Tawang tourism and travel guide

To get to Tawang there are mainly two options by road or by Helicopter. Guwahati is around 525 km away and a 20-hour drive from Guwahati. From Tezpur, Tawang is 345 km or a 12 -13 hours journey. Regular bus services are available from Guwahati and Tezpur however if you are willing to shell some more money it is better to hire a Tata Qualis or any other rugged mountain vehicle to embark on one of the most fantastic journeys in this part of the world. This would allow enjoying nature and the number of Monasteries on the ways and breaks in between. 

By Airways

The nearest airports to Tawang are the ones at Guwahati and Tezpur which are connected from the rest of India. After that, it is all roads. From Guwahati, Pawan Hans operates Helicopter services to Tawang. It is a 50-minute flight with the chopper also using Bhutanese air space. 

By Railways

Though the nearest railway station to Tawang is Rangapara North Railway Station (RPAN) which is 60 km from the Assam-Arunachal border of Bhalukpong yet for all practical purposes Guwahati Railway station remains the most feasible option to go to Tawang from the rest of India.

Driving Directions

Tawang is a snow blanketed region situated in Arunachal Pradesh, East India. The travelers visit Tawang to relish the commanding view of the hills girdling the whole region. At Tawang, adventurers can go trekking, skiing, and rock climbing. NH 31 and NH 52 connects Tawang with the rest of the county. Guwahati, Darjeeling, Sikkim, and many other Eastern states of the region get linkage with Tawang through road route. The 4 wheelers, mainly the heavy vehicles like Jeep and safari are the best sturdy means of transport by which the travelers can explore the deeper precincts of the wilderness

Geographical Facts: Tawang is located at an altitude of 3,400 meters in Arunachal Pradesh, East India, near the Tibet and Bhutan borders, 347 Kms from Tezpur and 187 Kms from Bhutan 

By Air: The nearest airport is Tezpur(13 hours), which has a morning Indian Airlines flight from Kolkota. 

Helicopter Service: from Tezpur to Tawang, Tuesday and Saturday only if weather conditions permit.(Rs 3,000/1 hour 20 minutes), Arunachal Tourism, Guwahati(tel - 0361-2412859) 

By Road: from Guwahati, take NH 37 to Kuarital(163 KMS)via Nagaon. Turn Left on NH 37 A to Tezpur(23Km). Then NH 52 to Charduar and the long state hghway into Arunachal to Tawang via Bhalunkpong, Bomdial(overnight)m Dhirang and Se La Pass. 

STD Code - 03794  | Pin Code - 790104 

By Rail: Nearest Rail Head is Guwahati (473Kms)/17 hrs). Overnight journey to Tawang with a night halt at Tezpur or Bomdila. From Tezpur to Tawang take a shared taxi which charges Rs 410 as the bus service is highly erratic and uncomfortable. 

Permits: Indian nationals planning to visit restricted areas in Arunachal Pradesh require an inner line permit (ILP) to do so. The ILP(Rs 25) can be obtained from the Arunachal Pradesh offices located in Delhi, Kolkota or Guwahati. 

Weather: During Winters - Maximum Temperature is 7 C 

Minimum Temp: 1 C (December to February)During summers: 24 C Minimum 14 C (March to June)Rainfall: July to OctoberIdeal time to visit: October to March 

Local Circuit that can be visited: Tawang Monastery - Sange Ryabgelling - Khinme Monastery - Singhsur nunnery - Taktsang Gompa - Nameri Wildlife Reserve - Bhalukpong

During Winters: Maximum Temperature is 7°C Minimum Temp: -1°C (December to February)

During summers: 24°C Minimum 14°C (March to June)

Rainfall: July to October

The ideal time to visit: October to March 

The best time to visit Tawang is during the summer season when its moderate weather in Tawang and the maximum temperature varies from maximum 24 Celsius to 14 Celsius respectively. While during winters, the maximum temperature in Tawang ranges from 7 Celsius to -1 Celsius, where as monsoons are quiet humid and misty and the ideal time to visit Tawang is: October to March. 

There are many attractions of Tawang an important center of Buddhist learning in India. Some of them are enumerated here. 

Tawang Gompa: Tawang Gompa is definitely is the major tourist attraction apart from the high point of the town. The gompa, also known as the Galden Namgyal Lhatse, is a famous Mahayana monastery. It was established in 1643-47 AD by Lodre Gyaltso, popular by the name of Meera Lama among locals. It is one of the largest Monasteries in Asia. The fortified complex built over an area of 165sq meters is perched on a 2,760 m high ridge. The compound wall is 610 meters long. The Gompa gives a kaleidoscopic view of the splendid valleys and beyond. A special attraction here is the beautifully gilded 8-meter high statue of Gautama Buddha. Other attractions include an ancient library comprising many rare books and manuscripts, idols, thangkas, and murals. In 1997 the monastery was renovated. 

Jaswantgarh: Jaswantgarh is 14 km away from the 14000 ft high SelaPass on the way to Tawang. It is basically an Indian army Memorial built to honour an extraordinary brave soldier of the Indian Army who fought the Chinese Army single-handedly. Rifleman Jaswant Sing Rawat, of 4 Garhwal Rifles kept the advancing Chinese at bay for three days till he was captured and killed by the marauding forces. Jaswant Singh was awarded Maha Vir Chakra by the Government of India. The memorial has a plaque that describes Rawat’s heroics. The temple-like Jaswantgarh memorial houses a garlanded bronze bust of Jaswant Singh. His personal belongings including Army uniform, cap, watch, and belt are also kept here. An earthen lamp keeps burning before the portrait of this Great War Hero. 

Urgelling Gompa: Urgelling Gompa is the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsanyang Gyatso who was born here on 1683. The temple is said to have been built around 1487 AD by Ugyen Zangpo, the youngest brother of Terton Pema Lingpa, a Great Treasure Revealer. It is located to the south of Tawang at a close distance from the heliport. 

Se La Pass: Se La Pass is on the way to Tawang. At around 14000 ft high (world’s third-highest) it signals the entering into Tawang valley. The beautiful ParadiseLake considered a very sacred lake is also located here. The beauty of this place is hard to be described. 

Madhuri Lake: Encircled by towering cliffs, the Madhuri Lake 42 km from Tawang is extremely picturesque. Nobody cares that the official name is Sangetsar Lake but since Madhuri Dixit shot some scenes here for the film Koyla it came to be known as Madhuri Lake. The lake is a result of a major earthquake in the area in 1950. The bare tree trunks could still be seen standing out from the lake that was once a forested area. The Lake remains frozen for most of the time. 

Panggang teng Tso: Panggang teng Tso, Tso meaning lake is better known as PT Tso named after our sprint queen PT Usha. This lake is at around 14 km from Tawang and perched at an altitude of approximately 13,500 feet. The view is amazing here as the lake has a mountainous backdrop and set against the clear blue sky. The lake is 100-150 meters below the road.

Kiomoi Tip:

The oxygen content of the area is low so trekking back to the main road from the lakeside is a laborious task that is forught with inherent medical risks.

Brama Dungchung Ani Gompa: The nunneries or Ani Gompa is located about 5 Kms. north of the Tawang township. It was in 1826 a Buddhist monk named Kachen Yeshi Galek founded this nunnery. The practice of sending one girl from a family to the Ani Gompa is discontinued. The prayer hall of the monastery has the images of Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokesetesver et al. A must-visit.

There are some nice getaways from Tawang which a traveler must explore. Take a look.

Bomdila: The breathtakingly beautiful Bomdilla is situated at an altitude of 8500 feet is just around 190 km from Tawang. Bomdilla is an excellent jaunt for trekking, picnics and eco-tourism camps. It is saddled with many beatific spots to make a memorable excursion. There a fair number of gompas (small monasteries) due to their strong Buddhist and Tibetan influence, apple orchards, forests, waterfalls ready to be discovered. For those who like to devour Tibetan cuisine, Bomdilla has quaint little eating-places. For those scouting for souvenirs and traditional memorabilia, the way is to head for the Craft Centre. The Bomdilla monastery is located at a higher elevation than the main township and it gives a commanding view of the valley below. The garden with its myriad variety of flowers is really soothing for the eyes. Bomdila is also a hub for hiking expeditions in the Kameng region. From small walks to serious trekking by experts, Bomdilla is the place to be.

Dirang: Dirang is situated in between Bomdila and Tawang and is around 140 km from Tawang. Dirang lies in the West Kameng district. Dirang is ideal for Trekking and hiking and the attractions of Dirang include Kalchakra and Ngingmapa Monastery, YakResearchCenter, SangtiValley, kiwi and apple orchards, hot-water springs et al.

Bomdilla-Pangam: Located 64 Kms from Tawang, the travelers can traverse up to the ridge from where on the other side lies Bomdilla Monastery, which is worth visiting. From their travelers can drive on to Thembang, the seat of Gelugapa, or the yellow Hat School of Tibetan Buddhism. From their training to the low-end farms where the travelers can click some interesting pictures. 

Ziro: Located in the heart of Lower Subansiri District, 5,839 ft above sea level, it is a small town in Arunachal Pradesh still unexplored and concealed under the bask of the foggy clouds. The people who are really keen to trek through the tough passages of the mountain, spree to the villages where the houses are still constructed with bamboo sticks, and handcrafted artifacts showcase the religious memoirs of the region. While on a tour to the region, the vacationers can make a visit to the district museum, Mithun spotting, Talley Valley Sanctuary and can enjoy the processions of the Mloko Festival (March-April) celebrated during the commencement of the agricultural cycle. Bobo is another sporting event in which the local denizens of the region hereby perform acrobatics. The Dree festival (July) marks the end of the agricultural cycle. The nearest station is North Lakhimpur. The Sumo taxi costs about Rs 1,500-2,000. The shared cab is around Rs 110 per head. 

Daporijo(172km): Part of the popular Itanagar-Ziro-Daporijo-along-Pasighat travel circuit, the vacationers can plan to discover the rich culture of the East India which can most surely be an eye opener for the people who have never seen the unspoiled beauty of the region. It is genuinely an excellent camping destination dotted at the rendezvous point of the Sippi and Subansiri rivers. 

Khonsa: is located in a valley, Tirpa region in the South-East Arunachal Pradesh. Khonsa is the best point for sky-diving and bungee jumping. The travelers can venture through the unsullied forests and the perennial rivers of the region caressed by more than 500 species on its seashores. Here you can track the extinction species like elusive red panda, cross breaded cow "Mithun", gibbon monkey, and rare exotic blossoms. While on a trek to Khonsa, the travelers can organize trips to Kheti and Lajo. The travelers can visit to Khonsa Museum, Namdapha National Park, Noadehing river, and the center for Tibetan refugees respectively. The nearest railhead is Tinsukia which is 169 km from Miao. 

Tezu: Nestled amidst the Mishmi Hills in Lohit district lying in the eastern most corner of Arunachal Pradesh. The route from Guwahati trails from NH 37 till Dum Duma via Nagaon, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia; state road via Narmasai- Chowkham. While on an excursion entourage, the travelers while on a visit to the lower regions of the Lohit district can make a visit to the sprawling paddy fields, a few tea estates, Mlishimi Hills ands Walong exclusively. Besides this, the vacationers can trail to the opium fields and can see hundreds of mithun. While on a way there are also the war memorials showing an engagements of the 1962 India-China War

Although there are very less few of good restaurants in Tawang but the duo that are quite famous are located at Old Market. The Buddha hotel in Tawang offers pure vegetarian cuisines at reasonable prices, satiating enough to douse the gastronomical desires. The hot-tongue-quirkier ‘momos and thupka’ come out to be the best sizzlers when eaten with the mixture of ground chilly-garlic paste. Another Chinese restaurant offers travelers with lip-smacking Chinese and Indian delicacies. With in the price range of 35 to 80 rupees, the food lovers can enjoy the best of the regional as well as local Indian food. There are also small restaurants in Tawang where you can heat up your body with a sip of butter tea. The restaurants in Tawang carry an influence of Chinese cuisines which can be generally witnessed in the delicacies prepared by the local population.

 

1. Must do a mountain trekking at Tawang: The travelers with the help of a regional guide can think of planning an entourage in the treacherous terrains of the region. The people who like to make the adventure as part of their audacious ordeal can visit Bomdila, and Sela Pass respectively.

2. Visit a wildlife reserve: The aspiring vacationers can think of planning a visit to Nameri Wild Life Reserve, where they can click some of the excellent photographs. Leopards, Tiger, Red Panda, and more than 500 species of birds can be easily found by the revelers seeking a complete adventure.

3. Army War Memorial: The giant war memorial nestled on the outskirts of the China border. This memorial would remind the revelers about the days when a rigorous war was fought between India-China in the year 1962.

4. A temple and three small lakes: After crossing Shangrila and Baisaki army camps, the vacationers can make a visit to a temple and three small lakes.

5. A War museum at Jaswant Garh: located 21km from the Tanwang, the travelers can also visit to War Museum in Jaswant Garh.

6. 16th century Tawang Museum: Constructed in the mid 16th century, the monastery became the strong hold of the Gelugpa sect and has been a socio religious focal point for the past 400 years.

7. The other attractions include Ryabelling shrine, Khinme Monastery and Singshur monastery respectively