How to Plan a Trip To Arunachal Pradesh?

Every time, I meet other travel enthusiasts and we talk about North East India. We always say that North East is so beautiful & untouched, everyone should definitely visit it. I also share my plans of visiting it soon, but it was this year that I finally decided to go.

Planning for North East can be a bit overwhelming. The region has so much to offer and the information available on the internet is not as copious as for, say, Leh Ladakh. I decided to go to Arunachal Pradesh because it’s the one state, apart from Sikkim, which has massive mountains. Sikkim is turning to a mainstream destination given the easy accessibility by taking a flight in Bagdogra and destinations like Darjeeling have been famous since ages. Given I always prefer offbeat destinations, I decided to go for Arunachal Pradesh.

I am always on a look out for offbeat destinations and experiences. This pic was taken while going to Zemithang, a much lesser known village.

Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in North East, with a population density of only 13 people per sq. km. So, if you also like to avoid tourists like me, Arunachal Pradesh is the state for you!

Tourist Routes in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is a massive state. The West to East border spans a distance of more than 1200 KMs! If you look at the map of Arunachal Pradesh, you can’t go from one point tucked up in north to another, especially if you are traveling by public or shared transport. You have to come back south and almost touch the Assam Border before embarking upon another destination which doesn’t fall on your current route.

For example, I took the Tezpur – Bhalukpong – Bomdila – Tawang – Zemithang – Tezpur route. Now, if I want to go to Ziro Valley, without coming down South, it’s not possible. Even though there is an apparent road through Seppa, there are just no transport options available to cut short one route and hop on to another. In order to go to Ziro valley, I will have to come back all the way to Itanagar and then again go up North. That means a day or two more in traveling.

This is maybe to keep the travelers on one route and in compliance with their permit.

Map of Arunachal Pradesh – See how a route goes all the way up in the North and them comes back to South, close to the Assam border.

Below mentioned are the recognized routes where you will easily find public buses or shared Sumos. If you try to hop from one point on a route to one point on another, getting a public or shared transport is next to impossible.

Arunachal Pradesh has 12 recognized tourist routes.

Tezpur – Bhalukpong – Bomdila – Tawang – Zemithang (The route which I took)

Itanagar – Ziro – Daporijo – Aalo – Pasighat

Pasighat – jengging – Yingkiong – Tuting

Tinsukia – Tezu – Hayuliang

Margherita – Miao – Namdhapa – Vijoynagar

Roing – Mayudia – Anini

Tezpur – Sejiosa – Bhalukpong

Ziro – Palin – Nyapin – Sangram – Koloriang

Doimukh – Sagalee – Pake Kessang – Seppa

Aalo – Mechuka

Daporijo – Taliha – Siyum – Nacho

Jairampur – Manmao – Nampong – Pangsau pass

For more information on all these routes and what to expect, check the official website.

A typical public bus plying on the Bomdila – Guwahati route. Don’t expect a lot of luxuries.

I decided to take the first route because of the higher altitudes and weather conditions. The monsoon sets early in the east Arunachal as compared to west. Also, the average altitude of West Arunachal is more than that of East. On the route which I took, the Tawang one, I was able to experience two high altitude passes: Sela Pass (13,700 feet) and Bum La pass (15,200 feet). If you also have a penchant for high altitude, you can also consider the routes in west.

Best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh

Like every state in the North east, Arunachal Pradesh also receives a lot of rainfall. So, it’s best to avoid the rains if you are planning to explore and use public or shared transport. However, if you want to chase monsoons in particular then the 82% forest cover in Arunachal Pradesh will totally exhilarate you.

The Monsoon sets in early in East Arunachal, around April mid. While West sees the monsoon set in by May mid. I went for 15 days at the beginning of May, it was mostly cloudy and drizzled on some days. But, the eastern towns like Mechuka were already soaked in heavy showers.

Here’s when you should go depending on what kind of landscapes and weather conditions excite you.

November – April: The temperature dips to around 0 degrees at high altitude destinations like Tawang (~9000 feet). The lower altitude areas are dry but pleasant. The landscapes are snowy and there is experiencing snowfall is almost certain. Some roads, like Sela pass, and attractions, like Bum la pass, may close without any warning in case of heavy snowfall. However, roads to the eastern towns might be unaffected.

May – August: Be prepared for heavy showers. Towards the later part of this season, a lot of greenery will take over the landscapes. Arunachal Pradesh is really green and beautiful. But, the rains might spoil your hiking plans or road trips.

September – November: Green, lots of green. The post monsoon season leaves Arunachal Pradesh gleaming with shiny green tree leaves accompanied by gorgeous sunshine bouncing off them. If you ask me, this might be the best season to visit Arunachal Pradesh. However, this year I had other travel plans during in October, so I went in May. I didn’t want to push North East by yet another year.

The gorgeous Tawang Monastery

So, that’s pretty much how you can plan your trip to Arunachal Pradesh. I hope you find this helpful.

Ideas To Craft the Best Tour Plan for Visiting Arunachal Pradesh

Crafting the best tour plan for visiting Arunachal Pradesh involves immersing yourself in the rich cultural tapestry, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse heritage of India’s northeastern frontier. Arunachal Pradesh, often referred to as the “Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains,” is a treasure trove of natural wonders, ancient monasteries, vibrant tribal cultures, and pristine wilderness. Here’s a comprehensive tour plan to cover the best Arunachal Pradesh destinations:

10-Day Trip Arunachal Pradesh Itinerary

• Day 1 – Roadtrip to Bomdila
• Day 2 – Visit Bomdila Monastery
• Day 3 – Visiting The Upper Gompa and Lower Gompa
• Day 4 – Another Day in Bomdila
• Day 5 – Bomdila to Tawang
• Day 6 – Exploring Tawang
• Day 7 – Tawang Continues
• Day 8 – Visiting Anni Gompa
• Day 9 – Explore Zemithang
• Day 10 – Leaving Arunachal Pradesh With Mesmerizing Memories

When you tour Arunachal Pradesh, you can follow the 10-day Arunachal Pradesh itinerary if you have 10 days to spend in the state.

Tips To Follow When You Trip Arunachal Pradesh

Permit Requirements

During your trip to Arunachal Pradesh, ensure that you obtain the necessary permits for visiting certain areas of Arunachal Pradesh, especially border regions and restricted areas.

Respect Local Customs

Respect the customs, traditions, and beliefs of the indigenous tribes and local communities when visiting Arunachal Pradesh. Seek permission before photographing people or entering sacred sites.

Check out my post on Tawang: The Hidden Gem of Arunachal Pradesh.

Pack Essentials

Pack essentials such as warm clothing, comfortable footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and medications for altitude sickness. You should follow this rule when exploring most of the Arunachal Pradesh destinations.

Stay Hydrated

Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids, especially at higher altitudes, to prevent altitude sickness when you tour Arunachal Pradesh.

Travel Responsibly

Practice responsible tourism by minimizing your environmental impact, supporting local businesses, and respecting wildlife and natural habitats when you trip Arunachal Pradesh.

Choose Arunachal Pradesh Destinations Based on Your Interests

When you trip to Arunachal Pradesh, you can choose destinations under different categories based on your interests like those mentioned below:

• Adventure: Trekking, rafting, camping, wildlife safaris
• Culture: Monasteries, local festivals, tribal villages
• Nature: Hiking, waterfalls, birding, scenic viewpoints
• History: Archaeological sites, war memorials, colonial architecture

Based on your travel style, you can choose one of the following accommodations when visiting Arunachal Pradesh:

Travel Style

• Luxury: Upscale hotels, guided tours, private transportation
• Budget: Homestays, local transport, self-guided exploration
• Adventure: Camping, trekking, budget guesthouses
• Cultural immersion: Staying in villages, participating in local festivals

Budget

When exploring Arunachal Pradesh destinations, you might wonder how much it costs for a stay. Here is a general idea:

• Luxury: ₹5,000+ per day
• Mid-range: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 per day
• Budget: ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 per day

When you tour Arunachal Pradesh, you will have an idea of how long you will spend in the state.  Here is what you can do:

• Short trip (5-7 days): Focus on a specific region or activity
• Medium trip (8-12 days): Explore 2-3 regions
• Long trip (2+ weeks): Immerse yourself in the culture and explore diverse areas

During your trip Arunachal Pradesh, here are a few points to remember:

Points to Remember

Before your trip to Arunachal Pradesh, make sure to obtain the Inner Line Permit. Also, remember to respect the local culture and tradition and research the transportation options available to make the best out of your trip.

Go through my Arunachal blogs below:

15 days of Being Curious – My Solo backpacking trip in Arunachal Pradesh

How to travel in Arunachal Pradesh by local transportation

10-Day Itinerary To Explore The State Of Arunachal Pradesh

Being Curious – Discovering a secret cave temple in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh

How to get Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh