Arunachal : Must Visit this place

If you are lover of everything natural and wild ? Then get ready to take a break from reality when you visit Arunachal pradesh. The best part about destination in NE india is their seclusion. They are not invaded by money making brats. Non-commercialized places are a treat for traveler's, philosopher's, loners, thinkers and explorers and the journy to all these destinations is irrefutably serene. We could not ignore the call of the lofty mountains, undulating meadows, gushing rivers, deep gorges of Arunachal Pradesh. Here tattoos are like stories they're symbolic of the important moments in your life. Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are well known for its unique style of tattooing different parts of the body, serves for personal decoration and social taboos were there behind tattooing.

Arunachal Pradesh is also the largest state of northest with an area 83743 sqkm the state is inhabited by 26 major tribes and over the 100 sub-tribes. Tawang, Mansacha, National Park, Them bang, Lihit valley, Sagle best bird sanctuary and sobrang valley are best places to visit at Arunachal Pradesh. If you haven't ever traveled to this part of India, must visit which is worth visiting at least once in your life.

Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh :

1) Tawang monastery -

Tawang monastery is Asia's second largest monastery and India's largest which controls 17 gompas in the region. Tawang monastery is an important seat of Mahayana Buddhism the world famous monastery of the gelukpa was founded during the 17th century by mera lama lodre gyalsto who is considered as a contemporary of the 5th dalai lama. The highlights of this monastery are the imposing three storied assembly hall and the 28ft high golden statue of lord buddha. There is also a big library which has an impressive collection of ancient books and manuscripts. The famous buddhist gold inscribed Scriptures kangyur and tangyur and preserved here.

2. Sela Pass -

Sela pass is the one of the highest motor able to pass at an altitude of 13700 ft. The serene crystal blue water of sela lake surrounded by prayer flags is simply breathtaking.

3. Nurannang waterfalls -

Almost 2km away from the down of jang towards tawang, Nurannang waterfalls is one of the spectacular waterfalls in this part of the Northwest. This waterfall is famous for cold water and rainbow trout fish hatchery where one can go fishing in the chilley waters. This is 12km away from sela pass. This is known as Jang fall.

4. Namdapha National Park -

The largest protected area in the eastern Himalayas and namdapha national park in Arunachal Pradesh stretches over approximately 2000 sqkm and harbours within it a varied terrain and all kinds of flora and fauna. Once you get to the last motorable point in the park, a five day hike begins and takes you through a breathtaking rainforest. While there aren't any passes to cross, the excitement comes from the changing topography and thrilling river crossings.

5. Thembang - The magical village

The UNESCO - Fortified village of thembang is every traveller's delightful daydream. In the midst of rhododendron thickets and sweeping blue skies, gargantuan gates fashioned out of stone, welcome you to the village, that is a world apart from any mountainous hamlet you've ever been to. At an elevation of a little over two thousand meters, thembang lies on the northest side of the bomdila township, in Arunachal Pradesh's kameng distinct. The second you step into the village, endless stretches of silence envelop you, with the odd hornbill flitting in and out of your sight as the path leading you to your honesty Peters out to lush green woods. En route, you will find yourself bumbling upon many an ancient monastery, folded deep into the woods.

6. Lohit

Remember the magical woods you wanted to escape to, every time you devoured those umpteen number of Enid blyton books in your childhood ?
Well, they exist and are sitting right where eastern india ends and China's yunnan province begins lohit valley, at a lofty 5140ft, belong to the land of the down-lit mountain's Arunachal Pradesh and is replete with inky blue starlit skies, alpine meadows, shrubby woods and archid forests, veiled at times by a thick mist and times by cotton-candy clouds. Home to the nine endemic tribal communities of zekhring, khampti, deori, monpa, memba, ahom, singpho, chakma and mishmi.

7. Bomdila -

Majority of the population here belongs to the monpa tribe. The monastery houses a school for the young monpa monks or lamas. Bomdila has a past with major Buddhist and tibetan influences.

8. Dirang -

Dirang is the base to head towards Tawang. The women in western Arunachal Pradesh you will find hardworking lot. With babies tied on to their back they are seen knitting, weaving, cooking and working in their fields.

9. Sangetsar Lake -

Beyond Tawang one needs to drive through mountain's to reach sangetsar lake with temperatures reaching sub zero and oxygene levels dipping down.

Things to do in Arunachal Pradesh :

1. Go Red Panda spotting in namdapha national park -

India has about 20 protected areas aimed at conserving the red panda population and namdapha national park is one of them. Namdapha national park is one of them. Namdapha national park is renowned as the largest protected area in the eastern himalayas and this hotspot of biodiversity is also the third largest national park in india.

2. Visit the largest distinct of india, upper dibang valley -

Despite being the largest distinct in india with an area of 9129 sqkm upper dibang valley is the least populated district in the country.

3. Trek to talle valley -

The trail to talle valley is an insightful journey into the ancient tribal culture and customs that play a pivotal role in maintaining the sancity of the forests.

4. Visit the ancient Hindu Temple of malinithan -
The ruins of the ancient malinithan temple were discovered in the begining of the 20th century but originally date back to 550 CE.

5. Get lost in the symphony of the sido music festival -

Just like poetry, the most enriching experiences are realised when recollected in tranquility. I don't mean to fill you up with any sort of "what - it's", but a trip to the ziro music festival is one of those rare celebrations, which seamlessly brings together the beauty of nature with the enigma of music.

6. Genuflect at the sela pass and lake -

The sela pass is a high altitude mountain pass that connects tawang to guwahati. Perched at 13700ft., This pass is famous for the legend of jaswant singh rawat.

7. Test your rafting skills in the white water of kameng river -

River rafting in Arunachal pradesh is not meant for faint-hearted beginners. The best time to head here for river rafting is after mansoons when the kameng river is at full force.

8. Visit the sister of pangong Tso : pankang teng Tso, near tawang -

The lake freezes at the first onset of winters and transformes into an ethereal sight.

9. Attend the losar festival at mechuka -

The mechuka valley in the West siang distinct of arunachal pradesh is a hidden gem near the tibetan border.

10. Sip on rice beer and thukpa at the solung festival in pashighat -

The adi people are the major collective tribe to inhabit the eastern himalayas, dependent on agriculture for a living. Here, apong ( rice beer ) is brewed and served fresh along with a wide variety of meat dishes.

How to reach Arunachal Pradesh :

 Traveling to Arunachal pradesh is not a big deal, as you can conveniently reach here by all modes of transportation. The state is well-connected to all major cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

By Air

Well-connected to Kolkata and Guwahati, Lilabari (North Lakhimpur) Tezpur airport in Assam is the nearest airport, 260 km (around 4hours drive). You can catch direct flights to kolkata and Gujarati from all prime cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Pune.  There is easy availability of taxis and bus services going towards the state.

By Train

Around 43 km away (just an hour drive) from the state capital Itanagar, Harmuti train station (Assam) is the nearest train station connecting Arunachal Pradesh to other major cities of India. Further, take bus or hire a taxi for your onward journey towards the state.

By Road

The state is easily reachable by road from all prime cities and nearby states. There are sufficient number of inter bus services available from all major towns of Arunachal Pradesh to Meghalaya (around 790 km), Assam (560 km) and Nagaland (456 km).

Best time to visit at Arunachal Pradesh -

October and April are the best months to visit Arunachal Pradesh which are the winter and the spring months for the state. Arunachal is located at a high altitude, and so has pleasant weather throughout the year. During the summers (April to June) temperature might be too high to explore during the peak daytime hours.