DURATION : 14 NIGHTS & 15 DAYS

WEST ARUNACHAL EPIC EXPEDITION

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About The Trip

Embark on an exciting Self Drive road trip expedition through Tawang, Ziro, Majuli, Kaziranga, and Cherrapunji to the North East of India which will introduce you to a fascinating land shrouded in mystery. It’s where the mighty Brahmaputra meets the allure of Khangchendzonga offering a unique blend of cultural diversity along with different landscapes and wild life.

Each of these destinations offers a unique blend of cultural richness and natural wonders. In Tawang, discover the majestic Tawang Monastery and traverse the breathtaking landscapes of Sela Pass. Journey south to Ziro Valley, where the Apatani tribe’s unique paddy-cum-fish agriculture and vibrant festivals await. Majuli, the river island on the Brahmaputra, invites you to explore ancient Satras and experience the tranquility of river life. Kaziranga National Park beckons with wildlife safaris amid lush greenery, showcasing the rich biodiversity of the region. Finally, in Cherrapunji, witness the living root bridges, dramatic waterfalls like Nohkalikai, and lush Khasi Hills landscapes. This road trip promises an immersive adventure, weaving together cultural diversity, scenic beauty, and wildlife encounters for an unforgettable journey through the Northeastern wonders of India.

Trip Details

Duration

14 Nights / 15 Days

Trip Dates

September 2025

Locations

9 Drive KMs

2243 KMs (Est.)

Trip Type

Self Drive 4x4

Trip Cost

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Guwahati (GAU)

You will meet our representative on arrival and then escorted to your hotel. Overnight at Guwahati. (Option to visit the The Kamakhya Temple which is the most revered and also one of the oldest of the 51 shaktipeethas in India).

Day 2 - Guwahati to Shergaon

Today our expedition begins by driving across Assam to reach the State Border Outpost of Balemu close to Bhutan which you can see just across the river. We will enter the hills of Arunachal Pradesh from here onwards and drive along the winding Kalaktang road which passes through mountains covered with lush green dense vegetation.

Our first destination on this expedition will be Shergaon which is a small settlement of the Sherdukpen people. It is a less known and an offbeat destination very unique and close to nature. A perfect introduction to the natural beauty which awaits the destinations that is to come. On arrival we will check into resort and later explore Shergaon which offers shorts hikes through villages with Apple and Persimmon orchids. They are also engaged in growing cabbage and tomatoes. Before leaving for Dirang the next morning, we will have time to visit the small but beautiful Zengbu Gompa (monastery) and to take a morning hike through nearby forested areas and valleys.

Day 3 - Shergaon to Dirang. Via Mandala Top

After breakfast we will drive to Dirang taking the less travelled road via Mandala Top avoiding the main highway. We will make frequent stops along way for taking pictures and stop at Mandala situated at 3000m which is a birders paradise with alpine vegetation and forest including Rhododendron and fir trees. It does snow in Mandala during winters and once you get to the top you get a full panoramic view of the Sela range which you would be crossing the following day. Dirang valley is a tiny town surrounded by apple and kiwi orchards making it picturesque. We will reach Dirang for lunch and later visit the Sangti valley for an evening birding and to enjoy the picturesque landscape of the valley. It is 9kms away and is famous for the Siberian Black Necked Storks that visit the place during winters. Only a few kms away from Dirang town lies Old Dirang which has the only one of its kind in the entire area, Dirang Dzong or the locally known as “ JONG” – the fort. It is an important historical monument for the Monpas of Dirang circle. Built in the 17th century, it was also the centre of Military and Judicial activities concerning the entire population within its jurisdiction in which the entire village could take refuge at the time of war.

Day 4 - Dirang to Tawang

After breakfast, drive to Tawang crossing the high motor able pass at nearly 4200m. We will have time to make frequent stops for pictures and to enjoy the landscape as we slowly drive up to Sella Pass. The journey from Dirang to Sela Pass will take you through the Dirang valley passing through many villages along the way and later to the alpine area as you drive along the meandering road going up to Sela Pass. We can also stop and explore Sella Pass for alpine flora and birds and visit the Jaswant Garh War Memorial. After a hot cup of tea at the War Memorial we will continue our journey down to the valley passing through the scenic Jang settlement. A quick stop at the Nuranang waterfall will give us the opportunity to stretch our legs a bit before we take on the final stage of our journey to reach Tawang.

Day 5 - Tawang to Shonga-tser Lake to Zemithang to Tawang

Today we will make a round trip from Tawang visiting Shonga-tser Lake situated at an elevation of 3700m and then back via Zemithang. The lake is surrounded by wonderfully lush valleys, and snow-capped mountains.. The drive to the lake offers off-road terrain at high elevation passing through alpine meadows and numerous lakes. From Shonga-tser Lake we will slowly head down to an elevation of 2500m to Zemithang valley known for its expansive farmlands, wide-open valleys surrounded by mountains and the famous 12th century old Gorsam Chorten. Zemithang is located near the Bhutan border to the West and Tibet to the North. It is from here that the 14th Dalai Lama entered India during his flight from Chinese occupied Tibet in 1959. It is located along the banks of the Nyamjang Chu River and the people of the area are reffered to as Pangchenpa. On arriving Tawang, if time permits you can visit the historical Tawang monastery which is the largest of its kind in the country and 2nd largest in Asia and the local market at to get up close with the locals or to find something to take back home as a souvenir.

Day 6 - Tawang to Tenga

After breakfast visit the War Memorial dedicated to the 1962 war between India and China and then continues your journey. We will go over the Sela Pass once again and follow the Tawang road to reach Tenga Valley where we will check into one of the best family run Homestay in the area. We will spend the night here to break our long journey to Ziro from Tawang.

Day 7 - Tenga to Ziro

Today we will make an early start towards Ziro valley taking the newly built road going through country side and forest areas west of Tenga avoiding the busy roads of Assam. Ziro valley is a beautiful plateau and the headquarters of Lower Subansiri District considered as one of the oldest towns in Arunachal Pradesh. It is mainly inhabited by the Apatani tribe.

Day 8 - Experiencing Ziro

After breakfast explore Ziro Valley. With their festivals, customs and traditions which are distinctive as the tribe itself and women know for their face tattoo, explore the different villages situated around the valley to understand the unusual culture, tradition and agro practices of the Apatani people. We will first take you to a hill top which offers as a view point giving you a great view of the valley below covered with paddy fields and scattered villages. Ziro valley is famous for paddy-cum-pisciculture cultivation. The area is renowned for the terrace paddy fields where the unique system of polyculture and water management is practiced by the local people. We can also visit the Handicraft center located in town and the local market bustling with activity as villagers set up stalls with varied local organic vegetables, weaves, fruits, flowers, eatables, different meats, handloom and handicrafts and get close to the locals.

Day 9 - Ziro to Majuli

Today we will drive down to the plains of Assam leaving behind the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh to witness the rich Assamese culture in Majuli that will surprise you on your first visit.

Majuli is the large river island in the Brahmaputra River and one of the most beautiful places in Assam. It has been preserving a lot of its heritage through Satras, which are home to traditional religious practices, art, literature, dancing and theater. The Institution of Satra is a unique feature of Vaishnavism in Assam, founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture. Many monasteries constructed by the Assamese Saint still survive and depict the vibrant culture of Assam.

Day 10 - Explore Majuli

A full day’s activity awaits you today as we explore Majuli. Majuli is a place where many tribal groups reside such as the Mishing, Deoris, Ahoms, and Sonowal Kacharis, resulting in a diverse display of social culture, tradition, food and colorful festivals.

Today we will visit Hindu monasteries (Satra) full of religious artwork. Manikanchan Sanjog” is the first satra that is still present up to this day.

Chamoguri satra’s devotees are world famous craftsmen still practicing the art of masks making. The mask is done from the inspiration of character from the Bhagwat Gita.

The entire island of Majuli is inhabited by farming and tribal communities. One can go on a village tour of Majuli Island where you can expect to see villagers practicing the ancient craft of boat making, pottery and hand looming for which the region is famous for.

Day 11 - Majuli to Kaziranga

As there is no concrete road connection on the southern banks of Majuli connecting Jorhat, hence today we will take on the ferry to get to the mainland of Assam crossing the Brahmaputra River from Kamalabari Ghat. With our vehicles loaded on to the ferry it takes around an hour to get to the other side.

Once we disembark at Nimati Ghat, we will continue our journey to Kaziranga. Kaziranga National Park is one the best places in the world to see the very rare Great Indian One-horned Rhino. Indian Elephants are plentiful, as are herds of wild Water Buffalo, Grazing Sambar, Hog Deer and Swamp Deer which all live here. Kaziranga boasts a tremendously varied bird list which includes many rare and local species. The wetlands attract large numbers of storks, herons, wildfowl and waders and there are significant numbers of Spot-billed Pelicans, Bar-headed Geese and Black-necked, Greater and Lesser Adjutant Stork. Raptors like Grey-headed or Pallas’s Fish-Eagles can be found.

On arrival we will have lunch and later embark on an evening game drive. If time permits we can also visit the Orchid and Biodiversity Park in Durgapur Village which has more than 600 species of wild orchids collected from all across the north-east India region. It also has a medicinal plant garden, rice museum along with a product distribution centre, a separate museum showcasing the traditional artifacts used by the different Assamese tribes. A short cultural show is also performed for the visitors to sit and enjoy.

Day 12 - Kaziranga to Cherrapunji

Early morning wake-up for an elephant-back safari in the national park. Spend an hour on elephants and get up close and personal to the endangered unicorn rhino. Morning is the best time to spot animals in Kaziranga. Return to the resort for breakfast and later drive to the hills of Meghalaya, a place of the rich cultural and traditional heritage of tribes like the Khasi, Garo and Jaintia. Unlike what we have seen before, this will be a totally new experience for you as you enter Meghalaya. Enroute , you will see the Umium Lake, a majestic placid lake with its surrounding sylvan hills. On arrival at Cherrapunji, check in at your hotel.

Day 13 - Explore Mawlynnong and Dawki

Drive to Mawlynnong in the morning, a village located in the East Khasi Hills known for its cleanliness which is located around 80 kms from Cherrapunji and is a community based eco-tourism initiative. The community has made collective effort to maintain the ambience of a clean village. Visit the living-root bridge located in the nearby Riwai village. The roots of rubber and beetle trees are deeply intertwined to construct these natural bridges which is a perfect example of how the people of Meghalaya have managed to live in harmony with nature. Post lunch drive another 30kms down to Dawki at the bottom of the West Jaintia Hill. The town of Dawki is located near the border of India and Bangladesh serving as an important trade center between countries.

Dawki River called Wah Umngot is popular for its stunning clear transparent water, natural beauty and is considered as the cleanest river in the country. Dawki offers a wide range of tourist attractions including waterfalls and limestone caves and water sports adventures such as snorkeling, kayaking and boating on the Umngot River. Drive back to Cherrapunji.

Day 14 - Explore Cherrapunji

Optional day hike (Half day hike, initial steep downhill but along concrete steps) to the double Decker living Root Bridge walking through villages and crossing a few suspension bridges. Post lunch; visit the Arwah Cave notable for its fossils, which are abundant within the cave and found imprinted all over the walls and ceiling of the cave. The fossils were left by gastropods and other marine creatures, indicating that this area was once underneath the ocean once. Visit the viewpoint to see the Nohkalikai Falls and Kho Rambha (Overlooking Bangladesh and Shella) which is situated around Cherrapunji. A leisurely walk to the nearby viewpoint overlooking the plains of Bangladesh in the evening to end the day.

Day 15 - Cherrapunji to Guwahati

Today we will drive back to Guwahati leaving the Meghalaya plateau behind. We will making occasional stops along the way. En route we can stop at Mylliem village (blacksmith village) to see the blacksmiths at work forging indigenous farm tools using ordinary hearth, age old bellow blower, hammers, anvils, quenching troughs. After an extraordinary expedition covering various grounds and experiencing diverse culture we will bid farewell to this small part of North East India experience.

Option to catch an evening flight or to spend the night in Guwahati taking a sun set cruise on Brahmaputra River.

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