Himalaya only · Saver trips from ₹7,500
Try "Spiti", "snow leopard", "Char Dham", "homestay", "Tiger's Nest"
Route · Arunachal
The great day of the western circuit: up from Dirang through Baisakhi to Sela Pass at about 4,170 m, or through the Sela Tunnel, then down past Jaswantgarh and Jang to Tawang. About 140 km and 5–6 hours.
Photo: Kthatapalli · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsEvery way to go
| How | Time | Cost, indicative 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Sumo | 5–6 h | ₹500–800 a seat |
| APSTS bus | 6–7 h | ₹300–450 |
| Private car | 5–6 h | ₹6,000–9,000 one way |
Tawang-bound Sumos from Bomdila and Tezpur pass through Dirang in the morning, and a few start from Dirang. Book a seat the evening before. Sumos usually take the tunnel and stop briefly for tea; they do not wait at the lake.
State buses between Tezpur or Bomdila and Tawang pass through Dirang on set days. They are slow and infrequent; check the schedule locally.
A private car lets you take the old road over Sela Pass when it is open, stop at Sela Lake, the Jaswantgarh memorial and Nuranang Falls near Jang. On clear winter mornings, leave early for the best views.
At each end
Photo: Itrajib · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Orchards, hot springs and yaks on the road to Tawang
Photo: Kthatapalli · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
India's largest monastery above a Monpa valley town
Questions
About 140 km and 5–6 hours with short stops at Sela and Jang. Snow or fog can add time.
The tunnel, opened in 2024, bypasses the highest part of the pass so traffic can move in heavy snow. You can still take the old road over the pass for the lake and views when it is open.
Some people get a headache or breathlessness at about 4,170 m. Sleep in Dirang first, drink water, keep the stop short and go down if you feel unwell. Talk to your doctor if you have heart or lung conditions.
Usually, thanks to the tunnel, though heavy snow or ice can stop traffic for a time. Check current status before you travel.
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