Itanagar tourism and travel guide

Guwahati and Itanagar are well-connected by roadways and highways. You could hire a cab or take a private or state bus and do this six-and-a-half-hour drive. The only caution you should exercise is if you are driving during the monsoons. Heavy rains can render the roads dangerous because of landslides. To travel by train, you can go to Harmuti Railway Station in Assam. Itanagar is a 52km taxi ride from here. There is no airport at the moment at Itanagar. But you can take a Guwahati-Lilabari flight and take a cab to travel the 58 km from Lilabari to Itanagar.

The Nyishi people are the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh. While there are no clear records, traditionally, it is believed that this tribe has Sino-Tibetan roots. Itanagar has a high concentration of people from the Nyishi tribe. The people are mostly agriculturalists who practice shifting agriculture called jhum, where the land is cleared and crops planted for several seasons. Once the soil loses its fertility, the area is cleared through slashing and burning and left uncultivated for a while. The practice of Jhum has not just economic implications; there are associated social and religious ceremonies for this tribe that worship trees and forests.

Nyishi tribesmen grow their hair long and wear it in a braid secured by a sacred thread. They also wear a cane helmet attached with the beak of the great Hornbill bird.  This practice is now frowned upon because of the danger of extinction of the bird. Many men now replace the beak with fibreglass imitations.

You can get pan-Indian and international cuisines in Itanagar. However, it would be a pity not to try out the delicious, fresh, and simple local foods. Chura subji is a dish made from yak’s milk cheese, served with boiled rice and a dash of Pika pila, a hot and spicy bamboo pickle preserved in pork fat. Lukter is a meat dish, pork, or even mutton sundried and grilled with a Bhut Jhalokia chilly. There are also other dishes made with maize, fish, local greens, and bamboo shoots. The food is prepared with very little oil and usually steamed or grilled.

No meal is complete without a glass of Apong, an alcoholic fermented rice beverage. It is a highly nutritious, potent drink with a sweet malt flavor. 

One of the most popular attractions is Ganga Lake in Itanagar. The still waters, lush greens, and mountain views make for a peaceful afternoon stroll. There are also a few small boats if you wish to go down the lake.

The 15th century Ita Fort made entirely of bricks dates back to the Chutia dynasty, whose reign ended in 1523. However, there are no clear records about the origins of the fort, the stone carvings and depictions of lions (the symbol of the Chutia rulers) in and around the fort show the influence of the dynasty in the region.

The beautiful Itanagar Wildlife sanctuary is a great place to see sambar, barking deer, elephants, panthers, and tigers. It is also a habitat of the great Hornbill birds, whose numbers have dwindled due to human interference. You can also see some rare, wild orchids in this forested area.