Arunachal Pradesh, often called the "land of the rising sun", is a beautiful and largely untouched state in the northeastern part of India.
Though it's often overshadowed by its more popular neighbors (Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim), Arunachal has a lot to offer visitors, including stunning landscapes, unique tribal cultures, and amazing wildlife.
Here's a list of some of the most unexplored places in Arunachal Pradesh:
1. Ziro
2. Dong Village
3. Mechuka
4. Sangti Valley
5. Namsai
6. Shergaon
7. Mayodia
8. Tawang
9. Roing
10. Dambuk
11. Bhalukpong
12. Changlang
Ziro is a small town located in the northeastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the most scenic and offbeat destinations in the state. It is known for its unique culture and history.
The town is home to the Apatani people, who are one of the most marginalized tribes in India. They are famous for theirl weaving, beadwork and traditional artefacts.
The town also has a rich history related to Buddhism. Ziro was once the capital of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, and it is here that the first Buddhist monastery in India was established.
Best time to visit Ziro: The best time to visit Ziro should be in September. There's a music festival that is organized every year during the month of November.
How to reach Ziro: There are three airports in Arunachal Pradesh. The most popular airport is the Tawang Airport which is located at a distance of about 226 Km from Ziro town. The nearest domestic airport is Dibrugarh Airport at a distance of about 238 Km from Ziro.
Dong is one of the most offbeat places in Arunachal, situated in the Anjaw district. It is the easternmost village in India, near the point where India, China and Myanmar meet.
It is the location of a peak, atop which tourists climb at 3 am to see the sunrise.
Dong sees the first sunrise in India, thus earning it the nickname, India's 'Land of the Rising Sun'.
If you want to experience the first sunrise in the country you have to wake up at 3:00 am in the morning and trek to the peak to watch this beautiful phenomenon.
Best time to visit Dong: The best time to visit Dong village is from September to October when the weather is pleasant and the skies are clear.
During this time, visitors can get a clear view of the mountains and enjoy activities such as trekking and bird watching.
How to reach Dong: From Itanagar, take a bus to Bhalukpong, which is 16km away. From there, you need to hire a taxi or local car to Xainggan village (about 2 hours drive).
It is situated in the West Siang district and is surrounded by pristine forests and snow-capped mountains.
The place is also home to the Apatani tribe, who are known for their unique facial tattoos and nose plugs.
There are several places to see in Mechuka, including the 400-year old Monastery, the picturesque Samten Yongcha Lake, and the beautiful sunset point.
You can also trek to nearby villages to get a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of the tribals.
Best time to visit Mechuka: The best time to visit Mechuka is from October to April, when the weather is cool and pleasant. During this time, you can also see the Apatani tribe in their traditional attire.
How to reach Mechuka: The best way to reach Mechuka is by road from either Daporijo or Along. The journey from Daporijo takes about 4-5 hours and from Along, it is about 6 hours. The roads are mostly good but can be a bit treacherous during the monsoon season.
Sangti Valley is a beautiful valley located in the Arunachal Pradesh state of India. The valley is home to many different types of wildlife, and it is a popular destination for hikers and tourists.
The Sangti Valley is famous for its apple orchards, and it is also known for its hot springs. The hot springs are located in the village of Chongkham, and they are the source of the Sangti River.
The valley is also close to other tourist attractions, such as the Linguistic Museum and the Pumori Hill Station.
Best time to visit Sangti Valley: The best time to visit the Sangti Valley is from June to August, when you can expect pleasant weather conditions.
The most popular time for tourists is during the monsoon season, which usually begins in July and ends in September.
How to reach Sangti Valley: Sangti is just 15 KMs from main Dirang Town and 10 KMs from Dirang Dzong, which is on the Bomdila-Tawang highway.
The Namsai region in Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its dense tea gardens, awe-inspiring mountain ranges, and unique tribal cultures.
This area is home to some of the densest tea gardens in the state, as well as some stunning mountain ranges.
The Namsai region is also known for its unique tribal cultures. You can visit villages that are inhabited by the Hmong people, the Mon people, and the Yimchun people.
These tribes have their own unique customs and traditions that you can explore while you are in the area.
Best time to visit Namsai: The best time to visit Namsai is from the beginning of April to the end of October.
The weather in this region is typically mild and dry with no extreme temperatures. However, you can expect that there will be some drizzle during the winter months.
How to reach Namsai: The nearest major city to Namsai is the town of Jorhat. You can reach this location by train or bus from Guwahati, Dimapur and Kohima.
The most popular way to reach Namsai from Jorhat is by hiring a taxi or minibus from the station.
Shergaon is a picturesque village situated in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The village is surrounded by dense forests and is home to a number of rare and beautiful birds. Visitors can also spot the red Panda in the forests around Shergaon.
Some of the must-see places in Shergaon include the Siyum Lamrani Falls, the Dharma Sadhana Vipassana Centre, and the Tuting Gompa. The falls are located just outside of town and make for a great short hike.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Shergaon is from October to March when the weather is cool and pleasant.
How to reach: Shergaon can be reached by road from Guwahati, which is the nearest airport. The journey from Guwahati to Shergaon takes about eight hours by road.
You can also take a train from Delhi to Rangapara North railway station, which is the nearest railhead to Shergaon.
Mayodia is a perfect destination for those looking for peace and tranquillity. Surrounded by dense forests, this hill town offers breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Mayodia, from spotting rare wildlife to trekking through the stunning landscapes.
Mayodia is home to the Mayodia Pass, which is a popular trekking destination. The pass connects the Lohit and Dibang valleys and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Mayodia is also home to the Mayodia Deer Sanctuary, where you can see different species of deer including the red goral, Tibetan red deer, and musk deer.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Mayodia is from mid-October to mid-March, when the weather is cool and dry. However, if you're looking for a truly authentic experience, you should visit during the summer months, when the town comes alive with festivals and celebrations.
How to reach: From Dibrugarh, you can take a bus or taxi to Mayodia. The journey takes about 8 hours by road.
Located amidst the Himalayan range, Tawang is a quaint little destination which is gaining a lot of popularity as a must visit destination in Arunachal Pradesh.
From the majestic Jung waterfalls to the picturesque Madhuri lake, from Sela pass to the Gorichen peak, from hot spring waters to snow clad mountains, this place has everything packed in it.
Besides its natural splendour, Tawang is also famous for a 400 year old monastery known as the Tawang Monastery. This Buddist monastery is the largest one in India and the second largest in the world. This place is a must visit if you seek some spiritual tranquillity.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Tawang is between October and March. This is when the weather is at its best, and you can see Tawang Monastery in all its glory.
How to reach Tawang: Guwahati is the closest international airport. You can hire a cab from Tezpur or get an APSRTC bus. Rangapara railway station is the nearest station to Tawang.
Roing is also one of the best offbeat places to visit in Arunachal. This small town is located in the Lower Dibang Valley and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Roing, from hiking and exploring the many scenic trails to visiting nearby villages and temples. You can also go whitewater rafting on the Siyom River, which runs through the town.
The town has many interesting places to visit, including the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, and many other animals; the TALOJA Museum, which houses a collection of rare artefacts from the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh; and the Dibang River View Point, which offers stunning views of the river.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Roing is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing.
How to reach: The best way to reach Roing from Assam is by road. The town is located about 4 hours away from the nearest airport in Assam, and the drive is a scenic one through hilly terrain and lush green forests.
Dambuk is a small town located in the Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the River Dibang and is surrounded by picturesque hills.
The town is best known for its annual Orange Festival, which is held in December and attracts visitors from all over the country.
Dambuk is a great place to experience the culture and traditions of the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh. There are several tribal villages in the vicinity of the town where you can learn about the traditional way of life.
You can also visit the Dambuk Eco-Camp, which offers an insight into the local flora and fauna.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Dambuk is between October and March, when the weather is cool and pleasant.
How to reach: The easiest way to reach Dambuk is by road. There are several buses that ply between Tezpur and Dambuk. Alternatively, you can take a train to Rangiya Junction and then a bus or taxi to Dambuk.
Bhalukpong, located in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh is a small town bordering Assam. The town derives its name from the Bhala River that flows through it.
It is a beautiful town with lots of greenery and is surrounded by hills. It is one of the offbeat places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh.
The main attraction in Bhalukpong is the elephanta falls, which is also known as the Bees Falls. This fall is created by the Bhala River and is a sight to behold.
There are many other smaller falls in the vicinity which are worth exploring.
Some of the other places to see in Bhalukpong are Nameri National Park, Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary and Tipi Orchidarium.
Nameri National Park is home to many different species of animals including tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos.
Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich flora and fauna. Tipi Orchidarium has a wide variety of orchids on display.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Bhalukpong is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.
How to reach: Bhalukpong can be reached by road from Tezpur, which is about 90 km away. The nearest airport is at Jorhat, which is about 150 km away.
Changlang is one of the most offbeat places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh. The town is located on the left bank of the Dibang River, about 4km from its confluence with the Brahmaputra River. Once you make it here, you will be rewarded with some stunning views.
The town sits amidst rolling hills and lush green forests, with the Dibang River flowing through it. There are a number of places to see in Changlang.
The Tiger Falls, located about 30km from the town, are worth a visit. At an altitude of about 700m, they are said to be the second highest falls in India.
Another popular spot is Namdapha National Park, which is home to tigers, leopards, elephants and several species of birds.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Changlang is between October and November. This is the ideal time to experience the town's natural beauty and to enjoy its many trekking trails.
How to reach: To reach Changlang, you can take a bus or a shared jeep from the nearby town of Tezu. The best time to visit Changlang is between October and March, when the weather is cool and pleasant.
Arunachal Pradesh is a beautiful state that is often overlooked. However, if you are looking for an offbeat destination, Arunachal Pradesh is worth considering.
The best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh is during the monsoon season. This is when the state is at its most scenic. The rains have created lush green forests and valleys, and the waterfalls are at their most beautiful.
However, Arunachal Pradesh isn't just about scenery. The state has a rich culture that is worth exploring. There are many festivals that take place in Arunachal Pradesh each year, and these celebrations are often unique and interesting.
Arunachal Pradesh is a beautiful state with a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty and cultural diversity. If you are looking for an offbeat destination that is not crowded with tourists, then Arunachal Pradesh is the perfect place for you. There are many hidden gems in this state that are waiting to be discovered.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Arunachal Pradesh for an unforgettable experience.
Made with ♥ in the mountains | © 2023
Check out our other trips