The Land of dawn lit mountains - Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is one of India's wildest and unexplored state. Rises abruptly from the Assam plains as a mass of densely forested and impossibly steep hills, culminating in snow capped peaks along the Tibetan border. Much of the state remains beyond the tourism's reach but is slowly being opened to visitors. This photo essay is all about Arunachal. 

Gateway to Arunachal Pradesh is Assam. A place called Tezpur is located in inter state border of Assam and Arunachal. We started our journey from Guwahati. we reached Tezpur by evening. Tezpur is at a distance of 184.7kms from Guwahati. It takes around 4-5hrs to reach Tezpur. We stayed at Assam Tourism guest house at Tezpur. Next morning our cab arrived at the given time. The first destination was Dirang.

Dirang (4900ft) is a small town located by the Dirang river in the district of West Kameng. It is the  best halting location for a overnight stay on the way to Tawang. Dirang is at 196kms from Tezpur. Road is not that good, but you get to see some majestic landscapes. Dirang has a number of accommodation options. We stayed at a hotel called Awoo Resort. It is a bit away from the usual hustle and bustle of Dirang town. Dirang is famous for a number of things, firstly the Dirang Monastery. It is a newly built monastery with a beautiful architecture and works and so much colorful. Secondly, there is a Yak Research Center which I did not very interesting but some might find it interesting. And finally there's a hot water spring, which has now been converted by local government into a small bathing tank where tourists come and take a bath.  

Game of light and shadow

Dirang Monastery

Locals at the monastery

Entry to Sela Pass

The next day we started for Tawang. Tawang is the centre point in Arunachal Tour. Tawang is the most attractive destination for tourists. Tawang is around 130kms from  Dirang, around 6-7 hours drive. On the way to Tawang there are some beautiful places where you will be compelled to get down from your vehicle and admire the view. After a 2hr drive you'll reach the famous Sela Pass. Sela Pass is at an altitude of 13,700ft. It is famous for its scenic beauty and also  the infamous Sela Lake which you'll find just after crossing the gate. It remains almost snow covered during winters (November end- March). So if you want to experience this beauty of nature then plan your trip accordingly. From here the Tawang district begins.

Sela Lake (13,700ft)

Moving ahead from Sela Pass will take you through some of the breathtaking roads. This places has no residential areas, it is completely under Indian Army and you can only see Army Camps. A few kilometers ahead was a place called Jaswantgarh which is named after the courageous and brave martyr Jaswant Singh Rawat and there is also a war memorial by his name which has some of his belongings. This place is enriched with history.

We reached Tawang. It was raining cats and dogs that day. Anyhow we managed to find our hotel. The hotel is actually the house of the local hospital Superintendent's. But now the top floors are on lease and are being used to serve the purpose of accommodation. 

Now from Tawang you have a lot to see and explore. The very first attraction was the Indo-China Border i.e. the Bumla Pass. Bumla Pass is at an altitude of  15,200ft above sea level. This is among the four meeting points between Indian and Chinese Army. To reach Bumla you need to have special permits as well as hire a local cab to reach Bumla Pass from Tawang. The driver will take care of the permit, and a single cab is allowed to carry 6 people at a time. The next day we planned to visit Bumla Pass. We started early, because the road is not that good, and also the weather changes abruptly there. The way to Bumla Pass was accompanied by breathtaking landscapes. Arunachal Pradesh has an unique terrain, with mountains covered with colorful bushes and a variety of flower species. 

 

Mountain slopes covered with colorful bushes

 

Upon reaching Bumla Pass you will not be allowed to use your camera, since it is a high security zone. Only once you reach the LAC (line of action control) will you be allowed to take photos, surprising! So I took out my camera and took some photographs of the place from where the LAC passes. It was a wonderful moment. We also got to see the nearest Chinese Army post. 

That side is China

The LAC passes just through this heaps of stones, where in the colored stone are mentioned the dates of meeting between Indian and Chinese Army.

While returning from Bumla Pass there's a junction point called Y Junction. From this junction point two roads get diverted. One will take you to Tawang, the same road from where you'll come, and the other will take you to a breathtaking lake called Shangutser Lake. Y Junction has a restaurant set-up by the Army people. Shangutser lake is around 40mins drive from Y junction. It is located in the middle of a number of mountains around. It is believed that it was a plane land. But after an earthquake the land got depressed and water started accumulating, and it got transformed into a lake. For its evidence, you'll get to see tree trunks in the middle of the lake, which are now dead!

First view of the lake

Long exposure at the lake

Shungetser Lake

Another view from top

Back to Tawang from Shangutser Lake. Tawang has a small market to explore, where you'll get local made handicrafts, jewelries, dresses etc. So you should keep one evening to explore the Tawang market. Next morning we planned for local sightseeing. Among all the places, Tawang Monastery tops the list. Tawang Monastery is said to be the largest monastery in India and second largest monastery in Asia! When Dalai Lama escaped Tibet and came to India, he crossed the border in Arunachal Pradesh. He stayed in Tawang Monastery. The monastery has a main praying hall, along with the school and education centre for small lama's, library, hostel for the students, market and a museum, which displays many historical artifacts. Its one of the all time greatest attraction for tourists in Tawang. 

Tawang monastery from viewing point.

There are many more places to visit in Tawang. The Tawang Handicraft centre, Tawang War Memorial and a Buddha Statue. Tawang Memorial has all the martyrs name carved on the wall. It has a lot of historical artifacts, pictures, used guns that were used in Indo-Sino War 1962. You should definitely visit this place! Tawang Handicrafts centre features all the local made dresses, carpets, wooden masks and wall hangings. Local women and men work here, supported by local government. There is also a Gompa called the Urgelling Gompa. This place is believed as the birth place of the 6th Dalai Lama. Here are some of the photographs of the above mentioned places.

Urgelling Monastery

Buddha Statue

Inside tawang handicraft Center

Tawang War Memorial

Next day we left for Bomdilla. Bomdilla is around 171kms. Via same route, by which we came tawang. Actually Bomdilla is the midway from Tawang and Tezpur. Since its a long journey, tourists take a halt at Bomdilla or Dirang while descending. Bomdilla is a small town with few hotels, shops, Rest house etc. There's a monastery at Bomdilla, also some view points and apple orchards. 

Bomdilla Monastery

Two little monks at the monastery

We stayed at Bomdilla for a night so I couldn't explore much but there was a lovely Buddha Park right in the middle of the town. This place has so much peace and positive vibes, with prayer flags, Mani (prayer wheel) etc.

Buddha Park at Bomdilla

The very next day we started early for our destination from where we started the trip i.e., Tezpur, Assam. It took us around 9hrs to reach Tezpur, as some part of the road were damaged and there were landslides because of continuous heavy shower. Anyway we were back safe and healthy!! 

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1: Tezpur to Dirang/Bomdilla (on your choice)
Day 2: Dirang/Bomdilla to Tawang visiting the local sightseeing's  via Sela Pass
Day 3: Tawang to Bumla Pass
Day 4: Tawang local sightseeing's 
Day 5: Tawang to Bomdilla/Dirang 
Day 6: Bomdilla/Dirang to Tezpur
Day 7: Tezpur to Guwahati ( AC volvo buses available at Tezpur Bus depot @600INR)