5–6 hours), climbing through Tenga and over the ridge at Bomdila. Stop at the Tipi Orchid Centre near Bhalukpong if it is open. Lunch is on the way at your own cost. In the late afternoon, walk around Dirang Dzong, the old stone village, and the Dirang hot springs by the river if time allows.
Dirang to Tawang via Sela Pass, Jaswantgarh and Nuranang Falls — Leave early after breakfast and drive about 140 km to Tawang (6–7 hours with stops). The road climbs to Sela Pass at about 4,170 m, where Sela Lake lies beside the road; the Sela tunnel now offers an all-weather bypass, and we take the pass road when it is open for the views. Stop at the Jaswantgarh war memorial, which honours rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the 1962 war, and at Nuranang (Jang)…
Tawang Monastery, War Memorial and Urgelling — After breakfast, visit Tawang Monastery, the largest in India, with its three-storey assembly hall, 8 m golden Buddha and museum of old manuscripts; the morning prayers are worth seeing. Then visit Urgelling Monastery, where the 6th Dalai Lama was born, and the Ani Gompa nunnery if time allows. In the evening, see the Tawang War Memorial and stay for the light-and-sound show about the 1962 war…
Optional Bum La Pass and Sangetsar (Madhuri) Lake · or a free day in Tawang — If your Bum La permit is issued (Indian nationals only, extra cost), leave at about 6 am in a local 4x4 for Bum La Pass at about 4,600 m on the India–China border, about 37 km from Tawang on a rough road (2.5–3 hours each way). An Army post briefs visitors at the pass. On the way back, visit Sangetsar Lake, often called Madhuri Lake, with its dead tree trunks standing in the water. If you skip…
Tawang to Bomdila · Bomdila Monastery — After breakfast, drive back over Sela Pass or through the Sela tunnel to Bomdila, about 180 km (7–8 hours with breaks). Lunch is on the way at your own cost. In the late afternoon, visit Bomdila Monastery and the viewpoint over the Kameng valley; on clear days you can see the snow peaks to the north.
Bomdila to Guwahati — Leave Bomdila at about 6:30 am after an early breakfast and drive about 330 km back down to Guwahati via Bhalukpong and Tezpur (9–10 hours with breaks). Lunch is on the way at your own cost. Check in at your Guwahati hotel in the evening and rest.
Kamakhya temple · Departure from Guwahati — After breakfast, visit Kamakhya temple on Nilachal Hill if your flight or train is in the afternoon or evening (general darshan queues can take 2–4 hours; a paid special-entry ticket is available). Our driver then drops you at Guwahati airport (about 25 km, 45–60 minutes) or the railway station.
All transfers and sightseeing in a private vehicle from Guwahati to Guwahati, as per itinerary
24/7 travel support during the trip
Exclusions
GST at 5% on the total package price (government tax, added to the quote)
Airfare or train fare to and from Guwahati
Inner Line Permit fee
Bum La permit and the local 4x4 vehicle for Bum La and Sangetsar Lake
Lunch and dinner
Monastery museum, War Memorial show and other entry tickets
Kamakhya special darshan tickets
Extra nights or transport caused by snow, landslides or road closures
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses and tips
Anything not listed under inclusions
Visa & entry
No visa needed, but every Indian visitor needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh — apply online on the official e-ILP portal (eilp.arunachal.gov.in) with Aadhaar and a photo before travel; Bum La needs a separate permit from the Tawang DC office and Army, for Indian nationals only
Good to know
Apply for the ILP at least a week before travel. Since May 2026 the e-ILP is fully digital with Aadhaar-based authentication and QR-code checks at the gates. Carry the permit printed and on your phone, with original photo ID.
Tawang is at about 3,000 m, Sela Pass about 4,170 m and Bum La about 4,600 m. Drink plenty of water, walk slowly and avoid alcohol on the first day. People with heart or breathing problems should consult a doctor first.
Most days involve 5–8 hours on mountain roads, and Day 7 is 9–10 hours. Carry motion-sickness tablets if needed.
It is cold in every season. Pack thermals, a heavy jacket, gloves and a cap from October to April, and a raincoat from May to September. Hotels in Tawang may have limited heating.
Vegetarian food is available, but menus are simple outside Guwahati (rice, dal, vegetables, momos and thukpa). Tell us if you need pure vegetarian meals; carrying some ready-to-eat food helps.
Mobile networks are patchy beyond Bhalukpong (BSNL, Jio and Airtel work in towns). ATMs are in Bomdila and Tawang but can run dry, so carry enough cash.
Questions travellers ask
Do we need a permit for Arunachal Pradesh?
Yes. Every Indian visitor needs an Inner Line Permit, applied online with Aadhaar before travel. We guide you through it. Bum La needs an extra permit issued in Tawang, which we apply for on Day 4.
Is Bum La included?
No. Bum La is an optional extension at extra cost because it needs a separate permit and a local 4x4. Permits are for Indian nationals only and can be refused or cancelled at short notice because of weather or Army orders.
Is this trip suitable for senior citizens and children?
It suits healthy seniors and children who manage long drives well. The altitude and long road days are the main challenge, so please consult your doctor if anyone has heart, lung or blood pressure problems. Bum La is not advised for infants or people with breathing problems.
Will we see snow?
Snow is likely at Sela Pass and Bum La from about November to April, and possible in Tawang in December–February. Heavy snow can close Sela Pass or Bum La for a day or more.
Does the price include flights?
No. The trip starts and ends in Guwahati. We can book flights from Vijayawada or Hyderabad and send a quote with and without flights.
అరుణాచల్ తవాంగ్ ఎక్స్ప్లోరర్
గువాహటిలో మొదలై గువాహటిలోనే ముగిసే 8 రోజుల పశ్చిమ అరుణాచల్ ప్రదేశ్ రోడ్ ట్రిప్. భాలుక్పోంగ్, దిరాంగ్ మీదుగా ప్రయాణించి సుమారు 4,170 మీ. ఎత్తులోని సేలా పాస్ దాటి తవాంగ్ చేరుకుంటారు. అక్కడ మూడు రాత్రులు ఉండి పెద్ద మఠం, వార్ మెమోరియల్ చూస్తారు; పర్మిట్తో చైనా సరిహద్దులోని బుమ్ లాకు ఒక రోజు ఐచ్ఛికంగా వెళ్లవచ్చు. తిరుగు ప్రయాణం బొమ్డిలా మీదుగా. కొండ దారుల్లో రోజులు పొడవుగా ఉంటాయి; ఇన్నర్ లైన్ పర్మిట్ తప్పనిసరి.
To book or customise this trip, call / WhatsApp +91 97162 22279.