Arunachal Pradesh travel guide

History

The entire region had remained isolated since 1873 when the British stopped free movement. After 1947 Arunachal became part of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). Its strategic significance was demonstrated by the Chinese invasion in 1962, and the Indian government subsequently broke up the Agency giving statehood to all the territories surrounding Assam. Arunachal became the 24th state in 1987, though China continues to argue that until the international border between it and India are agreed some of the territory remains disputed. At the same time the state is disputing its southern border with Assam, and in April 2001 the state government lodged a petition with India’s Supreme Court against the government of Assam for “large scale encroachment” on its territory. Having long borders with China and Myanmar, it is a truly frontier State. The state was opened to tourists in 1995 with the first foreigners being given permission to trek only as recently as 1998. Congress won both Lok Sabha seats in 2009.

Climate

Bomdila (2500 m) and Tawang (3500 m), are exceptionally cold between October and March with temperatures in Tawang dropping as low as -12°C. However, clear skies are most likely October to December, also when many flowers are in bloom.

The Arunachali people are the state’s greatest attraction. In the capital Itanagar you may even see Nishi warriors wearing hornbill feathers in their caps, carrying bearskin bags and their knives in monkey-skin scabbards. A great diversity of the tribal people speak over 60 different dialects. Most have an oral tradition of recording their historic and cultural past by memorizing verses handed down through generations. Some Buddhist tribes have, however, maintained written records, largely recording their religious history. Some tribes worship Donyi and Polo, the Sun and Moon gods.

On the Northeast frontier of India, Arunachal Pradesh is India’s least densely populated state with just 13 people per sq km. It stretches from the foothills of the eastern Himalaya to their permanently snow-capped peaks to the north. The Brahmaputra, known here as the Siang River, enters the state from China and flows through a deeply cut valley. Stretching from the Himalaya to the steamy plains of the Brahmaputra valley, Arunachal Pradesh has an extraordinary range of forests from the Alpine to the subtropical – from rhododendrons to orchids, reeds and bamboo. It is an orchid lover’s paradise with over 550 species identified.

Transport

Bomdila, Dirang and Tawang

Air

There is a helipad, T(0)9435-734407, T(0)9436-051250, 40 km from Tawang, with twice-weekly flights to Guwahati.

Bus

ASTC buses run between Tezpur and Tawang when weather conditions permit; if there is too much snow they terminate at Dirang. The narrow and twisting road means sumos are recommended over the bus. Tezpur–Tawang (12-14 hrs, depart 0530, Rs 400); Tezpur–Bomdila (5½ hrs, Rs 180); Bomdila–Dirang (1½ hrs, Rs 80); Bomdila–Tawang (6-7 hrs, 0530, Rs 280); Dirang–Tawang (6½ hrs, 0830, Rs 280). Sumos pick up from hotels in all towns.

Use the contacts below to book seats in advance. In Tezpur: ASTC Sumo Service, T(0)9435-080318, T(0)9864-182449. In Bomdila: Gourab, T(0)9436-236055, or Himalyan Holidays, T03782-222017. In Dirang: Dream Destination, T03780-242737, Dirang Valley Tours, T03780-242560, or Himalyan Holidays, T03780-242464. In Tawang: Himalyan Holidays, T03794- 223151, or Pine Ridge, T03794-222306.