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Dirang Monastery set among pine-clad hills in West Kameng, Arunachal PradeshTawang Circuit: Arunachal PradeshTawang Circuit: Arunachal PradeshTawang Circuit: Arunachal PradeshTawang Circuit: Arunachal Pradesh
Hornbill flag: the hills of the Northeast

Private trip · Arunachal Pradesh · Mountains & lakes

Tawang Circuit

  • 7N / 8D
  • Pick-up: Guwahati Airport (GAU) / Guwahati city hotel
  • Private car · your dates

★ Google reviews · Read them

Overview

Few journeys in India demand as much from a traveller, or reward them as generously, as the Tawang Circuit. Picked up from Guwahati, you ascend through the Eastern Himalayas over 7 nights and 8 days, tracing a route that takes you from the lush foothills of Bomdila through Dirang's apple orchards and hot springs before the road climbs to Sela Pass at 13,700 ft, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The landmark Sela Tunnel, inaugurated in 2024, now keeps this corridor open even when snowfall once cut the highway for weeks.

Route

Tezpur 1N → Bomdila 1N → Dirang 1N → Tawang 3N → Dirang 1N

Starts and ends at Guwahati Airport (GAU) / Guwahati city hotel.

Day by day

8 days · Guwahati · Tezpur · Bomdila · Dirang · Tawang

    • Depart Guwahati early morning by road
    • Scenic drive along the Brahmaputra valley (approx. 4 hrs / 181 km)
    • En route stop at Cole Park or river viewpoints
    • Check in at Tezpur; evening walk around Agnigarh Hill viewpoint
    • Tezpur serves as the last major plains town before the Arunachal hills
    Night in Tezpur
    • Early start; cross the Bhalukpong entry checkpoint (ILP verification)
    • Drive through dense Eastern Himalayan foothills forests
    • Arrive Bomdila (approx. 6–7 hrs from Tezpur / 160 km)
    • Visit Bomdila Monastery, built in 1965, following Tsona Gontse traditions of Tibetan Buddhism
    • Optional walk through Bomdila apple orchards and craft bazaar
    Night in Bomdila
    • Scenic drive from Bomdila to Dirang (approx. 1.5 hrs / 40 km)
    • Visit Dirang Dzong, an ancient stone fort village
    • Soak at Dirang hot water springs
    • Explore Sangti Valley (15 km from Dirang), apple and kiwi orchards and winter home of the black-necked crane
    • Visit the National Yak Research and Breeding Centre at Nigmadung
    • Afternoon at leisure to acclimatize (Dirang at approx. 4,700 ft)
    Night in Dirang
    • Dawn departure; dramatic drive to Sela Pass at 13,700 ft (4,170 m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world
    • Photo stop at Sela Lake, a sacred glacial lake at the pass
    • Descent through the Sela Tunnel (inaugurated 2024, ensures connectivity even in heavy snowfall)
    • Stop at Nuranang Falls (Jang Falls), a powerful 100-metre waterfall on the Tawang River
    • Arrive Tawang (approx. 6 hrs from Dirang / 135 km); altitude 10,000 ft
    • Rest and early acclimatization, avoid strenuous activity on arrival
    Night in Tawang
    • Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India and second largest in the world after Lhasa's Drepung; founded in the 17th century; houses 500+ monks and priceless Buddhist manuscripts
    • Tawang War Memorial, tribute to soldiers who fell in the 1962 Sino-Indian War
    • Urgelling Monastery, birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama
    • Afternoon stroll through Tawang local market for Tibetan handicrafts and thangkas
    • Acclimatization day, take it slow, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol
    Night in Tawang
    • Full-day excursion toward the Indo-China border (subject to army clearance)
    • Madhuri Lake (Shonga Tsen / Sangetsar Lake), a high-altitude lake at 3,708 m formed by the 1950 earthquake, 36 km from Tawang
    • Bumla Pass at 15,200 ft, India-China border point; requires separate local permit from DC Office Tawang, stamped by Indian Army
    • Scenic alpine meadows and glacial terrain en route
    • Return to Tawang by evening
    Night in Tawang
    • Early morning departure from Tawang
    • Return drive over Sela Pass with fresh daylight views of the snow-covered peaks
    • Brief stop at Sela Lake for photographs
    • Descend to Dirang for overnight rest
    • Relaxed evening; hot springs visit at Dirang
    Night in Dirang
    • Early start for the long return drive to Guwahati (approx. 10–12 hrs)
    • En route checkpoint clearances at Bhalukpong
    • Drop at Guwahati Airport or city hotel as per flight schedule

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation (twin/double sharing)
  • Daily breakfast and dinner
  • All ground transportation in private SUV
  • Inner Line Permit (ILP) processing for all Indian nationals
  • Bumla Pass local permit fee (subject to army clearance)
  • Tawang Monastery entry and local sightseeing
  • Nuranang Falls and Sela Pass stops
  • Madhuri Lake excursion
  • Driver allowance, tolls, and parking

Not included

  • Flights to / from Guwahati
  • Lunches and personal beverages
  • Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreign nationals (approx. USD 50, 4–7 working days)
  • Bumla Pass excursion if army clearance is denied on the day
  • Local Tawang-registered vehicle for Bumla Pass (additional approx. ₹3,000–4,000)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended for high-altitude travel)
  • Personal expenses, tips, and porterage
  • 5% GST on the trip price

Where you stay

Double sharing

  • 1 night

    Tezpur

  • 1 night

    Bomdila

  • 1 night

    Dirang

  • 3 nights

    Tawang

  • 1 night

    Dirang

Hotels and guesthouses, double sharing. Property names are in your written confirmation before you travel; upgrades on request.

Price for your group

Per person

TravellingPer personTotal for the groupPlan
2 (a couple)₹58,000₹1,16,000Plan for 2
4 people₹46,000₹1,84,000Plan for 4
6 people₹38,000₹2,28,000Plan for 6

3, 5, 7 or more travellers? Ask us for the price for your group.

Your price covers

  • 7 nightsHotels, Guesthouses
  • MealsDaily breakfast
  • Private carDriver, fuel, tolls and parking
  • Pick-up and dropGuwahati Airport (GAU) / Guwahati city hotel

What changes the price

Your travel dates (festival and peak weeks cost more), how many of you travel, the car you choose and the hotels you pick. We confirm the exact price on WhatsApp before you pay.

How booking works

  1. 1Message us on WhatsApp or ask for a call.
  2. 2We talk it through with you by phone or WhatsApp and share the route, dates, price and what is included.
  3. 3If you like it, pay by UPI or by scanning our QR code.
  4. 4Once your payment reaches us, you are booked. We send hotels, transport and permits in writing before you travel.

Good to know

Things to know
  • Inner Line Permit (ILP) is mandatory for ALL Indian citizens (except Arunachal Pradesh residents); apply at eilp.arunachal.gov.in at least 3–5 business days before travel.
  • Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) instead of ILP; must be arranged through a registered tour operator at least 4–7 working days in advance; foreign nationals cannot visit Bumla Pass.
  • Sela Pass at 13,700 ft can be blocked by heavy snowfall December–February; the newly opened Sela Tunnel (2024) offers an alternative passage but road conditions remain unpredictable.
  • Tawang town is at 10,000 ft; altitude sickness (AMS) is a real risk, ascent is gradual over 4 days by design. Carry Diamox if prescribed; avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours.
  • Accommodation in Tawang is genuinely limited, book at least 2–3 months ahead during peak season (April–June, September–October).
  • Bumla Pass visit requires a local Tawang-registered vehicle and a separate Indian Army permit, not guaranteed. Build flexibility into Day 6.
  • Roads throughout Arunachal Pradesh are predominantly single-lane with steep gradients; landslides can add 2–4 hours to any leg. Always depart early each day.
  • Best seasons: March–May (spring, clear views) and September–November (post-monsoon, clear skies). Avoid July–August (peak monsoon, heavy landslide risk).
Getting there
  • The trip starts and ends at Guwahati Airport (GAU) / Guwahati city hotel. Flights and trains are not included, so you can book the fare that suits you; we fit the first and last day around your times.
Booking
  • Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size.
  • We send the written itinerary and price, with your hotels and homestays named.
  • You book with a deposit by bank transfer; the balance is due before you travel.

Who looks after you

Your driver from the region, through partners we know on the ground, and our team on WhatsApp the whole way.

One number, before and during the trip

+91 90360 21836

WhatsApp or call. One team answers it, so you never chase a driver's number.

Our team in Bengaluru and the hills
Message us

Questions about this trip

How much does the Tawang Circuit cost per person?

₹58,000 per person for 2 travellers, ₹46,000 for 4 and ₹38,000 for 6. The price covers your stays, the private car and driver, and pick-up and drop at Guwahati Airport (GAU) / Guwahati city hotel; the full list of what is and is not included is on this page.

What is an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and do I need one for the Tawang Circuit?

Yes, an Inner Line Permit is mandatory for every Indian citizen (except Arunachal Pradesh residents) entering the state. Without it, you will be turned back at the Bhalukpong checkpoint. You can apply online at eilp.arunachal.gov.in at least 3–5 business days before your travel date. ClearEast Trip processes your ILP application as part of the package, so you do not need to navigate the portal alone. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) instead, we handle that too.

What is the best time of year to visit Tawang?

The two ideal windows are March to May (spring) and September to November (post-monsoon). Spring brings clear mountain views, blooming rhododendrons, and moderate road conditions. The post-monsoon months offer the clearest skies of the year and fresh, washed landscapes. Avoid July and August, heavy monsoon rains trigger frequent landslides that can add hours to any leg of the journey. December to February brings snow and severe cold; Sela Pass may be blocked even with the Sela Tunnel in place.

How bad are the roads, and will there be delays?

Arunachal's mountain roads are predominantly single-lane with steep gradients and sharp hairpin bends, and landslides can extend any leg by 2–4 hours without warning. The 2024 Sela Tunnel has significantly improved reliability on the Dirang-to-Tawang stretch, but the broader route still requires an early start each day. ClearEast Trip schedules generous drive windows into every itinerary, and all vehicles are 4WD SUVs with experienced drivers who know these roads in all conditions.

Is altitude sickness a real risk on this trip, and how is it managed?

Yes, Tawang sits at approximately 10,000 ft and Sela Pass at 13,700 ft, with Bumla Pass reaching 15,200 ft. The Tawang Circuit itinerary is specifically designed with a gradual four-day ascent via Tezpur, Bomdila, and Dirang to allow your body to adjust. On arrival in Tawang, you rest and avoid exertion. Carry Diamox only if prescribed by your doctor, avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours at altitude, and stay well hydrated. If symptoms persist, descending is always the safest option.

What should I pack for the Tawang Circuit?

Pack in layers, even in summer, Tawang evenings are cold (6–12°C) and Sela Pass can drop below freezing. Essentials include a warm fleece or down jacket, thermal inner layers, waterproof outer shell, sturdy walking shoes with ankle support, sunscreen (UV is intense at altitude), sunglasses, a personal first-aid kit with any prescribed altitude medication, and a power bank (electricity can be unreliable at remote stops). Keep cash in hand as ATMs are scarce beyond Bomdila.

How do I book the Tawang circuit, and how far in advance?

Message us on WhatsApp at +91 90360 21836 with your dates and group size. We answer your questions first, then confirm your seats with a deposit by bank transfer. Arunachal Pradesh needs an Inner Line Permit, which we arrange from your ID documents, so we recommend starting 6 to 8 weeks before travel. Bumla Pass access additionally depends on army permissions and weather on the day.

What travellers say

Reviews on Google · Read them all →

  • ★★★★★

    “Spoke with ClearEast trip team. It was just wow, they are best if anyone planning for bhutan or northeast trip. They don't try to sale. They have guide me step by step and made me understand the complete process for bhutan trip. They hear me out…”

    suraj s · Bhutan trip · Google review, Nov 2025

  • ★★★★★

    “I booked my Sikkim trip with Cleareast Trip, and it was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had! The entire tour was perfectly planned — right from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass. The hotels were clean and comfortable.”

    Soniya Mangar · Sikkim trip · Google review, Aug 2025

  • ★★★★★

    “I recently booked trip through this travel company and everything was perfectly organised from start to finish. The team was helpful responsive and genuinely cared about making our journey smooth and memorable. Hotels transportation and everything…”

    Dipankar Deka · Google review, Aug 2025

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