Tawang · Arunachal
Tawang & Sela Pass
India's largest monastery in a high valley near Bhutan and Tibet, reached over the snowy Sela Pass.
Tawang & Sela Pass is an easy road trip in Tawang, Arunachal, reaching 4,170 m. The best time to go is March to May and October and November. Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground from Guwahati / Tezpur and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Tawang & Sela Pass
The one thing not to miss
Tawang Monastery
The largest monastery in India; go for morning prayers.
- 2Sela PassThe high pass and lake on the road in.
- 3Bum La and Sangetsar LakeClose to the border; a permit is needed.
- 4The war memorialAbove the town.
A sample plan: 7 days
Day 1
Guwahati to Bhalukpong or Tezpur
Carry your Inner Line Permit.
Day 2
On to Dirang
Up through Bomdila.
Day 3
Dirang to Tawang over Sela
By the pass for the lake, or the tunnel in bad weather.
Day 4
Tawang
The monastery, the war memorial and the craft centre.
Day 5
Bum La and Sangestar Tso
Needs a separate local permit and a local vehicle.
Day 6
Tawang to Dirang or Bomdila
The way back.
Day 7
To Guwahati
A long last day.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Monastery, frozen lakes on Sela, and one of the most spectacular road journeys in the country.
Why not
Two long days by road each way from Guwahati, and Sela can close in heavy snow.
Before you go
- Permits
- Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens (apply online); Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals.
- Guide
- Hire a local driver from Guwahati or Tezpur.
- Safety
- Sela Pass is over 4,000 m — don't linger if anyone feels unwell. Check road status in winter.
- Phone & internet
- Good in Tawang town; none on Sela.
Altitude
Tawang & Sela Pass reaches 4,170 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Arunachal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District control room, Tawang, Tawang; District Hospital, Tawang.
All emergency contacts for Arunachal →What to pack for Tawang & Sela Pass
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
11 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
8 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Pulse oximeter Lets you watch your oxygen level above 4,000 m. It does not replace descending if you feel unwell.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 4,170 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
4 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsInner Line Permit for Indian citizens (apply online); Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals.
- Passport-size photos and photocopies of your IDPermit counters and check posts ask for them, and there is rarely a photocopier nearby. Carry four of each.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereGood in Tawang town; none on Sela.
For what you're going for
4 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
- Portable tyre inflator Punctures happen far from the next repair shop.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Arunachal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Guwahati / Tezpur.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Indians need an Inner Line Permit and foreigners a Protected Area Permit; arrange it before you arrive.
By road
From
Guwahati
- Distance
- about 500 km
- Drive time
- two days
- Guwahati
- Tezpur
- Bhalukpong
- Bomdila
- Dirang
- Sela
- Jang
- Tawang
Most people stop the night at Dirang or Bomdila.
Live directions from GuwahatiFrom
Dirang
- Distance
- about 135 km
- Drive time
- 5–6 hours
- Dirang
- Sela
- Jang
- Tawang
A tunnel under Sela, opened in 2024, keeps the road open in most weather; the old road over the pass is the scenic one.
Live directions from Dirang
Buses and shared taxis. Fly or take a train to Guwahati. Shared sumos run from Tezpur to Tawang in a long day.
Pickups & drivers
From Guwahati / Tezpur. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Tawang & Sela Pass yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Tawang & Sela Pass: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Tawang & Sela Pass?
The best months for Tawang & Sela Pass are March to May and October and November. December to February and September are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Tawang & Sela Pass?
Tawang & Sela Pass is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 3,048 m and reaching 4,170 m.
How many days do you need for Tawang & Sela Pass?
Plan 6 to 7 days on the ground, counted from Guwahati / Tezpur. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Tawang & Sela Pass cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹21,000 for 7 days, before the cost of getting to Guwahati / Tezpur.
How do you reach Tawang & Sela Pass?
By road: from Guwahati it is about 500 km, two days (Guwahati → Tezpur → Bhalukpong → Bomdila → Dirang → Sela → Jang → Tawang); from Dirang it is about 135 km, 5–6 hours (Dirang → Sela → Jang → Tawang). Fly or take a train to Guwahati. Shared sumos run from Tezpur to Tawang in a long day. The nearest gateway is Guwahati / Tezpur.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Tawang & Sela Pass?
Permits: Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens (apply online); Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals. Guide: Hire a local driver from Guwahati or Tezpur.
Is Tawang & Sela Pass suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is possible with care. It is moderately busy in season. Sela Pass is over 4,000 m — don't linger if anyone feels unwell. Check road status in winter.
What should you pack for Tawang & Sela Pass?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, sun cap or hat. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Tawang & Sela Pass?
Good in Tawang town; none on Sela.
Will I get altitude sickness at Tawang & Sela Pass?
Tawang & Sela Pass reaches 4,170 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Tawang & Sela Pass?
Tawang & Sela Pass is not a good choice for older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 4,170 m. Also keep in mind: Two long days by road each way from Guwahati, and Sela can close in heavy snow.
More in Tawang route
- Bhalukpong600 mcompare
- Bomdila2,500 mcompare
- Dirang2,500 mcompare
- Mechuka2,100 mcompare
- Ziro Valley1,700 mcompare