Travelomore
Tawang

Tawang

Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang

Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh

MonasteryBum La PassHigh altitude

The largest monastery in India, high in the Himalaya

A high-altitude town at about 3,000 m, near the borders with Bhutan and Tibet, built around a 17th-century monastery that is the largest in India. The road from Assam crosses Sela Pass at over 4,100 m, and the valleys beyond are among the most remote in the country. Permits are required, and the weather decides the schedule.

Ideal stay2–3 nightsAllow two nights in Tawang, and at least two more for the road from Assam, with halts at Dirang and Bomdila.
Nearest airportTezpur (Salonibari) (TEZ)11 hr to Tawang · Taxi to Tawang, usually over two days
Getting thereAbout 12 hours from Tezpur or Guwahati by road, usually over two daysThe road crosses Sela Pass and the Sela Tunnel. Tezpur is the nearest airport. Guwahati is the main gateway. Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit.
Time zoneGMT+5:30Same time as India

Getting around. The town is small. Taxis and shared jeeps go to Tawang Monastery, the war memorial and the lakes. Bum La Pass and Madhuri Lake need extra permits, which your operator arranges.

Part ofArunachal PradeshTawang, Bomdila, Dirang and Bhalukpong

Things to do in Tawang

4 experiences from our activity catalogue

Bum La PassViewpointBum La PassIndia-China border pass at about 4,600 m, 37 km from Tawang, visited on an escorted day run under a special permit.Full dayMadhuri Lake (Sangetsar Lake)ScenicMadhuri Lake (Sangetsar Lake)High-altitude lake formed by a landslide-dammed river on the Tawang-Bum La road, at about 3,708 m.1 hrSela PassViewpointSela PassPublic highway pass at about 4,170 m on NH-13 between Dirang and Tawang, with Sela Lake near the summit.30 minFreeTawang MonasteryTempleTawang MonasteryGalden Namgey Lhatse, the largest monastery in India, overlooking the Tawang Chu valley at about 3,000 m.2 hr

Packages that include Tawang

Ready-to-book itineraries with Tawang on the route

See all
Arunachal Explorer8 nightsArunachal ExplorerGuwahati · 1NBhalukpong · 1NDirang · 2NTawang · 3NBomdila · 1N8 Nights | 9 DaysFrom₹75,000 per personView package

Weather and best time to visit

Tap a month to see the details

Best time to visit

March

The snow begins to melt. Rhododendrons bloom later in spring.

High / Low9° / -1°CRainfall183 mm
Best timeGoodOff seasonOpen-Meteo historical weather (ERA5), 2015–2024 averages
SpringMarch–MayBest Time

Rhododendrons flower along the Bomdila and Tawang roads and the passes are reliably open. The clearest mountain views of the year.

SummerJune–AugustAvoid

Monsoon rain brings landslides on the Bhalukpong–Tawang road and closures that can last days. Not a season to schedule tightly.

AutumnSeptember–NovemberBest Time

Skies clear again after the rain and temperatures are cold but manageable. The second good window, and the quieter one.

WinterDecember–February

Heavy snow closes Sela Pass and Bum La for stretches at a time. Tawang is reachable when the pass is open, but nothing can be promised.

More cities in Arunachal Pradesh

Often paired with Tawang on the same trip

All of Arunachal Pradesh
BomdilaBomdilaA monastery town on the road to TawangDirangDirangA warm valley of hot springs and apple orchardsBhalukpongBhalukpongThe foothill gateway to Arunachal Pradesh