Journey in western Arunachal Pradesh

26 October - 15 November 2023

A journey into Arunachal Pradesh from the Assam border unveils a tapestry of landscapes and culture. Travel is by Tata Sumo jeeps, the usual means of public transport in these regions. Entering via Bhalukpong, the gateway on the Kameng River, the Chariduar-Tawang road ascends through lush forests, passing various monasteries and the towns of Bomdila and Dirang. The route climbs higher and over the majestic Sela Pass at 4,175 metres, offering snow-clad peaks and the serene Sela Lake. Beyond lies Jang and the historic monasteries of Khinmey Nyingma with its breathtaking murals and Urgelling, the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama, and finally Tawang. The road continues into tranquil, high-altitude terrain, culminating at the Panga Teng Tso, a turquoise glacial lake surrounded by alpine meadows. A little over 18 kilometres further lies the Tibetan (Chinese) border, off-limits to foreigners. This journey blends dramatic Himalayan scenery with deep spiritual heritage, capturing the essence of Arunachal Pradesh’s natural grandeur and cultural richness.

View of Rangadi Dam, 60 kilometres northeast of Itanagar.

View to Yazali, 78 kilometres north of Itanagar.

Hotel Potin, along the road from Ziro to Itanagar.

Passengers of the Tata Sumo, public transport on the road to Itanagar.

A Buddhist shrine in Bhalukpong, near the Arunachal-Assamese border.

A Tata Sumo, lunchbreak in Bhalukpong at the State border.

A bridge with prayer flags, 11 kilometres northwest of Dirang, at 1,787 metres altitude.

Buddhist statue and prayer flags along the Chariduar-Tawang road, near the village of Jang, at 3,210 metres altitude.

View to the Dul Dul Tharpa Ling Gompa, a Buddhist temple, from the Chariduar-Tawang Road.

The Tata Sumo on the road, with the Samten Yeshi Choling Monastery.

The Samten Yeshi Choling Monastery, 34 kilometres east of Bomdila.

Prayer wheels at Bomdila Pass, 4 kilometres northeast of Bomdila.

View along the Chariduar - Tawang Road between Bomdila and Dirang.

Approaching the Sela Pass on the Chariduar - Tawang Road.

The Welcome Gate to Tawang on the Sela Pass, at 4175 metres above sea level, on the road to Tawang. Above it is a shrine with a Buddha statue.

A Tata Sumo at the welcome sign on the Sela Pass, 4175 metres above sea level, on the road to Tawang.

The Welcome Gate to West Kameng on the Sela Pass, coming from Tawang.

Sela Lake on the Sela Pass, below the Welcome Gatel, heading to Tawang.

After the the 4175-metre Sela Pass, on the road towards Tawang.

View below the Sela Pass, going north on the Chariduar - Tawang Road.

Mountain view 2 kilometres below the Sela Pass, going north to Tawang.

Yaks beside the road, 10 kilometres northwest of the Sela Pass.

Yaks beside the Chariduar - Tawang Road.

View from the road, 51 kilometres from Tawang, at 3,264 metres altitude.

The Chariduar-Tawang road, with prayer flags, 37 kilometres northwest of Dirang, at 2,967 metres altitude.

Viewpoint with a large prayer wheel into the valley near Jang.

The view to Jang village at 2,700 metres altitude, a 40 kilometres' drive east of Tawang.

View near the village of Jang, from the Chariduar - Tawang Road, at 2,210 metres altitude.

The river in Jang Valley, below the village, 26 kilometres from Tawang and at an altitude of 2,010 metres.

View into the valley from Khinmey Nyingma Monastery, about 9 kilometres by road northeast of Tawang.

View towards the Khinmey Nyingma Monastery.

The Khinmey Nyingma Monastery, a beautiful monastery in a tiny village about 9 kilometres by road northeast of Tawang. It was founded in 1440.

Wall painting at the entrance to the main assembly hall of the Khinmey Nyingma Monastery.

Entrance to the main prayer hall of the Khinmey Nyingma Monastery.

The fierce-looking Buddhist sage Padmasambhava, flanked by his Indian and Tibetan wives, in the main prayer hall of the Khinmey Nyingma Monastery.

Wall painting at Khinmey Nyingma Monastery, founded in 1440. The main prayer hall is covered with fantastic, brightly coloured murals of hundreds of deities.

Hall topped by a large Buddha statue at the Khinmey Nyingma Monastery.

Urgelling Monastery, about 3 kilometres south of Tawang; the sixth Dalai Lama, a Monpa, was born here in 1683. It was built around 600 years ago.

A hall and large prayer wheel, Urgelling Monastery, the birthplace of 6th Dalai Lama, just southeast of Tawang.

Chortens inside Urgelling Monastery, the birthplace of 6th Dalai Lama.

Chortens inside Urgelling Monastery, just southeast of Tawang.

Prayer wheels at he large oak tree just inside the gate to Urgelling Monastery, that, it is claimed, grew from the walking stick of the sixth Dalai Lama, that he stuck into the ground before he left his birthplace for Lhasa.

The road, one kilometre from Panga Teng Tso, 16 kilometres north of Tawang.

View of the glacial lake Panga Teng Tso, at 3,944 metres above sea level.

The glacial lake Panga Teng Tso, on the road to Bumla Pass, the Tibetan (Chinese) border 18.5 kilometres further north.

View of Panga Teng Tso, a glacial lake at 3,944 metres above sea level.