Arunachal Circuit: Bhalukpong, Dirang and Tawang

Your trip starts in Guwahati as you set out on an approximate five-hour drive towards Bhalukpong on the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh border. The route winds past green hills and along the Jia Bharali River. After checking into your stay, rest and acclimatise to the foothill terrain. You can take an evening walk along the riverbanks or stroll through the local market. You stay overnight in Bhalukpong.

After an early included breakfast, begin your scenic drive uphill to Dirang, catching views of dense forests and the Kameng River. Your first stop is TDL Monastery, a peaceful retreat overlooking Dirang Valley. Continue uphill to Mandala Top, a birdwatching viewpoint framed by 108 stupas, before visiting the cascading Holy Waterfall. Complete your sightseeing at the ancient Dirang Monastery, also known as Dirang Dzong. Spend your evening at leisure in town before your overnight stay in Dirang.

Enjoy breakfast, then take a short drive from Dirang into Sangti Valley. Walk across rolling meadows flanked by the Sangti River and visit local kiwi and apple orchards, keeping watch for migratory black-necked cranes during the winter months. Meet village residents along the route and take time to unwind by the water. In the afternoon, travel back to Dirang to browse local shops or relax at your hotel. Overnight stay in Dirang.

Following breakfast, set out on the mountain drive towards Tawang. Cross Sela Pass at 13,700 feet, admiring views of snow and the shimmering Sela Lake situated below the pass. Descending along the highway, stop at the Jaswant Singh War Memorial to learn about the 1962 conflict, and pause at the roaring Jung Waterfalls to enjoy the refreshing spray. Proceed onwards to Tawang and check into your accommodation for a restful overnight stay.

After breakfast, head out on a high-altitude excursion towards the Indo-China border at Bumla Pass, perched at over 15,000 feet. Continue onwards to Madhuri Lake, also known as Shonga-Tser Lake, framed by pine trees and mountain crags. In the afternoon, return to Tawang town to explore the lively stalls across Nehru Market, Old Market, and New Market, where carpets, wooden crafts, and Monpa woolen clothing are sold. Overnight stay in Tawang.

Start the day after breakfast visiting Tawang Monastery, India's largest monastery and home to over 400 monks, and see the nearby Giant Buddha Statue overlooking the valley. Journey next to the 600-year-old iron Chakzam Bridge, wander through rural Kitpi Village, and tour Khinmey Monastery. In the afternoon, visit Urgelling Monastery, birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. Conclude at the Tawang War Memorial, watching the evening Light and Sound Show honouring the soldiers of 1962. Overnight in Tawang.

Have breakfast and begin the drive south towards Bomdila. Make a stop en route at Nag Temple, a traditional shrine where travellers offer prayers for safe journeys. Proceed to Gontse Garden Rabgye Ling Monastery to observe the monastery grounds and daily prayers. Once in Bomdila, visit the Bomdila Craft Center and Museum to see handwoven carpets and traditional Thangka paintings. Enjoy a quiet evening taking in the mountain breeze. Overnight stay in Bomdila.

Enjoy breakfast before departing Bomdila for the return journey to Guwahati. The drive takes around eight hours, descending from the hills back to the plains of Assam. On reaching Guwahati, your holiday comes to an end with a drop-off at your hotel or at Guwahati Airport.