Tawang and its Monasteries

  • Tailormade tour
  • Price £1600
Tour Price Land only: £ 1600 per person on twin sharing basis
With flights: £ 2200 per person (price depends on flight prices at the time of booking)
Prices are all inclusive with no hidden or local payments
Flights We can arrange to book flights for you through our partner travel agent or you can arrange your own flights and we will arrange for your transfer from the place where the tour starts
Best time of visit September-May
No of days 13 days
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Overview

In this trip, you will start your journey in Guwahati, the gateway to North East India, from where you will meander your way through picturesque mountains, Passes, villages teeming with simple faces, and reach Tawang nestled at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The Tawang Monastery is the largest in India and is a treasure trove of precious Buddhist scriptures and manuscripts. It is a fascinating edifice that gains intrigue and a restless desire to travel there from travellers all around the globe. You will also visit Urgelling Monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, another famed establishment of Buddhist learning in the region.

Destinations

Guwahati – Bhalukpong – Dirang – Tawang – Bomdila -Tezpur – Guwahati

Map not to scale and only for reference

Tour Map of Tawang and its Monasteries

Map not to scale and only for reference

Detailed Itinerary


Day 1

Arrive at Guwahati airport and be greeted by our representative. Enjoy a scenic 5-hours drive to Bhalukpong.

Day 2

Wake up to a fresh morning to the chirping of birds and start the day early morning for a 8-10 hrs. Journey towards Dirang, the drive is along a flat river valley and then into the mountains. On the way you will visit the famous Tipi Orchid Centre, situated on the banks of river Kameng and surrounded by tropical forests and hills houses over 1000 exotic orchids. Upon reaching Dirang check in at the hotel and relax.

Day 3

Next day, after breakfast explore the exquisite beauty of Dirang valley and enjoy its amazing weather and freshness. You will visit the yak research centre, hot water springs, and apple orchards at Dirang or go for a light trek around the valley and meet the locals and see the wildlife around.

Day 4

After breakfast, start an 8 hours’ drive towards Tawang. Enchant your senses with the views of the mighty Himalayas and while driving through the snow-capped Sela Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in the world is a mesmerising experience. Upon crossing Sela Pass you will see the monasteries, prayer wheels and Tibetan style little hamlets. In the evening check in t hotel at Tawang and rest.

Day 5
In the morning after breakfast, pay a visit to the 350 years old Tawang monastery, the second largest monastery in Asia. Then check out Ane Gompa (a nunnery) and Urgeyling monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. Before the day ends, walk to a Monpa (a tribe of Tibetan origin) village. Overnight in hotel.

Day 6
Next morning, drive for 2 to 3 hours and reach the picturesque valley of Zeminthang. The Monpa settlement of Zemithang rests at the top of a valley that was born out of the Namjang Chu River flowing in from neighbouring Tibet. Snuck between the neighbouring countries of Bhutan and China, Zemithang is a pretty far-flung and secluded village that makes a symmetrically attractive arrangement of large stone houses. Here pay a visit to the old Buddhist stupa and explore the local villages. Return to Tawang in the evening and spend the night in the hotel.

Day 7
In the morning, start your journey towards Bomdila, which is a 10 hours’ drive from Tawang. Bomdila is an excellent place for exploring the nature’s beauty. The sight of the snow-capped mountains, especially the Kangto and Gorichen peaks make a dominating impression on the minds of visitors. The Aka, Bugun, Monpa, Miji and Sherdukpen are the tribes that inhabit Bomdila. In the evening, check in at the hotel and rest of the evening in leisure.

Day 8

In the morning, after breakfast, set to explore the land. Visit the gompas (monasteries) with their fluttering prayer flags, the craft centers and the ethnographic museums that showcase a Himalayan Buddhist culture so intriguing. The rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 9

After breakfast, start a 7-8 hrs. journey towards Tezpur. At Tezpur, you will go for local sightseeing in Tezpur. Witness the mighty Brahmaputra River running by the town. Also enjoy the sights of the city’s ancient structures and temples.

Day 10

Depart for Guwahati for a flight back home.


Inclusions & Additional Information


Inclusions

  • All accommodation
  • All meals
  • Transport by 4×4 vehicle (Toyota Innova or similar)
  • Local guides
  • All entrance fees
  • All transfers
  • Bottled water
  • Protected area permit arrangement

Exclusions

  • International Flights
  • Visa
  • Travel/medical Insurance
  • Local tips

Passport and Visa Requirements

A passport (with at least six months remaining validity) and a current Indian visa are required for this trip. Please note that you are required to have a passport with a machine-readable bar code. You will need to apply for your Indian visa in advance from the relevant issuing authority in your home country. British Passport holders can apply for an e-Tourist Visa, a single entry visa valid for 30 days. Please visit the website: www.hcilondon.in/pages.php?id=28

Travel Insurance

It is recommended that you take out appropriate insurance to cover personal accident, medical costs, repatriation, loss of baggage and holiday cancellation

Accommodation

Given the remote areas, the accommodation could be basic at times and we will be using city/ town hotels and lodges during this trip.

Food

Food is prepared from local produce and will be mildly cooked Indian food. Please let us know of dietary requirements, if any, so that we can make arrangements wherever possible. Although, we cannot always assure.

Vaccinations

Please visit your GP for guidance for vaccinations while travelling to India. Please also visit this website for more details: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/india.aspx

Climate

Arunachal Pradesh possesses an alpine climate in the higher altitudes of the state. The higher regions of Arunachal Pradesh witness snowfall during winter. The night temperatures will be around 5-8 C in the lower areas, and may reach 0-4 C in above 11,000ft

Currency

The currency used is Indian Rupee. It is recommended to get your money exchanged on arrival at Delhi airport.


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