Bored and frustrated with the grinding of daily life? Well, it is the perfect time for you to look beyond the concrete jungle and book tickets for the amazingly gorgeous Tawang. Located about 9000 ft above the sea level, the mountain town is one of the handful places on Earth that has still not lost its connection with Mother Nature.
Tucked in the bosom of mighty Himalayas, Tawang is one of the least explored lands of India. The road connecting Tawang to Guwahati is laden with potholes and the hairpin bends can give you nightmares even after the trip is over. The scenic beauty; however, can help you overlook all these little inconveniences. Are all set to take the trip? Read on then.
Tips for the Road Trip from Guwahati to Tawang
Traveling through the road to Tawang is one of the most trusted means. You can, however, take a helicopter ride and fly there. Still, the road trip is recommended for the scenic beauty. The road trip from Guwahati to Tawang takes you through some of the fascinating rural areas in the plateaus of Assam in to the hilly terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. An overnight stay at Bomdila, which in itself is renowned for panoramic view of the Himalayan terrain and the beautiful apple orchards, can always be on the cards considering that the ride to Tawang from Guwahati is close to 13 hours. If you happen to visit during the rainy season, be prepared to absorb the beauty of numerous natural waterfalls flowing down the hills over the road through which you will be travelling. You will also be travelling via Sela Pass which, at an altitude of 13000 ft above the sea level, is an experience in itself.
The time you spend on the road will help you acclimatize with the high altitude as well. It is recommended to carry some amount of food and water as parts of the road to Tawang is uninhabited, and if you are not game enough to try some local food then filling yourself for the extent of the journey could be a problem.
Exploring Tawang
Traversing Through the Old Town and Its Prayer Wheels
You will get the real flavor of Tawang once you reach the old town. You can find colorful prayer wheels and Gompa at every nook and corner of the old Tawang. Apart from these, yaks can be found in abundance as well.
When you find a yak, see if you can spot a red woolen ball behind its ears. If you do, know that those yaks are domesticated. Yak milk is a staple for the locals, and the numerous Gompas of the town use yak butter to light their lamps. Rock-hard yak cheese, known as churpi, is a local delicacy that you can try as well.
Tawang Monastery
Missing the hubbubs of a big city? Well, visit Tawang Monastery, and you can see some hustle-bustle. This monastery is the strategic center of Kameng politics as well as a heritage.
Established in the 17th century, it is the second-largest monastery of the country. It is also one of the premier centers for learning about Buddhism. You should have enough time in your hand to explore the library, museum, prayer halls, and other intriguing parts of the monastery.
Brahma-Dung-Chung Ani Gompa
On the mountain just across the Tawang monastery, there’s a Gompa fully run and operated by women. You will not find many tourists to explore this place. The golden-hued wooden houses and the yellow-maroon robe-clad nuns are a welcome change to the regular Buddhist monks you generally see in Tawang.
The Market Area
Even if you don’t want to buy anything, you should pay a visit to the market area of Tawang. Like most of the markets in India, Tawang market is also a whirlpool of dingy narrow lanes and shops. You can take a stroll in the market and try some delicious local food. The best part is, you can have a look at the snow-clad mountain peaks from almost everywhere of the market.
Sela Pass
Being one of the highest-altitude motorable highways, Sela pass is already well known among the travelers. The magnificent views of Sela Pass are enough to take your breath away. You will come across Paradise Lake on the way to the Pass. It is hard to forget the surreal beauty of the frozen Paradise Lake and the snow-covered Sela Pass on a sunny day. Sela Pass is the home to the Sela Lake along with 101 other lakes which are sacred to Tibetan Buddhism.
Nuranang Waterfalls
Unknown to most tourists, Nuranang waterfall offers a dazzling sight to the beholder. Situated between Bomdila and Tawang, this waterfall is a must-visit place if you want to admire the creation of Mother Nature in seclusion.
Taktsang Gompa
Around 50 km away from the old Town of Tawang lies the breathtaking Tasktsang Gompa. This Gompa should be on your travel list if you love the tranquility and peace it offers.
Tawang is not a place that only satiates the little wanderer inside you, with its silence, natural beauty and wonderfully welcoming people, Tawang drenches your soul with warm memories. You will get tired of capturing the wonders of nature and will start wishing if you could ever live in such a wonderful place. Tawang imprints on you, and make you a better person. It the place you should go for a soul-searching experience.
