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A Travel Guide to Arunachal Pradesh

Informative

A Travel Guide to Arunachal Pradesh

Written by

Rishabh Tiwari

30 Sept 2023

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Arunachal Pradesh, or the Land of the Rising Sun as it’s more famously known, is the largest of the Seven Sister states. Although the 15th largest state in India based on size, it has one of the lowest population densities in the country. Couple this fact with the fact that 80% of Arunachal Pradesh is covered in forests, and you will get the massive scope of adventure that the state holds in its many unexplored pockets of uninhabited land. Its forests are teeming with wildlife and fauna indigenous to the region.

Arunachal Pradesh also hosts a massive stretch of the Himalayan range within its boundaries. Some of the highest 6000-7000M peaks are housed in the state, most of which are virgin mountains. With the Bhramaputra cutting fiercely across the state, the scope for water sports here is also enormous. If your objective of travel centers on exploring life and culture, Arunachal’s got you covered there as well. The many tribes that call these hilly, forested regions their home are scattered across the state’s land. Each with their own individual customs, lifestyles, language, festivals and traditions closely synched with their topography offer a pleasant opportunity for deep cultural immersion.

All in all, Arunachal Pradesh is brimming with the energy of adventure. Its temperate forests, snow-clad peaks, lush green valleys and fast-paced rivers all wait to welcome anyone with a burning spirit of exploration.

How to Get Here

Since Arunachal Pradesh is quite huge and the state wraps itself around the Upper Assam Division, how to best enter the state will depend on which region of Arunachal Pradesh you want to travel to. In general though, Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is a good entry point.

By Air

Itanagar has a newly developed airport which is connected to Kolkata, Guwahati, & other Northeastern states. The airport, called Hollongi Airport, is at a distance of 32 kms from the main city of Itanagar. Private cabs are available but may be expensive.

By Rail

The closest railway station to Itanagar is Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh. This station is not directly connected to many places. There is one train, Donyi Polo Express (15817) that runs between Guwahati and Naharlagun. The train takes close to 7 hours. It starts from Guwahati at 2330 hrs and reaches Naharlagun at 0640 in the morning.

There is a train from New Delhi to Naharlagun once a week, every Sunday. You can get a cab from Naharlagun Railway Station, to Itanagar (15kms). You should get plenty of transport options for your onward journey within the state from Itanagar.

Travelling within Arunachal Pradesh

The best way to travel within the state is to hire private cabs or plan a journey in a way that you can break it into segments to get shared cab options.

Only remember, being the easternmost part of the country, the sun rises here as early as 0440 AM. Start your day early so you can end it early, as the sun sets as early as 4 PM. It is not wise to stay outdoors in remote places in the state, after dark.

Permits

ILP/ PAP is required for entering the state through any of the check gates across the interstate border with Assam or Nagaland. You can obtain it from Delhi, Tezpur, Shillong, Kolkata amongst other places. You can also apply for it online for your dates of visit here.

Best Season

Arunachal Pradesh is at a high altitude, which means that the state experiences pleasant climate all throughout the year. The monsoons are a gallery of colour with the local orchids and rhododendrons in full bloom. The state is known to experience heavy rainfall during the wet season, making some areas hard to access. The winters make it a bit difficult to access high-altitude villages due to heavy snow fall resulting in road blocks. The driest season between October to March is the best time to explore the region.

5 Interesting Facts from the Land of the Dawn Lit Mountains

While there is much to be said about this wonderful land and its people, here are some things we find especially fascinating about Arunachal Pradesh.

a. Arunachal receives the first rays of the sun

An 8 km trek up a hill brings you to a picturesque village called Dong which is perched at an elevation of 1,240M in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. If you head up here at dawn, you can claim to be the first person to receive the first rays of the sun to enter the country! That is one hot claim to hold, wouldn’t you think!?

b. The tribes of Arunachal Pradesh imagine why the earth has mountains

There are over two dozen tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, each with their own version of how the earth came to be. One of them goes something like this. At the beginning of time, there was nothing – not earth nor sky. There only existed two eggs. They shone like gold and rotated around each other. Once upon a time, they both collided and broke to pieces. From one was born earth and from the other, the sky. It is said that the earth was too big for the sky to embrace, so it pleaded with the earth to make itself smaller. The earth obliged and shrunk itself from which the mountains and hills were born. When the sky and the earth finally embraced each other, all the animals and trees were born from their union.

c. The state shares its boundaries with many neighbours

Arunachal Pradesh has an international border of over 1500 kms. To the north, it shares its boundaries with China, on the east with Myanmar and towards the west, with Bhutan. Within India, the state wraps itself around the Upper District of Assam and shares some parts of its edges with Nagaland. Its shared boundaries explain the diversity of culture and religion in Arunachal Pradesh as the people of the land borrow and lend generously from their neigbours.

d. Home to the longest river bridge of India

The Dhola Sadiya Bridge which runs between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh is over NINE kms long. Built over the Lohit River, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra, the road cuts the time of travel between these states by more than 90%.

e. The people of the state have many names and faces

Arunachal Pradesh is home to a number of tribes who till today live a life in harmony with nature. The Monpas and the Sherdukpens inhabit the western part of the state, the Idu Mishmis live on the eastern end whereas the central areas of the state are home to the Apatanis and Nyishis. Each tribe has their own language, customs and beliefs – the one thing they have in common is the way they live closely with nature and how they developed their individual arts and made them a part of their source of livelihood. Bamboo art, fishing and organic agriculture are only some of the things that the people of the land are skilled at.

5 Things You Absolutely Must do in Arunachal Pradesh

1. Visit Ziro Valley and Attend the Ziro Music Festival

Ziro Valley is probably best known for hosting the infamous Ziro Music Festival which sees an inflow of music enthusiasts from all over the globe. The energy of music in the natural, remote setting of the village hits different, for sure. The festival is held in September each year.

It is also home to the Apatani people who are spread across 7 different villages in the valley. Ziro is recommended by UNESCO to receive the title of a World Heritage Site for the unique ways its people conserve their environment. The Apatani tribe, as cultivators of rice, are known for their high levels of production without the use of farm animals or machinery, thereby being labeled the protectors of ecology. With its wide expanses of paddy fields flanked by a canopy of dense forests on all sides, it is hard not to swoon over this place once you’ve witnessed its magnificence.

2. Experience the magic of Tawang Valley

Tawang literally translates to ‘Chosen by the Horse’. If this isn’t fascinating enough all on its own, this white mountain town with an otherworldly feel is one of those places that is very easy to fall in love with. The Tawang Monsatery perched on the highest point of town is a spectacular sight of colour and splendor especially as it sits so strong in the midst of the high towering peaks of Northeastern Himalayas. The largest of its kind in India and the second largest in the world, Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery is a symbol of faith, spirituality and harmony. The name of the monastery translates to ‘peak of the heavenly abode of joyfulness’ which seems very apt. The locals in the village have a calm way about them, which fills the air and is absolutely contagious. This ridiculously peaceful town was one of the main fronts of the 1962 Sino-Indian war. The people of the land are full of stories from the time and so is the war memorial in Tawang which was built in the honour of the soldiers who lost their lives.

Since the town rests at an elevation of over 3000M, summers are the best time to visit here as winters are extremely cold. The entire valley is rich in mountain passes, gompas and yellow-roofed houses perched on high grounds. It is a magical land. One of our personal favourite ways to explore it is on two wheels. (Check out the itinerary for Tawang Bum La Cycling Expedition)

When you do get yourself here, do check out the Bong Bong falls. They fall from the height of 328M and drop straight into the Tawang river below. The falls are also called Nuranang sometimes, named after a Monpa tribal girl who provided shelter and firearms to a soldier during the Indo-China war. The story is as fascinating as the sight of the falls.

3. Witness the abundance of natural life in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal has a forest cover of up to 82%. It is no surprise that the state is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over a thousand species of birds, 500 species of mammals and countless species of flora. The natural life in the state thrives in a diverse terrain spanning from highland plateaus to ridges and high altitude glacial regions of Greater Himalayas.

As one third of its inhabited land is covered in forests, the state is home to a lot of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. One of these many protected areas is the Namdapha National Park which is the largest protected area in Eastern Himalayas and is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Four significant big cat species call these parks their home: Snow Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Tigers and Leopards.

4. Discover the arts, crafts and cuisines of Arunachal Pradesh

Since the state is a melting pot of cultures, it is also very rich in its arts, crafts, cuisines and traditional ways of doing everyday things like fishing. A friendly visit to the many villages and marketplaces will give you a glimpse in the various lifestyles of the 26 recognised tribes in the state that has around 120 languages. Weaving is one big art form practiced by all tribes. Each tribe has their traditional methods, their unique patterns and combination of colors which tell a tale of its people. Bamboo craft is another big skill of the people in the state. All the traditional houses and the interiors of the houses are done up with bamboos with unique design representative of each tribe. They also weave apong filters, totems, baskets and other products from bamboo. The speed at which they work is intriguing to say the least. It is said that the tribals can build an entire house of bamboo in four days straight!

Other things like their traditional methods of fishing in shallow waters and deep, the way they cook their food and the variety of their local cuisine are small things that can make your trip to Arunachal an experience of a lifetime!

(Read about our exploration of the Northeastern land here.)

5. Learn about the different faiths of the land

Arunachal Pradesh sees a coming together of many different faiths and religions each with their own architecture, festivals and a vast collection of stories. How each of these co-exist in this land of many dimensions is very humbling to witness. From the Animism of the tribal communities, to Buddhism towards western Arunachal, Hinduism and Christianity, the people share their beliefs and practices as beautifully as they share their land and life with each other.

Things to do in Arunachal Pradesh for Adventure Seekers

Arunachal Pradesh reeks of adventure and possibilities to seek out thrilling outdoor experiences. The state offers a plethora of trekking trails catering to all levels of expertise. The Ziro Valley, Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Mechuka Valley provide stunning landscapes and encounters with diverse flora and fauna. Whether you choose water as your playground or you prefer high-rise mountains or you seek out diversity in landscape, Arunachal has something for all your travel needs.

Adventure Districts in Arunachal Pradesh

The state is divided in 26 districts spread across three regions: Eastern Arunachal, Western Arunachal and Central Arunachal Pradesh. While each district has something unique to offer, here are some districts any adventure lover should have on their itinerary.

1. Tawang

Known for its stunning landscapes, ancient monasteries, and challenging trekking trails, Tawang is a paradise for adventure seekers.

2. West Kameng

This district offers opportunities for river rafting, trekking, and wildlife spotting. The Sessa Orchid Sanctuary is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

3. Dibang Valley

For the truly intrepid, this district offers remote trekking routes, camping, and the chance to explore uncharted territories.

4. Changlang

Home to the Namdapha National Park, Changlang provides incredible biodiversity and opportunities for wildlife photography and jungle safaris.

5. Anjaw

This district is perfect for offbeat treks, with trails leading through picturesque villages, dense forests, and serene valleys.

Some Interesting Outdoor Adventures in Arunachal Pradesh

1. Tawang Bum La Pass Cycling Expedition, Arunachal Pradesh

This 350 kilometer long journey on two wheels through some of the coldest and harshest regions of Arunachal Pradesh is the best one to make to experience this very raw region. The gradual altitude gain through lush tropical and alpine forests along the Kameng river, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra takes you across three passes - Nechiphu, Bomdila and the icy Se La at 4200M. The cycling trail is also a grand introduction to the home of the Monpa tribes with their unique culture. We’d say the physical labour of this journey gets much easier when you are in one of the richest biodiversity hotspots populated with red pandas and snow leopards.

2. Talle Valley Trek, Arunachal Pradesh

Talle Valley Trek goes to the heart of Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. Ziro Valley has a fairly well-defined identity of its own given that it is a UNESCO recognized site. It is hard not to swoon over this place once you’ve witnessed its magnificence. Known as the land of ancient tribes, the trail for the trek winds through dense forests, lush green carpets, fern fields, mountains, and river crossings with a constant show of the cultural and traditional uniqueness that is characteristic of North East India.

3. Gorichen Trek - The Bailey Trail, Arunachal Pradesh

Another one in Arunachal Pradesh that takes you straight into the deep, unexplored parts of this beautiful state. This offbeat trek is another legendary way to explore the unparalleled beauty of the North East. In the land of high mountains, this trail takes you to the maximum altitude of 4980M above sea level culminating at the beautiful town of Tawang which has a lot of hidden gems of its own.

While these are multi-day treks, there are also some amazing DIY treks in the region which would be perfect if you are short on time. Some of these are the Double Roots Bridge, forests of Mawphlang, Nohkalikai falls and so much more. Don’t be surprised if you unexpectedly bump into a beautiful-looking waterfall on every turn on your treks in Meghalaya.

Arunachal Pradesh stands as an unspoiled paradise for adventure enthusiasts. From the rugged mountains to the vibrant cultural experiences, every corner of this state holds an adventure waiting to be experienced. If you think there’s something more about this majestic land you would like us to share with our community of outdoor lovers, do write to us.

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