Lakes and Landscapes of Arunachal

7N/8D

View Gallery

Overview

Visit the land of the Sherdukpens, a group of fewer than 10,000 people. You can meet them and learn about their lives. At homestays in West Kameng and Tawang, you can enjoy local rice beer and wine. Explore the unique art and culture of the Dirang Monastery. Visit India's largest monastery, a Gelug Gompa built in the 16th century. Take a drive through one of the world's highest motorable passes. Learn the art of making paper by hand. Go off the main path to find waterfalls at the Indo-China border. Experience rural life in the Eastern Himalayas with guided walks through villages and jungles. Hike a shepherd's trail to explore the forests of West Kameng and visit local apple and kiwi farms.

Itinerary

Arrive at Guwahati Airport and meet the team and fellow travellers.
By noon, begin the drive towards Shergaon.
The 7-hour drive will take you from Guwahati’s busy cityscape to peaceful mountains and valleys.
Stay awake to enjoy the changing scenery along the way.
Reach your destination by evening and check in.
Enjoy dinner and relax for the night.

Wake up in Shergaon (locally known as Seinthuk), surrounded by nature and calm.
Step outside to see a narrow valley with orchards, fields, and a winding stream.
Start your day by embracing the peaceful pace of village life.
Join local experts for a walking tour of the Sherdukpen village.
Learn about the Sherdukpen community, their Tibetan roots, and Buddhist culture.
Discover local farming practices and, if in season, enjoy fresh apples or kiwis.
Visit the village Gompa (monastery) and explore daily traditions.
Head to a scenic riverside spot for a traditional barbecue-style picnic lunch.
In the evening, return to your stay for a bonfire and local brews under the stars.

Start the day with a relaxed breakfast.
Drive 10 km to Chug Valley to explore Monpa village life.
Walk through the village with a local guide to learn about Monpa homes, culture, and food.
Taste the village’s traditional rice beer.
Try your hand at Shugu Sheng, the ancient Monpa art of paper-making.
Watch skilled artisans at work and learn how this rare craft is being preserved.
Enjoy a three-course Monpa lunch that blends tradition with modern flavors.
Join a short Q&A with local chefs after the meal.
Return to Dirang in the evening and settle into your homestay.
Spend the evening at leisure.

Get ready to cross Sela Pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world.
Be prepared for cold weather and thinner air at this altitude.
If the weather allows, take a short walk around Sela Lake.
Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while soaking in the mountain views.
Stop at Jaswant Ghar, a war memorial honoring a brave Indian soldier.
Hear the moving story of Jaswant and Sela, tied to the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
Say goodbye to your Dirang hosts as you begin the journey to Tawang.
Pause at Jung Falls, a stunning waterfall along the way.
Arrive in Tawang by evening and settle in for the night.

Wake up early for a full day of exploration.
Drive about 4 hours (one way) to Chumi Gyatse Falls, near the India-China border.
Travel through scenic landscapes, reaching 15,000 ft before descending to 11,000 ft at the falls.
Learn local folklore and stories linked to this sacred site.
After visiting the falls, continue to explore high-altitude lakes in the region.
Visit Sangetsar Tso, a peaceful and holy lake at 12,165 ft.
Take a walk around the lake and soak in the quiet beauty of the Himalayas.
Return to your stay in Tawang by evening.
Unwind at a cozy monk-run café, enjoy a cup of coffee or even a slice of pizza.

Start the day with an early breakfast.
Visit the Tawang Monastery, built in the 16th century — the largest in India.
Explore its ancient library, filled with rare scriptures and texts.
Learn about the history of the monastery and how Tawang got its name.
After your visit, take a walk through the local market to shop for souvenirs.
Begin the drive back to Dirang in the afternoon.
Spend a peaceful evening by the bonfire at your homestay.
Rest up, a scenic hike awaits you tomorrow.

Rise and shine for a day of walking and discovery.
Explore a small Himalayan village to better understand the Monpa way of life.
Walk past vernacular homes, meet warm locals, and listen to the sound of nearby brooks.
Stroll through paddy fields and forest paths lined with walnut, cherry blossom, and rhododendron trees.
Enjoy a relaxing local lunch by the river, with a chance to sip on some traditional Ara (local brew).
After lunch, take your time soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.
Return to your homestay for a quiet and restful evening.

Start the day with an early breakfast.
Say goodbye to your hosts and depart from Arunachal Pradesh.
Begin the scenic 9-hour drive to Guwahati, taking in the last views of the mountains.
Aim to reach the airport area by 7:00 PM.
We recommend booking a late-night or next-day flight, just in case of delays.
If you're staying the night in Guwahati, we’ll drop you at a central point in the city.
Bid farewell with hopes of seeing you return to explore more.

What's included

Stay on all nights in twin sharing basis (Homestay)
Breakfast from Day 2 to 8
Lunch on Day 2, 3, 5 and 7
Dinner on Day 1
Local guides on Day 2, 3, 5 and 7
Arunachal Pradesh registered vehicle for day trip to Chumi Gyatse
Inner Line Permits
Permits to enter Chumi Gyatse
Trip lead throughout the trip
Transport from Day 1 to 8 in a Tempo Traveler

What's excluded

Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
Entry fees to sightseeing points (Ranges from Rs. 10 to Rs. 100 per spot)
Protected Area Permit (For non Indian Passport holders)
Hotel Tips, Driver Tips or Guide Tips
Any personal expenditure
Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Inclusions”.
Flight or Train Tickets

Good to know

What time does the trip start and end?

We will start the trip from Guwahati Airport at 12:30 pm on Day 1. We suggest a flight out post 7:30 PM and will reach the airport by evening.

What is the best time to visit this region?

September to December, and March to Early June is the best time to visit Western Arunachal.

How much money to carry?

While most of your expenses are taken care in the trip cost, an additional Rs. 1,000 per day (Upper limit) would be more than enough for all your expenses.

Do we get to see snow?

While Snowfall is weather dependent, you will definitely see snow and snow sheets at the high-altitude passes from November to March.

What type of properties are we staying at?

We will be staying at clean, comfortable, and hygienic homestays at all the locations.
Please note, there are different room categories and sizes at all the homestays and room allocation is done at random by the Trip lead.

Are there vegetarian food options everywhere?

Vegetarians do not need to worry. While a lot of the local delicacies are meat- based, with the influx of tourism there are multiple vegetarian options at all places. You must also try out the seasonal fruits and vegetables in the region.

Do I need a permit to travel to Arunachal Pradesh?

Yes, you would be requiring an Inner Line Permit to travel enter Arunachal Pradesh. We will be arranging the same for you. We would need details such as your Aadhar Card/Passport, passport size photo, along with a few other details to procure this. The ILP usually takes about 7 days to process.

Things to Carry?

Once you book the trip, we will be sending you a detailed list of Things to Carry for the season!

#mountains