Sela Pass stands at about 4,170 m, and local Buddhist tradition says there are about 101 sacred lakes in and around the pass. The main lake beside the road sits at roughly 4,160 m.
Source: Sela Pass
Pass in Arunachal
Sela Pass
A 4,170 m pass, a sacred lake and the new tunnel below
Sela Pass is the 4,170 m gateway to Tawang, with a sacred lake beside the road and snow for much of winter. Since March 2024 the Sela Tunnel offers an all-weather route below it. Most travellers stop for 30–60 minutes on the way to Tawang, or make a half-day trip from Tawang, 78 km away.
Photo: Dhrubazaanphotography · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsSela Pass is the highest point most travellers reach in Arunachal. The road from Dirang climbs through fir and rhododendron forest, past yak herders' huts and army camps, to a bare saddle at about 4,170 m marked by a large gateway and strings of prayer flags. Just below it lies Sela lake, at about 4,160 m, which freezes white in winter and shines dark blue in spring and autumn.
Local Buddhist tradition holds that there are about 101 sacred lakes in and around the pass. Monpa families travelling between Dirang and Tawang often stop to add a prayer flag or light incense. The air is thin, the wind is cold even in May, and the weather turns fast: a clear morning can give way to cloud and sleet by noon, so the best visits are early.
In March 2024 the Sela Tunnel was opened below the pass, built by the Border Roads Organisation to keep Tawang connected through winter snow. It saves about 10 km and an hour on the Dirang–Tawang drive. The old road over the top remains the scenic choice in good weather, and many drivers take the tunnel one way and the pass the other. Check current status before you travel.
Say it like a local · Tibetan and MonpaTso
lake
What to do in Sela Pass
Sela lake
The lake lies just below the pass at about 4,160 m. In winter it freezes solid and is ringed by snow; from April to November it is open water reflecting the ridges. Walk a short way along the shore, but do not throw anything into the water.
The pass gateway and prayer flags
A painted gateway marks the top of the pass. Monpa travellers tie prayer flags here and burn juniper. It is a good place to stop for ten minutes, take photos and feel the altitude before driving on.
Nuranang Falls at Jang
On the Tawang side, about 40 km before Tawang town, the Nuranang river drops about 100 m in a white curtain near Jang. A short walk leads to the viewpoint, and a small hydroelectric plant sits at the base.
The Sela Tunnel
Opened in March 2024, the twin-tube tunnel lets traffic bypass the pass when snow or ice closes the top. It is not a sightseeing stop, but it makes winter trips to Tawang far more reliable.
Snow from December to March
Sela usually holds snow through the coldest months, and travellers from the plains often see their first snowfall here. Roads can close briefly after heavy falls, and drivers fit chains when needed.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Sela Pass
The Sela Tunnel project has two tunnels, one 980 m single-tube and one 1,555 m twin-tube, linked by a 1,200 m road. It was built by the Border Roads Organisation under Project Vartak and dedicated in March 2024.
Source: Sela Tunnel
Nuranang Falls near Jang, on the Tawang side of the pass, is a curtain waterfall about 100 m high fed by a river that rises on Sela's northern slopes. A small hydroelectric plant at its base supplies local power.
Source: Nuranang Falls
Experiences
Three days worth having in Sela Pass
Photo: Dhrubazaanphotography · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Sela Pass · 1 hour at the top; half day from Tawang
Morning at Sela lake and the pass
Stand at 4,170 m beside a sacred lake, with prayer flags snapping and ridges all around. A short, cold, beautiful stop …
Free; taxi ₹3,500–5,000 per vehicle from Tawang
Photo: Sdasamdabad · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Sela Pass · 1–1.5 hours
Nuranang Falls near Jang
A curtain waterfall about 100 m high on the Tawang side of Sela, fed by snowmelt from the pass. An easy walk from the r…
Free or small local fee; on the Tawang taxi route
Photo: Kunal Dalui · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Sela Pass · Half day from Tawang or Dirang
First snow day at Sela in winter
For many travellers from the plains, Sela is where they touch snow for the first time. Expect deep drifts, a frozen lak…
Taxi ₹3,500–5,000 per vehicle; boot and coat hire ₹150–300 per …
Real prices
What things cost in Sela Pass
ItemIndicative 2026
Reserved taxi, Tawang–Sela–Tawang half day₹3,500–5,000 per vehicle
Shared Sumo seat, Dirang–Tawang (passes Sela)₹700–1,000
Tea and Maggi at the pass café₹50–150
Snow boots and coat hire at Sela, winter₹150–300 per item
Nuranang Falls entryFree or a small local fee
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Sela Pass
Air
The nearest airport is Tezpur, about 240 km south. Most visitors reach Sela on the road from Guwahati or Tezpur to Tawang, not as a separate trip.
Bus
Every shared Sumo between Dirang and Tawang crosses Sela or uses the tunnel. Sumos usually pause briefly at the top in good weather; ask the driver, and do not expect a long stop.
Road
From Tawang it is about 78 km and 2.5–3 hours; from Dirang about 60 km and 2–2.5 hours. A reserved taxi lets you stop at the lake, the pass and Nuranang Falls at your own pace.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Sela Pass
There is nowhere for travellers to sleep at Sela Pass itself, and sleeping at 4,000 m without acclimatisation is not advisable. Saver: stay in homestays in Dirang or Tawang and visit as part of the transit day. Comfort: Dirang's riverside cottages or a good Tawang hotel make the best bases. Signature: Vivanta Tawang or Rungkhung Village Resort near Dirang, with a private car to time the crossing for the clearest morning.
Questions
Sela Pass, answered
What is the altitude of Sela Pass?
Sela Pass is at about 4,170 m (13,700 ft) on the road between Dirang and Tawang. Sela lake beside it is at roughly 4,160 m. This is high enough for headaches and breathlessness, so walk slowly and keep stops short if you have not acclimatised.
Is Sela Pass open all year?
The pass road is usually open year-round, but snow and ice can close it temporarily, mostly between December and March. The Sela Tunnel offers an all-weather route below it since March 2024. Check current status before you travel.
How far is Sela Pass from Tawang and Dirang?
Sela is about 78 km and 2.5–3 hours from Tawang, and about 60 km and 2–2.5 hours from Dirang. Most travellers pass it on the Dirang–Tawang day, which takes 5–6 hours in total with stops.
Do I need a permit for Sela Pass?
Your Inner Line Permit for Indians, or Protected Area Permit for foreigners, must cover West Kameng and Tawang districts, since the pass lies on their boundary. No separate permit is needed for the pass itself. Carry your printout and ID for checkpoints.
Is Sela Pass safe for children and senior citizens?
A short stop is generally fine for healthy children and older travellers, but the altitude and cold are real. Keep the visit under an hour, dress everyone warmly, and descend if anyone feels dizzy or short of breath. Talk to your doctor before the trip if there are heart or lung conditions.
What is the Sela Tunnel?
It is a road tunnel system below Sela Pass, built by the Border Roads Organisation and dedicated in March 2024. It includes a 980 m single-tube tunnel and a 1,555 m twin-tube tunnel. It shortens the Dirang–Tawang drive by about 10 km and keeps the route open in snow.
Should I take the tunnel or the pass?
On a clear day, take the old road over the pass at least one way for the lake and views. Use the tunnel when snow, ice or cloud make the top unpleasant or closed. Many drivers go over the pass on the way to Tawang and through the tunnel on the way back.
Is there food and a toilet at Sela Pass?
A café at the pass usually serves tea, noodles and snacks, and basic toilets are available nearby. Facilities are simple and can close in bad weather. Carry water and some snacks, and take all waste back with you.
What should I wear at Sela Pass?
Wear a warm jacket, fleece, hat, gloves and sturdy shoes in every season, plus sunglasses and sunscreen. In winter add thermal layers and waterproof boots, or hire boots at the roadside stalls. Wind makes the pass feel much colder than the thermometer suggests.