Tawang is nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, offering aesthetic views that anyone would die for. The mountainous landscape of this city makes it an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts. Therefore, the things to do in Tawang are nothing less than a step into paradise for these adrenaline junkies. This Winterland offers the tourists everything that will make their vacation here a memorable one, a story to tell their friends repeatedly. From gorgeous valleys to snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, and much more. This is what makes this city in Arunachal Pradesh a hotspot for tourists from all over the world. So, you can’t miss out on these exciting activities that await here for you to try.
Best Things to Do in Tawang: An Ideal Destination for All Travelers
Regardless of whether you’re an adventure baby, a nature lover, or a lazy bum, there’s something for everyone here. The history, religious significance and cultural richness makes this an ideal place for every kind of traveler. Those who’re looking for adventure can explore the mountainous landscape, nature lovers can sit amidst the lush greenery, and the people who’re more into leisure can enjoy a day by the lakeside.
These are the 8 adventure activities in Tawang
- Meditate at Taktsang Gompa
- Take a Trip to Sela Pass
- Sit by the Nuranang Waterfalls
- Hike to the Gorichen Peak
- Shop at Tibetan Settlement Market
- Enjoy the Sight of Madhuri Lake
- River Rafting at Kameng River
- Soak in the View at Bumla Pass
1. Meditate at Taktsang Gompa
The peace at Taktsang Gompa is contagious because the calmness you feel in the surroundings would soon spread inside you, that's the beauty of this place. This serenity might be because of its location atop a hillock at an altitude of around 13,000 ft, surrounded by coniferous trees, and mist-covered hills or it could be because of the pious aura of this place itself. Regardless of the reason, you must try meditating at this place even if for 10 minutes because it’ll be an exhilarating experience. This white and yellow monastery is a relatively small one, but still quite famous among pilgrims and tourists, making it one of the places to visit in Tawang.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 39 km
Travel Tips for Taktsang Gompa
- Wear clothes covering your shoulders and ankles
- Avoid visiting during winter and monsoon season
- Respect the religious sentiments
2. Take a Trip to Sela Pass
You can take a trip to heaven and back just by traveling to Sela Pass because of its mystical beauty, enhanced by the snow-covered places, the view of the magnificent Himalayas, and the enchanting Sela Lake. The highlight is that this place is also one of the highest motorable roads in the world and is surrounded by 101 lakes. These lakes are considered holy by the Buddhists, and they believe that their water is sacred. Located at an altitude of around 4170 m, you’ll truly feel like being in paradise, so add this to your list of fun things to do in Tawang for a magical and adventurous time.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: November to May
- Timings: 7 A.M to 7 P.M
- Ideal duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 73 km
Travel Tips for Sela Pass
- Don’t visit during monsoon as the roads become slippery
- You’ll require an Inner Line Permit to access this place
- Wear multiple layers of clothes to avoid frost bites
- Don’t have a heavy meal before the hike
Suggested Read: Attractions in Sikkim: The Gateway to North-East India
3. Sit by the Nuranang Waterfalls
If you wish to see nature’s wonder, then the Nuranang Waterfalls is among the best attractions in Arunachal Pradesh that you can come across. The milky white-water cascading down the rocky surface of the hills, engulfed in verdant greenery is truly a place where every nature lover would love to be. Falling from a height of around 100 m, the sound of the waterfalls is the only sound you hear in this tranquil environment. Famously known as Bong Bong Waterfalls, Jang Waterfalls, or Bap Ten Kang, the base of this waterfall is also ideal for swimming. There’s also a hydel power plant nearby that generates electricity for the surrounding areas. Overall, this is a must-visit place because of its breathtaking beauty.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: February to November
- Timings: 6 A.M to 6 P.M
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 31 km
Travel Tips for Nuranang Waterfalls
- You must get a permit to visit this waterfall
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Carry an extra set of clothes
Suggested Read: Temples in South India: That Sing the Glory of Sanatana
4. Hike to the Gorichen Peak
Hiking to the highest peak in Arunachal Pradesh sounds thrilling, right? Well, you can experience this thrill by hiking to Gorichen Peak at an altitude of approximately 22,500 ft. Also known as Sa Nga Phu, which means the “Kingdom of Deity,” this peak is considered sacred by the Monpa Tribe as they believe it protects them from evil. Don’t underestimate the hike to this peak because it’s going to be a challenging one; however, the gorgeous views from the top and on the journey would make it all worthwhile. It’ll take around 1 week to climb this peak and only experienced hikers would be able to accomplish it. However, you can admire the glory of this peak from anywhere.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: April to June or September to October
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Ideal duration: Around 7 days
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 164 km
Travel Tips for Gorichen Peak
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes
- Carry a lightweight backpack
- Stay hydrated
- Visit the Nuranang Falls near the peak
Suggested Read: Treks in Himachal Pradesh to Wander into the Wild
5. Shop at Tibetan Settlement Market
Shopping at this market, also known as Vihara Market, with authentic Tibetan items, such as Chinese crockery, prayer wheels, prayer flags, wall hangings, handicrafts, artworks, and so on at your disposal makes the experience even better. Therefore, it’s considered one of the popular things to do in India because each place offers a variety of items unique to that place. You’ll even come across several eateries offering Tibetan food and snacks, and you must savor these for an enriching experience. From the regional delight thukpa to everyone’s favorite momos, you can try it all. You can buy religious things from here as well, such as a small idol of Lord Buddha to take back home and souvenirs for your friends and family.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: September to October
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 40 km
Travel Tips for Tibetan Settlement Market
- Bargain for prices
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Stay hydrated
- Try the local cuisine
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6. Enjoy the Sight of Madhuri Lake
Madhuri Lake or the Shonga Tser Lake is one of the most famous places to travel in India because it’s named after a lead Bollywood actress, Madhuri Dixit after her movie Koyla was filmed here. This is one of the remote lakes in Tawang that would offer you privacy and a serene atmosphere to spend time with your loved ones. Located at an altitude of around 12,000 ft. above sea level, this lake is surrounded by mighty mountains, lush greenery, picturesque views. You can stroll around the lake, admire the beauty of the blooming flowers or the mist-covered surroundings, depending on the season you visit. After all, it’s one of the things to do in Tawang with family. Buddhists from Tibet and India come to this place once a year at least to pray.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: March to May or October to November
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 36 km
Travel Tips for Madhuri Lake
- Carry warm jackets
- Only Indian Nationals can visit this place after acquiring a permit
- You can eat snacks from the Army Cafeteria
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7. River Rafting at Kameng River
Your adrenaline is about to reach sky high as you indulge in this adventure in Tawang. River rafting is one of the most thrilling activities to do and the strong currents of Kameng River are ideal for this adventure. With aesthetic views and lush greenery surrounding the lake, your experience of rafting would be an excellent one. The best part is that you don’t require any rafting experience to try this, one of the most famous adventure sports in Tawang. So, sit tight and enjoy the rapids in the water as you are guided to the end point in the most fun way possible.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: October to mid-February
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 106 km
Travel Tips for Rafting in Kameng River
- Listen to the safety instructions carefully
- Avoid visiting during monsoon
- Book your rafting tour after arriving in Tawang
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8. Soak in the View at Bumla Pass
One of the most popular things to do in Tawang is to visit Bumla Pass, which is located at the Indo-China border at an altitude of around 15,200 ft. The stunning views of the city from here would leave you in awe and the snow-covered paths enhance this place’s beauty manifolds. You’ll feel the patriotism coursing through you as you walk around exploring this area. This is also believed to be the path from where Dalai Lama came to India after escaping from Tibet. You’ll require a special permit to visit this place, so make all the arrangements accordingly.
Additional Information
- Best time to visit: October to April
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Ideal duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Distance from Tawang: Approx. 53 km
Travel Tips for Bumla Pass
- You must apply for the permit a few days before visiting this place
- Carry warm jackets
- Wear comfortable shoes
Suggested Read: Places to Explore in Gangtok, Sikkim to Create Special Memories
When it comes to the things to do in Tawang, you can never go wrong with the adventure activities mentioned above. These activities suit every traveler and is a combination of fun and thrill. This gorgeous city in Arunachal Pradesh deserves to be recognized as the new adventure destination for thrill seekers because of its diverse landscape and mesmerizing views. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Tawang tour packages right away for a magical holiday in the midst of snow, greenery, and mountains.
FAQs
You can enjoy the following adventure activities in Tawang:
- River rafting
- Hiking
- Mountain climbing
- Shopping
Yes, Sela Pass is covered in snow throughout the year because it’s located at an altitude of around 4170m. It’s ideal to visit this place during summer or winter, though.
Bumla Pass is open to tourists; however, they’ll have to get a special permit to visit this place. It’s a strategic border between India and China; therefore, you require a pass to access it.
There are several famous markets in Tawang, but you must visit the Old Market, Nehru Market, and Tibetan Settlement Market. You can buy prayer flags, handicrafts, artworks, prayer wheels, and much more.
Some of the popular dishes in Tawang include thukpa, momos, zan, gyapa khazi, and many more. Savoring the local cuisine of this place should definitely be on your bucket list.
Yes, staying in the Tawang Monastery is possible during your visit. It’ll help you learn more about the culture and religion of the place and is budget friendly as well.
The best time to visit Tawang is March to June and September to October. It allows you to see the city blooming in the summers and covered in snow as the winter begins.
Tawang is absolutely safe for solo travelers; however, do take the basic precautions to make your vacation here a memorable one.
