I had heard a lot about Tawang and was even told by many that it is heaven on Earth. Tawang, located near the tip of the Land of Sunrise aka Arunachal Pradesh, is the house of many Buddhist monasteries. Tawang boasts of immense natural beauty, valleys, mountain ranges and many beautiful glacial lakes. It was finally the time now to visit Tawang and explore its beauty.
Since this will be a huge post in itself, I will be splitting it into multiple posts.
Day 1: Enter Arunachal Pradesh
Since everyone was working from home, all 5 us of met directly at airport on Friday, just before boarding our flight. Our flight departed from Bangalore by around 11p.m. Since it was a connecting flight we were gonna reach Guwahati only by next morning 8am. Post reaching Guwahati, we all got freshened up in the airport, had our car picked up directly in the airport and set off.
There are couple of roads to reach Tawang from Guwahati. One can either choose to enter Arunachal Pradesh from Tezpur, followed by Tezpur - Bhalukpong - Bomdilla - Dirang - Tawang or can enter from Bhariabkunda, ie., Bhairabkunda - Rupa - Bomdilla - Dirang- Tawang. We chose the latter as we were gonna return in the former road anyhow.
When heading from the Bhairabkunda, on the way one would get chance to see Bhutan border. Though the roads to Bhutan were closed due to Covid19, we could visit till the checkpost for some quick snaps. From there we have to cross Bhairabkunda bridge. This is a small picnic spot on the way with a river flowing beneath a bridge. One can even get into water and spend some time here.
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| Entry to India at Bhutan border checkpost |
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| Bhairabkunda bridge |
Just few kilometers from the bridge, one would get the ILP checkpost, Balemu. One has to produce his/her ILP's and make entry here. At this point we are officially inside Arunachal Pradesh. From this point, there's not much in this road to see except for a couple of monasteries and waterfalls. We decided to head further as we still had a long way to go. Almost near Rupa, there's Zangdokpalri Monastery. If time permits one can plan visit for this monastery too. Also there's a Budha heritage park before this monastery which can be visited too.
We managed to reach Bomdilla by around 7pm or so in the night. And one more thing to notice is that the sun sets by 4-4:30 pm, so it might take couple of days to get adjusted to the slight time variations. The time we reached Bomdilla it was already dark. Thankfully we had our stay booked at Anu Homestay, Bomdilla.
The hosts of Anu homestay are so welcoming and you will definitely have a pleasant stay here. Most of the beds here had bed heater, thus helping us fight the sudden cold. Post having dinner, we called for the day.
Day 2: Bomdilla to Tawang via Sela pass(13700ft)
We had decided previous night to start from Bomdilla early morning. However, we were still not completely adjusted to the time variations here. We managed to leave homestay only by around 9am. The homestay usually remains quiet full in seasons given the pleasant charm that they offer. Anyone planning to book, kindly book in advance.
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| And BRO wishes you a happy journey! |
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| Dirang welcome board |
There are couple of small eateries available near the 5th Mile. From Bomdilla we arrive at the next town Dirang. Dirang has a beautiful monastery Thuksang Dargeyling Monastery. This monastery is all calm and hardly had any one inside. One can definitely spend some time here.
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| Thuksang Dargeyling Monastery |
Post the monastery, we headed to an small hot springs. However this was a small tank with luke warm water. When enquired we were informed that there's another hot spring near Tawang which was better than this.
After covering Dirang hot springs, we headed further and reached Padma. There are few restaurant's here where we had a good breakfast. We headed further to visit Nyukmadung War Memorial, which is quiet close to Padma. The war memorial was built in memory of all the soldiers who fought bravely in the 1962 Indo China Nyukmadung war and helped defend Dirang. The war memorial is located on top of hill and is very well maintained. One must definitely visit this place on the way to Tawang.
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| Entrance to Nyukmadung War Memorial |
From Nyukmadung, we proceeded further to reach Sela. From Nyukmadung, its climbing uphill to reach Sela pass located around 13700ft above sea level. On top of the Sela pass, there's a arch welcoming you to Tawang. We managed to reach Sela pass around 2pm in the afternoon. There's a small cafeteria just by the arch, popularly known as Sela Cafeteria, with good food. Sela lake is situated nearby. The time we reached Sela the weather was a bit cold. However, the sky was clear with no snow around.
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| Sela Pass at 13700ft |
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| Amry vehicles crossing Sela Lake |
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| Sela Lake |
Hence we headed further, and reached Jung. There's a beautiful waterfall here, at Jung, which we decided to cover in our return journey along with the war memorial.
After having some food at Jung we headed straight to Tawang. We managed to reach Tawang only by around 8pm in night. Luckily we had our stay booked here as well, Choedar homestay. We had our dinner in the homestay and called off for the day.
Day 3: Bumla Pass & Madhuri Lake
Bumla pass is located north of Tawang, near the India-China border and needs special permit to visit. We had made this pass through an agent, just before we were to reach Tawang. They charge around Rs. 5,500 for a vehicle like Xylo, which accommodate 5 persons.
However, we weren't sure of visiting Bumla today as we heard that there were some army dignitaries arrived in town, and they might close entry to the public. Luckily for us, the entry was open today. Our car arrived at the homestay in the morning, and we started after having a good breakfast.
We were very lucky as the moment we started heading out of Tawang, it started snowing. It had been snowing since yesterday night and we were the firs to witness snow this season en-route to Bumla. The roads were all covered with snow, mountain cladded with snow, lakes starting to freeze. It was just like we are entering to an wonderland. All of us were so awestruck with the beautiful fresh snow around us.
On the way to Bumla pass, our first stop was Pt Tso lake, aka, Panga Teng Tso lake. The lake is surrounded by a vivid backdrop of the snow-clad Himalayan Mountains. The time we reached it was all covered with snow. However, there's also a track along the lake where one can walk around and spend time. The lake is very huge, and might take around 1-2 hours to cover it completely. We didn't get down to the lake as we had to head to Bumla, but we did play with snow here for sometime. Also, for visiting this lake, there's no need of special permit. However, in case if one wishes to proceed further one would have to get permit.
From Pt Tso lake, we headed further to Bumla pass, which is around 19kms from here. On the way we get a Y junction, where one road of it leads to Madhuri lake, and the other to Bumla pass. We decided to cover Bumla first.
It was snowing in Bumla too, and the moment we reached, it was quiet cold here. We headed straight to the reception area, where we have to submit the permit taken. From the reception area we are then grouped into batches and taken to the border. Since the area is entirely managed by Indian Army, it makes us feel so safe even in such cold conditions. Due to the cold, some people were facing short of breath, but were in good hands of very able army doctors. Also, there is small army run cafeteria in the reception area, where one could have snack's like momo's along with hot cup of tea. Photography isn't allowed when heading towards the border.
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| Bumla pass reception |
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| India-China Border at Bumla |
Post clicking some pics at the reception area of Bumla pass, we headed back to Y junction to drive to Madhuri lake. The original name of Madhuri lake is Sungester Lake, and is popularly known as Madhuri lake, as the famous heroine Madhuri Dixit had once shot a song in this lake for her film Koyla. The lake is around 30kms from the Bumla pass but would take a good one hour drive. The road condition isn't too bad considering the location. This lake, at an altitude of roughly 12500ft was actually formed due to a devastating earthquake that jolted the place around 1970's, and now sits between two giant mountains on either side of it protecting it.
The lake is a very picturesque lake, with vast swarm of water body and trees in middle standing like Indian soldiers guarding our nation. One would typically spend around an hour enjoying the beautiful lake. There is also a cafeteria run by army available for public use.
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| The beautiful Madhuri lake |
Post spending some time in the Madhuri lake, we were heading back to Tawang. Since it was snow clad everywhere, everything seemed like a fairy tale. We did stop at another lake on the way to spend some time there, and then finally headed back to Tawang.
By the time we reached our homestay it was already around 3pm. However, our homely host had made arrangement's for our lunch already. They had prepared delicious local cuisine just on our request.
After having a nice lunch, we headed out to roam Tawang city in evening. We managed to do some shopping. For anyone looking to buy something, there's Monyul Gift Corner, located right in the city center with a nice collection of gift items.
After shopping we headed back to room to have a nice dinner and called off for the day. Choedar homestay is a very homely homestay with very warm welcoming host. If anyone's looking forward, kindly request to get in touch with them for making reservations.
Day 4: A day in Tawang
Today we were gonna explore Tawang local. We left our room post breakfast to head first to Tawang monastery. The monastery is a huge 3floor building with a giant statue of Budha in it. Legend has it that this was founded somewhere in 1680 at behest of 5th Dalai Lama. The monastery also has a museum, a library worth visiting.
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| At the tawang Monastery |
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| Entrance to the monastery |
Post Tawang monastery, we headed next to Gaint Budha statue. Though the statue entrance was closed due to some maintenance work ongoing, we managed to get some photo's of the great Budha statue from outside.
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| Giant Budha Statue at Budha Park |
From here, we then headed to Gyangong Ani Gompa. This is a monastery built for the lady monks or the nuns. The Gompa is located alomst at a hill top with scenic views around.
From Ani Gompa, we headed further to Urgelling monastery. Its reckoned to be the birthplace of Dalai Lama.
Now it was already around 2:30pm. We had planned to visit the Tawang war memorial as there would be light and sound show in evening. However we still had some time in hand. Hence we decided to cover one more place, Chagzam.
Chagzam, around 25kms from Tawang city, is very famous for its bridge. Chagzam bridge is a iron rope bridge built around 1400's. The architect of this bridge was a disciple of Dalai Lama and is accredited with building more than 100 iron bridges over the Himalayan range. There's also one more hanging bridge built next to the iron rope bridge.
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| The Chgazam bridge |
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| The original 1400's Chagzam bridge |
From Chagzam we then headed to Tawang war memorial. We reached just on time for the light and sound show. The show usually starts at around 5:30pm everyday, and would continue for half an hour. The show is really beautiful and signifies the beautiful Tawang and the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers in the war. Also there's a small gift shop located in the war memorial where one can buy souvenir's.
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| Tawang War Memorial |
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| Flag post at war memorial |
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| Peace Stupa at War memorial |
Post war memorial we headed back to our room. Our dinner was ready and waiting for us. This was our last day in Tawang as we were heading back down to Bomdilla tomorrow morning.
Day 5: Bye Tawang
On the way we had few pitstop's one near a small falls by the road, an army bridge, and also a temple atop a hill along the road.
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| Falls enroute to Jung |
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| An old bridge |
Our next stop was Jung waterfalls. Jung waterfalls, also known as Nuranang waterfall, is a spectacular waterfall unknown to many. There are stairs that lead to falls from the Hydel power station. The falls usually would be not crowded at all and one can witness the spectacular beautiful falls.
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| The majestic Jung Falls |
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| Beautiful Jung falls view from top |
From here, our next stop was Jaswant Garh war memorial. The war memorial is around 40mins form the waterfall. This memorial was built as a memory for the sacrifices done by our Indian soldiers , and also to the brave Jaswant Singh Rawat who scarified his life for India. Also, there's a small cafeteria run by Indian army here, where one can savor snacks like dosa, idly, etc.
We were now headed to Sela pass. Sela pass was now all covered with snow. Very different from the sela pass that we had seen 3-4 days back.
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| A snowy road |
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| Snow near sela pass |
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| Sela lake |
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| Sela pass entrance covered in snow |
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| Sela lake in snow |
Day 6: Last day in Arunachal.
This was our last day in Arunachal Pradesh. Our short stay in Arunachal Pradesh had now come to and end. We were heading back to Assam today and from there Meghalaya for rest of our vacation.
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| Nag mandir near bomdilla |
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| Falls enroute to Bhalukpong |
The drive from Bomdilla to Sessa was a nice one with curvy roads all along. Though there were few construction works going on at places, Border Roads Organization, aka BRO, had done a tremendous work in maintaining these roads even at the worst weather conditions. We did however have some pit stops on the way stopping for few scenery, waterfalls along the highway.
Overall Arunachal Pradesh, or Tawang to be specific, is an amazing place to be. One must visit Tawang, especially during winter season to witness the nature and its adaptability. People of Tawang are very helpful and caring. Tawang is such a place that calls you back again every time, which one wouldn't want to miss.
Here's the link to next part of the blog: Kaziranga : The land of one horned Rhinoceros
