Tawang Backpacking

SHORT ITINERARY :

DAY 01 : ARRIVE AT GUWAHATI

We start our Tawang group trip from Guwahati (GAU) airport at 12 pm in the noon in our traveler. After a quick lunch, we reach our hotel near the Nameri national park in the evening.

Post freshening up, we spend sometime knowing each other and maybe go out for a walk in the night.

DAY 02 : NAMERI TO DIRANG (7 HOURS)

Today we move towards the hidden gem of north east India; a quaint village called Dirang. On the way we stop at this beautiful waterfall (its a bumpy detour so fasten your seat belts) which will leave you in a complete awe!

It takes almost 2 hours for us to reach this destination hence making this trip very less crowded compared to many other north east places. 

DAY 03 : VISIT SANGTI VALLEY & MANDALA TOP

We cannot just bypass the beautiful valleys to reach Tawang, can we? So today we head out to Sangti valley, walk up to the small households and talk to them.

Here, we get a chance to interact with the Monpa tribes, learn about their background and culture, click pictures with the adorable kids around, play with the cutest fur ball pups, drink tea and devouring snacks in the local shop overlooking the valley… a day well spent!! hainaaa!!??

DAY 04 : DIRANG TO TAWANG

Today we reach Tawang… wohooo!! enroute we stop at Sela pass and Paradise Lake (13700 feet above sea level) Its time to remove your down jackets now coz today we touch snow!

There are 101 lakes in this region that are sacred to the Buddhists here… so make sure we leave no human trails behind. 

After a quick stop at Jaswantgarh; a memorial of a brave soldier who single handedly tried to stop the Chinese soldiers from approaching the Sela Pass in the 1962 war.

We shall also see the magnificent and mighty Jung Falls today; a sight so spectacular, yet unknown to many travellers, that will leave your jaw dropped for sure!! We know we approaching Tawang when we see yak herds grazing on the mountainsides 🙂

DAY 05 : VISIT TAWANG MONASTERY AND WAR MEMORIAL

Today, we are spending the day in Tawang, understanding the rich culture that it has to offer. We shall first go to Tawang Monastery that was built in 1681 as per the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama.

It is a beautiful monastery perched on top of a hill and looks like a fortress that was meant to guard the valleys. It is the largest monastery in India and the second-largest in the world after Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Tawang is a sacred place for the Buddhists as it is the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. Formerly a Tibetan territory, Tawang was captured by the Chinese in the 1962 war, but then relinquished later to India. The Chinese still lay claim on the town.

After the monastery, we head to Tawang War Memorial which is dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died in the 1962 war. It is a moving experience and a must for everyone who wants to know a little more about what transpired in the war. If we are lucky, we might even get a chance to play cricket or football in the monastery with the monks.

DAY 06 : VISIT BUM LA PASS NEAR CHINA BORDER, SANGETSAR

Today, we visit Bum La Pass close to the China border. This pass has a strong historical background because it is from here that the Chinese invaders attacked India and one of the fiercest battles took place. 

Also; this is the same pass wherethe Dalai Lama escaped Tibet and fled to India. Closed for many years, this was reopened for civilians in 2006. The Bum La Pass is one of the most offbeat passes in the world, and makes for a great day of visiting.

At 15200 feet above sea level, it is almost permanently under snow cover and can be visited depending on the day’s weather. Make sure that you have your beanies, mufflers, down jackets and gloves here.. or else you shall be a snow man here!! Next, we visit the untouched and pristine Pangang Teng Tso and Sangestar Lake…a perfect setting to just sit, relax, breathe deep and soak in what you see! What a splendid way to call it a day!

DAY 07 : DRIVE TO BOMDILA, SEE BOMDILA MONASTERY

After we say adieu to our blissful three days in Tawang, we head southwards and reach Bomdila by noon, a pretty hill station with apple orchids, monasteries and numerous trekking trails.

After lunch, we head to the Gontse Rabgyaling Monastery. Later we head to the Bomdila View Point for a beautiful sunset, from where you can see two of the highest peaks in Arunachal Pradesh! Post dinner..game night it is…. who wants to be the mafia tonight eeh?

DAY 08 : DRIVE FROM BOMDILA TO GUWAHATI

We are on our way back to Guwahati. It is a long drive of about 300 odd kilometres. Think of this as a last day of college coz tomorrow you all will be on your on way to your homes  Personally these are the trip that makes great bonds as the drives are long. 

We reach Guwahati by evening. We can all go out for dinner tonight on our last night of the trip, in a place with some lovely ambience! Dont forget to pack something nice! 

DAY 09 : DROP AT GUWAHATI AIRPORT

Our Tawang group trip ends today, sadly. A cab will transfer us to Guwahati airport and from there we go back to our respective cities with beautiful memories and friendships.

I will see you soon in the mountains 🙂

Note :

1. You need to bring Your Voters ID/ Aadhar card.
2. Itinerary has pictures from all seasons. The picture of snow are from April trip.