Tawang Tour Package, 5 Nights 6 Days from Guwahati
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Tawang Tour Package, 5 Nights 6 Days from Guwahati

6 days / 5 nightsStarts Guwahati
From ₹30,490 · See pricing
6 days
5 nights
Guwahati
start point
849 km
by road

March to June for mild days, and late September to November for clear skies and the Tawang Festival in late October. December to February brings snow and frozen lakes. Avoid July and August, when landslides close the road.

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Overview

Tour overview

This Tawang tour package is 5 nights and 6 days from Guwahati, and 3 of those nights are in Tawang itself. You sleep in Dirang on the way up, cross Sela Pass, and then have two full days for Tawang Monastery, Urgelling, the war memorial, Bum La, PT Tso and Madhuri lake. It is the short, focused trip for families who want Tawang, not a long tour of the whole state.

What does this Tawang tour package cover?

This Tawang tour package is 5 nights and 6 days, from Guwahati and back to Guwahati. You spend 1 night in Dirang, 3 nights in Tawang and 1 night in Bomdila. The plan gives you two full days in Tawang: one for the town and one for Bum La and the high lakes.

Most short Tawang trips rush. They reach Tawang in the evening, see the monastery the next morning, and leave. You will not do that. On this trip you wake up in Tawang three times. You hear the monks at morning prayer. You stand at Bum La on the border. You see Madhuri lake in the still air of the morning.

If you have more days and want the full road with Bhalukpong and a slower climb, see our Arunachal Pradesh tour package. That plan is 7 nights. This page is for families who have 6 days and want Tawang above everything else.

Where is Tawang, and how far is it from Guwahati?

Tawang is a small town in the far west of Arunachal Pradesh, close to the borders of Bhutan and Tibet. It sits at about 3,000 m (about 10,000 ft). The Tawang district office puts it about 480 km from Guwahati airport by road.

Our road map for this route gives about 515 km from Guwahati city to Tawang through Tezpur, Bomdila and Dirang. Sources differ a little, so plan on about 480 to 515 km. The district office says the full drive takes 14 to 16 hours. That is why you break it at Dirang, and never do it in one day.

  • By road: Guwahati, Tezpur, Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang, Sela Pass, Jang, Tawang. This is the route on this trip.
  • By helicopter: The district office lists a helicopter from Guwahati airport to the Tawang helipad. It takes about 55 to 60 minutes. It flies only on set days and only in clear weather, so keep the road as your backup.
  • By air to a nearer airport: The district office lists Tezpur (about 330 km) and Donyi Polo Airport at Itanagar (about 440 km). Tezpur airport closed for repairs from mid 2024, so check with us before you book a Tezpur flight.
  • By train: Guwahati is the main station. Rangapara North and Bhalukpong are small feeder stations.

Many people search for a Tawang airport. There is no regular passenger airport in Tawang today. The helicopter and the road are the two ways in.

What permits do you need for Tawang and Bum La?

Every Indian visitor who is not from Arunachal needs a tourist eILP (electronic Inner Line Permit). You apply on the state portal, eilp.arunachal.gov.in. The state launched this tourist portal on 17 November 2022. A tourist eILP covers a stay of up to 14 days. Children under 14 do not need their own eILP, but they must travel with an adult. Pay the fee on the portal, and confirm the current rate on the official site.

Bum La needs a second, special permit. You get it from the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tawang, and the Indian Army stamps it at the cantonment. This is why you reach Tawang on Day 2 and go to Bum La on Day 4. Day 3 gives the office time to issue the permit. From 1 September 2025, the district takes an entry fee for Bum La when it issues the permit. Confirm the current rate on the official site.

OCI card holders and foreign nationals count as foreigners for permits. They need a Protected Area Permit, not an eILP. In practice, only Indian citizens get the Bum La permit. If anyone in your group holds an OCI card, tell us early, and we will plan Taktsang and the town sights for that day instead.

What can you see in Tawang in two full days?

Here is what fits into your two Tawang days, in the order we plan them.

  • Tawang Monastery: Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso founded it in 1680 to 1681, at the wish of the 5th Dalai Lama. It is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. Inside the main hall sits a tall gilded Buddha. There is also a library and a small museum.
  • Urgelling Monastery: Urgen Sangpo founded it in 1489. The 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born here on 1 March 1683.
  • Ani Gompa: a nunnery above the town, run by Buddhist nuns. Ask your driver for the road, as it is a little hidden.
  • Tawang War Memorial: a stupa-style memorial for the 2,420 soldiers who died in the 1962 war. Their names are written on black granite walls. There is a sound and light show here in the evening, so ask us for the time on your day.
  • PT Tso: a glacial lake on the road up to Bum La. It stays frozen for some months in winter.
  • Bum La: about 37 km from Tawang, at about 15,200 ft. This is the India China border, where the two armies hold border meetings.
  • Sangetsar lake: at about 3,708 m. An earthquake blocked a stream and made this lake. Families call it Madhuri lake, after a Hindi film song shot here.
  • Taktsang Gompa: a short drive from Madhuri lake. Devotees believe Guru Padmasambhava meditated here in the 8th century.
  • Jaswant Garh and Nuranang falls: on the road in, near Jang. You see them on Day 2.

Is there snowfall in Tawang, and when should you go?

Yes. Tawang gets snow in winter. Snow falls hardest on Sela Pass and on the high lakes, and the lakes freeze. In December 2024 the Tawang district office told visitors to carry non-skid chains in winter and never to walk on a frozen lake.

  • March to June: mild days, flowers, and open roads most days. The district office gives 10 to 20 C in spring and summer.
  • July and August: the district office does not advise travel. Landslides often block the road. Even in early September, the road can close. On 3 September 2025, five landslides near Jang stopped about 60 people in 25 vehicles until the Border Roads team cleared them by midnight.
  • Late September to November: clear skies and long mountain views. The Tawang Festival usually falls in late October. The Ministry of Tourism listed 27 to 31 October for 2026. Dates change each year, so ask us for the new dates.
  • December to February: snow, frozen lakes and very cold nights, about minus 10 C at the high passes. Bum La may close on heavy snow days. Go only if you love the cold.

Two Monpa festivals happen at Tawang Monastery itself. Torgya comes once a year, usually in January, by the lunar calendar. Dungyur comes every third year, during Torgya. Monks dance in masks in the monastery courtyard. If your dates are flexible, ask us to match one of these.

Is Tawang safe for elders, and how do you handle the altitude?

Tawang is safe for families who travel slowly. The real risks are altitude, cold and the road, not people. Altitude sickness can start above about 2,500 m. The fix is simple: go up slowly, drink water, and come down if you feel worse.

This plan follows the district office advice. You sleep in Dirang at about 1,500 m before Sela. You spend a full day in Tawang before Bum La. The district office also asks people prone to altitude sickness not to go to Bum La or Sela, so elders with heart or lung problems should speak to their doctor first.

At Bum La and Sela, stay 15 to 20 minutes, walk slowly, and keep elders near the car. If someone has a bad headache, feels sick or breathes fast at rest, turn back. Our driver will not argue.

What to eat, what to buy, and how to handle cash in Tawang

The Monpa kitchen is warm and simple. Try thukpa (noodle soup), momo, zan (a thick millet dough eaten with soup), khura (a buckwheat pancake) and gyapa khazi (a rice dish). Butter tea is salty, not sweet. Take one sip before you order a full cup. Vegetarian families should ask for veg momo and thukpa when they order.

The best thing to take home is Monpa handmade paper. Monpa people have made it for over 1,000 years from the bark of the Shugu Sheng shrub, and monks still write scripture on it. A paper unit started in Tawang in December 2020 to revive the craft. Prayer wheels, shawls and brassware sell in the Old Market. Buy from the maker where you can, and ask the price before the seller wraps anything.

Carry enough cash. In June 2026, reports from the state warned that ATMs and digital payments can fail in the hills after landslides. Phones work in Tawang town but drop on long stretches of road.

Can you add Kaziranga, Meghalaya or Assam to this trip?

Yes. Guwahati is the start for most of the North East, so you can add a few days at either end.

How is this Tawang tour package different?

We read the pages that rank today for a Tawang tour package. Most give a day list with no distances, no permit steps and no altitude plan. Some contradict their own distances on the same page. Here is what you get on this page instead.

  • Clear eILP steps with the official portal name, the 14-day limit and the child rule.
  • The Bum La permit explained, with the DC office, the army stamp, the 2025 entry fee and the honest rule for OCI holders.
  • A rest day in Tawang before Bum La, which matches the district office advice.
  • Taktsang Gompa added to the lake day, a short drive from Madhuri lake.
  • Tawang Festival and Torgya timing, so you can match your dates to them.
  • Ranges for distances from more than one source, and a straight answer on the Tawang airport question.

Tour highlights

Three nights in Tawang town, so the monastery, Bum La and the lakes each get proper time
A full day around Tawang town before the high day, as the Tawang district office advises before Bum La
Morning prayers at Tawang Monastery (Gaden Namgyal Lhatse), founded in 1680 to 1681 by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso
Urgelling Monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, born in 1683
Bum La at about 4,600 m (about 15,200 ft) on the India China border, on the DC office and army permit
PT Tso and Sangetsar (Madhuri) lake, two glacial lakes that freeze in winter
Taktsang Gompa near Madhuri lake, where devotees believe Guru Padmasambhava meditated
Sela Pass at about 4,200 m, with the Sela Tunnel as the snow-day road since March 2024
Jaswant Garh and the Tawang War Memorial, for the soldiers of 1962, with the evening sound and light show
On a clear day, a view of Gorichen peak from the road between Bomdila and Tawang

Destinations covered

GuwahatiDirangTawangBomdila

Best Time

March to June for mild days, and late September to November for clear skies and the Tawang Festival in late October. December to February brings snow and frozen lakes. Avoid July and August, when landslides close the road.

Ideal For

Families with 6 days of leave, couples, army and history lovers, devotees of Tawang Monastery and Guru Padmasambhava, and NRI families on an Indian passport who want Bum La and the high lakes in one short trip.

Difficulty

Moderate

Route & distances

Your journey, stop by stop

Accurate distances and travel times for every leg: 849 km by road. Road times include a traffic buffer; distances marked “aerial” are straight-line for flight, helicopter, ropeway and water legs.

  1. 1Guwahati
  2. 2Dirang297 km · ~5h 59m est.
  3. 3Tawang128 km · ~2h 8m est.
  4. 4Bomdila171 km · ~2h 49m est.
  5. 5Guwahati253 km · ~5h 15m est.

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary

A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.

Today you land in Guwahati and drive straight to Dirang. It is a long day, so we pick you up early. Your driver waits at the airport or the railway station with your name on a card.

First you cross the Assam plains to Tezpur, about 185 km away. Then you reach Bhalukpong, on the Kameng river. Here you enter Arunachal Pradesh. The police check your eILP at the check post, so keep the printout and your photo ID in your hand bag.

After Bhalukpong the road climbs through forest to Bomdila, at about 2,415 m. Do not stop long here today. You will spend a night in Bomdila on Day 5. The road then drops about 42 km into the Dirang valley, at about 1,500 m.

You reach Dirang in the evening. Eat a light dinner and sleep early. Tonight your body starts to get used to the hills, and that helps you at Sela tomorrow.

  • Distance and drive time: Guwahati to Dirang about 360 to 380 km via Tezpur and Bomdila, about 10 to 11 hours with stops.
  • Best time today: Leave Guwahati by about 7 am. This plan works best with a flight that lands early, or a night in Guwahati before Day 1, which we can book for you.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Buy water, dry fruits and biscuits in Guwahati, where you have the most choice. On the road, eat at busy dhabas near Tezpur, where food is cooked fresh. Simple rice, dal and vegetables are the safe choice for a long drive.
  • A fact few people know: Tezpur sits on the bank of the Brahmaputra. It is the last big town before the hills, so draw your cash here.
Special Tips for This Day: Wear loose, warm layers today, because you start in the warm plains and end in a cold valley. Give motion-sickness tablets to children before the climb after Bhalukpong, if your doctor agrees. If you fly in from abroad, take a night in Guwahati first. Do not do this drive after a long flight.

Today you cross Sela Pass and reach Tawang. Start by 7 am. Before you leave, look up at Dirang Dzong, the old stone fort village above the river.

About 21 km out, you pass the Nyukmadong War Memorial, with its tall chorten. Stop for a few minutes. Then the road climbs to Sela Pass, at about 4,200 m (about 13,700 ft). On a clear day, Sela lake shines below the prayer flags. Spend only 15 to 20 minutes at the top. If snow closes the pass, your driver takes the Sela Tunnel, which runs about 400 m below.

On the other side you reach Jaswant Garh. Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the 4th Garhwal Rifles held this post in November 1962, and died here on 17 November 1962. He was 21. The army still keeps his room. Soldiers serve him bed tea at 4:30 am, breakfast at 9 am and dinner at 7 pm.

Near Jang, stop at Nuranang falls, about 100 m high and about 2 km from Jang. Tradition says it takes its name from Nura, a Monpa girl who helped Jaswant Singh. You reach Tawang by late afternoon. Rest, and drink plenty of water tonight.

  • Distance and drive time: Dirang to Tawang about 135 to 140 km via Sela and Jang, about 6 to 8 hours with stops.
  • Best time today: Cross Sela before noon. Clouds often build in the afternoon and hide the lake.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: There is little to buy on the road. At the army cafe near Nuranang, you can have hot tea and snacks. Pay only the price printed on the board.
  • A fact few people know: The Sela Tunnel opened on 9 March 2024. It is really two tunnels, and the Tawang district office says it makes the Dirang to Tawang road about 10 km shorter.
Special Tips for This Day: Keep caps, gloves and a jacket in the car, not in the boot. At Sela, the wind is strong even in May. Elders should stay close to the car at the top. If your phone shows no signal, do not worry. It comes back near Jang.

Today you stay in and around Tawang town, and you do not climb any higher. This easy day is important. Your body rests before Bum La, and the DC office works on your Bum La permit. We submit your papers in the morning.

Start with Tawang Monastery early in the morning, when the monks gather for prayer. You hear the low chanting from the courtyard. In the main hall, a tall gilded Buddha looks down on rows of red cushions. Walk clockwise around the hall, as the monks do. If the museum is open, see the old scriptures and masks.

Next, drive down to Urgelling Monastery, a small, quiet place. The 6th Dalai Lama was born here in 1683. Then visit the Ani Gompa, where the nuns live and pray. Speak softly, and ask before you take any photo.

In the evening, go to the Tawang War Memorial. Read the names on the walls, then stay for the sound and light show on the 1962 war. Wear your warmest jacket. The evening air turns cold fast.

  • Distance and drive time: Short drives within Tawang town, mostly under 10 km in all.
  • Best time today: The monastery at about 7 am for prayers, Urgelling before lunch, and the war memorial at dusk for the show.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Look for Monpa handmade paper, notebooks and scripture sheets made from bark. Buy prayer wheels and shawls in the Old Market. Ask the price before the seller wraps anything. Compare two shops before you pay.
  • A fact few people know: Tawang Monastery has a Tibetan name, Gaden Namgyal Lhatse. The 5th Dalai Lama wished it built, and Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso founded it in 1680 to 1681.
Special Tips for This Day: Wear full sleeves and remove your shoes where the monks ask. Do not point your feet at the altar. For the best photo of the monastery, stand on the road below it in the late afternoon. Keep your eILP with you all day. The police may check it in town too.

Today is the high day. You go up to the India China border at Bum La, at about 15,200 ft. Leave Tawang by about 6:30 am with your permit, warm water and dry snacks. The road is rough, and only SUVs go up.

On the way up, stop at PT Tso, a glacial lake that freezes for some months in winter. Then you reach Bum La, about 37 km from Tawang. The army shows you around. Listen to the soldiers. They tell you where you can stand and where you can take photos.

Next you drive to Sangetsar lake, at about 3,708 m. An earthquake blocked a stream and made this lake. Old tree trunks still stand in the water. Families call it Madhuri lake, after a Hindi film song shot here. The army runs a small cafe beside it.

Last, take the short drive to Taktsang Gompa, on a ridge in the pine forest. Devotees believe Guru Padmasambhava meditated here. If you are not tired, walk down the steps behind the main hall to see the cave. You return to Tawang by late afternoon.

  • Distance and drive time: Tawang to Bum La about 37 km each way, plus the lake and gompa loop, a full day on a rough mountain road.
  • Best time today: Start by 6:30 am. Clear skies are most likely in the morning, and the army can close the road in bad weather.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Buy nothing up here. At the army cafe, pay only the printed price and keep the bill. Carry back all your plastic. These lakes are sacred to the local people.
  • A fact few people know: Sangetsar lake had an old name, Shonga-tser. Arunachal Tourism says the lake formed after the earthquake of 1950.
Special Tips for This Day: Children under 12 do not pay the Bum La entry fee, but they still need their name on the permit. Carry your photo ID and the permit in a plastic folder. Never step on a frozen lake. If anyone feels dizzy at Bum La, go down at once. Take your photos at Madhuri lake before noon, when the water is still.

Today you leave Tawang and drive back over Sela to Bomdila. After breakfast, say goodbye to the town. If you missed the morning prayer on Day 3, stop at the monastery once more on your way out.

The road takes you back through Jang and over Sela. Watch the high peaks on a clear day. The Ministry of Tourism says one of the better views of Gorichen, which it calls the highest scalable peak in Arunachal, comes on the road between Bomdila and Tawang.

You reach Bomdila in the late afternoon. If you are not tired, walk to the Lower Gompa, part of the Gontse Gaden Rabgyel Lling monastery, and turn the prayer wheels. The Upper Gompa above the town is quieter.

Have dinner at the hotel and sleep early. Tomorrow is a long drive to the plains.

  • Distance and drive time: Tawang to Bomdila about 170 to 185 km, about 7 to 8 hours.
  • Best time today: Cross Sela by midday, and reach Bomdila before dark.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Bomdila has a small market near the gompas. Look for local shawls and small Buddhist items. Fruit stalls sell apples and kiwi in season. Weigh the fruit in front of you.
  • A fact few people know: The army built the Bomdila War Memorial in 2016, for the soldiers of the Battle of Bomdila in 1962. You can see it on the way into town.
Special Tips for This Day: Do not plan a fixed time for the Sela crossing. Snow or fog can slow the road. Keep snacks and water in the car. In Bomdila, walk clockwise around the gompa, and keep your voice low inside.

Today you drive down from the hills to Guwahati. Leave Bomdila by about 6:30 am. You pass Bomdila town, Bhalukpong and then Tezpur. The air gets warmer at every bend.

At Bhalukpong you leave Arunachal. Take a short stop by the Kameng river if the driver agrees there is time. Then cross the Assam plains to Guwahati.

We drop you at the airport or the railway station in the evening. Book your flight or train after about 7 pm, so a slow road does not make you miss it. If you want darshan of Maa Kamakhya on Nilachal hill, add one night in Guwahati.

  • Distance and drive time: Bomdila to Guwahati about 320 to 340 km via Bhalukpong and Tezpur, about 9 to 10 hours with stops.
  • Best time today: An early start, so you reach Guwahati before the city traffic peaks in the evening.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: If you want Assam tea, buy it in Guwahati, at a shop with sealed and dated packets. Avoid loose tea sold on the highway.
  • A fact few people know: Bhalukpong is only about 213 m above the sea. Today you come down more than 2,000 m from Bomdila in one day.
Special Tips for This Day: Change into light clothes when you reach the plains. Keep your warm layers on top of the bag for the flight. Drink water often on the hot plains. If your flight is the next morning, stay one extra night in Guwahati and rest.

Travel tips

A short, focused family guide to Tawang

Tawang, Bum La and the high lakes

On this trip you sleep in Dirang, cross Sela Pass, and spend three nights in Tawang. You pray at Tawang Monastery, stand at Bum La on the border, and see PT Tso, Madhuri lake and Taktsang Gompa. Here is what you should know before you go, and while you travel.

5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS3 NIGHTS IN TAWANGBUM LA ABOUT 4,600 MEILP NEEDED FOR INDIANS

The shrines

Swipe →
01
Tawang Monastery
Tawang
Founded 1680 to 1681, the largest Buddhist monastery in India
02
Urgelling Monastery
Tawang
Birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, born 1683
03
Bum La
India China border
About 4,600 m, on the DC office and army permit
04
Sangetsar (Madhuri) lake
Tawang district
About 3,708 m, with old tree trunks standing in the water
05
Taktsang Gompa
Near Madhuri lake
Devotees believe Guru Padmasambhava meditated here
06
Tawang War Memorial
Tawang
For 2,420 soldiers of 1962, with a sound and light show
01Before you book

The eILP for Indians, and the PAP for OCI and foreign guests

Indian citizens apply for the tourist eILP on eilp.arunachal.gov.in. OCI card holders and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit.

  • How long it lastsA tourist eILP covers a stay of up to 14 days. This trip needs only 5 nights inside Arunachal.
  • ChildrenChildren under 14 do not need their own eILP. They must travel with an adult whose permit lists them.
  • Where it is checkedPolice check the eILP at Bhalukpong, where you enter the state, and may check it again in Tawang. Keep the printout and the same photo ID in your hand bag.
  • The feeYou pay the fee on the portal. Confirm the current rate on the official site.
For NRI and OCI families

An OCI card holder counts as a foreign national here and needs the PAP. If you live abroad on an Indian passport, tell us early. The Arunachal Police page asks NRIs to apply for a protected area permit, so we confirm the rule for your family before we apply.

02The high day

Bum La, PT Tso and Madhuri lake, in simple steps

Bum La is about 37 km from Tawang, at about 15,200 ft. You need a special permit from the DC office in Tawang, stamped by the Indian Army.

  • Why Day 3 is in townYou reach Tawang on Day 2. On Day 3 we file your papers at the DC office while you see the town. On Day 4 you go up with the stamped permit.
  • The entry feeFrom 1 September 2025, the district charges an entry fee when it issues the permit. Children under 12 are exempt. Confirm the current rate on the official site.
  • One day, four stopsPT Tso, Bum La, Sangetsar lake and Taktsang Gompa fit into one long day. Taktsang is a short drive from Madhuri lake.
  • Only SUVsThe road is rough and only SUVs go up. Keep the whole day free, even though the distance looks short.
If the army closes the road

The army decides who goes up and when. If it closes Bum La for snow or for its own work, we try again the next morning, or use the day for Taktsang and the town.

03Road and air

How to reach Tawang, and the airport question

The Tawang district office puts Tawang about 480 km from Guwahati airport, a drive of 14 to 16 hours. There is no regular passenger airport in Tawang.

Guwahati (GAU)

The main airport and the start of this trip. You break the drive with a night in Dirang.

Helicopter to Tawang

From Guwahati airport to the Tawang helipad in about 55 to 60 minutes, on set days and only in clear weather.

Tezpur (TEZ)

About 330 km from Tawang. It closed for runway repairs from mid 2024, so check that flights run again before you book.

Itanagar (HGI)

Donyi Polo Airport, about 440 km from Tawang by road, through Gohpur and Tezpur.

Book your return after 7 pm

Your last day, Day 6, is a long drive from Bomdila. An evening flight or train out of Guwahati gives the road time to be slow.

04Altitude

Altitude, elders and the cold

Altitude sickness can start above about 2,500 m. Dirang is about 1,500 m, Tawang about 3,000 m, Sela about 4,200 m and Bum La about 4,600 m.

  • Climb slowlyYou sleep in Dirang before Sela, and you spend a full day in Tawang before Bum La. This follows the district office advice.
  • Know the signsA bad headache, sickness, dizziness or fast breathing at rest can mean altitude sickness. Do not go higher. If it gets worse, come down.
  • Ask your doctorThe Tawang district office asks people prone to altitude sickness not to visit Bum La and Sela. Elders with heart or lung trouble should ask their doctor before booking.
  • Pack for coldCarry a warm jacket, caps, gloves and thermal layers in every season. Wind at Sela and Bum La is strong even in May.
Frozen lakes

In winter, PT Tso and Madhuri lake freeze. The district office warns visitors never to step on a frozen lake.

05Season

When to go, snow, and the Tawang Festival

Go in March to June or late September to November. Avoid July and August, when the district office does not advise travel.

  • March to JuneMild days of about 10 to 20 C, flowers, and open roads most days. Good for families with elders.
  • Late September to NovemberClear skies and long views. The Tawang Festival usually falls in late October. The Ministry of Tourism listed 27 to 31 October for 2026.
  • December to FebruarySnow on Sela, frozen lakes and about minus 10 C at the high passes. Your vehicle may need chains. Bum La can close on some days.
  • At the monasteryTorgya comes once a year, usually in January. Dungyur comes every third year, during Torgya. Monks dance in masks in the courtyard.
Monsoon landslides

On 3 September 2025, five landslides near Jang stopped about 60 people in 25 vehicles on the Tawang road until midnight. If you must travel in the rains, keep a spare day.

06Eat and buy

What to eat, what to buy, and cash

Try thukpa, momo, zan, khura and gyapa khazi. Take home Monpa handmade paper.

  • Monpa foodThukpa is a noodle soup, zan is a thick millet dough, khura is a buckwheat pancake and gyapa khazi is a rice dish. Butter tea is salty. Vegetarian families should ask for veg momo and thukpa.
  • Monpa handmade paperMade from the bark of the Shugu Sheng shrub for over 1,000 years. The Ministry of Textiles lists it among the crafts of Arunachal. A unit in Tawang revived it in December 2020.
  • In the Old MarketPrayer wheels, shawls and brassware. Compare prices in two shops before you pay, and ask the price before the seller wraps anything.
  • Carry cashATMs and digital payments can fail in the hills after landslides. Draw cash in Guwahati or Tezpur, and keep some small notes.
Army cafes

The army runs a cafe near Nuranang falls and a small cafe beside Madhuri lake. Pay the printed price and keep the bill.

A cup of tea at Jaswant Garh

The soldier who still gets his morning tea

Bed tea at 4:30 am. Breakfast at 9 am. Dinner at 7 pm.

Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat died at his post above Jang on 17 November 1962. He was 21. The army still keeps his room, and soldiers still serve him his meals on time. When you stop at Jaswant Garh on Day 2, take a cup of tea and stand quietly for a minute. Then carry that silence with you up to Tawang.

What's included

What's included

Included

  • ✓Your 5 hotel nights: 1 in Dirang, 3 in Tawang and 1 in Bomdila, on twin or triple sharing
  • ✓Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel (hill hotels keep simple menus)
  • ✓One private SUV with a hill-trained driver from Guwahati pickup to Guwahati drop
  • ✓Help with your tourist eILP on the official portal, with a check of every name and ID
  • ✓Help with the Bum La, PT Tso and Sangetsar permit at the DC office in Tawang, when the army allows visits
  • ✓Fuel, driver allowance, parking and tolls for the route in this plan
  • ✓A briefing call before you travel, with a packing list for cold and altitude
  • ✓Phone and WhatsApp support through the trip, with a road check each evening

Not included

  • ✕Flights or trains to Guwahati and back (we can book them for you)
  • ✕The eILP fee and the Bum La entry fee, paid at the official rate when each permit is issued
  • ✕Lunch, snacks and drinks on the road
  • ✕Entry tickets, camera fees and the sound and light show ticket where they apply
  • ✕The Guwahati to Tawang helicopter, if you choose it
  • ✕Extra nights or vehicle days caused by landslides, snow or road closures
  • ✕Offerings at monasteries, tips and personal shopping
  • ✕Travel insurance and anything not listed in inclusions

What travellers say

What travellers say

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Shivani Gupta★★★★★
“Had a wonderful experience with way to india for my badrinath kedarnath yatra.everything was well organized-from travel accommodation to food. A special thanks to Ms. Neha who managed everything so beautifully n was extremely supportive n cooperative throughout the journey. They took great care of us n darshan was done very smoothly.”
3 weeks ago · Google
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Yashvind Kumar Poteeram★★★★★
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”
4 months ago · Google
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Aruna Persand★★★★★
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”
5 months ago · Google

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Tawang is a town in the far west of Arunachal Pradesh, in north east India, close to the borders of Bhutan and Tibet. It sits at about 3,000 m (about 10,000 ft). By road it is about 480 to 515 km from Guwahati, through Tezpur, Bomdila, Dirang and Sela Pass.

Plan at least 5 nights and 6 days from Guwahati. The drive is long, so you need one night in Dirang on the way up and one night in Bomdila on the way down. Three nights in Tawang give you one day for the town and one full day for Bum La and the lakes.

Most people go by road through Tezpur, Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang and Sela Pass. The Tawang district office says the drive takes 14 to 16 hours, so break it with a night in Dirang or Bomdila. A helicopter also flies from Guwahati airport to Tawang in about an hour, on set days and only in clear weather.

No. Tawang has no regular passenger airport today. The nearest big airport is Guwahati, about 480 km away by road. Tezpur and Donyi Polo Airport at Itanagar are nearer, but Tezpur closed for repairs from mid 2024, so check flights first. A weather-dependent helicopter flies from Guwahati to the Tawang helipad.

Yes. Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh need a tourist eILP, which you apply for on eilp.arunachal.gov.in. It covers a stay of up to 14 days. Children under 14 travel on an adult's permit and do not need their own. Carry the printout and the same photo ID you used to apply.

You get the Bum La permit from the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tawang, and the Indian Army stamps it at the cantonment. Apply during office hours, the day before your visit. Since 1 September 2025 the district charges an entry fee at the time of issue, and children under 12 are exempt. Confirm the current rate on the official site.

OCI card holders count as foreign nationals for Arunachal permits, so they need a Protected Area Permit and not an eILP. They can visit Tawang town with that permit. In practice, the army gives the Bum La permit to Indian citizens only, so OCI and foreign guests should plan another sight for that day.

Yes. Tawang gets snow in winter, and it falls hardest on Sela Pass, Bum La and the high lakes, which freeze. December to February is the coldest time, with about minus 10 C at the high passes. The district office advises non-skid chains in winter. Snow can close Bum La on some days.

March to June gives mild days and open roads. Late September to November gives clear skies and the Tawang Festival in late October. December to February is for snow lovers only. Avoid July and August, when the district office does not advise travel because landslides often block the road.

The Tawang Festival usually falls in late October. The Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Department runs it, and the Ministry of Tourism listed 27 to 31 October for 2026. It has Monpa dances, archery, food stalls and a street carnival in the old market. Dates change each year, so confirm them before you book.

Yes, if they travel slowly and are fit to go above 3,000 m. Sleep in Dirang before Sela, rest a full day in Tawang before Bum La, and drink water often. Elders with heart or lung problems should ask their doctor first, because the district office asks people prone to altitude sickness to avoid Bum La and Sela.

Sangetsar lake near Tawang is called Madhuri lake because a Hindi film song with actress Madhuri Dixit was shot here. The lake sits at about 3,708 m, and an earthquake made it by blocking a stream. Old tree trunks still stand in the water. You need the army permit to visit it.

Before you book

Cancellation & Refund Policy

As per the cancellation terms shared at booking. Please ask our team for the full policy.

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