The ultimate guide for a Tawang trip itinerary (with places to see & tips for planning)

Listen to the serene chants of the red and gold monasteries
Walk through the enchanted hamlets filled with streams, flowers and wild berries.
Stop by the pristine lakes and the pine trees with their frozen drip
Experiences all these and more on just one single Tawang trip.

Discover the various things to do and places to see in the Tawang circuit. Plan your Tawang itinerary with my insider tips on where to stay, what routes to take, how to go around and more. 

It is most likely that you have landed on this post after hearing about this ethereal town called Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. You may already know that the Tawang monastery is Asia’s second-largest monastery and has dreamy landscapes. Now, you might what to know what are the other places to see in Tawang? You might also want to know how do you get to Tawang and how many days do you need? Good news for you! You have landed on my Tawang travel guide – designed to answer all your queries and help you plan the perfect itinerary.

For starters,  let me clarify this one thing – visiting Tawang is not just about seeing one town. Tawang is a complete road trip circuit. It involves a trip through the Tawang valley with multiple towns and hamlets. Quite like a Ladakh road trip, the Tawang circuit involves traveling through high altitude passes like the Sela pass, touching international borders at Bumla pass, finding pristine lakes, frozen cascades, heritage sites along the way and enjoying stays in various other towns like Dirang and Bomdila. Most of the Tawang trip plans start at Guwahati in Assam and end back there.

In this blog post, I will help you plan a trip to Tawang based my own experience and tips. I have included my own Tawang trip itinerary – which, though extended, gives you all the key attractions you can consider when planning your visit. I have also, included suggestions for trimming my original 12-day trip to a 7-day Tawang trip plan.

The post also included important caveats and suggestions for this Guwahati to Tawang road trip. I have included recommendations for stays in Tawang and other towns. Last but not least, you will find my advice on the various Tawang tour packages you might want to consider.

About the Tawang circuit

You might wonder why you can’t visit Tawang directly. Why does it have to be a circuit? Well, to understand this, you need to know where is Tawang?

Tawang is located at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level, right in the middle of the Himalayas. The only way to reach this mountainous terrain is by road. The best place to start this road trip is Guwahati as it has a great connectivity by rail and flights to the rest of India.

Tawang tourism circuit is the most popular among all the Arunachal Pradesh circuits. It is well-developed and quite versatile in terms of the attractions it offers. I loved the surreal landscapes that accompanied me throughout the Tawang road trip. Tawang valley is home to the Monpa tribes, with a few villages that predominately have the Sherdukpen tribal culture. Plus, it has a war history that goes back to the Indo-China war of 1965. There are opportunities for adventure sports along the way and you can always add some wildlife parks like Kaziranga in Assam to your Tawang itinerary.

See – like I said – there is something for everyone on the Tawang circuit. The forthcoming section has my itinerary for the Tawang trip from Guwahati that will elaborate on this.

What is the best way to get to Guwahati for a road trip to Tawang?

Guwahati in Assam is the closest airport with good connectivity to all the major cities of India. It is an international airport with direct flights to Nepal and a few other destinations. 

You can also, use the railways to reach Guwahati Junction.

What is the best time to plan a Tawang trip itinerary?

I would recommend a trip to Tawang between mid-February to May or between October to November. Avoid monsoons as it rains hard and that is a dampener for outdoor expeditions.

Winters can be really harsh and you will encounter snow almost everywhere.

Planning a Tawang trip itinerary – with options for a shorter 7-day Tawang itinerary

My trip to Tawang from Guwahati was for 12 days. This included a few offbeat day trips and places on the Tawang circuit. Though I have shared my complete Tawang trip plan, you can always tailor it to your needs or preferred duration. I have indicated the places that can be ideally skipped to save a day and create a perfect 7-day Tawang tour plan.

Watch out for the various tips that might be helpful for your visit. There are several alternatives too.

Also, one important mandate – ensure that you have your ILPs or Inner line permits (or PAPs if you are a foreigner) ready. You should get them before your travel as you will have to show them at the Arunachal Pradesh checkpoint. I have explained why you need them, what documents to submit and how to get them in this blog post.

So, let’s begin with a day-wise Tawang circuit itinerary.

Day One – Start your Guwahati to Tawang road trip with a night halt at Nameri

I started my journey to Tawang straight from the Guwahati airport. Post a quick lunch, I was on the road straight to Nameri national park. It took around 4 hours to cover a distance of 220 km and the roads are quite good.

Nameri National Park is located near the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is quite an offbeat wildlife park that has been declared a Tiger reserve. There are several homestays and resorts that you can book for your break journey. You can plan an early morning safari or a nature walk.

Besides Nameri, you can also, choose to take a halt at Tezpur (185 km from Guwahati) or Bhalukpong (240 km from Guwahati). Tezpur is a mini city in Assam from where you will get shared cabs to Arunachal Pradesh. Bhalukpong on the other hand, is in Arunachal Pradesh. I visited this on my second day – enroute to Bomdila. I shall cover this on Day Two of the Tawang trip itinerary.

The night halt on day one can be omitted for a shorter 7 days itinerary for Tawang Valley. You can drive directly to Bomdila from Guwahati. However, note that the distance is 335km and it will take you at least 7 hours to cover it. Therefore, you need to plan to reach Guwahati in the first half of the day.

Here are a few night halt options that you can consider –

Nameri – Jironi resort (where I stayed), Nameri Pahi Homestay, Nameri eco camp

Tezpur – Hotel Aarna, Cygnett Inn Imperial, Hotel Palazzo Prime

Bhalukpong – Hotel Mandal Ghang

Day two of your Tawang trip itinerary  – Drive to Bomdila

Key highlights: Nameri National Park and Tipi Orchid Center

Start with a nature walk or Safari at Nameri National Park

Rise and shine early for a safari or a nature walk in the Nameri National Park. The elephant corridor with the Jia Bharoli river is also a tiger reserve. It is also, a birder’s delight. The national park is home to the rare White winged wood duck which incidentally is Assam’s state bird.

I happened to be there on a Tuesday, which coincided with their weekly holiday. Hence, I could not do the safari. Instead, I did an early morning Nameri village and nature walk. The tribal village that falls in the buffer zone was quite pleasing with its thatched barns, animals grazing around and pretty floral hedges. The walk took me to the buffer zone of the national park and even in that space, I could spot so many birds – from pretty munias to kingfishers, Ruddy shelduck, Rufous treepie, orange minivets and orioles. Pity that I only had my 55 – 250mm lens with me.

You can also, spare your morning for a walk or just book a safari. You can book the same online through this link.

Post your morning adventure, drive on towards Bomdila via Bhalukpong. At the Bhalukpong, you will find a border security office, where you have to show your Arunachal Pradesh permit. This is mandatory and I have shared how to get one in my guide to Arunachal Pradesh. It does not take more than 10 minutes for a check.

Visit the Tippi Orchid Center

Along the way around 25 km from the checkpoint, you should stop at the Tippi Orchid Research Center. Why? Well, it would be a shame if you did not see the exquisite orchids of the state that is known as the “Land of Orchids”.

The Tippi Orchid center was established in the 1970s and showcases over 1000 varieties of these exotic plants. At the center, our guide explained the various aspects of the orchid and shared plenty of interesting trivias about the place and the plants.

Don’t miss the gorgeous view of the Kameng river at the far end of the orchidarium. You might get lucky in spotting some elephants or barking deer – especially on the opposite bank, which is a part of the Pakke Tiger Reserve.

Take a photo stop at Sessa waterfall before your lunch at Rupa

Along the way, you can also, take a photo stop at the Sessa waterfall and an upcoming monastery that seems to be rising off a pinnacle. Grab some lunch at the tiny town of Rupa and you will reach Bomdila by early evening.

Stay in Bomdila

The total distance covered from Nameri to Bomdila would be around 240 km. This town is around 8000 feet above the sea level. It is recommended for acclimatization before you climb higher on your Tawang trip. It is most likely going to be cold here and hence, pick a good homestay for your night.

I highly recommend Bomdila Boutique stay while here. The classy rooms with electric mattresses were so required for a good night sleep. Add to that, the great hospitality and food offered by the hosts. You can book Bomdila boutique stay through Holiday Scout, who own it. It is not available on any of the online sites like Booking.com or Expedia.

End the day with a cultural evening at The Chham

At 6:30 pm, head to the Bomdila school auditorium for an evening of music, dance and fun. The Chham showcases the various tribal dances of Arunachal Pradesh – all performed by students. This is a social initiative by Holiday Scout and Gorichen MPCS to not just provide a part time income to the students but preserve and popularize the heritage and tradition of the state.

It was quite an entertaining show but what I loved the most is the way it ended. The whole troop came down and pulled in the audience to shake a leg with them. A truly immersive experience to end this day of my Tawang circuit tour. 

Day three – Relax, acclimatize and explore Bomdila

Key highlights: GRL Monastery, Bomdila market and Crafts Emporium

After two days of continuous travel, take time to relax and enjoy this small town called Bomdila. Also, from a precautionary health measure where you are ascending altitudes, it is advised that you take a break. Many travelers do not heed the acclimatization need and face Acute Mountain Sickness as they push forward with Bomdila- Tawang trip.

Bomdila is the headquarter of the West Kameng region, which includes the Tippi Orchid center that you might have visited on Day two of your Tawang trip. Though a small town, there is plenty to do in Bomdila without getting strained.

Take a tour of the GRL Monastery

Also called the Upper monastery, this was built in 1965. The lovely complex has a large Buddhist temple, prayer hall and a monk school. I got really lucky when Lama Chukpa from GRL Monastery, decided to take us on for a tour of the place. He along with Sange from Holiday Scout, gave us a good induction into the culture and practice of Buddhism – not just in this monastery but across the world.

Lama Chukpa also, gave us a tour of His Holiness – the Dalai Lama’s private chambers and the Protector Gods’ shrine – which are off limits to most tourists. He explained the philosophy and art behind the Mandala. At the end of the tour, I was even treated to a delicious lunch made in the Monks’ kitchen.

GRL monastery has plenty to see and learn – from the traditional Tibetan architecture to cultural stories. You need at least an hour to explore the same.

Drop by the Middle Gompa of Bomdila

The middle Gompa is located right below the GRL monastery. You can walk down to it. Converted into a school, it still has the original prayer hall with its original statue of a blue Buddha. If legends are to be believed, the Blue Buddha referred to as the God of medicines is said to help cure illnesses.

Shop around the Tibetan and AMA markets

It is a great place to buy curios, clothes and Tibetan arts. AMA market is run exclusively by women and you can buy many of the local snacks, Yak cheese as well as tribal artifacts like Monpa bags here.

The entire street is filled with shops selling Tibetan crafts, souvenirs and even the tribal attires. I would not say no to the shawls  – they make great gifts.

Grab lunch in the Bomdila market

There are plenty of local restaurants that you can try like Dragon restaurant that offer authentic local and Tibetan cuisine. I loved the corn Thukpa that they served here. You will also, find cafes on this street. You can get a quick bite here if you want or leave the cafes for the evening.

Delve deeper into the tribal culture at the Crafts Emporium and museum

Along the same market street is the Crafts Emporium and museum. Visit it and you can get a closer look traditional crafts and interact with the actual artisans. There are different sections in the Crafts Emporium – including mask making, dragon carpets, Thangka art and traditional tribal weaves. You can even buy what you like.

P.S: The Emporium is being moved to a larger complex and was under renovation when I visited. Also, note that the place is closed on the weekends.

Learn a bit of the Arunachal culture and history at the Bomdila museum

The Bomdila museum is not too far from the Bomdila market. Though not very big, it has an impressive collection of tribal artifacts that go back in time. I was quite amused by the traditional pluckers and smoking pipes. They also, have interesting statues of various Buddhist monks as well as the mock-ups of the various tribal homes and attires.

Don’t miss the Lower monastery

Located in the market area, the Lower monastery was made in 1965 – even before the GRL monastery. The Tibetan architecture is evident on all its buildings – including the large meditation hall, the monk offices and quarters along the sides and even the gigantic prayer wheel.

End the evening at a Bomdila Cafe

Quite like Leh in Ladakh, Bomdila has a lovely café culture. You can pick one of the many in the town, and chill out with a book and a cup of coffee. Of course, I was partial to the hot chocolate served at Phun’s cafe.

Alternate attractions for your Day three of the Tawang road trip

Most of these places are within walking distance of each other in the main Bomdila town. If you still have time and want to explore more of Bomdila, you can consider visiting the Bomdila view point that gives you lovely views of the Nechipu Pass. The other alternative is Bomdila war memorial that combines the 1962 war history with panoramic vistas.

I chose to skip these as I had already got stunning views from the View-Point monastery or the Pema Sangling monastery which is right next to the Bomdila Boutique stay where I had checked in. That way, I even got to enjoy the captivating architecture (especially the doors) of this monastery.

Day Four – Take a day trip from Bomdila to Shergaon and Morshing (optional)

Key highlights: Village walks and Lhagyala Gompa

My Day four recommendation for your Tawang visit can be dropped if you are looking for only a 7 days Tawang itinerary. That said, if you are planning a trip to Tawang for 10 days, I recommend not missing this day trip from Bomdila. It was one of my favorites among all the places to see in the Tawang circuit.

Buddha Heritage Park

My day started early with a drive straight to the Buddha Heritage Park in Yokmuzar, which is located close to Jigaon. It is approximately 27 km from Bomdila. The stunning 92 foot Buddha statue encircled by pretty chortens (stupas) is a sight to behold. Built as recently as 2024, the place not only pleasing architecturally and culturally but has a very scenic view of the Jigaon valley.

Morshing Village

With a quick breakfast near Jigaon, I was back on the road to Morshing village. Morshing village was declared as the 2^nd runner-up in the list of the villages practicing sustainable tourism. The village with a bridge over a stream, leafless trees, charming stone houses and tiny lanes felt like a scene out of a fairytale – specifically Hansel and Gretel. You can walk around the village and interact with the locals.

If you have taken one of the Tawang tour packages from Holiday Scout, then you will also, be treated to a few visits to typical Monpa homes like that of a mask-making artisan. The gentleman is a woodwork artist who happily showed his mask creations as well as the typical Tibetan woodwork furniture. You can also, visit the Lama Tenpai Dronme museum which has the private collection of a teacher. It ranges from heritage tribal artifacts to coins and more.

Lhagyala Gompa – one of the oldest monasteries of Arunachal Pradesh

Lhagyala Gompa, located around 8 km from the village, high up on the mountains. The road is patchy but worth the drive for its scenic beauty. Shrouded by the legend of Khandro Drowa Sangmo – a celestial lady, it was built in the 7^th century by Kachen Lama. The old monastery is home to rare Buddhist scriptures, books and statues.

Shergaon – winner of silver for being the Best Sustainable Tourism Village

I lost track of time at Morshing and the monastery and consequently ended up getting late for my visit to Shergaon. Shergaon is just 16 km from Morshing and falls on the way back to Bomdila. The village received a silver award in 2023 for being the best sustainable tourism village. The lovely hamlet is a base for the Sherdukpen tribe – which makes it different from Morshing. You can also, visit the Zengbu Gompa as well as dine at the Oakley Groves resort that is located by the Choskorong waterfalls.

I missed out on the village walk here as well as Zengbu monastery but even then, I enjoyed the place. Trust me, this day trip is worth adding to your Tawang road trip.  

Day Five – Start early for Tawang via Sela Pass

Key highlights: Sela Pass, Jaswant Garh Memorial and Nuranang Waterfalls

Today is going to be an exhilarating drive along one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Honestly, the drive through Sela Pass was another one of my favorites on this entire road trip circuit of Tawang. The frosty road lined by snowy pines and frozen lakes (as well as cascades) literally took my breath away.

The Bomdila to Tawang distance is 175 km and if you were to drive straight, you would reach Tawang in 5 hours. However, there are just unmissable, tempting stops that you will end up making on this leg of your journey. After all, these stops are what make a road trip memorable.

Your start time will depend on the weather conditions at Sela Pass. I was lucky with the same. It had been continuously snowing over the past few days but on the day of my visit to Sela Pass near Tawang, it had stopped and I could leave Bomdila by around 9 am (which was a luxury). As a precaution, Sange and Nima (our driver) had loaded the car with snow chains.

From Bomdila, you will cross Dirang but avoid a stop here. You will get to explore this town on your return from Tawang to Guwahati. The drive from Bomdila to Sela Pass takes around 3 hours and the total distance between the two is around 104 km. The road conditions are really good – especially with the new Sela Pass tunnel.

Enjoy Sela Pass

Sela Pass is at a height of almost 14000 feet above sea level. It is home to a gorgeous lake that is considered to be one of the 101 sacred lakes in the Tibetan Buddhist culture. I was lucky to see Sela lake partly frozen in February – allowing me to enjoy both – its blue shimmers at one end and the glistening icy surface at another.

With the sun out, I even managed a short hike along its snowy slopes. Here and there, you will even get to see frozen cascades along the road Trust me, Sela pass was nothing short of a winter wonderland.

Pay a visit to Jaswant Garh War memorial

A little ahead of the Sela Pass, is Jaswant Garh memorial – a must-stop for anyone who wants to know tales of the 1962 Sino – India war. The small memorial is dedicated to the brave Jaswant Singh Rawat who with his two team members, was able to hold back the Chinese army for 3 days. Besides his personal belongs, the memorial also, has some of the bunkers as well as a burial ground for the fallen Chinese soldiers.

Enjoy the misty sprays of Nuranang Waterfalls

Approximately 45 km from the memorial, is the lovely Nuranang waterfall that plunges 100m from the top and joins the Nuranang river. You can actually enjoy the refreshing spray of the falls and walk along its stream that joins the Nuranang river. Spend as much time as you wish here, for your next halt is your final destination of the day – Tawang.

Though I had started at 9 am, I reached Tawang only by 6 pm – thanks to the numerous halts that I made near Sela Pass. Lunch too, was at one of the many Maggi restaurants along the way.

Call it a night at Tawang

I highly recommend that you check into your Tawang homestay or hotel and retire for the day. This is largely for your body to acclimatize to the high altitude at Tawang. Besides, I am sure that like me, you will have a lot to absorb from this day of your Tawang trip.

Tawang has several good homestays and hotels. I stayed at Mandrel Khang homestay – a little away from the town center. The place was freezing in the night but Sange and the homestay owner arranged for electric blankets. The best thing about this place was its lovely local fare – especially the soulful Thenthuk.

You can book the same through Holiday Scout or try one of these other places for your stay in Tawang.

Day Six – Discover Tawang (Tawang sightseeing attractions, including hidden gems)

Key highlights: Mukto village and Chaksam bridge

With a good night’s sleep, you should be all charged to enjoy the very city that you took this road trip for. Spend the day adjusting to the cold weather that comes with the high altitude of Tawang town. It touched single digits in the minus when I stayed in Tawang.

Tawang town has plenty of attractions to keep you engaged for an entire day.

 I was in Tawang for three nights, during which I not just covered the main Tawang tourist places but also, a few offbeat gems around the town. Take a look.

Start with a visit to Mukto village – an offbeat attraction for your Tawang trip itinerary

Grab a nice breakfast and head out by 9 am towards Mukto village. The short 1.5-hour drive takes you 56 km from Tawang town to a pretty hamlet that is known for its hand-made paper – specifically used for scriptures in the Buddhist monasteries. Once upon a time, the whole village used to work on producing this paper but today just a handful of families (around 7) do this.

Entertained by the hilly vistas and faded Buddhist prayer wheels and rest houses, I had to cross the main settlement and head towards a quieter side of the mountains. The scattered shelters with tons of parchment standing in the sun told us the story of this dying art. I learnt about the entire process – from picking the bark, preparing it, beating it and finally making the paper.

It was fascinatingly similar to the Bo Sang Umbrella village that I had visited in Chiang Mai. Given that the art form in Thailand came from Burma which again borders Arunachal Pradesh, they might have had the same origins.

Head back to the main settlement and you can visit another artisan – this time, it’s all about Yak hair hats. It was a painstaking yet fascinating process to see the transformation of scattered yak hair enmeshed into the traditional Yak hats worn by the tribes in Arunachal Pradesh.

I even learnt about the different forms of these hats and which tribes favored each. Mukto village visit is a fascinating and refreshing cultural experience that adds variety to your Tawang tour plan. It is not just about these art forms but also, about the people that you meet along the way – from the artisans to the friendly villages who always have a ready smile to welcome you.

You can grab a bite or two at this village if you are hungry, else head over to your next destination.

Walk on the 600-year-old Chakzam bridge

From Mukto village, head towards Chakzam bridge – one of the key places to visit near Tawang. The prayer-flags covered iron bridge is over 600 years old, built by Lama Chakzam Wangpo in 1400s. The wise old Lama was renowned for his engineering feats and is believed to have constructed over 55 such bridges across Tibet, Bhutan and India.

Chakzam bridge is one of the two surviving ones. The other, called Tachog Lhakhang Bridge –  which I was again fortunate to visit lies near Paro in Bhutan. Built with sturdy iron chains and lined with bamboo mats, you can actually walk on this bridge over the gushing river. And trust me, it is fun!

Just remember though, to take the keys to the bridge from the village headman. It is usually locked for safety reasons.

Visit the maternal home of the 6^th Dalai Lama in Bekhar village

Another hidden gem that you might want to consider for your Tawang trip plan is a visit to the Bekhar Village near Audung  – around an hour’s drive from Chakzam bridge. Teeming with paddy fields, this delightful village is the maternal home of the 6th Dalai Lama, who was born in Arunachal Pradesh. His subsequent generations still live in the same house.

Thanks to Sange from Holiday Scout, I not only got to meet them, see their home but also, was treated to a delicious homecooked fare at their abode. Sonam, part of the current generation, opened up her family meditation room to show some treasures of the past – include a rock that has the foot imprint of His Holiness, when he was a child. The family was also, gifted with rare scriptures and statues  – some of which have been kept in a new monastery constructed right next to the house.

The visit to this rare Tawang attraction adds a unique touch to your travel plan. Definitely a must-do for those who love offbeat and heritage travel. The village too, is a serene place and if you go when the paddy fields are flourishing, you will love it even more.

Drop by to see the Giant Buddha statue in Tawang

From Bekhar, you will take you around 1 hour by road to Tawang. Once here, head straight to the Tawang Buddha statue – one that you cannot miss as it towers over the town. The giant Buddha statue is 30 feet high and has a meditation hall attached to it. The point also, offers lovely panoramic views of Tawang city.

My visit did not take me more than 15 minutes after which I headed straight to Tawang Market.

Indulge in some shopping and coffee at the Tawang Market

Unwind and stroll through the Tawang Market. You will find several souvenir shops from where you can pick up Tibetan artifacts, magnets, postcards, curios and more. You should also, check out the tribal shawls and dresses available here. They do go well with Western outfits.

Bargain well, as the shops do inflate their rates. I also, recommend that you do some window shopping rather than actual shopping. The reason being, when you get to Tawang Monastery, you will find a shop run by the monks. The prices of several souvenirs is far lesser in this shop. Of course, if you do not get the same thing, you can always come back the market (which is central to the town) and buy it before you leave.

End the day in one of the cafes with a cup of hot chocolate (or coffee if you prefer). I highly recommend Be Happy café for not just the beverages but its food too. I loved the pasta as well as their Honey chili potato appetizer.

With that, you can head back to your hotel in Tawang and call it a day.

Day Seven – Drive to Bumla Pass and Sangetsar lake (Madhuri Lake) – best places to see near Tawang

Key highlights: Bum La Pass, Sungetsar Lake and Tawang Monastery

Get ready for another gorgeous drive – this time to a border pass. Prepare to leave by 8 am to make the most of this leg of your Tawang road trip. The scenic roads will compel you to stop at various points. Try to return to Tawang by 4 pm to enjoy the Tawang monastery.

For Bum La pass, keep your Arunachal Pradesh permit ready. Also, you might need to hire a local cab as the Tawang taxi union are the ones who are allowed to take you along this route. A round trip from Tawang to Bum La Pass and Madhuri Lake will cost you around INR 5500 for a cab. You can also, opt for a shared cab. The Bumla taxi fare for a shared cab is INR 1500 per person. The cabs are available at the Tawang market.

Count the 15 lakes enroute to Bumla Pass

There are at least 15 high-altitude lakes that you will pass by on this drive to Bumla Pass. Most of them were partially frozen during my Tawang trip – which actually enhanced their beauty. Heart Lake is likely to be the first that you will see as you set off from Tawang. Nagula lake and Pt Tso would be the next two – surrounded by the Indian army bunkers.

Each lake has its own personality – and I was quite tempted to stop at every one of them but well, the journey ahead calls!

Attempt a Tawang trek at the Teesri Udasi Gurudwara

The Teesri Udasi Gurudwara was an accidental discovery – a mere information that our cabbie shared and we jumped on it. Up high on the mountains, opposite a pretty Gurudwara lake is a small cave where revered Guru Nanak Dev is believed to have stopped and meditated on his way to Tibet.

What I did not know when we stopped is that the climb is quite a steep one and that too, at over 13000 feet above sea level. Though there are stairs to the place, the altitude make it a little hard. If you do decide to climb, take it slow and easy. Keep aside at least one hour for the visit.

I personally, loved this place – for the views, the peaceful shrine and the nuggets of stories within.

Enjoy the landscape around Madhuri Lake

Created by falling rocks and trees caused by an earthquake, the original name of this lake is Shungetsar or Sangetsar lake. However, these days, people called it Madhuri lake – after the famous film song featuring the Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit was shot here.

Largely frozen, the lake with is tree stumps, lone wood cabins and picturesque bridges has a allure that will stay with you for the rest of your journey. It is inexplicable and can only be felt as you walk around the lake.

Before you make you way to Bumla Pass, try and see the Taktsang Gompa (Tiger Monastery – but this is not the same as the famous Bhutan one). It is a place visited by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8^th century, It is just 15 minutes from the lake.

Get your picture at Bumla Pass

Bumla pass is around 25 km from the Sangetsar Lake. This is a border pass at an altitude of 15,200 feet dividing India and China. The pass serves as a passage for traders between Tibet and India. You can visit the actual line of control and catch a glimpse of the Chinese hut on the other side. However, you cannot click a picture here. That said, you can get a souvenir picture clicked by the army staff for INR 150. They develop and frame it for you.

Keep an eye out for the Bumla hut where the Indo-Sino meetings take place as well as the heap of stones. You can grab some Maggi for lunch at the army canteen while you wait for your turn.

This Tawang pass witnessed the terrible Indo-Sino War of 1962. While you can always listen to the tales from the army in the canteen, you get to know more of it when you visit the Joginder Singh War Memorial next to it.

Visit the holy Chumi Gyatse falls

Located very close to the Indo-China border, the Chumi Gyatse waterfalls have been recently opened to public by the army. The waterfalls are considered to be holy and have medicinal properties. The interesting part is that this is a collection of 108 sacred falls. However, I could not visit it as it was snowing and the army on that particular day, was off duty. Else, they usually ensure that the roads are clear and safe for a drive.

Explore Tawang Monastery

Back in town, get dropped at the Tawang Monastery. The 17^th century monastery which gives the town its name will easily take 2 hours of your time. Asia’s second largest monastery includes a stunning meditation hall and temple, a library and a lovely museum. You can walk along the monk quarters and enjoy the panoramic view of Tawang valley. Don’t forget to shop at the monastery shop near the entrance – it has some lovely souvenirs at a much lesser rate than the Tawang market.

You can end the day here or head to Tawang market for more shopping, fun and cafes.

Alternative Tawang trip plan for Day Seven

It is quite possible that Bumla Pass is out of bounds for you – maybe because of acclimatization issues, bad weather or you might not have got a PAP (if you are a foreigner) for it. In that case, you can either opt for my optional Day Eight plan or head towards the Indo-Bhutan border like my friend Jacomijn did with Holiday Scout.

They made their way to the Dolma Lhakhang in Lumla – known for its gigantic Tara Devi statue. Continue on and you can visit the Gorzam Chorten near Zemithang. The chorten is one of the oldest stupas going back to the 13^th century, and is known for a strange tale of radishes. There are a few other things that you can add to this route of the Tawang circuit.

Third option for this day is more of the Tawang local sightseeing. You can start with Tawang Monastery and then cover these additional places.

• Tawang war memorial – A dedication to over 2000 soldiers who lost their lives defending India in the 1962 Indo China war. There is a light and sound show at 5:30pm at the memorial that not only shares stories of the 1962 war but also, about Arunachal Pradesh
• Ani Gompa – This is a nunnery located above the Tawang Monastery and was founded by Merag Lama for his sister.
• Urgeling Gompa – The birthplace of the 6^th Dalai Lama, located just on the outskirts of Tawang. It has the sacred forehead print and foot print of His Holiness.
• Khinmey Monastery – This even includes a monastic school along with a statue of the Blue medicinal Buddha.

Day Eight – Visit Jang and Thingbu – an offbeat option for your Tawang tour plan

Key highlights: Thingbu village and hot springs

You can ignore this day plan if you are planning a trip to Tawang for a shorter duration than me.

Jang is a village that you might have passed on your way from Sela Pass to Tawang. In fact, this is the village that is closest to Nuranang or Jang waterfalls that we have already visited.

Jang is a picturesque setting that you can stop by when you are heading back from Tawang. However, the real beauty of the place lies in the partly off-road trip to the remote village of Thingbu as well as Mago. Both lie close to the Indo-China border and are populated by the Brokpa tribes who are primarily engaged in Yak-rearing.

The drive takes on you on narrow roads that seem to have been chiseled into the rocky ledges of the mountains. Mago Chu river keeps you company throughout the journey to the idyllic Thingbu hamlet. Here you can walk around the scattered homes of the village, visit the lone monastery and interact with the locals to learn more about their way of life.

The adventurous have an option of short hiking trails through the village. Pop by the Thingbu hot springs that follow right next to the contrasting icy cold Mago river.

Instead of Thingbu, you can visit Mago village, which offers similar settings but is slightly more developed. You can always choose to stay back in Jang for the night instead of driving all the way back to Tawang. There are plenty of homestays that you can consider for the same. 

A visit to Thingbu and Jang is all about slowing down, and enjoying the little moments of life. The day is therapeutic yet fun filled and perfect for those who love culture and nature.

Day Nine – Leave for Dirang

Key highlights: Dirang and Momo making class

After a leisurely breakfast, you can head towards Dirang. The Tawang to Dirang distance is around 140 km and if you do not stop, you can get there in around 4 hours. The route takes you through Sela Pass and Jang Village. Hence, if you have missed something on the way to Tawang from Dirang or Bomdila, now is the time to stop and enjoy it.

Sela Pass on my return from Tawang showcased a different shade with all the snow melted and the pine trees showing off their greens. The frozen cascade was still there, though a tad bit smaller than when I first saw it four days ago.

Once in Dirang, you can check into your stay – which in my case was Dirang cottages – right by Dirang river. It is such a pretty property that requires you to literally walk along the bridge over the river. The place has such relaxing vibes that I was happy to just sit in their common dining room with my memories.

The only thing that I did that evening was an immersive activity arranged by Holiday Scout – Momo making class in Dirang village. I never realized the nuances of making those steamed shapes that we put into our mouths without a thought. It was fun chatting with aunty (as she is popularly called) and Lhamu – learning about the various practices of Monpa, the festivals, food and more.

You can always visit one of the many Dirang attractions like the Mandala top on this day. The newish attraction has 108 stupas with stunning views of Dirang valley. It is around 25 km from Dirang town and kind of resembles the Dochula Pass.

The other attractions of Dirang that I have mentioned in my Day ten itinerary notes, too can be added to this half day.

Day Ten – Take a tour of Dirang town and Sangti Valley

Key highlights: Dirang Dzong, Dirang Monastery & Sangti Valley

After the chilly mornings of Tawang and Bomdila, it felt so good to wake up to the sound of chirping birds and flowing water. You can relax and grab a good breakfast before setting out to discover Dirang. Located in a valley and a much lower altitude, Dirang is a pleasure to discover.

Note that this day will not be possible if you are opting for just 7-days tour of Tawang.

Begin the day with a walk through Dirang Dzong

Dirang Dzong is a 17^th century fortress that was built around an even older 9^th century village. Still inhabited, you will find pretty Monpa houses, the old monastery, the ancient prison and meeting hall. You can walk around the fortress and discover the intricate Bhutanese style architecture. The village inside is a lively one where you will encounter playful kids and chatty adults.

Explore the Dirang Monastery

The original name of this monastery is Thupse Dhargye Ling monastery and it was built as recently as 2017. I definitely recommend adding this to your Dirang-Bomdila- Tawang itinerary for its spectacular architecture and panoramic views of Dirang town. The large monastery has two beautiful pagodas near its entrance and a gigantic bell in front of the gorgeous temple hall.

Make sure you walk in a clockwise manner and go behind the guest house to see the gorgeous painted stories from the Buddha scriptures.

Grab some lunch in Dirang town

You can head back to your hotel or homestay in Dirang for lunch or just get down to Dirang town. Quite like Tawang and Bomdila, the market area has several cafes and restaurants where you can grab a quick bite.

Enjoy time at Sangti Valley

Sangti Valley is located just 8 km from Dirang town. The orchard filled valley with the Sangti river bisecting it is a perfect way to end your time in Arunachal Pradesh. The valley is known for its sheep rearing farms and if you are lucky, you will find the hills dotted with them – returning from their grazing time.

Make sure you walk along Sangti village – that is full of colorful houses. Spend some time by the Sangti river and keep your eyes peeled for the rare Black-necked cranes that are known to visit between November to March. I got a sight of a pair – which was my second sighting after the Phobjikha valley in Bhutan.

Return back to base and prep up for an early morning check-out.

Day Eleven – Check in at Kaziranga (An optional inclusion to the Tawang itinerary)

Key highlights: Evening Safari at Kaziranga National Park

It was an unsettling feeling as I left Arunachal Pradesh. The place has grown on me so much that I know I will return to explore it more. Thankfully, I had one more day of exploring to keep me partially distracted.

Many of you might opt to go straight to Guwahati from Dirang. Start as early as possible as the traffic near Guwahati airport tends to pile up. The Dirang to Guwahati distance is 370 km and it takes around 7.5 hours if you drive continuously.

Kaziranga is 250 km from Dirang and it takes a little over 5 hours to get there. So, if you leave by 6 am, you should be there by noon, well in time for lunch and your evening safari.

Grab lunch at Kaziranga Haat

Kaziranga Haat is a social initiative by an Assamese entrepreneur, Rupjyoti Saikia Gogoi, who had not just helped women learn new skills but make a living out of it. She also, has found a way of weaving plastic and waste into useful household articles – all of which she runs out of her small home.

With a prior reservation, you can grab an authentic Assamese lunch at her home, learn some new aspects of the culture and maybe, even grab a shawl or two from her store.

Get ready to spot the Big Five of Kaziranga National Park

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, the Kaziranga National Park in Assam is famous for its one-horned rhino. However, as I discovered, four other animals make up the Big Five of this park – the Royal Bengal tiger, water buffalo, elephants and spotted deer. Your safari at Kaziranga National Park starts at 2 pm and you have 3 hours to enjoy the grasslands. Not only will you get to spot the animals but a variety of birds.

I will share more details on how to book a safari in Kaziranga in a separate blog. For now, you can just note the main website down.

End the evening with a cultural show at the Kaziranga orchid center

The Kaziranga Orchid center has an evening show that showcases the various tribal dances and music of Assam. It is a one hour show that starts at 6:30 pm.

From its traditional Bihu dance to the Indian classical Sattriya and the unusual and fierce Deodhani Nritya  – the show is a befitting end to a 12 day Kaziranga Tawang tour. Make sure you get here well in time to get the best seats (first come-first served). Also, spare some time to do some shopping in the stalls right outside the orchid center. There are lots of colorful goods – this time Assamese that vie for your attention.

There are plenty of places – resorts, hotels as well as homestays in Kaziranga. I stayed at the Dubori homestay. You can book the same here or try one of the other Kaziranga stays. Some highly rated hotels and resorts are – Kodom Bari Retreat, Habitas Rhino and The Kaziranga Address

Day Twelve – Return to Guwahati

The sinking feeling – rather the trip withdrawal symptoms were on a high as I checked out early for Guwahati airport. I do not know how the 4 hours flew as I covered 200 odd kilometers to the airport.

I just revelled in the pleasant memories of my trip to Tawang. It was indeed a road trip of a lifetime.

With that I conclude the extensive 12-day itinerary section of this Tawang travel guide

Glimpse of an ideal 7 days Tawang itinerary

Though I have already indicated how you can create a trip to Tawang for 7 days, I wanted to summarize it for you for an easy reference. So here goes the day-wise Tawang trip from Guwahati –

Day One – Drive to Bomdila from Guwahati 
Day Two – Explore Bomdila and acclimatize to the high altitude
Day Three – Head to Tawang via Sela Pass
Day Four – Explore Tawang town
Day Five – Day trip to Bumla Pass
Day Six – Return to Dirang and explore the same 
Day Seven – Drive straight to Guwahati airport

What is the best way move around for this road trip to Tawang from Guwahati?

There is no avoiding a road journey when it comes to a Tawang trip from Guwahati. Sure, you have a Guwahati to Tawang helicopter service, but you can expect it to be quite expensive. Also, the weather is quite unpredictable for a helicopter and many a times, there have been abrupt cancelations.

Moreover, the beauty of this circuit can honestly, be best experienced on a road journey. For this, you have four options.

By Bus

You will find buses and SUVs (Xylos, Sumos and Force vehicles) run by Arunachal Pradesh state transport system (APSTS) that take you from one city to another. There is no direct Guwahati to Tawang bus. However, you can get direct buses to Tawang from Tezpur, Bomdila, Dirang and Bhalukpong. While affordable, the travel time ranges between 10 -12 hours.

You can get these buses at the Government bus stations in these towns. A few private buses too, like the Network buses ply between these towns.

By shared taxis

Right next to the bus stations are shared taxi counters. These taxis charge per person and you will be sharing it with at least 6 -10 people – depending on the vehicle. Also, these are point-to-point services and hence, you cannot make pit stops to admire sights along the way. (I personally, would have been upset not stopping at places like Sela Pass) However, it might be worthwhile for a backpacker or a budget traveler.

By private cabs

This is the option that I most recommend for a Guwahati to Tawang road trip. With a private cab at your disposal, you can enjoy the landscapes along the way. You will also, find them useful when you are within the towns where there are no autos.

When it comes to private cabs, try and get a cab from reputed tour operators like Holiday Scout. They provide really well-maintained vehicles and reliable drivers – who not only know the roads but also, share interesting stories along the way.

Self Drive

The last option which my enthusiastic drive lovers will enjoy is self-driven cars. You can always get your own vehicle or hire one in Guwahati for this Guwahati to Tawang trip. However, remember that there are only mountainous roads or ghats in the state. You need to be extra careful when driving.

What is the ideal duration for a Tawang trip?

I would recommend at least 10 days. You can do a shorter trip in 7 days as shared in the as an alternative Tawang itinerary but I feel that would be a little rushed.

Should I opt for one of the Tawang tour packages?

Given the logistics involved in planning a trip to this part of the world, you might find it comfortable to book a good Tawang trip package. There are numerous Tawang tourism packages available that start from Guwahati and include accommodation as well as travel. Most of them are priced similarly.

A few pointers on picking the right Tawang tour package –

• Pick reliable tour operators that are registered with the tourism boards or governments. Check their reviews or get a reference,
• Make sure the package includes stays as well as a private cab. Food can be optional as you might want to try places on your own.
• Ensure that your Tawang trip starts at Guwahati airport and ends there (railway station if you prefer)

With that, I conclude this mega Tawang travel guide. I am sure you have enough tips to get started with your Tawang trip plan. Do share around the article and have a great time on your Tawang tour.

Common FAQs for a Tawang road trip

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