Arunachal Tawang Zemithang
Ohhh Goddd… Arunachal/Tawang — Beauty with the Beast ❤️🏔️
The best part of this entire trip?
Not the mountains...Not the lakes...
It was the PEOPLE.
The warmest, most peaceful, and inspiring souls I’ve ever met. Arunachal genuinely teaches you how simple and peaceful life can be.
Here’s my detailed itinerary + costing for anyone planning a solo/couple trip.
Arunachal/Tawang Trip Itinerary + Costing (8 Days)
Day 1 — Guwahati → Kamakhya → Overnight Bus to Dirang
Landed in Guwahati
Visited Kamakhya Temple
Overnight AC sleeper bus to Dirang
Bus: Zainab Travels AC Sleeper
💰 Rs 1200 per person
(Book in advance)
Day 2 — Dirang → Sangti Valley
Private cab from Dirang drop point to Sangti Valley
💰 Rs 500–700
Stay:
Sangti Nature Love Homestay
💰 Rs 3200/night (Riverside room)
Alternate: Letro Homestay
Honestly, Sangti is all about slow living. Just sit by the river and exist peacefully.
Optional Sightseeing:
Mandala Top, Hot Water Spring, Monastery etc.
Cab Contact: MGK Cab
📞 +91 76299 58080
(Excellent driver + photographer + very cost effective)
Instagram: @mr.mgk_47
Day 3 — Sangti → Tawang
Private sightseeing cab to Tawang covering:
Sela Pass
Sela Lake
Jung Falls
War Memorial
Chukzam Bridge
💰 Rs 7000
Cab Contact: MGK Cab
📞 +91 76299 58080
(Excellent driver + photographer + very cost effective)
Instagram: @mr.mgk_47
Stay:
Mandrel Khang Homestay
💰 Rs 2500/night
⚠️ Important Tip: Don’t buy anything souvenirs/snacks from military-run shops. Same items are almost 50% cheaper in Tawang market.
Day 4 — Bumla Pass Circuit
Start early around 7 AM.
Covered:
PTSO Lake
Y Junction
Bumla Pass
Madhuri Lake
Optional: Teesri Udasi
Cab + permits arranged via homestay - Rs 5500
Stay:
Mandrel Khang Homestay
💰 Rs 2500/night
Day 5 — Tawang → Zemithang
Morning monastery visit
11AM Shared cab to Zemithang
💰 Rs 300 per person
Cab Contact: Motu Bhai (BEST SOUL)
📞 +919233652674
Reached around 4 PM.
Stay:
Zemithang Valley Homestay
💰 Rs 2500/night
Day 6 — Zemithang Exploration
Visited:
Holy Tree Khenzamani
Gorsam Chorten Stupa
Local cab arranged via homestay.
💰 Rs 1700 (could be bargained)
Stay:
Pangchin Homestay
💰 Rs 3000/night
Day 7 — Back to Tawang
5 AM shared cab from Zemithang to Tawang
Cab Contact: Motu Bhai (BEST SOUL)
📞 +919233652674
💰 Rs 300 per person
Reached around 9 AM.
Spent the day exploring:
Giant Buddha Statue
War Memorial
Local Market Shopping
Stay:
Tawang Heights
💰 Rs 3000/night
⚠️ Honest review:
DO NOT book Tawang Heights. Homestays in Tawang are way better.
Day 8 — Tawang → Guwahati
Shared cab back to Guwahati.
💰 Rs 1700 per person
Book the front 2 seats and you are sorted.
The drive via Rupa–Shergaon route is insanely scenic and the Sumo drivers are absolute experts.
Total Travel Cost (2 Persons)
💰 Rs 21,900 total for 8 days (travel only)
Breakup:
Guwahati → Dirang Bus — Rs 2400
Dirang → Sangti Cab — Rs 700
Sangti → Tawang Private Cab — Rs 7000
Bumla/Madhuri Private Cab — Rs 5500
Tawang → Zemithang — Rs 600
Zemithang Local Cab — Rs 1700
Zemithang → Tawang — Rs 600
Tawang → Guwahati — Rs 3400
Tips & Learnings
- Read about the place before visiting
Knowing even basic history/culture changes the experience completely.
Monasteries become magical instead of just “photo spots”.
- Carry snacks/chocolates
You will get tired of Maggi and Momos eventually 😂
- Avoid military-run shops
Way overpriced compared to local markets.
- Compare prices in the local market
Especially crockery and gift items.
- Zemithang Tip (important)
If budget allows, take a private cab (~Rs 6000) via Motu Bhai.
Shared cabs kind of force a 2-night stay, which eventually costs similar.
What I’d do in hindsight:
Shared cab to Zemithang
One night stay
Full-day private sightseeing cab with drop back to Tawang
- Cafes worth visiting
Be Happy Cafe
Dharma Cafe
Soinam’s House of Cake
- Shared cab to Guwahati is actually GOOD
I thought it would be exhausting, but it turned out to be one of the most scenic drives of the trip.
Final Thoughts
This itinerary works best for:
Solo travelers
Couples
For groups, private cabs become much more economical.
Personally, I would still avoid taking one private cab from Guwahati for the entire trip because:
The cab stays idle in Tawang
The longer you stay, the less cost-effective it becomes
Arunachal is genuinely one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in India.
Raw. Peaceful. Spiritual. Unfiltered.
Would go back again in a heartbeat ❤️