Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Route: Guwahati → Shergaon → Tawang → Zemithang → Sangti Valley → Guwahati
Approximate Distance Covered: 900–950 km
Trip Style: Slow Travel | Scenic Drives | Culture & Nature | Responsible Exploration
Themes: Nature and Silence | Culture and Community | Story and Spirit
Journey into the whispering valleys and high mountain passes of Western Arunachal Pradesh, where ancient monasteries, tribal hamlets, and alpine meadows come together in a dramatic cultural and natural mosaic. This 10-day itinerary is designed for curious wanderers seeking deep, slow immersion—where every day opens up to stories from the land, connection with its people, and communion with silence.
From Guwahati’s vibrant plains to the mystical heights of Tawang and the remote calm of Zemithang, this is not just a journey—it’s a transformation.
This itinerary is indicative. Experiences may be rearranged depending on weather, local conditions, and host availability.
Distance: ~25 km | Travel Time: 1 hr
• Arrive at Guwahati Airport where a representative welcomes you and assists with hotel transfer
• Check in and refresh at your centrally located stay
• If time allows, visit the sacred Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most powerful Shaktipeeths
• Enjoy a seasonal sunset cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra River (October–March)
• Evening free to explore a local market or unwind over traditional Assamese cuisine
Overnight Stay: Guwahati
Distance: ~290 km | Travel Time: 8–9 hrs
• Drive out of Assam and into the eastern Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh via Bhalukpong Gate
• Scenic journey through tea gardens, pine forests, and riverbanks
• Arrive in Shergaon, a hidden gem inhabited by the Sherdukpen tribe
• Visit Shergaon Monastery tucked within serene pine groves
• Check in to your eco-lodge surrounded by orchard-lined valleys and birdsong
Overnight Stay: Shergaon
Distance: Local travel only
• Walk through fruit-laden orchards of apples, walnuts, and kiwis cared for by the Sherdukpen community
• Hike to a waterfall nestled deep within cedar groves for a forest-side picnic
• Interact with village elders and hear folklore, myths, and seasonal customs
• Visit a community weaving center and observe traditional textile craftsmanship
• Enjoy a local-style dinner followed by a bonfire and tribal storytelling under the stars
Overnight Stay: Shergaon
Distance: ~210 km | Travel Time: 8–10 hrs
• Start early for one of Northeast India’s most scenic mountain drives
• Pause at Mandala Top, a hilltop meditation site with 108 whitewashed chortens and panoramic views
• Drive across Sella Pass, one of India’s highest motorable roads at 13,700 ft
• Stop at the turquoise-hued Sella Lake, often rimmed with snow
• Visit Jaswantgarh War Memorial en route before arriving in Tawang by evening
Overnight Stay: Tawang
Distance: Local travel only
• Visit the majestic Tawang Monastery, second-largest in the world and a major seat of Mahayana Buddhism
• Explore the monastery museum and interact with resident monks
• Walk to Urgeling Monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama
• Spend quiet moments at the Tawang War Memorial during the evening retreat ceremony
• Explore local artisan markets for thangka paintings, yak wool items, and Monpa wood carvings
Overnight Stay: Tawang
Distance: ~90 km | Travel Time: 3.5–4 hrs
• Drive through dramatic alpine terrain to reach Zemithang, close to the Bhutan and Tibet borders
• Visit the massive Gorsam Chorten, an 8th-century-inspired stupa surrounded by fluttering prayer flags
• Walk through traditional Monpa villages with yaks, stone houses, and slow-paced life
• Meet a local family and share tea or buttered churpi while learning about borderland culture
• Spend your evening beside the Nyamjang Chu river under a starlit sky
Overnight Stay: Zemithang
Distance: ~130 km | Travel Time: 6–7 hrs
• Begin early for a high-altitude drive to Bumla Pass (15,200 ft), with necessary permits
• Visit PT Tso Lake and admire its crystal-clear waters nestled in rugged peaks
• Spend time at the hauntingly beautiful Madhuri Lake (Sangetsar Tso), known for submerged tree trunks
• Learn about the Indo-China border zone from stationed army personnel
• Return to Tawang and rest after a dramatic alpine adventure
Overnight Stay: Tawang
Distance: ~160 km | Travel Time: 6–7 hrs
• Descend through forests and winding valleys towards Dirang
• Optional stop at Dirang Dzong, hot springs, or a Buddhist nunnery
• Reach Sangti Valley, a tranquil Himalayan basin dotted with grazing sheep and wildflowers
• Walk along riverside meadows, swing bridges, and terraced farms
• Settle into your eco-stay and enjoy slow living amidst dramatic landscapes
Overnight Stay: Sangti Valley
Distance: ~350 km | Travel Time: 10–11 hrs
• Depart early for the long journey back into the Assamese plains
• Enjoy a final Himalayan sunrise before leaving the highlands behind
• Scenic drive via Bomdila, Tenga Valley, and the lush Bhalukpong forests
• Optional lunch or tea stop at Tezpur town
• Reach Guwahati by night and relax at your hotel
Overnight Stay: Guwahati
Distance: ~25 km | Travel Time: 1 hr
• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and reflect on your journey
• Optional visit to a local temple or craft store if time allows
• Drive to Guwahati Airport for your flight
• Depart with the whispers of the valley still echoing in your heart
End of Journey
- Avoid single-use plastics; bring refillables
- Carry back all your trash
- Use biodegradable toiletries while near
water bodies
- Choose community-run stays and eateries
- Buy souvenirs from artisans directly
- Engage meaningfully, not just for photos
- Learn basic greetings and local etiquette
- Ask before entering sacred spaces or homes
- Go slow — don’t force schedules in remote
areas
- Stick to designated trails during treks
- Limit electricity and hot water use in villages
- Be mindful of resource consumption
Copyright © 2025 | Pollen Dots. All right Reserved.
Copyright © 2025 | Pollen Dots. All right Reserved.
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