Tawang Travel Guide: Route, Permits, Sights & Best Time
Updated · Nomadic Travel team
From Sela Pass to Bum La: how to plan the classic road trip to Tawang, with permits, route, sights and altitude tips.
Tawang, at about 3,000 m in western Arunachal Pradesh, is home to India's largest monastery and some of the country's most dramatic mountain scenery. This Tawang travel guide covers the route, permits, sights and practical tips for a smooth trip.
Getting to Tawang
Tawang is about 450 km from Guwahati and is reached by road only. The usual route goes via Tezpur, Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Dirang and Sela Pass. Break the journey with a night at Bhalukpong or Dirang — it's safer, more enjoyable and helps with acclimatisation. Since 2024, the Sela Tunnel offers an all-weather alternative under the pass.
Permits
Indian visitors need an Arunachal ILP — see How to Get an Arunachal ILP. Bum La and Madhuri Lake need an extra pass from Tawang, for Indians only. Foreigners need a PAP.
Top things to see in Tawang
- Tawang Monastery: attend morning prayers and visit the museum.
- Urgelling Monastery: birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama.
- Tawang War Memorial: honouring soldiers of the 1962 conflict.
- Nuranang Falls: a powerful 100 m waterfall near Jang.
- Madhuri Lake and Bum La: a full-day high-altitude excursion.
- Nunneries and craft centres: carpets, masks and local crafts.
Best time to visit Tawang
March–June and September–November are best, with clear skies and open roads. December–February brings snow — beautiful, but very cold, with occasional closures. The Torgya festival takes place at Tawang Monastery in January. Avoid July–August, the wettest months.
Altitude and health
How many days?
Plan at least six nights from Guwahati. Our Tawang tour package covers the classic route; the Arunachal Grand Tour adds Nameri and Ziro.
