Tawang Monastery Expedition

A high-altitude journey through Arunachal Pradesh to India's largest monastery, crossing the 13,700 ft Sela Pass and the mythical Madhuri Lake.

Highlights

• Cross the Sela Pass at 13,700 ft with frozen lake views
• Explore Tawang Monastery, the largest in India
• Bum La border pass visit (permits arranged)
• Reflections at the serene Madhuri Lake

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1: Guwahati to Bhalukpong

   Fly into Guwahati and drive east into Arunachal Pradesh, crossing the permit checkpoint at Bhalukpong and arriving in the foothills by evening.

2. Day 2: Bhalukpong to Dirang

   Drive through sub-tropical forest to Dirang, visiting the ancient stone Dirang Dzong and the apple orchards that line the Kameng River.

3. Day 3: Sela Pass & Tawang

   Cross the iconic Sela Pass at 13,700 ft beside a frozen alpine lake and descend into Tawang Valley for check-in and acclimatisation.

4. Day 4: Tawang Monastery

   Full morning at the 400-year-old Tawang Monastery — one of the largest Buddhist gompas in Asia — and the Tawang War Memorial honouring the 1962 battle.

5. Day 5: Bum La Pass

   Permitted day excursion to the Bum La border pass on the Indo-China Line of Actual Control at 15,200 ft, surrounded by barren high-altitude terrain.

6. Day 6: Madhuri Lake & Shonga-tser

   Morning at the turquoise Madhuri Lake (Shonga-tser), set against a panorama of snow peaks made famous in Bollywood — one of Arunachal's most photogenic spots.

7. Day 7: Return & Departure

   Begin the long drive back toward Guwahati or Tezpur for onward flights, passing the pine forests of the Eastern Himalayan foothills.

Plan around this trip

Destination guide

Tawang travel guide

Where the Himalayas meet Tibetan sky — monasteries above the clouds

Itineraries

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