Arunachal Pradesh · Adventure Traveler · 9 Days
Tawang & Ziro Expedition
Dirang, Tawang, Bomdila, Ziro
1 / 4Overview
Our Tawang and Ziro tour package is a 9-day Assam–Arunachal road journey for travellers who want both sides of Arunachal Pradesh: the high monasteries and passes around Tawang, and the gentle Apatani rice valleys of Ziro. It starts in Guwahati and is planned around realistic mountain driving times, with permits handled for you.
The Tawang & Ziro Expedition is a 9 days trekking & Hiking journey through Dirang, Tawang, Bomdila, Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh. Thoughtfully paced for 2-8 travelers, it brings together sela Pass crossing, Tawang Monastery and Ziro valley cultural walk.
Over 9 days, you travel at a relaxed, unhurried pace with hand-picked stays, a private vehicle, and an experienced local driver who knows the routes and the seasons. Nights are spent in mountain hotels and Boutique homestays, so you rest well between days on the road.
The ideal window to travel is Spring (Mar-May), when the weather and views are at their best. ILP mandatory. We guide application process.
- Sela Pass crossing
- Tawang Monastery
- Ziro valley cultural walk
Day by day
Day 1
Arrive Guwahati
Guwahati airport / station → hotel
We pick you up in Guwahati and take you to your hotel. In the evening we go over the route, the Arunachal Inner Line Permit, what to pack for Sela Pass and Tawang, and the long drives ahead. Get an early night; tomorrow starts at dawn.
Meals: DinnerStay: GuwahatiDay 2
Guwahati to Dirang
Guwahati → Bhalukpong → Dirang · approx. 370 km, 10–11 hrs
A long but beautiful day. You cross into Arunachal at Bhalukpong, where your permit is checked, and climb through the Tenga valley and over Bomdila before dropping into the Dirang valley. There is a stop for lunch on the way. You arrive in Dirang by evening.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: DirangDay 3
Dirang to Tawang over Sela Pass
Dirang → Sela Pass → Tawang · approx. 140 km, 6–7 hrs
You climb to Sela Pass at 13,700 ft and its frozen lake. The new Sela Tunnel now carries most traffic; the old road over the top is used for the views when it is open and conditions allow. On the way down you stop at Jaswant Garh, the memorial to Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, and reach Tawang by late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: TawangDay 4
Tawang Monastery & town
Local sightseeing in Tawang
Tawang Monastery, founded in the 17th century, is the largest monastery in India. You visit the prayer hall, the library and the museum, and if you arrive early you may hear the morning prayers. Later you see the Tawang War Memorial, Urgelling Monastery (birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama), the Giant Buddha statue and the local craft centre.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: TawangDay 5
Bum La Pass & Madhuri Lake
Tawang → Bum La and back · approx. 40 km each way, 6–8 hrs round trip
A high-altitude day towards the India–China border at Bum La (around 15,200 ft). You also see Sangetsar Lake, better known as Madhuri Lake, and PT Tso on the way. Bum La needs an extra army permit, issued in Tawang the day before, and is open to Indian nationals only. Snow can close the road, so we confirm the evening before.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: TawangDay 6
Tawang to Bomdila
Tawang → Bomdila · approx. 180 km, 6–7 hrs
You head back over Sela, stopping at Nuranang (Jang) Falls if you missed them on the way up. After lunch in Dirang you continue to Bomdila and visit the Bomdila Monastery and the local market before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: BomdilaDay 7
Bomdila to Ziro
Bomdila → plains → Ziro · approx. 400 km, 11–12 hrs
This is the toughest day of the trip: you leave Bomdila at first light, come down to the Assam plains and then climb again into central Arunachal. There are tea and meal stops on the way, but it is a full day on the road. You reach Ziro in the evening, where the air is noticeably milder than Tawang.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: ZiroDay 8
Apatani villages of Ziro
Local sightseeing in Ziro
Ziro is home to the Apatani people, known for their wet-rice terraces that also raise fish. You walk through Hong, Hija and Hari villages, see the tall wooden prayer poles (babo) and bamboo houses, and you may meet some older women who still have the traditional facial tattoos and nose plugs. Local rice beer and smoked pork are worth trying if you get the chance.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerStay: ZiroDay 9
Departure
Ziro → Itanagar (Donyi Polo Airport) · approx. 4–5 hrs
After breakfast you drive down to Itanagar's Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi for your flight, or to Naharlagun railway station. If you need Guwahati instead, tell us when you book so the timing can be planned.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
Included
- Hotels/homestays
- Breakfast and dinner
- Permits assistance
- SUV transport
- Guide
Not included
- Flights
- Lunches
- Camera fees
Stays & permits
Where you sleep
- Guwahati
- Night 1
- Dirang
- Night 2
- Tawang
- Nights 3, 4 & 5
- Bomdila
- Night 6
- Ziro
- Nights 7 & 8
- Mountain hotels
- Boutique homestays
Permits & travel notes
ILP mandatory. We guide application process.
Questions people ask
What is the route for Tawang and Ziro from Guwahati?
Guwahati → Dirang → Tawang (over Sela Pass) → Bum La excursion → Bomdila → Ziro → departure. Ziro comes on the return leg, so you don't drive the same road twice.
Do I need a permit for Tawang and Ziro?
Yes. Indian nationals need an Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP) and foreign nationals a Protected Area Permit. Bum La needs an extra permit issued in Tawang, subject to army approval and weather. We guide you through all of it.
Can I do this trip during the Ziro Festival of Music?
Yes. The festival is held in late September and Ziro's stays sell out early, so share your dates as soon as the festival is announced and we'll build the itinerary around it.
Is 9 days enough for Tawang and Ziro?
Nine days is comfortable for both. With less time, choose our 7-day Tawang Monastery & Sela Pass tour or the 5-day Ziro Valley tour.