Arunachal Pradesh - Paradise of Botanists

Home to snowcapped picturesque mountains, unexplored high passes, virgin dense forests with amazing array of flora and fauna, high altitude lakes, Arunachal Pradesh is also known as the “Paradise of Botanists” or the “Orchid state of India”. It is the most sparsely populated state of India with lots of adventure sports activities opportunities but least exploited. Emerging as one of the most compelling holiday destinations in India, Arunachal bear testimony to its rich and vibrant tribal cultural heritage.

Geography:–

Arunachal, “The land of Dawn-Lit Mountain”, or sometimes also called “The Land of Rising Sun” because of its location in the easternmost part of India, borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the South, and shares international borders with Bhutan in the west, Myanmar in the east, and China in the north at the McMohan Line. Earlier it was known as North-East Frontier Agency(NEFA) and became a state on 20^th February 1987. With an area of 83743 sq.Km, Arunachal has a population density of just only 17/sq.Km whch is 2^nd least apart from Ladakh. Major part of the state is covered with high altitude mountains of the eastern Himalayan range and the Patkai Range. The highest peak in the state is Kangto (7060m) along with Nyegi Kangsang and Gorichen peak. Major rivers of Arunachal Pradesh include Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Dibang, Lohit and Noa-Dehing.

Culture:-

Arunachal is an ethnically diverse state with about 45 tribes/sub-tribes, each of them have their own language (dialect), culture and livelihood. Out of these, Monpa, Nyishi, Apatani, Galo, Adi, Tagin, Mishimi, Khamti, Tangsa, Nocte, Wancho are the main.

Biodiversity:-

About 80% of the total area of Arunachal Pradesh is covered with dense forests which consist of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. These forests are home of about 750 species of birds, 200 species of mammals, reptiles, butterflies, insects etc. Namdapha and Mouling are the two National Parks in Arunachal Pradesh apart from other wild life sanctuaries.

Requirement to Travel Arunachal Pradesh:-

ILP (Inner Line Permit) is required for Indian and overseas Indian Nationals. In offline mode, ILP is issued to Indian citizens from Tezpur, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati, In online mode the link is :- https://www.eilp.arunachal.gov.in/ .

For Foreign Nationals, Restricted Area Permit is required which can be acquired from the Ministry of Home affairs, New Delhi. For Online service the link is: – https://indianfrro.gov.in/eservices/home.jsp

Major Destinations of Arunachal Pradesh: –

1. Tawang

At an altitude of 10000 feet above the sea level, Tawang is the most famous tourist destination in Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang monastery, the largest in India, and the second largest in the World, is situated at Tawang. The birthplace of Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, Tawang offers panoramic views of huge snowcapped mountains, serene beautiful valleys, gorgeous waterfalls, and tranquil lakes. A journey to Tawang is itself a lifetime experience with many en-route tourist hotspots and thrilling adventures.

Best time to Visit: – April to December.

Things to Do: – Visit to Tawang monastery, several lakes, Bumla pass(China border), trekking, mountaineering, river rafting, camping, etc.

En-route hotspots: – Bhalukpong, Tippi, Sessa, Bomdila, Jaswantgarh, Jung, Nuranang waterfall, Sela pass, Dirang valley, Tenga valley, etc.

Ideal duration of visit: – 4Days/3Nights (including the onward and return journey days).

Famous for: – Tawang monastery, Sela pass, Bumla pass.

Distance from: – Tezpur – 330 Km; Guwahati- 446 Km; Itanagar -448 Km.

Places to stay: – Quality hotels, resorts and guest houses available.

2. Itanagar

Nestled on the foothills of the Himalayas and blessed with pleasant atmosphere, Itanagar is the Capital and the largest city of Arunachal Pradesh. It is the commercial and cultural hub of Arunachal. Inhabited by a number of tribes e.g., Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Tagin, Galo, etc, the centuries old heritage and tribal culture in the city and its surroundings are still intact.

Best time to Visit: – Round the year.
Things to do: – Visit to Ita fort, Ganga lake, Jawaharlal Nehru museum.
Ideal duration of Visit: – 1 Day
Distance from: – Naharlagun (Nearest Rly station) – 13 Km; Lilabari Airport (Lakhimpur) -73 Km; Tezpur -154 Km; Guwahati -321 Km; Dibrugarh – 96 Km;
Places of stay: – Plenty of accommodations available from budget hotel to luxurious resorts, Govt. Circuit house, IBs. Etc.
Next nearest Destinations: – Ziro.

3. Ziro

Surrounded by beautiful pine-clad low hills on all sides elevated to an altitude of 5800 feet above the sea level, Ziro is a quaint old town in Arunachal Pradesh, home to the Apatani tribe and famous for its vast terrace paddy rice fields cum pisciculture cultivation, charming bamboo hut, serene hamlets and a wide range of flora and fauna. It found itself a space under the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and is one of the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh.

Best time to visit: – Round the year, although March to November is the best time because of its pleasant weather.
Things to do: – Visit to the Apatani vallages, paddy fields, fish farms, trekking in Talley valley, and in the festive season, participate in the world famous “Ziro festival of Music”.
Ideal duration of visit: – 1Day/1Night.
Famous for : – Ziro festival of Music, terrace rice and fish farming.
Distance from: – Itanagar – 109Km; North Lakhimpur – 117Km; Mechuka (via Daporijo) -509Km
Places to stay: – Hotel, Resorts and Homestays available.

Next important Destination: – Mechuka (with a night stay at Daporijo or Aalo).

4. Mechuka

Mechuka, also known as Menchukha which means “Medicinal water coming out of Ice” in local language, is a paradise on earth with untouched natural beauties and is situated at an elevation of 6000 feet above sea level in West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Due to its mesmerizing landscapes, snowcapped mountains, spectacular views of the Siyom river and the hanging bridges, this place is becoming one of the most popular destinations in the state.

Best time to visit: – April to December. For snow lovers, January to March.
Things to do: – Trekking, hiking, riding, river rafting, visit to the 400 years old monastery.
Ideal duration of visit: – 1 day/ 2 nights. (For trekking, rafting more days will be required).
Famous for: – Losar festival and beautiful panoramic landscape.
Distance from: – Ziro (via Daporijo) – 509Km; Aalo – 186Km; Pasighat – 285 Km
Places to stay: – A good number of comfortable homestays, Government accommodations, resorts available.

Next important destinations: – Pasighat.

5. Pasighat

Situated at the eastern foothills of the Himalayas, Pasighat is the headquarter of the East Siang District and is the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh. Lying on the bank of the beautiful river Siang, which becomes Brahmaputra after entering Assam, Pasighat has been called a photographer’s delight. The hanging bridges, the pleasant waterfall, the mountain cliffs, the cool breezes, the songs of the birds, gives every traveller a peace and serenity which is truly magical.

Best time to visit: – November to April.
Things to do: – River rafting, trekking, cycling, bird watching at Daying Ering wildlife sanctuary. If time permits then Mouling National park which is 195Km from Pasighat is Worth Visiting.
Ideal duration of Visit: – 1Day/1Night (Except visit to Mouling National Park which will require another 3Days).
Famous for: – Rafting at Siang river.
Distance from : – Aalo – 101Km; Roing – 95 Km; Dibrugarh – 149Km.

Next important Destination: – Anini ( With night stay at Mayudia pass).

6. Anini

Anini is the headquarter of the Dibang valley district of Arunachal Pradesh at an elevation of 6457 feet above sea level and is the northernmost district headquarters in North-east India. Dibang river, Dri river and Mathun river flows through Anini which makes it one of the most promising tourist hotspots but is still underdeveloped. The journey to Anini is itself a lifetime thrilling experience with several adventurous risky points which is famous among the adventure seekers.

Best time to visit: – April to May & October to December.
Things to do: – Riding, trekking, rafting, visiting to Dibang Wildlife sanctuary.
Enroute hotspots: – Roing, Mehao Wildlife sanctuary, Mayudia, Hunli.
Ideal duration of Visit: – 3Days/2Nights (including journey days).
Famous for: – Wildlife at Dibang wildlife sanctuary.
Distance from: – Pasighat – 320Km; Mayudia – 168Km; Tezu – 287Km.
Places to stay: – Few lower category Hotel, Govt. accommodation.

Next important destination: – Walong (with a night stay at Tezu).

7. Walong

Walong is a small administrative town and a cantonment in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is also the easternmost town in India lies on the bank of the river Lohit. Dong is one of the nearest villages which is known as the easternmost village in India to get the first sunrise. One can go to Kibithu which is at the Chinese border just 22Km away from Walong. The beauty of Walong valley is mesmerizing. One can enjoy the hot water spring and the cool breeze of air blown through the valley, the feelings of which is unbelievable.

Best time to visit: – October to March.
Things to do: – Riding, trekking to Dong, rafting, fishing, camping.
En-route hotspots: – Tezu, Hawai, Hayuliang and Parsuram Kund (While returning).
Ideal duration of Visit: – 3Days/2Nights (including journey days).
Famous for: – Dong village.
Distance from: – Tezu – 199Km; Parsuram Kund – 179Km; Namsai – 255Km.
Places to stay: – No commercial entities available. Only one govt. IB is there. Camping is another good choice.

Next important destination: – Namdapha National Park (via Miao with a night stay at Namsai Golden Padoda).

8. Namdapha National Park

Namdapha National Park is located at Miao, in the Changlang district, on the bank of river Noa-Dihing. With an area of 1985sq.Km, it is the fourth largest national park and the 15^th Tiger reserve in India. The park covers a wide range of altitude from 200m to 4500m, the upper reaches remain covered with snow most of the year. With its dense virgin forests, numerous tributaries, Namdapha is the home to many endangered species of flora and fauna, aquatic life, butterflies, reptiles and can boast to be one of the most naturally protected National parks in India.

Best time to visit: – October to March.
Things to do: – Jungle trekking, Elephant safari, river rafting, camping. Trekking to Vijaynagar is one of the longest trekking routes in North-east India although Road communication is improved nowadays for Car or Bike.
Ideal duration of visit: – 1Day/1Night (if trekking is not opted).
En-route hotspots: – Miao.
Famous for : – Jungle trekking.
Distance from: – Namsai (via Kharsang) – 75 Km; Jairampur – 40 Km.
Places to stay: – One forest rest house is there. Camping is another good option.

Next important destination: – Pangsau pass.

9. Pangsau Pass

Considered as the “Hell Pass” by the British army during the 2^nd World War, due to difficult gradient of the Indo-Burma Patkai mountain range, Pangsau pass is the never miss destination in Arunachal Pradesh. The road to Pangsau pass starts at the historic Stilwell Road passing through Jairampur, Nampong and a steep gradient of 12 Km upto the Pass and then goes down to Burma(Myanmar) from where the mysterious “lake of no return” can be viewed. On this route, one can enjoy the nature’s ride, the sights of beautiful terraced tea gardens and witness the tragic remains of the symmetries of the British and allied forces soldiers during the 2^nd World War.

Best time to visit: – October to March.
Things to do: – Riding, visiting the World War II symmetries, Lake of no return ( inside Myanmar if permission granted by the authority).
Ideal duration of visit: – 1Day.
Famous for : – Stilwel Road, Lake of no return.
Distance from: – Miao – 75Km; Jairampur – 32Km; Dibrugarh – 170Km.

Places to stay: – Govt. accommodation at Nampong and Jairampur.