If, rather than overseas vacations, you prefer to travel within India, here’s a new series on how to plan the best vacations in each of the 28 states and 8 union territories. See tourist destinations, local attractions, culinary options, and travel methods. In the second part of the series, ET Wealth takes you to Arunachal Pradesh.

‘Land of dawn-light’ mountains’ is one of the least explored states, though it is full of natural beauty and history. Located at the north-eastern tip, the state borders Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. You can enjoy beautiful hills, wildlife and . can spend 7-8 days to explore monasteriesOr indulge in adventure activities. Remember to apply for the Inner Line Permit (https://arunachalilp.com/index.jsp), which is the travel document required to enter the state.

Capital

ITANAGAR

best time to travel

March may &

september november

How to reach Delhi…

The fastest route from Delhi is a flight Taxi to Dibrugarh or Guwahati in Assam, and to Itanagar or your chosen one Destination, You can also fly to Jorhat or Dimapur. The cheapest option is the train, which takes about 40 hours, but costs much less. The nearest railway station to Itanagar is Naharlagun, about 15 km away.

cost by air + taxi

Rs.6,527 (Delhi-Dibrugarh, 3 hrs)

Rs.5,000 (Dibrugarh-Itanagar, 5 hrs)

cost by train

Rs.2,100-7,400

(Delhi-Naharlagun, 38 hrs)

* In a way, per person. The cost of flight on Skyscanner on September 21.


where to stay…


While you’re unlikely to find any five-star luxury HabitatPopular destinations like , Itanagar, Tawang and Ziro have a plethora of home-stays, holiday rentals and 2-3 star hotels and resorts. Check out Airbnb.co.in and Booking.com to find the best option for you.

Cost: Rs 21,000 for 7 nights;

(Rs.1,000-5,000 per night)

what to eat…

As in other parts of the country, the staple diet here consists of rice, meat and vegetables, but the difference lies in the varieties of rice as well as the spices and herbs used. One of the most popular dishes is pica pil, which is made from pig fat and bamboo shoots; Luktor, which is a combination of cooked minced meat and chili flakes; Soups or curries using fermented cottage cheese from shredded vegetable, yak or cow’s milk; Thukpa, a noodle soup; momos; Papuk, made from fermented bamboo shoots; dice, a traditional fish dish; Kot pitha, a popular dessert; Pehak, a spicy sauce made using fermented soybeans and chilies. Among beverages, you can try butter tea which contains yak milk with butter and salt, and apong or rice beer made from fermented rice or millet.

Cost: Rs 500-1,000 per person, per day

What to do…

You have to choose the top tourist destinations based on whether you are traveling east or west. Many famous sites are in the west while the eastern part has more remote and quaint villages.


monasteries


Bomdila Monastery

Laughing Monastery

Taktsang Gompa.


Flora Fauna


Namdapha National Park

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

orchid type

Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Tally Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.


lakes and waterfalls


Nuranang Falls

rowing lake

Madhuri Lake


peaks and passes


interrupt pass

Gorichen Peak

Suggested Itinerary

If you have 6-7 days, you can fly to the western or eastern part of the state, depending on which Assam airport you arrive at. From Guwahati, you can travel west and cover Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang and Tawang, and via Dibrugarh, travel to Pasighat, Aalo, Anini, Changlang and Mechuka. To cover the entire state, you need at least two weeks because it takes a long time to run.

first day: Itanagar to Dibrugarh Flight. Take a cab to Itanagar, which will take 4.5 hours. Visit Ita Fort, Craft Center and Emporium and Ganga Lake.

day 2-3: Ziro Visit Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary early in the morning and drive to Ziro in the lower Subansiri district, which is famous for its Ziro music festival in September. Visit Tally Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Deodar and Bamboo groves, Tarin Fish Farm, Meghna Cave Temple, Haploi and Dolo Mando.

Day 4: Bhalukpong Either drive back to Itanagar from Ziro and spend the night or drive directly to Bhalukpong which will take around 7 hours. Visit the Tipi Orchidarium.

Day 4: Bomdila Drive in 2.5 hours to Bomdila, which is known for Buddhist monasteries and trekking trails. Trek to Bomdila Monastery, Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, RR Hill with beautiful views of Tibet and Bhutan. Shop and eat at local markets.

Day 5: Dirang Drive in 1.5 hours to Dirang, a small village perfect for a long walk. Visit the Dirang Chu River, trek to the Kalachakra Gompa, visit the Thupsung Dhargye Monastery and the tribal areas of Dirang Zong. Visit the hot springs and the Sangati Valley.

Day 6-7: From Tawang Drive to Tawang in 4.5 hours, via Sela Pass, the second highest motorable road in India. Stop at Nurnang Falls and Jaswant Garh War Memorial. Visit Tawang Monastery, Urgeling Monastery and Takhtsang Gompa. Also check out Gorichen Peak, Bum-La Pass, Sangester Tso or Madhuri Lake, and shop at the Tibetan Settlement Market.


Day 8:
Drive to Guwahati and fly back.

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