Arunachal
Tawang, Ziro and remote valleys. Indians need an Inner Line Permit. 6 places, grouped into circuits you can combine in one trip.
Tawang route
Plan this circuitBhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang, Sela Pass and Tawang.
Bhalukpong
The foothill gateway to Arunachal on the Kameng river — angling, rafting and orchids.
Bomdila
A hill town with a large monastery, apple orchards and views over the Kameng valleys.
Dirang
A river valley of Monpa villages, a stone dzong, hot springs and kiwi orchards on the Tawang road.
Tawang & Sela Pass
India's largest monastery in a high valley near Bhutan and Tibet, reached over the snowy Sela Pass.
Ziro valley
Plan this circuitApatani villages and rice fields.
Mechuka
Plan this circuitA remote valley near the China border.
Before you go
Arunachal: good to know
Getting in
For Tawang, Dirang and Bomdila, come through Guwahati and Tezpur. For Ziro, use Itanagar or Naharlagun. For Mechuka, use Dibrugarh.
Permits and paperwork
Every Indian visitor needs an Inner Line Permit, issued online or at offices in Guwahati, Tezpur, Delhi and Kolkata. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered tour operator. Bum La pass near Tawang needs a further permit from the district administration and is open to Indian citizens only.
Permit rules change. Treat this as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
Worth knowing
Distances are long and roads slow; a full day rarely covers more than 200 km. Mobile coverage is patchy outside the towns.
What to eat
- Thukpa and momos
- In the Monpa areas around Tawang and Dirang.
- Zan
- A millet porridge eaten with vegetables or meat.
- Bamboo shoot
- In curries, pickles and with smoked pork across the state.
- Apong
- Rice beer, offered to guests in Apatani and Adi homes.
- Butter tea
- Salty and warming, in the high villages.
Festivals and seasons
- TorgyaJanuary
- Masked dances at Tawang monastery.
- LosarFebruary
- The Monpa new year.
- MyokoMarch
- The Apatani spring festival at Ziro.
- Ziro Festival of MusicLate September
- An outdoor festival in the paddy fields.
- Tawang FestivalOctober or November
- A tourism festival of dance and food.
Many of these follow the lunar calendar, so the dates move each year.
Arunachal: questions people ask
What are the best places to visit in Arunachal?
This guide covers 6 places in Arunachal, grouped into 3 circuits: Tawang route, Ziro valley and Mechuka. Each page says who the place suits and who it does not.
What is the best time to visit Arunachal?
March and April and October and November are the best time for most places in Arunachal. Seasons differ by altitude, so check each place.
Which places in Arunachal are easy for families and first-timers?
Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang, Tawang & Sela Pass and Ziro Valley are rated easy and good with children.
Where can you see snow in Arunachal?
Snow is likely for part of the year at Tawang & Sela Pass, Bomdila and Mechuka. Each page lists the snow months.
What is the highest place in Arunachal in this guide?
Tawang & Sela Pass, at 4,170 m.
Do you need a permit to visit Arunachal?
Every Indian visitor needs an Inner Line Permit, issued online or at offices in Guwahati, Tezpur, Delhi and Kolkata. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered tour operator. Bum La pass near Tawang needs a further permit from the district administration and is open to Indian citizens only.
How do you get to Arunachal?
For Tawang, Dirang and Bomdila, come through Guwahati and Tezpur. For Ziro, use Itanagar or Naharlagun. For Mechuka, use Dibrugarh.
What food should you try in Arunachal?
Thukpa and momos: in the monpa areas around tawang and dirang; Zan: a millet porridge eaten with vegetables or meat; Bamboo shoot: in curries, pickles and with smoked pork across the state; Apong: rice beer, offered to guests in apatani and adi homes; Butter tea: salty and warming, in the high villages.
What are the main festivals in Arunachal?
Torgya (january), Losar (february), Myoko (march), Ziro Festival of Music (late september), Tawang Festival (october or november).