Wheeling Around: Your Road Trip Guide To Tawang

With snow-covered passes, rolling meadows, frozen lakes, gushing rivers and a population made up of hospitable tribal communities, Arunachal Pradesh is an enchanting destination, albeit slightly off the tourist trail. This north-east state of India is a paradise for botanists, a haven for the city-worn soul and a hotspot for musicians from across the world, thanks to the Ziro Festival held here every year. For years, the state was embroiled in territorial disputes between India and China. Even today, an Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required for Indian citizens to visit Arunachal. This drive takes you from Guwahati, the gateway to the Northeast, through the Orang and Nameri national parks, to pristine Tawang.

Day 1

Route: Guwahati-Tezpur

Distance: 164 km

Time: 4 hours

Begin your drive from Guwahati early in the morning to avoid the heavy truck traffic on its fringes. Take the NH31 north out of the town. At the time of research, the bridge over the Brahmaputra, on the outskirts of Guwahati had been reduced to a one-lane overpass. Traffic is slow through the day and night and though the traffic police directs vehicles on the bridge to prevent congestion, the crossing can take an hour, or sometimes up to three hours, to negotiate. Make sure you have breakfast before you leave your hotel. You will also find dhabas a couple of kilometres down the road after crossing the bridge.

Once across the bridge, follow the NH31 to Baihata. Here, turn right onto the NH15. This road will take you via Balugaon to Orang town, from where a 15-km-long dirt track leads to the Orang National Park, located on the northern banks of the Brahmaputra.

Covering a small area of 79 sq km, the national park is home to a huge population of the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The park's terrain is similar to that of Kaziranga --- swampy grasslands with landlocked beels (wetlands). There are 12 beels in the park, some of which are homing grounds for thousands of migratory birds during winter. Orang is also said to have a high density of the Royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant, pygmy hog and hog deer. You can visit the park in a vehicle (4WD recommended) with a forest guide. Elephant rides can also be arranged.

Park Entry: Indians is INR 50; Foreigners INR 500

Timings: Sunrise-sunset

Vehicle Entry: INR 300

Guide: The forest guards act as guides so do tip them

After exploring the national park, retrace your route to Orang town and head east on the NH15 towards Tezpur.

A bustling commercial centre, Tezpur is a good place to spend the night. If time permits, take a leisurely walk along the Brahmaputra. The river here is calm and especially wide, with sweeps of sand along the banks. There are some beautifully landscaped parks around the town. The scenic Chitralekha Udyan near the Circuit House is worth a visit, with a pond, lawns and a cluster of ancient ruins.

Day 2-3

Route: Tezpur-Nameri National park

Distance: 37 km

Time: 50 minutes

The next morning, after an early breakfast at the hotel, set off on the NH15. About 15 km from Tezpur, the highway veers off eastwards. At this junction, drive straight for about 14 km, before turning right onto the Nameri Eco Camp Road at Jogi Bosti.

Declared a national park in 1998, Nameri is nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya, with the River Jia Bhoroli and its tributaries coursing through it. The park's vegetation is mostly made up of cane and bamboo thickets and swaths of grasslands along the rivers. Nameri provides the ideal habitat to numerous animals such as tiger, leopard, sambar deer, gaur and white-winged wood duck. The park is, however, noted for its elephant population.

On the west side of the river lies the Forest Office, located near the Eco Camp. Boats leave from here for tours of the thickly forested area on the eastern bank. Reach early in the morning, as there are limited number of boats. Hire a forest guard and row over to the other side of the river to the main park for a day full of exploration. If you are staying at the Eco Camp, check with the hotel staff for sightseeing arrangements.

Park Entry Charge: Indians INR 50, Foreigners INR 500

Timings: Sunrise-sunset The forest guards double up as guides.

Things to See & Do

Rafting on the Jia Bhoroli river is the prime attraction in Nameri. Located on the edge of the park, Eco Camp organises rafting excursions in inflatable rubber dinghies. The route usually begins 13 kms upstream and takes about three hours to complete. Herds of elephants and monkeys as well as a variety of birds, including cormorants, hornbills, fishing eagles and brahminy ducks, can be easily spotted while rafting. You can also stop over for a picnic lunch on the banks of the river during the trip.

Trekking is also a popular activity in Nameri. The park can be explored only on foot, accompanied by an armed guard, after crossing the river by boat. Elephants, bison and Himalayan black bears can be commonly spotted during these expeditions. The duration of treks can range from a few hours to half-day or even full-day.

The Jia Bhoroli river is famous for its abundant population of the golden mahaseer. Eco Camp organises catch and release angling on the river, as the mahaseer is an endangered species.

You can also visit the Pygmy Hog Foundation, near the Eco Camp office, to learn about pygmy hogs, one of the world's critically endangered mammals.

Day 4

Route: Nameri National Park-Dirang

Distance: 158 km

Time: 4 hours

After spending two blissful days in Nameri National Park, retrace your route back to Jogi Bosti and drive northwest towards Bhalukpong, just an hour away from Nameri. This is where Assam ends and Arunachal Pradesh begins. The Jia Bhoroli river is locally known as Kameng here. It is mandatory for all visitors to have an Inner Line Permit to enter the border state. The permits are checked at the inter-state boundary, after which the uphill climb begins.

In Arunachal, the road is usually a series of hairpin bends, at times running along the river, then rising up into the mountains and back down again. The drive winds past unspoiled tropical rainforests with umbrella-shaped canopies that allow little sunlight to filter through to the dense undergrowth. Further into Arunachal, army presence increases and the road broadens out, merging with the NH229. You can stop at the town of Rupa, about two hours from Bhalukpong. Originally named Tukpan, the scenic town is located at 1,407 m and is surrounded by mountains. The centuries-old gompa here is a colourful wooden structure typical of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism.

As you drive northwards from Rupa, the air becomes a lot cooler. About 16 kms from Rupa lies the town of Bomdila. Spread over the southern face of the Bomdila Ridge, the town marks the entry into the region of Tibetan Buddhism. At the end of the bazaar line stands Lower Gompa, a pretty two-storey monastery built in the traditional Tibetan style. High above the town, perched on the ridge, is the Gaden Rabgyeling Monastery, better known as the Upper Gompa. Further ahead, you will cross the first pass on this route, the 2,479-m Bomdila, and go down a forest road to the town of Dirang.

Perfect Pitstop

A charming little hill station, Dirang is the perfect place for a relaxed holiday. The settlement comprises an old village and a new town, located 5 kms apart. The new town is situated along the highway from Assam to Tawang and has a bunch of shops. The main attraction in Dirang is the old hilltop fort that offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Kameng Valley below. Other attractions around the new town area include an orchid centre, apple orchards and kiwi farms.

Things to See & Do

The 400-year-old, three-storey fortified structure, the Dirang Dzong was built for administrative purposes by the monastic Buddhist rulers of the region. Made of stone and wood, the fort offers sweeping views of the valley below. Located about 3 kms from the new town, the Dirang Gompa is the newer monastery.

Wake up at the crack of dawn to drive to Sangti Valley, about 7 kms from Dirang. Surrounded by lofty ranges of the Eastern Himalaya, the lush valley stretches along the Sangti river, a tributary of the Kameng. In winter, you can catch sight of black-necked cranes that migrate to the valley from China.

Day 5-7

Route: Dirang-Tawang

Distance: 137 km

Time: 6 hours

Leave early the next morning to have enough time in hand to drive to the nearby Sangti Valley for spotting black-necked cranes (in winter), and then for negotiating the Se La mountain pass. A few kilometres out of Dirang, at a height of 2,846 m, you will see snow on the rooftops of buildings that comprise the hamlet of Dzongri La. Visibility here is less than 100 m, the trees are covered with snow, and the road is a white field with track marks of wheels. Another 20 km from this village lies the 4,215-m high Se La, the highest and toughest motorable pass in the Northeast. The frozen Se La Lake is located near the pass. From here, Tawang is around 70 km away.

Tawang is situated in the northwestern corner of Arunachal, close to the borders of Tibet and Bhutan. The town occupies a hill at 3,048 metres against a backdrop of snow-clad mountains. A monk named Merak Lama came to Tawang in the 17th century --- a period of harsh rivalry between various Buddhist sects --- and built a fortress here to protect the monks of the Gelugpa sect. Today, the fort is known as Tawang Monastery and is said to be the biggest Buddhist monastery in India. In 1959, when the present Dalai Lama fled from Tibet, he crossed over into India and spent a few days in this monastery, before reaching Assam.

Things to See & Do

The main draw here is the Tawang Monastery, dominating the skyline like a mighty medieval fortress. Constructed in the mid-16th century, the monastery houses a 26-foot high brass statue of the Buddha. The central court is made of stone and is surrounded by a group of buildings. The most imposing of these is the three-storeyed dukhang (main prayer hall), with a richly gilded Buddha statue.

There are many other monasteries in Tawang. The most famous being the comparatively smaller Urgeling Gompa, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. The Sange Ryabgelling shrine is located a short distance from Urgeling. A few kilometres from the town is the Khinme Monastery, which belongs to the Nyingmapa sect. Not far from the fork on the Tawang-Bumla Road is the Singshur nunnery. About a half-an-hour drive from Tawang lies Taktsang Gompa, one of the holiest Buddhist shrines in Arunachal Pradesh.

Day 8-10

Route: Tawang-Dirang-Tezpur-Guwahati

Distance: 137 km, 191 km, 164 km

Time: 6 hours, 5 hours, 4 hours

After spending three restful nights in Tawang, leave early to retrace your route back to Guwahati. The long journey will need stopovers in the towns of Dirang and Tezpur.

The Route

The first leg of the drive is mostly on the NH31 and NH15. It is a smooth two-lane road from Guwahati to Balipara via Tezpur. The NH15 ends at Balipara and soon after crossing the town of Charduar, forested areas and hills begin to appear in the distance. A few kilometres from here is the town of Bhalukpong on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. This is where the uphill climb begins. About 14 kms from Bhalukpong, you join the NH229. This route is prone to landslides, hence the roads are often strewn with debris consisting of boulders and mud. However, the debris is usually cleared up quickly. On the whole, it's a comfortable drive.

Tips and Tricks

Arunachal Pradesh is a Protected Area and all visitors are required to obtain a permit to enter the state. Domestic tourists need to get an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and foreign tourists, a Protected Area Permit (PAP). An ILP can be secured from the Arunachal Pradesh Resident Commissioner's office or the liaison offices located in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur and Jorhat. A PAP can be obtained from all Indian missions abroad, and the Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. You will need two passport-size photographs while applying. For more details, visit arunachalpradesh.nic.in.

The road from Guwahati to Tawang is not lit up, and it starts getting dark early in these parts --- as early as 4.30pm in winters, and 6pm in summers. Hill roads are deserted at night so it is advisable to begin early in the morning.

Petrol pumps, puncture repair shops and mechanics are available only at the few towns that fall en route to Charduar, Bhalukpong, Tenga, Bomdila, Dirang and Tawang. You will also find roadside dhabas in these towns. Be sure to stock up on food and water here. It is best to tank up in Bhalukpong, because the towns ahead, Bomdila and Dirang, have only one petrol pump each.

Stopovers

Tezpur

Where to Stay & Eat

KRC Palace (Tel 03712-222688; Tariff ranges between INR 2,400 and INR 7,000) is perhaps the best hotel in town, with a bar, a coffee shop and a salon. Run by the Directorate of Tourism, Prashanti Tourist Lodge (Tel 221016; Tariff ranges between INR 850 and INR 950) is suitable for those on a budget. The ASTC bus stand is a short walk from the lodge.

Located on the highway, on the outskirts of Tezpur, the swanky KF (Tel 255203; Tariff is between INR 2,700 and INR 4,700) offers stylish rooms and suites. The hotel has a multicuisine restaurant, cake shop, sweet shop and lounge bar.

The Fern Residency (Tel 255503; Tariff ranges between INR 4,300 and INR 7,000) is a new property, offering plenty of facilities such as a spa, a gym, a kids' play zone, a restaurant and a salon.

In the main market, Oasis and Flora serve tasty Indian and Chinese cuisine. Several dhabas around town offer south Indian meals.

Nameri National Park

Where to Stay & Eat

Eco Camp: Set up on the west side of the river, the camp offers well-equipped tents with attached bathrooms. Meals are served in a common dining hall (Tel 03714-292644, Mobile 09678182784; Tariff is INR1,800). Jia Bhorelli Wild Resort has a restaurant. It also organises activities such as river rafting, jungle trails and tribal village visits. (Mobile 09859547605; Tariff is INR 2,000)

Assam Tourism's well-located Prashanti Lodge (Mobile 09435405806; Tariff is INR1,385 to INR2,070), about 30 km further up at Bhalukpong. They also organise rafting trips.

Dirang

Where to Stay & Eat

Situated on the highway just ahead of the town, Hotel Pemaling (Tel 03780-242615; Tariff ranges between INR 2,200 and INR 5,000) and the Tourist Lodge (Mobile: 09436673629, 09436213495; Tariff is INR1,500) overlook lovely views of the Sangti Valley. The hotel-restaurant serves delicious Indian as well as Chinese cuisine.

Awoo Resort is a high-end accommodation option on the outskirts of Dirang, with 16 well-equipped rooms. (Mobile: 09903303311, 09874592283); tariff ranges from INR1,250 to 5,000)

Tawang

Where to Stay & Eat

The best hotels in Tawang are located in the main bazaar and mostly come with very basic facilities such as hot water, a heater and a TV set. Hotel Alpine (Landline phone 03794-222515, mobile 09436635998; Tariff is INR 1,000-INR 1,350), Hotel Shambhala (Tel 222348, Cell 09436635998 Tariff â&sbquo¹650-1,500), Hotel Nefa (Tel 222419; Tariff is between INR 800 and INR1,800) and Tawang Inn (Tel 222419; Tariff ranges from INR 800 to INR 1,800) are good options. You could also try Hotel Gorichen (Tel 224151; Tariff is from INR 800 to INR1,800), Hotel Buddha (Tel 222954 Tariff ranges from INR1,000-INR1,500) and Tourist Lodge (Tel 222359; Tariff ranges from INR600 to INR2,000). All these hotels serve simple meals as well as snacks to the residents.

There are a few small restaurants in the market that offer simple Indian and Chinese food. Cash is the most widely accepted mode of payment.

Driving Options

The shortest trip you can do on this route is one with a single stopover at Bomdila, which will take four days. It will mean not stopping at places such as Orang and Nameri, and not taking any detours. If you would like a longer trip, you could spend more time at Tawang, Nameri and Dirang. You can also stop at both Bomdila and Dirang. Another option is to include the well-known Kaziranga National Park (80 kms from Tezpur) in your itinerary. From Kaziranga, take the NH37 via Aniguri, Jakhalabandha and Silghat to Tezpur.