Arunachal Pradesh, India
Tawang: The Monastery at the Roof of Arunachal
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Deep in the eastern Himalaya, Tawang rewards the long road in with one of India's largest monasteries, glacial lakes and passes near 4,000m.
The journey
Break the drive at Dirang, cross the dramatic Sela Pass, and reach the 17th-century Tawang Monastery perched above the valley.
Prepare
You'll need an Inner Line Permit, warm layers and patience for slow mountain roads. Best March to October, when the passes are reliably open.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Dirang
Valley stopover
- Dirang Dzong
- Sangti Valley Sheep Farm
- Hot Water Spring, Dirang
- Kolkata (CCU) → Guwahati (GAU)
💡 The road to Tawang crosses the 4,170m Sela Pass — start early, carry warm layers, and keep your Inner Line Permit handy.
Day 2 — Tawang
The great monastery
- Tawang Monastery
- Tawang War Memorial
- Gyangong Ani Gompa
- Mountain Lodge, Tawang
Day 3 — Tawang
High lakes & passes
- Sela Pass
- Sungester Lake
- Bumla Pass
- Mountain Lodge, Tawang
Frontier kit
- • Inner Line Permit (mandatory)
- • Down jacket & thermals
- • Diamox (ask your doctor)
- • Cash — ATMs are scarce
- • Offline maps
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