An Offbeat Holiday Destination: Arunachal Pradesh

“Let’s go to Arunachal Pradesh for our honeymoon”, Priya said to Rohit.

 “Arunachal Pradesh?” asked Rohit.

He loves mountain but never thought of having his honeymoon at this north eastern state of India. “But what are the things to do in Arunachal Pradesh?”

“Don’t worry, I have already made a list of tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh”, smiled back Priya. “Read this.”

Arunachal Pradesh, literally meaning the land of dawn-lit mountains, is one of the least explored lands in India. Covered with densely forested hills, wildlife, orchards, indigenous tribal and snow-capped mountain peaks along the Tibetan border, Arunachal Pradesh has a lot of attractions to lure travelers across the world. Arunachal Pradesh is also known as the “orchid state of India” and is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. If you’re wondering what are the things to do in Arunachal Pradesh, then this post is for you.

Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh

1. Itanagar – The state capital has a lot to offer to its visitors. While in town, visit Ita fort, Ita wildlife sanctuary, Polo Park and Ganga Lake.

2. Roing – Located in Lower Dibang Valley, Roing is a major tourist attraction in Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the places of interest include Mayudia, Bhismaknagar fort, Mehao wildlife sanctuary, etc.

3. Bomdila – Whether you want to catch a glimpse of the snow-clad Himalayan range or laze around an apple orchard, Bomdila has it all for you. Don’t miss to pick up handicraft souvenirs from the local craft center.

4. Tawang – Better known as the birthplace of Dalai Lama, this beautiful place tucked amidst mountains is a must-visit if you are fascinated by Budhist monasteries. If you are visiting Tawang, don’t miss to witness the amazing orchid sanctuary there.

5. Bhalukpong – For the adventure lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, Bhalukpong truly deserves a visit if you’re in Arunachal. For adventure sports lovers, try camping, hiking, trekking of fishing in the Kameng River.

6. Looking for an offbeat place? Witness the untouched beauty of the state away from the crowded tourist spots — visit Aalo! Dotted with orange orchards (yes you read that right!) this lesser-known town is bestowed with nature’s splendor.

Things to do in Arunachal Pradesh

Spot a panda!

The Namdapha National Park is one of the lesser-known tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh. But, if you love the wilderness, then you will love this place for its rich flora and fauna. And if you are lucky enough, you can spot a red panda too!

Try white water rafting

Arunachal Pradesh has some mighty rapids that offer the opportunity for white water rafting. If you are looking for some serious fun then white water rafting in the Kameng river is a thrilling experience that you should try.

Day excursion to Tawang Monastery

Perched on the edge of a hill, the Tawang Monastery is one of the popular tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh. This is one of the largest monasteries in Asia and can accommodate 700 lamas at a time. The breath-taking view of the Tawang –Chu valley will definitely mesmerize you. Don’t forget to click a picture!

Experience the tribal culture

A trip to Arunachal Pradesh will be incomplete without experiencing the local tribal culture. The best way to do is to take a trek to Talle valley. The valleys covered in the route include Pangey valley, Ziro valley, and Talley valley. Learn about the tribal rituals, soak in the sun, taste the local delicacies, and get bowled over by the beauty of the picturesque landscape.

How to reach?

Arunachal Pradesh is well – connected by air, road, and railways. The nearest airport is the Lilabari Tezpur airport in Assam. You can hire a taxi from here to reach the state. Harmuti station in Assam is the nearest railway station that connects Arunachal Pradesh to the rest of the country. Itanagar, the state capital is 43 kilometers away from the Harmuti railway station. Arunachal Pradesh is connected to its neighboring states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland by bus services.

Best time to visit

You can visit Arunachal Pradesh at any time of the year. However, the state receives the highest footfalls during the winter months between October and April. The temperature varies between 5 degrees to -15 degrees Celsius during winter. If you wish to travel light, then summer is a good time too. However, the days can get hot, the maximum temperature reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius. Monsoon months are cooler, but the region receives a good amount of rainfall ranging between 2,000 to 4,000 mm. It is advisable not to visit the region during this time as there are chances of landslides due to heavy rainfall. Many tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh remain closed during this time.