A land of tranquil spots and an abundance of travel opportunities, Arunachal Pradesh, is shyly residing towards the Northeastern part of our country. Subtropical forests, charming villages, and snow-capped mountains of this state add to its calming and fresh atmosphere. Sounds like a paradise, right? If you’re planning your next trip here, we’ve got you covered with our Arunachal Pradesh travel guide. Let’s dive into what this ‘Orchid State of India’ has got to offer you!
History And Culture Of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the richest and most diverse places in India, both culturally and ecologically. But, because of its remote location, the world remained elusive of the state’s existence for a long period. Let us give you a brief history of this wonderful state and how it came into being.
Although India gained its independence in 1947, Arunachal Pradesh was still not an independent state during that time. It was in 1972 when this hidden gem was recognized and nominated as ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ and got the status of being a Union Territory. In 1987, this place finally garnered the title of becoming a full-fledged state.
Today, Arunachal Pradesh is home to over 200 species of mammals and over 750 species of birds, which is one of the highest in our country. Apart from the natural wonders of Arunachal Pradesh, one of the most fascinating things here is the rich cultural diversity. Just so you know, there are over 26 tribes and further many other sub-tribes residing over here. Some of them include Galo, Bokar, Boli, Nyishi, Adi, and Apatani.
Something that makes this state one-of-a-kind is that despite so many cultural differences, the people of all the tribes here live peacefully together and respect each other’s traditions. The state also boasts of being one of the most linguistically diverse places in India. It’s home to people speaking over 50 dialects apart from the Tibeto-Burman language.
When talking about the history and culture of Arunachal Pradesh, the traditional craftsman skills of the people here can’t be forgotten! The locals here are known for weaving, ornament making, bamboo work, and much more.
Arunachal Pradesh is also known for its traditional and diverse cuisine. One of the favorite dishes of the locals here is Thukpa which is a Tibetan noodle soup. Having said that, rice is the staple food here because Arunachali people cook it in the hollow of bamboo over coal which gives it its distinct flavor. Along with that, bamboo shoots, a sweet and sour dish made from mustard seeds and garlic is cooked in almost all households in this state.
How To Get To Arunachal Pradesh
By Air
Since Arunachal Pradesh is located on mountainous terrain, it doesn’t have its airport. So, if you want to travel here by flight, you have two main options. You will either have to travel here from North Lakhimpur’s Lilabari Airport or Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, both located in Assam. The Lilabari Airport is quite close to Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh, and has flights from Guwahati and Kolkata for four days a week.
For those of you wanting a better frequency of flights and connectivity, Guwahati Airport can be the ideal option. It has flights from various major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi. The only catch is that the distance from this airport to Itanagar is around 315 km, which’ll take you roughly 8 hours.
By Train
The Naharlagun Railway Station is the nearest to the state’s capital city. Once you reach, several private buses will take you to Itanagar and other major parts of the state. Further 34 km away, there’s another station called Harmuti Railway Station. From here, it’ll roughly take you an hour to reach the capital city. A convenient way to reach this state would be taking a train from Guwahati Railway Station and then continuing the journey to Naharlagun.
By Road
The headquarters of the APSTS (Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Service) is in Itanagar. Places like Guwahati in Assam, Dimapur in Nagaland, and Shillong in Meghalaya can be reached easily via bus from the main bus station. Some of the major National Highways that connect to Arunachal Pradesh are NH 15, NH 415, and NH 52.
Best Time To Visit Arunachal Pradesh
The weather and charm of Arunachal Pradesh are such that you get to enjoy something unique and appealing every season. Since the state is perched at a high altitude, the climate is beautiful all year round. If you’re looking for a winter vacation, you can visit here during the months from December to February. It’s also the best time to enjoy winter sports like skiing among the rugged mountains here.
If you happen to visit this state in the summer months from March to May, trekking, visiting the monasteries, and exploring the rich wildlife are some of the must-do activities here Another perk of traveling to Arunachal Pradesh in summer is that you can grab a good deal on hotels and homestays as it’s an off-season for tourists.
All of you who want a relaxing and peaceful vacation in Arunachal Pradesh can visit here in the monsoon months from June to September. That’s when the lush greenery of the state and its mesmerizing vibes will refresh you inside and out. If you ask us, this would be the best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the major awaited festivals like the Dree Festival, the Siang River Festival, the festival of Solang, and many more are celebrated in monsoon.
Getting Around Arunachal Pradesh
When it comes to transportation, Arunachal Pradesh state has good connectivity. The government has also identified almost 12 tourist routes where both buses and shared sumos are available.
Bus
The APSTS (Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Service) is one of the best ways through which you can easily get around in the state. Right from small cities to big towns, this bus service will connect you to almost all areas of the state. Fortunately, there’s a bus station in almost every village and town here. You can choose from their deluxe and semi-deluxe buses. There are other private bus operators whom you can contact for getting around in the state.
Taxi
If you want to travel to the major cities and towns, you can avail of the many private and shared taxis here. Compared to buses, the commute is much faster through taxis. And these taxis can accommodate around 10 people at a time. If you want to go sightseeing places and explore the food scene of the state, private taxis are your best option.
Car
Several national and state highways such as NH 15, NH 13, NH 52, and NH 415 are well-connected to the major cities and towns of Arunachal Pradesh. Know that driving on the mountainous roads here isn’t going to be easy. So, unless you have extensive driving experience, it’s best if you hire a professional driver.
Breaking Stereotypes About Arunachal Pradesh
“There are barely any places to explore apart from the natural beauty of Arunachal Pradesh”
Arunachal Pradesh has natural beauty like no other but this is not it! There are many spiritual places and monasteries that you can explore here. Some of the popular shrines in this state include Tawang Monastery, Parasuram Kund, and Malinithan. You’ll also find many monks receiving traditional Buddhist education. When it comes to the architecture, you’ll be astounded by the detachable and unique ambiance of the monasteries here. This is a perfect place for both sightseeing and a pilgrimage trip.
Go Check Out
Tawang
Tucked away in the majestic Himalayas, Tawang is a blend of culture and natural beauty in Arunachal Pradesh. It’s located at an altitude of 10,000 feet and so, a perfect place for mountain lovers to explore. There are several picture-perfect monasteries and high-altitude passes in Tawang. This town also houses the largest monastery in India – Tawang Monastery. Another popular tourist attraction that has gained a lot of attention is the Tawang War Memorial, which was constructed to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives during the Sino-Indian War.
Sela Pass
This mountain pass is at a whooping height of 13,700 feet above sea level. It’s covered with snow throughout the year and hence gets a lot of visitors. The Buddhists consider Sela Pass a sacred place and it’s believed that there are 101 lakes around it. The Sela Lake, also known as Paradise Lake adds to the fame of this place. During winter, this lake freezes, making it look like a winter wonderland! As you take a ride through this pass, you’ll get a glorious view of the snow-capped Eastern Himalayas.
Tezu
Just close to the picturesque Mishmi Hills is Tezu, a major hotspot for tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. This beautiful town has tons of things for the many tourists who visit here. There are plenty of wildlife sanctuaries and botanical gardens that you can explore here. One of the most visited spots in Tezu is Glow Lake which has a backdrop of mesmerizing snow-covered mountains. Tezu is an amalgamation of both nature and culture, that’ll let you experience the true essence of Arunachal Pradesh.
Itanagar
The heart of the state lies in Itanagar, after all, it’s the capital city. History buffs will enjoy exploring the many educational and archaeological sites in Itanagar. Some of the major attractions are Indira Gandhi Park, Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, and Ita Fort. Itanagar also has stunning landscapes that will make your holiday a memorable one.
FAQs
How Many Days Are Enough For Visiting Arunachal Pradesh?
Planning a trip to this place for more than 8-10 days will make your holiday truly blissful. A long trip will give you enough time to check out all the popular and hidden spots over here. If there’s a time crunch, you can easily plan a 3-5 day trip and check out only the major attractions of the state.
Is Arunachal Pradesh Worth Visiting?
The snow-laden mountain ranges, rich flora and fauna, and wonderful monasteries of Arunachal Pradesh make it a place worth visiting.
What Is The Best Month To Visit Arunachal Pradesh?
The best months to visit Arunachal Pradesh would be from December to February when you’ll get to witness snowfall in this state. You can enjoy thrilling activities like skiing and also go sightseeing.
Which Is The Most Beautiful Place In Arunachal Pradesh?
Some of the most beautiful places in this town are Tawang, Sela Pass, Tezu, and Itanagar.
Is Tawang Worth Visiting?
Tawang is famous for its high altitude and breathtaking views of the mountain ranges. There are many tranquil lakes and Buddhist monasteries that this town boasts of. With so much to see and explore, it’s worth visiting.
Is Entry Pass Required For Arunachal Pradesh?
Apart from the natives of Arunachal Pradesh, any other Indian will need an ILP (Inner Line Permit) to enter any area of this state. One gets this permit by authorities of the government here.
Does Arunachal Pradesh Have Snowfall?
It receives snowfall in high-altitude areas like Bomdila and Tawang.
Which Food Is Famous In Arunachal Pradesh?
Arunachal Pradesh is famous for foods like pika pila (pickle), chura sabzi (curry made from fermented cheese), and pasa (fish soup).
