History

Religion

Culture

Tourism

Health

IT/Business

Articles

Cuisines

Sports

Entertainment


Google

 

Write articles for GatewayforIndia

(Return to GatewayforIndia - Tourism)

Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is a small state situated in the eastern Himalayan ranges. It borders with Bhutan on the West, China in the north, Myanmar on the east and the state of Assam in the south. Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most sparsely populated states of India and covers an area of 83743 sq. Km. It is a land of lush green forests, majestic mountains and breathtakingly beautiful valleys. Itanagar is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.  Itanagar is 1,539 km from Kolkatta. Arunachal Pradesh is an ideal destination for wild life enthusiasts and adventure tourists interested in trekking, mountaineering, rafting etc. Arunachal Pradesh is paradise for nature lovers and people for people interested in diverse ethnicity, culture and Buddhism.

How to reach Arunachal Pradesh

Air: Indian Airlines operates direct flight from Calcutta to Tezpur (216 km from Itanagar ) on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. A small airport in Lilabari (North Lakhimpur) in Assam is 57 km from Naharlagun and 67 km from Itanagar and is served by Vayudoot.
 

Rail: The nearest railway station is Harmuti - 23 km from Naharlagun & 33 km from Itanagar. However nearest convenient railhead is North Lakhimpur in Assam, 50 km from Naharlagun & 60 km from Itanagar.

Road: Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Corporation operates regular bus-services to various Places in Arunachal Pradesh and its neighboring states. Direct bus-services are there from North Lakhimpur to Itanagar via Naharlagun. Buses run frequently between Naharlagun & Itanagar.

Itanagar is connected by road to: Guwaahati- 381 km, Shillong- 481 km, Agartala- 980 km, Aizawl- 901 km, Kohima- 350 km, Imphal- 495 km.

Climate (Degree C.): Summer- 18-40 C. Winter -  5-12 C

Best Season for visiting: October to April.

Clothing: Summer - Cottons; Winter- Woolens.

Languages spoken: Local languages, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali & English.

Tourist Places

Bomdila is a beautiful small town situated at a height of about 8000 ft. above the sea level from where one can see the snow-clad Himalayas. The cool climate, apple orchards, snow-capped Himalayan peaks and Buddhist Gompas are the major attractions of this place. The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the repository of culture and is among primary attractions of the area. The Dirang valley and the famous Sela Pass (13,700 feet) on the way to Tawang are worth visiting.

How to reach Bomdilla : The nearest Bus stand and Rail head are in Tezpur Assam

Tawang, the land of the Monpa tribes and a major center of the Mahayana Buddhist is the headquarters of Tawang district. The township stands on the spur of a hill over 12,000 ft. above the sea level. On the way to Tawang lies the World's Second highest Pass, the Sela Pass at 14,000 feet that runs through a small ridge and along a placid lake called the Paradise Lake, in India. Tawang is famous for its 400 years old Buddhist Monastery locally called Gompa. It is the fountainhead of spiritual life of the followers of the Gellupa sect of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The Tawang Monastery is associated with the famous Torgva festival which is held in the eleventh Monpa month called the Dawa Chukchipah (i.e. Dec-Jan as per the Buddhist).

The Tibetan influence here is unmistakable, with the elaborately painted wooden windows and other motifs. Prayer flags flutter in the breeze outside. There is an 8 mtr. high gilded statue of Lord Buddha here. A must visit is the craft center which produces very fine woolen carpets of colorful designs and masks.

The nearest airport is Tezpur in Assam, which is 345 km from Tawang, and the nearest Railhead is Bhalukpong at 280 km. Govt. Buses and Taxi ply regularly from Bomdilla to Tawang, which is 180 km and takes 10 hrs.

From Tinsukia, a road-rail head in Assam, road goes to Tezu, Roing, and and Hayulyang in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh. Some 21 km to the north-east of Tezu, the District Headquarter, lies Parasuramkund where, according to the legend recorded in the Kalika Purna, Parasuram washed away the sin of killing his mother in the waters of Brahma kund. Roing is known for the historical fort of Bhishmaknagar

Ita Fort and Gekar Sinyi (Ganga lake)- Ruins of Ita Fort can be seen near Itanagar. Ganga Lake situated in the foothills of the Himalayas is a unique sight of the capital, Itanagar. The lake locally known as Gekar Sinyi .

Talley valley is 30 km from Hapoli (Ziro) the densely populated township in the Apatani Plateau and the headquarters of the Lower Subansiri District. It is a picturesque little township with the local population-growing paddy, which is the main agricultural produce in terraces.

At 'Along' one can see the historical Malinithan temple. The Legendary Akashi Ganga, a point from which one gets an unusual over view of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Mithun and Jersey cross breeding farm at Kamki, 25 Km from here is another interesting visit. The nearest Airport is Lilabari (Tezpur) and the nearest railway station is Silapathar. Along can be reached by bus and car from Itanagar, Likabali and Pasighat. The best season to visit is from October to April.

Pasighat - Headquarters of East Siang district, situated on the right bank of river Siang. Siang is the name of river Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh. A visit to Dr. D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary where wild buffalos, tigers, samber deer and wild ducks are found in plenty is a must. Other places of interest are the surrounding villages and the Emporium. Pasighat is Ideal for river rafting, boating, angling, trekking and hiking.

Jengging – From here you can see Namcharua Peak, and visit Nubo Bridge Point, Pegu Lake, Mouling National park, high altitude Tea Garden at Ram Sing.

Tipi- Asia's largest Orchidarium, the Orchid Research Centre is located here in the West Kameng district. The Orchid center on he bank of river Bharali, surrounded by evergreen forest has more than 500 species of orchids.

Sanctuary/National Park in Arunachal PradeshSome of the rare species of flora and fauna are present in pristine forests of Arunachal Pradesh

Namdhapa National Park (Tiger Project) Tirap Miao

Mouling National Park East Siang Jengging

Sessa Orchid Sanctuary West Kameng Tipi

Dihang-Debang Biosphere Reserve Dibang Valley

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary

Itanagar Wild life Sanctuary

Dr. D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary

Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary Lohit Miao

Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary East Kameng Seijosa

Kane Wildlife Sanctuary West Siang Along

NATIONAL PARKS

Namdapha National Park is the most famous wild life park in Arunachal Pradesh. The Namdapha National Park is a few kilometers away from Miao the district headquarter situated on the Indo-Burma border. A visit to the Namdapha National Park is challenging, as it covers a wide range of altitudes from 200 m. to 4,500 m. The park has diverse habitats and flora and fauna that are typical of this area. The majestic gaur or mithun, elephant, Himalayan black bear, the wild goat peculiar to the Patkoi range, musk deer, slow loris, binturong and the red panda are all found here. The predators include the tiger, leopard, a rare snow leopard and clouded leopard in the higher reaches of the hills. A number of primate species are seen in the park, such as the Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque and the distinctive hoolock gibbon. Hornbills, jungle fowl, pheasants etc. are also found amongst other colored bird species. Miao can be reached by Jeep/Gypsy from Margherita (Assam) and Pasighat.

Arunachal Pradesh is a Protected Area, tourists are required to get an Inner Line Permit( ILP )/ Protected Area Permit -

For domestic tourists

Innerline Permits are issued by the Secretary (Political),Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar and respective Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Districts. These can also be obtained from Resident Commissioner's office/ Liaison Offices located at New Delhi, Calcutta, Guwahati, Shillong, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, Jorhat.

For foreign tourists

The foreign tourists can obtain the Protected Area Permit from all Indian Missions abroad, Home Ministry, Govt. of India and Home Commissioners, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar, for a period of 10 (ten) days for a group consisting of four or more persons.

Inner Liner Permit

1.Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Chanakyapuri, Kautilya Marg, New Delhi 011-3013915,3013956
2. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Chowringhee Place, Calcutta, West Bengal 033-3341243,2486500
3. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Chandmari, Guwahati 0361- 412859
4. Liaison Officer, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh,Mohanbari, Dibrugarh, Assam 0373- 82560,20398
5. Liaison Officer , Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Lilabari, North Lakhimpur, Assam 03752- 2186
6. Liaison Officer, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Shillong-1 Meghalaya 0364-224247
7. Liaison Officer, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh , Parvatinagar, Tezpur, Assam 03712-20241