Arunachal Pradesh
Frontier Himalayan state of India's north-east: Tawang's monasteries, Ziro's Apatani valley, Mechuka, Namdapha rainforest and the Siang river.
Arunachal Pradesh is India's largest north-eastern state, a mountainous, thinly populated frontier with Bhutan, China (Tibet) and Myanmar. Travel is planned as circuits: the western Kameng-Tawang route (Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang, Sela Pass, Tawang), the central Itanagar-Ziro-Daporijo-Aalo-Mechuka loop, the eastern Siang valley (Pasighat, Yingkiong) and the far-east Lohit, Dibang and Namdapha region. Distances are short on a map but roads are slow mountain highways, so allow full days for most transfers.
Highlights: Tawang Monastery and the drive over Sela Pass · Apatani villages and rice fields of Ziro Valley · Ziro Festival of Music · Dirang and Sangti valleys · Mechuka valley near the Tibet border · Namdapha National Park · Siang river and Adi villages around Pasighat · Itanagar's Ita Fort and Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum
When to go
Green best · blue good · red avoid · this month outlinedDestinations
Towns, valleys and cities worth the trip, with how they rate this month.
Itanagar
State capital in the foothills, the main entry point with an airport and railway station nearby.
Bomdila
Hill town and West Kameng district headquarters on the Tawang road, with Buddhist monasteries and Himalayan views.
Dirang
Valley town of old stone houses, hot springs, a yak research centre and the nearby Sangti valley.
Mechuka
Remote high valley near the Tibet border with a 400-year-old Buddhist gompa and wide meadows.
Miao
Large tiger reserve of lowland rainforest to snow peaks on the Myanmar border, base town Miao.
Top sights
Bhismaknagar ruins
archeological site in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Mayodia Pass
place in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Mishmi Hills
between China and India
Malinithan
archaeological site in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum
state museum at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Bum La Pass
Border pass between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet
Milakatong La
mountain pass between India and Tibet
Tulung La
border pass between China and India
Nature and outdoors
Namdapha National Park
national park in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Pakhui Tiger Reserve
tiger reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
protected area in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Ganga Lake
lake in India
Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary
sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
protected area of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Sessa Orchid Sanctuary
wildlife sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India
D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary
Protected area in Arunachal Pradesh, India