“Nature has a lovely flair to spread its beauty everywhere.” This quote is a perfect fir for the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh, aka “Land of the Rising Sun,” is bountifully blessed by natural beauty in all aspects.
Arunachal Pradesh is renowned for its pristine beauty and lush green forests. It is bordered on the West by Bhutan, North and Northeast by China, and on the South by Assam.
The primary source of attraction in this state is the picturesque tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh. The various adventurous things to do in Arunachal Pradesh give tourists and visitors an immense sense of satisfaction and an adrenaline rush.
What is Best Time To Visit Arunachal Pradesh?
Since it is located at a high altitude, Arunachal Pradesh has pleasant weather throughout the year. The monsoon season in Arunachal Pradesh, which comes for the months between July to September, transforms the state into nothing less than heaven. Hence, your ideal plan for exploring Arunachal Pradesh can be the most rewarding in the monsoons.
Arunachal Pradesh Tourist Places
There are plenty of tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh. Nature indeed has shown immense love and given abundant beauty to this paradise. Your list of things to do in Arunachal Pradesh becomes longer as you explore this paradise.
Be it wildlife or worship places, a relaxing atmosphere, or scenic beauty, Arunachal Pradesh bountifully possesses all these. Some beautiful places to visit during your trip to Arunachal Pradesh may include:
1. Tawang
located in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh, this High-altitude town is in the Himalayas. It offers a beautiful amalgamation of nature and culture. Tawang is situated at 10,000 feet and is ideal for any mountain lover. Picturesque beauty here attracts tourists from all parts of the world. From holy monasteries to milky cascade waterfalls, flowing rivers to serene lakes, enchanting wild safaris to cloud-touching high passes, the place has a lot more than our expectations. It is a relatively undiscovered destination with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. It’s a happening place for adventure seekers to try activities such as mountain climbing, trekking, camping, paragliding, skiing, etc.
2. Ziro Valley
Situated at Lower Subansiri in Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro Valley is tucked in the Himalayas’ foothills. Ziro Valley is ideal for all nature lovers as it has a wide range of flora and fauna, bamboo huts, rice and paddy fields, and pine-ridden mountains, making this place a World Heritage Site. The green paradise offers breathtaking scenery, deep cultural roots, and lively spirit festivities. The main tourist attractions of Ziro Valley are Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Pine Grove, Meghna Cave Temple, Kile Pakho, Hapoli Market, etc. Being nature’s wonder, the destination is perfect for river rafting on the Kamle and Siang rivers. You can plan a visit to Ziro Valley between October and March when the climate becomes pleasant.
3. Tezu
Located in Lohit District in Arunachal Pradesh, Tezu is the primary tourist spot. Lying amidst the beautiful Mishmi Hills, this town has botanical gardens, museums, a wildlife sanctuary, and quaint villages serving to add to this place’s magnanimity. The small town has lot much to offer for a traveler who wants to disconnect from the internet and daily chaos and reconnect with nature to refresh. Nearby tourist places of Tezu include Dong Valley, located at the crossroads of India, China, and Myanmar, where you can witness a breathtaking sunrise, renowned for its mesmerizing beauty. Trek through Glow Lake and Chaglogam for scenic adventures, while Tezu Park and the Botanical Garden provide serene spots for strolls and picnics.
4. Sela Pass
A high-altitude mountain pass located at the border of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, also known as the Snowy Pass. This is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s famous places, located at an altitude of 4,170 meters. The tourist spot offers stunning views of the eastern Himalayas and is home to the beautiful Sela Lake. The pass is covered in snow year-round, which makes tourists fall for its mystical beauty. The pass is one of the stopovers when you enter Tawang and requires an inner-line permit to visit. If you visit Sela Pass in winter, you can expect it to be completely frozen, which looks incredible when sunlight falls on it. This pass is truly a natural wonder and a treasure of the North-East.
5. Roing
It is a small town surrounded by snow-peak mountains. The destination is famous among tourists for its deep gorges, roaring rivers, and savage wildlife. It’s a popular destination for tourists who love deep gorges, roaring rivers, and wild nature. In the monsoon, the waterfalls here are a sight to behold, with milky water cascading down, creating incredible views. One of the best attractions of the Roing is the Mayudia mountain pass, usually covered in winter snow. Some other places, including the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary and its serene lakes, Mehao and Sally, are worth visiting. The road to Roing, lined with lush tea plantations, will give you a refreshing and scenic journey.
6. Pasighat
With its stunning lush green landscapes and the Brahmaputra River descending from Tibet, Pasighat should be a must-visit attraction in your Arunachal Pradesh itinerary. This charming place is no less than heaven for nature lovers, with adventurous activities including camping, trekking, river rafting, boating, and angling. An ancient Pasighat Buddhist Temple is one of its kind that offers an opportunity to visit a spiritual and holy spot. Pasighat transforms into a cloud paradise during the monsoon, elevating its beauty. All this draws visitors to Pasighat to witness its enchanting natural scenery, snowcapped mountains, rich culture, and thrilling adventures.
7. Along(Aalo)
Tucked away in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, Aalo is a magical town. It’s located in a beautiful valley where the Sipu and Siyom Rivers meet, surrounded by lush hills and plentiful plantations. Over Time, the place has emerged as an attractive destination for travelers. Wildlife, ancient bridges, and valleys here are the premier attractions. During the visit, you can expect green vistas filled with orchid and orange trees adorning the region. The best months to visit Aalo are from October to April, when the weather is pleasant, and most attractions become accessible.
8. Namdapha National Park
Spread over 1808 square km, the biodiverse park is situated in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. This is why it is the third largest national park in India. From elephant safaris to adventure activities and animal specimens at the Miao Museum to wildlife spotting, Namdapha has many exciting things to do. Park highlights include the unique opportunity to see all four of the world’s prominent big cat species—Tiger (Panthera Tigris), Leopard (Panthera Pardus), Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia), and Clouded Leopard (Neofelis Nebulosa)—coexisting in one place. When visiting the national park, you can find many accommodation options nearby for relaxation.
9. Nuranang Falls (Bong Bong Falls)
Located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, this nature wonder is the most scenic waterfall in the state. It originates from the glacial lake of Tawang and flows into the Tawang River. This waterfall cascading down from a height of 100m is surrounded by diverse flora and fauna with lush greenery vistas. The waterfall also has some spiritual significance among the locals as the fall water is believed to have healing properties for various diseases. If you plan your Tawang itinerary during monsoon, you can surely add this tourist attraction for breathtaking views. You can also do trekking and hiking to reach the waterfall. A nearby tourist attraction of Nuranang Falls is Sela Pass, from where you can expect incredible views of the Himalayan ranges.
10. Bhalukpong
Bhalukpong is among the most popular tourist attractions in Arunachal Pradesh for nature and adventure lovers. It is home to dense forests, wildlife, an ancient fort, flowing rivers, incredible waterfalls, etc. Along with the fascinating views, you can also indulge in outdoor activities like camping, hiking, trekking, river rafting and fishing. The landscape is covered with apple orchards, which elevates its beauty. The peaceful atmosphere here makes it an ultimate destination for relaxation and inner peace of mind. The best Time to visit Bhalukpong is March. During this Time, you can also enjoy their annual local festival, Nyethidow of the Aka tribe.
11. Bumla Pass
Amidst all the adventurous places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh, Bumla Pass has high altitude magical beauty. The Bum La Pass marks the Indo-China border at an elevation of 5,000 m above sea level. You will be required a special permit from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner in Tawang District to visit the place. From the top of this pass, you can see snow-capped mountains. The journey to Bumla Pass is quite adventurous, with narrow, winding, and steep roads leading up to it. The way to Bumla Pass is truly mesmerizing and filled with beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, and scenic lakes. You have to start early to reach the Bumla Pass as it is open till 2 PM for tourists, so plan accordingly.
12. Anini
Despite a bit of a challenging journey, this captivating place is worth visiting while on a trip to Arunachal Pradesh. Due to its remote location and poor connectivity, fewer visitors will be here. It’s a peaceful tourist attraction, best for relaxation, where you will feel like you’re in the lap of nature. You will hardly find any luxury accommodation options here; however, lodge facilities offered by locals are available. Anini is an ideal destination for trekking, camping, paragliding, and hiking activities. It is recognized as an untouched and unspoiled beauty of Arunachal Pradesh, where you will get lost in nature.
13. Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, this wildlife reserve is home to a diverse range of animal and bird species. For wildlife enthusiasts, the reserve offers the chance to see Royal Bengal tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, jungle cats, capped langurs, wild dogs, jackals, Himalayan black bears, binturongs, elephants, gaurs, sambar deer, hog deer, barking deer, flying squirrels, wild boars, yellow-throated martens, and much more. You can also enjoy birding, as there are around 300 species to see. The area is much more picturesque and ideal for taking amazing pictures because of the genuinely captivating flora and fauna. It’s a great place to visit with kids, friends, and family.
14. Gorichen Peak
Gorichen, the highest peak of Arunachal Pradesh, stands majestically at 6,858 meters in the Tawang district. When sunlight hits the snow-capped summit, you can picture how unreal the sight must be. The peak is on the must-do list of all adventure lovers. Known as Sa-Nga-Phu locally, meaning “Kingdom of Deity”, Gorichen is thought to protect people from evil spirits. Trekking and night camping are the most preferred activities tourists love to do here. The mountain’s tough climb and amazing views draw many hikers from everywhere. The best months to visit are April, May, September, and October. If you are visiting Tawang, Gorichen Peak is a must-visit attraction not to be missed.
15. Dibang Valley
If you are really in the mood for a long break from reality, hit up Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. Named after the Dibang River flowing through it, Dibang Valley is a scenic destination tucked away in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. The valley’s proximity to the Indo-China border influences the region. In winter, thick snow blankets cover the peaks and mountains, making the area a paradise for nature lovers. The valley is one of the most biodiverse areas in the Himalayan zone because dense woods cover over 82% of it. The valley is home to various plants, animals, birds, orchids, insects, and butterflies. Wildlife sightseeing and enjoying local food are the top activities here. November to March is the best Time to plan a trip to Dibang Valley.
16. Madhuri Lake
Madhuri Lake has a unique history where it lost its name, Sangetsar, to Bollywood film Star Madhuri Dixit, who once shot here for one of her films. Though locals have strong objections to calling it with the name Madhuri, it is not stopping tourists from visiting this amazing place full of breathtaking views. Formed due to an earthquake in 1971, the Indian Army maintains the lake and only has small eating joints. Hills surround the lake in all directions and offer a relaxing environment. Do keep a few hours separated from your itinerary to spend a few hours here to enjoy the serenity of the environment.
17. Golden Pagoda, Namsai
The Golden Pagoda is an oasis in the middle of Namsa, just 20-minute drive from Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh. Dibrugarh/Tinsukia also has good road connectivity. The place offers you a glimpse of Cambodia’s architecture, which you must plan to visit during dawn time. This allows you to get around this place in the daylight, and at the same Time, you can see its new avatar in bright lights once the sun sets. The place is quite calm and offers a relaxing environment with ample parking space. You can find some shops for snacks and beverages near the entrance gate to get your recharged to explore this splenndid place. Just to make a note, you have an entry ticket of INR 20/head to get around the place.
Things to do in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is one such state that can fulfill your desire to live numerous experiences in the lap of nature. There are plenty of things to do in Arunachal Pradesh to add more to your traveling experiences. Some of these include:-
Visiting the ancient Hindu temple of Malinithan
The establishment of this temple dates back to 550 CE. The legend has it that when Lord Krishna had carried away Rukmini on the eve of her marriage with Shishupala, he sought refuge in this temple, which was given to him by Goddess Parvati. This temple is the ideal pilgrimage for Goddess Durga and Lord Krishna devotees worldwide.
Getting ready for rafting in the white waters of the Kameng River
The Kameng River of Arunachal Pradesh comes to its full force after the monsoons. After you reach Seppa from the gorges of Kameng, your rafting desire may find its fulfillment. The rapids of Kameng River are Grade 4 and above, which means one has to have some prior experience before floating one’s raft over here.
Visiting the largest monastery in India
The Tawang Monastery is known as the “Golden Namgey Lhatse,” which translates in Tibetan as “celestial paradise in a clear night.” As the largest monastery in India and the second largest one globally, it protects and conserves parts of Tantric Buddhism that can be seen only in Tibet.
How to reach?
1. By Road
You can easily reach Arunachal Pradesh from all the prime cities and nearby states. Inter-bus services, which are available from all the major towns of Arunachal Pradesh, make your journey even more accessible.
2. By Train
Harmurti train station is the nearest train station that connects Arunachal Pradesh to all the other major cities in India. Taking a bus or hiring a taxi becomes a viable option for the onward journey to the state.
3. By Air
Lilabari Tezpur Airport in Assam is the nearest airport, which is well-connected to Kolkata and Guwahati. You can easily take Direct flights to Kolkata and Guwahati from prime cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune.