Arunachal Pradesh, India · Trip plan
6 days in Tawang
India's largest monastery, high passes and frozen lakes near the Bhutan border.
- Best time
- Oct – Nov, Mar – Apr
- Ideal length
- 6 days
- A day, mid-range
- ₹5,500 per person
- Trip for two
- about ₹66,000
Planning a 6-day trip to Tawang? Here's a day-by-day Tawang itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
October and November are dry and clear before the passes get snowbound, with dramatic autumn colours along the road.
Tawang lies high in Arunachal Pradesh near the Bhutan and Tibet borders. The road over Sela Pass is one of India's most dramatic drives, ending at a 17th-century monastery overlooking the valley.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr: a good time to go
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: a good time to go
- Nov: a good time to go
- Dec
October to November: 2–15°C; March to April: mild with some snow on passes.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Tawang
- 01
Tawang Monastery
India's largest monastery, founded in the 1680s.
- 02
Sela Pass
A 4,170 m pass with a frozen lake.
- 03
Madhuri (Sangetsar) Lake
A lake of drowned trees made by an earthquake.
- 04
Dirang
A valley village with hot springs and an old fort.
Day by day
Tawang itinerary for 6 days
- D1
Day 1: Guwahati to Bhalukpong
- Morning
- Leave Guwahati early and drive through Assam's tea country to Bhalukpong on the Arunachal border (about 5 hours).
- Afternoon
- Your Inner Line Permit is checked at the border gate; carry printouts.
- Evening
- Riverside stay on the Kameng river.
Carry several printouts of your ILP.
- D2
Day 2: Bomdila and Dirang
- Morning
- Climb into the hills to Bomdila and its Gompa, with views across the Himalaya.
- Afternoon
- Continue to Dirang, a valley of apple orchards and old stone houses.
- Evening
- Soak in the Dirang hot springs.
Altitude rises fast; drink plenty of water.
- D3
Day 3: Over Sela Pass
- Morning
- Drive over Sela Pass at 4,170 m, with its frozen lake and prayer flags.
- Afternoon
- Stop at the Jaswantgarh war memorial on the way down.
- Evening
- Arrive in Tawang and rest.
Stop only briefly at the pass to avoid altitude sickness.
- D4
Day 4: Tawang Monastery
- Morning
- Morning prayers at Tawang Monastery, India's largest, founded in 1680–81.
- Afternoon
- The monastery museum, then the Tawang War Memorial.
- Evening
- Evening in the old market with butter tea and thukpa.
Monks chant at dawn; visit early.
- D5
Day 5: Madhuri Lake and Bum La
- Morning
- Drive to Madhuri (Sangetsar) Lake, formed by an earthquake, with drowned trees standing in the water.
- Afternoon
- On to Bum La border pass at 4,600 m with a separate permit.
- Evening
- Back to Tawang for the night.
Get the Bum La permit from the DC office the day before.
- D6
Day 6: Begin the return
- Morning
- Leave early for Dirang or Bomdila.
- Afternoon
- Lunch on the way, with Sela Pass views one last time.
- Evening
- Overnight halt, then on to Guwahati the next day.
Plan the return over two days.
Shorter or longer
Tawang in 5, 6 or 8 days
5 days in Tawang
Follow days 1 to 5 above and leave out “Begin the return”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
8 days in Tawang
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Auli.
What it costs
Tawang trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 6 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500 | ₹30,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹5,500 | ₹66,000 |
| Luxury | ₹10,000+ | ₹1,20,000 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Tawang is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Tawang for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Tawang
Thukpa
Noodle soup to warm up.
Zan
Millet porridge, a Monpa staple.
Butter tea
Salty and warming at altitude.
Getting there
How to reach Tawang
- Travel
- Guwahati to Tawang is about 450 km, usually split over two days.
- Getting around
- Hire a car and driver from Guwahati or Tezpur for the whole trip.
- Permits
- Indians need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), available online; foreigners need a Protected Area Permit.
- Bum La needs a separate permit from the DC office in Tawang.
- Rest a day before going high to avoid altitude sickness.
Before you go
What to pack for Tawang
- Power bank and charging cables
- ID (Aadhaar or licence)
- Thermals, gloves and a woollen cap
- Waterproof boots
- Warm layers for the evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A small first-aid kit
- A reusable water bottle
Good questions
Tawang trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Tawang?
6 days are enough to see the highlights: Tawang Monastery, Sela Pass, Madhuri (Sangetsar) Lake. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 6-day Tawang trip cost?
Roughly ₹2,500 a day per person on a budget, ₹5,500 mid-range and ₹10,000+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about ₹66,000 for 6 days.
What is the best time to visit Tawang?
Oct – Nov, Mar – Apr. October and November are dry and clear before the passes get snowbound, with dramatic autumn colours along the road.
Where should I stay in Tawang?
Budget: Homestays in Tawang town (Tawang), from about ₹1,800 a night. Mid-range: Hotels in Tawang (Old Market), from about ₹4,500 a night. Luxury: River homestays (Dirang), from about ₹5,000 a night.
How do I reach Tawang?
Guwahati to Tawang is about 450 km, usually split over two days.
Do I need a visa or permit for Tawang?
Indians need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), available online; foreigners need a Protected Area Permit.
Is 5 days enough for Tawang?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 5 of the itinerary above and skip "Begin the return". 6 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Tawang?
October to November: 2–15°C; March to April: mild with some snow on passes.
What food should I try in Tawang?
Thukpa: Noodle soup to warm up. Zan: Millet porridge, a Monpa staple. Butter tea: Salty and warming at altitude.
How do I get around Tawang?
Hire a car and driver from Guwahati or Tezpur for the whole trip.
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