Do Indians need an ILP for Arunachal Pradesh?

Yes. All Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh need an Inner Line Permit. You can apply online on the official e-ILP portal with a photo and a government ID.

How long does it take to drive from Guwahati to Tawang?

Plan two days each way. Most travellers stop overnight at Dirang or Bomdila. The Sela Tunnel, open since March 2024, saves about an hour and keeps the road open in winter.

What is the best time to visit Tawang?

March to June and September to November. December to February brings snow and very cold nights, and July to August has heavy rain and landslides.

Can I visit Bum La Pass?

Yes, with a separate permit that is arranged in Tawang a day before. The pass can be closed at short notice because of weather or army orders.

Can foreigners visit Arunachal Pradesh?

Yes, with a Protected Area Permit (PAP) arranged through a registered tour operator. Rules can change, so apply well before your trip.

Arunachal Pradesh Travel Guide: Tawang, Ziro & ILP

Arunachal Pradesh is India's largest Northeast state and its most mountainous. It shares borders with Bhutan, China and Myanmar, and is home to dozens of tribes, each with its own language and festivals. For most travellers, Arunachal means the road to Tawang: over high passes, past waterfalls and frozen lakes, to one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world.

Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh

Every Indian citizen from outside Arunachal needs an Inner Line Permit to enter the state. The good news: it is fully online.

Go to the official e-ILP portal of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Choose a tourist ILP and fill in your travel dates and places (for example Bomdila, Dirang, Tawang).
Upload a recent photo and an ID such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence.
Pay the small fee online and download the permit. It usually arrives within a day or two.

Carry two printed copies and your original ID. The permit is checked at the entry gate, usually at Bhalukpong on the Tawang route. Fees and validity change from time to time, so check the official portal before you pay. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) instead, arranged through a registered tour operator.

If you travel with us, we apply for the ILP for your whole group.

Top places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh

1. Tawang

At about 3,000 m, Tawang is the highlight of any Arunachal trip.

Tawang Monastery, founded in the 17th century, is the largest monastery in India. Visit for the morning prayers and the huge golden Buddha.
Tawang War Memorial, dedicated to the soldiers of the 1962 war.
Sangetsar (Madhuri) Lake and PT Tso Lake, high-altitude lakes that freeze in winter.
Bum La Pass on the India–China border. A visit needs a separate permit arranged in Tawang a day before, and it may be closed at short notice.

2. Sela Pass and Sela Tunnel

Sela Pass, at about 13,700 ft, is the gateway to Tawang, with the sacred Sela Lake just below the top. Since March 2024, the Sela Tunnel keeps the road open in winter and cuts about an hour from the drive. You can still take the old road over the pass for the view when weather allows.

3. Dirang and Bomdila

These are the usual overnight stops between Guwahati and Tawang. Dirang is a warm valley with apple and kiwi orchards, hot springs and an old stone fort village. Bomdila has monasteries and views of the Himalaya.

4. Ziro Valley

Ziro, in central Arunachal, is a wide valley of rice fields and pine hills, home to the Apatani tribe. It is famous for its sustainable farming and the Ziro Festival of Music, usually held in late September. Ziro is reached via Itanagar.

5. Offbeat Arunachal

Adventurous travellers can head to Mechuka, a remote valley near the Chinese border, Namdapha National Park for rainforest and rare wildlife, or Pasighat on the Siang river.

Best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh

March to June: Pleasant days, rhododendrons in bloom and open high roads.
September to November: Clear skies and great mountain views after the rains. Our favourite season.
December to February: Snow at Sela Pass and Tawang. Beautiful, but very cold (well below zero at night). Some lakes and Bum La may be closed.
July and August: Heavy rain and landslides. Best avoided for Tawang.

7-day Tawang itinerary from Guwahati

Day 1: Guwahati to Bhalukpong or Dirang. ILP check at the Arunachal border.
Day 2: Dirang to Tawang via Sela Pass and Jaswant Garh war memorial.
Day 3: Tawang Monastery, War Memorial and local market.
Day 4: Excursion to Sangetsar Lake and PT Tso (and Bum La if open).
Day 5: Tawang to Dirang. Hot springs and orchards.
Day 6: Dirang to Guwahati or Tezpur.
Day 7: Departure from Guwahati.

See our Arunachal Pradesh tour packages, or tell us your dates on the plan my trip page.

Tips for the Tawang road

Altitude: Tawang and Sela are high. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol on the first day and climb slowly through Dirang.
Warm clothes: Even in summer, nights are cold. In winter, pack thermals, gloves and a heavy jacket.
Car: Use an SUV with an experienced hill driver. Our Guwahati to Tawang taxi drivers do this route every week.
Network: Mobile signal drops on the passes. Download offline maps.
Photography: Do not photograph army camps or vehicles.

Planning more of the Northeast? Start with our Northeast India travel guide.