With snow-covered passes, rolling meadows, frozen lakes, gushing rivers and a inhabitants made up of hospitable tribal communities, Arunachal Pradesh is a fascinating vacation spot, albeit barely off the vacationer path. This north-east state of India is a paradise for botanists, a haven for the city-worn soul and a hotspot for musicians from the world over, due to the Ziro Competition held right here yearly. For years, the state was embroiled in territorial disputes between India and China. Even at this time, an Inside Line Allow (ILP) is required for Indian residents to go to Arunachal. This drive takes you from Guwahati, the gateway to the Northeast, by means of the Orang and Nameri nationwide parks, to pristine Tawang.

Start your drive from Guwahati early within the morning to keep away from the heavy truck visitors on its fringes. Take the NH31 north out of the city. On the time of analysis, the bridge over the Brahmaputra, on the outskirts of Guwahati had been lowered to a one-lane overpass. Visitors is sluggish by means of the day and evening and although the visitors police directs automobiles on the bridge to stop congestion, the crossing can take an hour, or generally as much as three hours, to barter. Ensure you have breakfast earlier than you permit your lodge. Additionally, you will discover dhabas a few kilometres down the highway after crossing the bridge.

As soon as throughout the bridge, observe the NH31 to Baihata. Right here, flip proper onto the NH15. This highway will take you by way of Balugaon to Orang city, from the place a 15-km-long filth monitor results in the Orang Nationwide Park, situated on the northern banks of the Brahmaputra.

Overlaying a small space of 79 sq km, the nationwide park is residence to an enormous inhabitants of the good Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The park’s terrain is just like that of Kaziranga — swampy grasslands with landlocked beels (wetlands). There are 12 beels within the park, a few of that are homing grounds for hundreds of migratory birds throughout winter. Orang can be stated to have a excessive density of the Royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant, pygmy hog and hog deer. You possibly can go to the park in a car (4WD really useful) with a forest information. Elephant rides will also be organized.

Park Entry: Indians is INR 50; Foreigners INR 500

Timings: Dawn-sunset

Car Entry: INR 300

Information: The forest guards act as guides so do tip them

After exploring the nationwide park, retrace your path to Orang city and head east on the NH15 in the direction of Tezpur.

A bustling business centre, Tezpur is an efficient place to spend the evening. If time permits, take a leisurely stroll alongside the Brahmaputra. The river right here is calm and particularly broad, with sweeps of sand alongside the banks. There are some superbly landscaped parks across the city. The scenic Chitralekha Udyan close to the Circuit Home is value a go to, with a pond, lawns and a cluster of historical ruins.

Route: Tezpur-Nameri Nationwide park

The subsequent morning, after an early breakfast on the lodge, set off on the NH15. About 15 km from Tezpur, the freeway veers off eastwards. At this junction, drive straight for about 14 km, earlier than turning proper onto the Nameri Eco Camp Street at Jogi Bosti.

Declared a nationwide park in 1998, Nameri is nestled within the foothills of the Japanese Himalaya, with the River Jia Bhoroli and its tributaries coursing by means of it. The park’s vegetation is usually made up of cane and bamboo thickets and swaths of grasslands alongside the rivers. Nameri supplies the best habitat to quite a few animals equivalent to tiger, leopard, sambar deer, gaur and white-winged wooden duck. The park is, nevertheless, famous for its elephant inhabitants.

On the west facet of the river lies the Forest Workplace, situated close to the Eco Camp. Boats depart from right here for excursions of the thickly forested space on the japanese financial institution. Attain early within the morning, as there are restricted variety of boats. Rent a forest guard and row over to the opposite facet of the river to the primary park for a day stuffed with exploration. If you’re staying on the Eco Camp, verify with the lodge employees for sightseeing preparations.

Park Entry Cost: Indians INR 50, Foreigners INR 500

Timings: Dawn-sunset The forest guards double up as guides.

Rafting on the Jia Bhoroli river is the prime attraction in Nameri. Situated on the sting of the park, Eco Camp organises rafting excursions in inflatable rubber dinghies. The route normally begins 13 kms upstream and takes about three hours to finish. Herds of elephants and monkeys in addition to a wide range of birds, together with cormorants, hornbills, fishing eagles and brahminy geese, might be simply noticed whereas rafting. It’s also possible to cease over for a picnic lunch on the banks of the river throughout the journey.

Trekking can be a preferred exercise in Nameri. The park might be explored solely on foot, accompanied by an armed guard, after crossing the river by boat. Elephants, bison and Himalayan black bears might be generally noticed throughout these expeditions. The period of treks can vary from a couple of hours to half-day and even full-day.

The Jia Bhoroli river is legendary for its ample inhabitants of the golden mahaseer. Eco Camp organises catch and launch angling on the river, because the mahaseer is an endangered species.

It’s also possible to go to the Pygmy Hog Basis, close to the Eco Camp workplace, to find out about pygmy hogs, one of many world’s critically endangered mammals.

Route: Nameri Nationwide Park-Dirang

After spending two blissful days in Nameri Nationwide Park, retrace your route again to Jogi Bosti and drive northwest in the direction of Bhalukpong, simply an hour away from Nameri. That is the place Assam ends and Arunachal Pradesh begins. The Jia Bhoroli river is regionally often called Kameng right here. It’s necessary for all guests to have an Inside Line Allow to enter the border state. The permits are checked on the inter-state boundary, after which the uphill climb begins.

In Arunachal, the highway is normally a collection of hairpin bends, at occasions operating alongside the river, then rising up into the mountains and again down once more. The drive winds previous unspoiled tropical rainforests with umbrella-shaped canopies that permit little daylight to filter by means of to the dense undergrowth. Additional into Arunachal, military presence will increase and the highway broadens out, merging with the NH229. You possibly can cease on the city of Rupa, about two hours from Bhalukpong. Initially named Tukpan, the scenic city is situated at 1,407 m and is surrounded by mountains. The centuries-old gompa here’s a vibrant picket construction typical of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism.

As you drive northwards from Rupa, the air turns into lots cooler. About 16 kms from Rupa lies the city of Bomdila. Unfold over the southern face of the Bomdila Ridge, the city marks the entry into the area of Tibetan Buddhism. On the finish of the bazaar line stands Decrease Gompa, a reasonably two-storey monastery constructed within the conventional Tibetan fashion. Excessive above the city, perched on the ridge, is the Gaden Rabgyeling Monastery, higher often called the Higher Gompa. Additional forward, you’ll cross the primary go on this route, the two,479-m Bomdila, and go down a forest highway to the city of Dirang.

An enthralling little hill station, Dirang is the proper place for a relaxed vacation. The settlement contains an previous village and a brand new city, situated 5 kms aside. The brand new city is located alongside the freeway from Assam to Tawang and has a bunch of retailers. The primary attraction in Dirang is the previous hilltop fort that gives among the most breathtaking views of the Kameng Valley under. Different sights across the new city space embrace an orchid centre, apple orchards and kiwi farms.

The 400-year-old, three-storey fortified construction, the Dirang Dzong was constructed for administrative functions by the monastic Buddhist rulers of the area. Made from stone and wooden, the fort gives sweeping views of the valley under. Situated about 3 kms from the brand new city, the Dirang Gompa is the newer monastery.

Get up on the break of day to drive to Sangti Valley, about 7 kms from Dirang. Surrounded by lofty ranges of the Japanese Himalaya, the plush valley stretches alongside the Sangti river, a tributary of the Kameng. In winter, you’ll be able to catch sight of black-necked cranes that migrate to the valley from China.

Depart early the following morning to have sufficient time in hand to drive to the close by Sangti Valley for recognizing black-necked cranes (in winter), after which for negotiating the Se La mountain go. Just a few kilometres out of Dirang, at a top of two,846 m, you will note snow on the rooftops of buildings that comprise the hamlet of Dzongri La. Visibility right here is lower than 100 m, the bushes are lined with snow, and the highway is a white subject with monitor marks of wheels. One other 20 km from this village lies the 4,215-m excessive Se La, the very best and hardest motorable go within the Northeast. The frozen Se La Lake is situated close to the go. From right here, Tawang is round 70 km away.

Tawang is located within the northwestern nook of Arunachal, near the borders of Tibet and Bhutan. The city occupies a hill at 3,048 metres towards a backdrop of snow-clad mountains. A monk named Merak Lama got here to Tawang within the seventeenth century — a interval of harsh rivalry between numerous Buddhist sects — and constructed a fortress right here to guard the monks of the Gelugpa sect. In the present day, the fort is named Tawang Monastery and is claimed to be the largest Buddhist monastery in India. In 1959, when the current Dalai Lama fled from Tibet, he crossed over into India and spent a couple of days on this monastery, earlier than reaching Assam.

The primary draw right here is the Tawang Monastery, dominating the skyline like a mighty medieval fortress. Constructed within the mid-Sixteenth century, the monastery homes a 26-foot excessive brass statue of the Buddha. The central courtroom is product of stone and is surrounded by a gaggle of buildings. Essentially the most imposing of those is the three-storeyed dukhang (major prayer corridor), with a richly gilded Buddha statue.

There are various different monasteries in Tawang. Essentially the most well-known being the comparatively smaller Urgeling Gompa, the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama. The Sange Ryabgelling shrine is situated a brief distance from Urgeling. Just a few kilometres from the city is the Khinme Monastery, which belongs to the Nyingmapa sect. Not removed from the fork on the Tawang-Bumla Street is the Singshur nunnery. A few half-an-hour drive from Tawang lies Taktsang Gompa, one of many holiest Buddhist shrines in Arunachal Pradesh.

Route: Tawang-Dirang-Tezpur-Guwahati

Distance: 137 km, 191 km, 164 km

Time: 6 hours, 5 hours, 4 hours

After spending three restful nights in Tawang, depart early to retrace your route again to Guwahati. The lengthy journey will want stopovers within the cities of Dirang and Tezpur.

The primary leg of the drive is totally on the NH31 and NH15. It’s a easy two-lane highway from Guwahati to Balipara by way of Tezpur. The NH15 ends at Balipara and shortly after crossing the city of Charduar, forested areas and hills start to seem within the distance. Just a few kilometres from right here is the city of Bhalukpong on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. That is the place the uphill climb begins. About 14 kms from Bhalukpong, you be part of the NH229. This route is susceptible to landslides, therefore the roads are sometimes strewn with particles consisting of boulders and dirt. Nevertheless, the particles is normally cleared up rapidly. On the entire, it is a snug drive.

Arunachal Pradesh is a Protected Space and all guests are required to acquire a allow to enter the state. Home vacationers must get an Inside Line Allow (ILP) and international vacationers, a Protected Space Allow (PAP). An ILP might be secured from the Arunachal Pradesh Resident Commissioner’s workplace or the liaison places of work situated in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur and Jorhat. A PAP might be obtained from all Indian missions overseas, and the Foreigner Regional Registration Workplaces (FRROs) in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. You’ll need two passport-size pictures whereas making use of. For extra particulars, go to arunachalpradesh.nic.in.

The highway from Guwahati to Tawang just isn’t lit up, and it begins getting darkish early in these components — as early as 4.30pm in winters, and 6pm in summers. Hill roads are abandoned at evening so it’s advisable to start early within the morning.

Petrol pumps, puncture restore outlets and mechanics can be found solely on the few cities that fall en path to Charduar, Bhalukpong, Tenga, Bomdila, Dirang and Tawang. Additionally, you will discover roadside dhabas in these cities. Remember to refill on meals and water right here. It’s best to tank up in Bhalukpong, as a result of the cities forward, Bomdila and Dirang, have just one petrol pump every.

KRC Palace (Tel 03712-222688; Tariff ranges between INR 2,400 and INR 7,000) is maybe the very best lodge on the town, with a bar, a espresso store and a salon. Run by the Directorate of Tourism, Prashanti Vacationer Lodge (Tel 221016; Tariff ranges between INR 850 and INR 950) is appropriate for these on a funds. The ASTC bus stand is a brief stroll from the lodge.

Situated on the freeway, on the outskirts of Tezpur, the swanky KF (Tel 255203; Tariff is between INR 2,700 and INR 4,700) gives trendy rooms and suites. The lodge has a multicuisine restaurant, cake store, candy store and lounge bar.

The Fern Residency (Tel 255503; Tariff ranges between INR 4,300 and INR 7,000) is a brand new property, providing loads of services equivalent to a spa, a gymnasium, a youngsters’ play zone, a restaurant and a salon.

In the primary market, Oasis and Flora serve tasty Indian and Chinese language delicacies. A number of dhabas round city provide south Indian meals.

Eco Camp: Arrange on the west facet of the river, the camp gives well-equipped tents with hooked up loos. Meals are served in a standard eating corridor (Tel 03714-292644, Cellular 09678182784; Tariff is INR1,800). Jia Bhorelli Wild Resort has a restaurant. It additionally organises actions equivalent to river rafting, jungle trails and tribal village visits. (Cellular 09859547605; Tariff is INR 2,000)

Assam Tourism’s well-located Prashanti Lodge (Cellular 09435405806; Tariff is INR1,385 to INR2,070), about 30 km additional up at Bhalukpong. Additionally they organise rafting journeys.

Located on the freeway simply forward of the city, Lodge Pemaling (Tel 03780-242615; Tariff ranges between INR 2,200 and INR 5,000) and the Vacationer Lodge (Cellular: 09436673629, 09436213495; Tariff is INR1,500) overlook beautiful views of the Sangti Valley. The hotel-restaurant serves scrumptious Indian in addition to Chinese language delicacies.

Awoo Resort is a high-end lodging choice on the outskirts of Dirang, with 16 well-equipped rooms. (Cellular: 09903303311, 09874592283); tariff ranges from INR1,250 to five,000)

The perfect lodges in Tawang are situated in the primary bazaar and principally include very fundamental services equivalent to sizzling water, a heater and a TV set. Lodge Alpine (Landline telephone 03794-222515, cellular 09436635998; Tariff is INR 1,000-INR 1,350), Lodge Shambhala (Tel 222348, Cell 09436635998 Tariff â&sbquo¹650-1,500), Lodge Nefa (Tel 222419; Tariff is between INR 800 and INR1,800) and Tawang Inn (Tel 222419; Tariff ranges from INR 800 to INR 1,800) are good choices. You possibly can additionally strive Lodge Gorichen (Tel 224151; Tariff is from INR 800 to INR1,800), Lodge Buddha (Tel 222954 Tariff ranges from INR1,000-INR1,500) and Vacationer Lodge (Tel 222359; Tariff ranges from INR600 to INR2,000). All these lodges serve easy meals in addition to snacks to the residents.

There are a couple of small eating places available in the market that provide easy Indian and Chinese language meals. Money is essentially the most extensively accepted mode of fee.

The shortest journey you are able to do on this route is one with a single visit Bomdila, which can take 4 days. It’s going to imply not stopping at locations equivalent to Orang and Nameri, and never taking any detours. If you want an extended journey, you possibly can spend extra time at Tawang, Nameri and Dirang. It’s also possible to cease at each Bomdila and Dirang. Another choice is to incorporate the well-known Kaziranga Nationwide Park (80 kms from Tezpur) in your itinerary. From Kaziranga, take the NH37 by way of Aniguri, Jakhalabandha and Silghat to Tezpur.