HEAVENS OF THE EAST (Shillong 2N – Tezpur / Bhalukpong 1N – Dirang 1N – Tawang 2N – Bomdila 1N – Guwahati 1N)

About this tour

Day 01: Guwahati Airport / Rly Station – Shillong (100 kms / 03 hrs.)

On arrival at Guwahati Airport / Railway Station & transfer to Shillong (4,900 ft.), called ‘Scotland of the East”. Enroute visit Umium Lake, a majestic placid lake with its surrounding sylvan hills. On arrival at Shillong, check in at your hotel. Overnight stay at Shillong.

Day 02: Excursion to Cherrapunjee (60 kms / 2 hrs. one way)

After early breakfast drive to Cherrapunjee (4,400 ft.), the wettest place in the world. You will see the beautiful waterfall known as Nohkalikai. You can also explore the caves known as Mawsmai. Evening return to Shillong, enroute visit Elephanta falls and Shillong peak for some breathtaking views. Overnight stay at Shillong.

Day 03: Shillong Sightseeing – Tezpur/Bhalukpong (320 kms / 7 hrs.)

After breakfast visit Don Bosco Museum & Ward’s Lake. Later drive to Tezpur/Bhalukpong. On arrival check in to the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at Tezpur/Bhalukpong.

Day 04: Tezpur/Bhalukpong – Dirang (138 kms / 5 hrs.)

After early breakfast drive to Dirang. On the way visit Tipi Orchidarium situated on the banks of the river Bharali, a place over 500 orchids, on display there are some rare species of orchid. Arunachal has largest range of orchids in the country then take a break to visit Nag Temple. Continue your drive and do not forget to keep your cameras handy as you cross beautiful waterfalls and get some spectacular views.

On arrival check in to the hotel. Afternoon visit Apple orchard & Kiwi Farm (depending upon season), Dirang Monastery and Kalachakra Monastery. Dirang is also famous for hot water springs where people take bath to cure skin ailments. Overnight stay at Dirang

Note: Every Indian tourist visiting Arunachal Pradesh has to obtain ILP (Inner Line Permit) at Bhalukpong border before entering the state against submission of photo identity card and two copies of passport size photographs.

Day 05: Dirang – Tawang (130 kms / 5 hrs.)

After early breakfast proceed to Tawang the Land of Hidden Paradise. On the way enjoy the beauty of Sela Pass (13700 Ft) a border line between two districts i.e Tawang & West KamengTawang, Sela Lake a small lake, which remains frozen for most of the year. Further drive to 10 kms visit Jaswantgarh War Memorial – a memorial to the brave soldier who single handily tried to hold of approaching Chinese from the pass during the 1962 Indo-Chinese war.  Later visit majesty of Nuranng Falls where scenes from the SRK-Madhuri Dixit starrer “Koyla” were shot.  Arrive & check in to the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at Tawang.

Day 06: Tawang Sightseeing

After breakfast visit Tawang Monstery world famous seventeenth century Tawang Monastery, also known as Galden Namgyal Lhatse which overlooks the wide Tawang Valley at a height of 10,000 ft. The monastery is a vast complex of 65 buildings housing Lamas and antique scriptures written in gold letters and ancient scripture, images and has an eight meters high gilded Buddha statue. It is the largest monastery in the Himalayan region and the second oldest monastery in Asia. Five hundred lamas live in its residential buildings and it is rich in.

Later visit Urgeling Gompa, 6^th Dalai Lama’s birth place who is the only Indian to have risen to such a high position in Gelupka Sect of Buddhism so far. Inside the monastery there are several Stupas (Vihar) and people from all walks of life visit this place during Buddhist new year to get the blessing for the coming year. Then proceed to the War Memorial which is dedicated to the martyrs of the 1962 Sino-Indian war. The memorial is 40-foot-high and like a stupa in design. It is locally called ‘Namgyal Chortan’. The names of 2420 martyrs imprinted in gold on 32 black granite plagues.

You can also visit the craft center in Tawang sells beautiful masks, hand woven carpets, jewellery in silver, coral and amber, ‘chubas’ the local dressand delightful affordable mementos. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Tawang.

Day 07: Tawang – Bomdila (170 kms / 6 hrs.)

After breakfast transfer to Bomdila (8,200 ft.) – the head quarter of West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh and also known for its Buddhist monasteries. It has a lot of attractions for the visitors for its cool climate. On arrival check in to the hotel. Later visit Gontse Rabgyaling Monastery (Upper Gonpa), Thub-Chog Gatsel Ling Monastery (Lower Gonpa). Bomdila offers wonderfully panoramic view of Himalayan landscapes and snow-clad ranges. Evening you can visit the local market. Overnight stay at Bomdila.

Day 08: Bomdila – Guwahati (307 kms / 7 hrs.)

After Breakfast transfer to Guwahati. On arrival check in at your hotel. Evening free for individual activities. Overnight stay at Guwahati.

Day 09: Hotel – Guwahati Airport / Rly Station

After breakfast visit Kamakhya Temple (Notes -Timing 08:00 A.M till 01:00 P.M & 3:00 P.M till its gets dark). Transfer to Guwahati Airport / Railway Station for your onward journey.

Note: Temple visit will depend on your departure time. It May be done on previous day.