Guest house in Tawang's old market, Arunachal
4.5· 145 stays
Things to do nearby.
Tawang Monastery, or Galden Namgey Lhatse, is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. Founded in the 17th century, its assembly hall and library are remarkable. It’s a short drive from the town centre.
Sela Pass, at an altitude of 4,170 meters, is the high-altitude gateway to Tawang. The drive itself is the main event, with views of the Himalayas and the frozen Sela Lake in winter. The pass can be snow-covered and closed from December to February.
Madhuri Lake, officially Sangetsar Tso, is about 45km from Tawang. It was formed by an earthquake and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The lake is named after the Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, who filmed a song here.
Bum La Pass is on the Indo-China border, about 37km from Tawang. It requires a special permit to visit. The journey takes you through high-altitude terrain, and the pass offers a direct view of the Line of Actual Control.
Getting there.
The journey to Tawang is a significant part of the experience. The most reliable major airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (GAU), about 480km away. From Guwahati, it is a two-day drive, usually with an overnight stop in Bomdila. The smaller Tezpur Airport (TEZ) is closer at 320km, but has fewer flight connections.
The nearest railway station is Rangapara North (RPAN) in Assam, around 280km from Tawang. From there, you will need to hire a taxi or take a shared vehicle for the multi-day road journey.
By road, the entry point into Arunachal Pradesh from Assam is at Bhalukpong, where your Inner Line Permit will be checked. The route passes through Bomdila (165km from Tawang) and over the Sela Pass. Roads are winding and subject to weather conditions.
Best time to visit.
The best months to visit Tawang are from March to October, when the weather is pleasant and the roads are generally clear. September is particularly lively if you plan to visit the Ziro valley for the Ziro Music Festival on your trip. The winter months, from December to February, bring heavy snowfall, which often closes Sela Pass, cutting off road access to Tawang for days at a time.



