9 Days Arunachal Tour Package with Kaziranga (8N/9D)
Overview
This 9-day Arunachal tour package with Kaziranga spends most of its time in the high valleys of West Kameng and Tawang, then ends with a jeep safari among the one-horned rhinos of Assam. With three nights in Tawang, you have time for the Bum La excursion and a full day trip to Zemithang near the Bhutan border, not just a quick look at the monastery.
From Guwahati, where you visit the Kamakhya and Umananda temples, you drive into the mountains via the Tipi Orchidarium to Dirang for two nights, with Sangti Valley, the hot springs, Dirang Dzong and Thupsung Dhargye Monastery. You then cross the Sela Pass at about 13,700 ft, stopping at Sela Lake and the Jaswant Garh War Memorial on the way to Tawang. From there you visit Bum La on the Indo-China border (subject to permits), Madhuri Lake and the sacred Chumi Gyatse Falls, and drive to Zemithang to see the great Gorsam Chorten and the Monpa villages around it.
On the way down, you stop at Jung Falls and Bomdila, then leave the hills for Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to about two-thirds of the world's one-horned rhinos. You stay in 3-star hotels with daily breakfast, travel by private vehicle, and are picked up and dropped at Guwahati airport or railway station. The trip suits travellers who want Arunachal in depth, with a wildlife finale.
Package Features
Time for the monastery, Bum La and Zemithang.
High-altitude lake and war memorial at about 13,700 ft.
Indo-China border pass, Shonga-tser Lake and Chumi Gyatse Falls.
Remote Monpa valley near the Bhutan border.
Hot springs, an old dzong and seasonal black-necked cranes.
Early-morning drive among one-horned rhinos, elephants and buffaloes.
Included
- 8 nights' stay in 3-star hotels on double occupancy (1 night Guwahati, 2 nights Dirang, 3 nights Tawang, 1 night Bomdila, 1 night Kaziranga)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Pick-up and drop at Guwahati airport or railway station
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing and activities as listed in the itinerary, including the Kaziranga jeep safari (items marked optional are extra)
- GST
Excluded
- Flights or train tickets to and from Guwahati
- Lunch and dinner
- Protected Area Permit (PAP) for travellers arriving from outside India – an additional ₹2,500–₹3,000
- Inner Line Permit (ILP) fees for Indian citizens, unless specifically included
- Optional Brahmaputra River cruise
- Monument entry tickets, ferry tickets and camera fees, unless specifically included
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, phone calls and tips
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Guwahati – Local Sightseeing
- Arrive at Guwahati airport or railway station, where our driver meets you to begin your North East journey.
- Visit the Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, one of the oldest and most revered Shakti Peethas in India.
- Take the short boat ride to the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island, in the middle of the Brahmaputra.
- If time permits, enjoy a Brahmaputra River cruise (optional) or visit Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra for a glimpse of Assamese culture. Overnight stay in Guwahati.
- Highlights of the Day: Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Temple, Brahmaputra River Cruise (optional), Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra
Day 2 Guwahati to Dirang
- After breakfast, begin the long drive into the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh.
- On the way, stop at the Tipi Orchidarium near Bhalukpong, which holds a large collection of the region's orchids.
- Follow the Dirang River through its green valley, taking in the views before checking in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Dirang.
- Highlights of the Day: Tipi Orchidarium, Dirang River Valley
Day 3 Exploring Dirang – Sangti Valley
- Spend the day discovering the quieter corners of Dirang.
- Visit Sangti Valley, known for its green meadows and the black-necked cranes that arrive here in winter.
- Continue to the hot water springs and Dirang Dzong, an old fortified village built in traditional Monpa style.
- Finish at Thupsung Dhargye Monastery and take in the tranquillity of this little Himalayan town. Overnight in Dirang.
- Highlights of the Day: Sangti Valley, Dirang Dzong, Hot Water Spring, Thupsung Dhargye Monastery
Day 4 Dirang to Tawang via Sela Pass
- After breakfast, set out on a scenic high-altitude drive to Tawang.
- Cross the Sela Pass, at about 13,700 ft and often under snow, and stop at the shimmering Sela Lake.
- Pay your respects at the Jaswant Garh War Memorial, built in honour of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, who fought here in 1962.
- If time allows, visit Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in India. Overnight stay in Tawang.
- Highlights of the Day: Sela Pass, Sela Lake, Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Tawang Monastery (time permitting)
Day 5 Excursion to Bum La Pass, Madhuri Lake & Chumi Gyatse Falls
- Start early for a full-day excursion into the high country around Tawang.
- Visit Bum La Pass on the Indo-China border, subject to permits.
- Continue to Madhuri Lake (Shonga-tser Lake), which became famous after appearing in the Bollywood film Koyla.
- End the day at the sacred Chumi Gyatse Falls, known for its 108 streams of water. Overnight stay in Tawang.
- Highlights of the Day: Bum La Pass (subject to permits), Madhuri Lake (Shonga-tser Lake), Chumi Gyatse Falls
Day 6 Day Trip to Zemithang – Return to Tawang
- After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Zemithang, a small village near the Bhutan border.
- Visit the massive Gorsam Chorten, a stupa believed to be inspired by the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal.
- Explore quiet Monpa villages set among pine forests and mountains, then drive back to Tawang. Overnight stay in Tawang.
- Highlights of the Day: Gorsam Chorten, Remote Monpa Villages, Mountain Road Views
Day 7 Tawang to Bomdila via Jung Falls
- After breakfast, begin your descent towards Bomdila.
- Stop at Jung Falls (Nuranang Falls) and take in the wide views of the eastern Himalayas along the way.
- In Bomdila, visit the Bomdila Monastery and, if time permits, explore the local market. Overnight stay in Bomdila.
- Highlights of the Day: Jung Falls, Eastern Himalayan Views, Bomdila Monastery, Local Market
Day 8 Bomdila to Kaziranga
- After breakfast, set off on a long but scenic drive out of the hills to Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
- Spend the evening at leisure, or take an optional stroll through the nearby villages to see local life. Overnight stay in Kaziranga.
- Highlights of the Day: Scenic drive, Kaziranga countryside, local village walk (optional)
Day 9 Kaziranga Safari – Drive to Guwahati for Departure
- Wake up early for a jeep safari into the grasslands of Kaziranga, home to the rare one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, wild buffaloes and a wide variety of birds.
- Return to the hotel for breakfast, then begin the drive back to Guwahati.
- Transfer to Guwahati airport or railway station for your onward journey.
- Highlights of the Day: Kaziranga Jeep Safari, drive to Guwahati, departure
Payment Policy
- An advance payment is required to secure your booking; the balance is paid as per the schedule in your booking confirmation.
- Your booking is only confirmed once the itinerary has been agreed, the advance has been received and Luxe Trail Holidays have sent you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be required at the time of booking for peak season dates, special hotel rates and certain activities.
- If payment is not received by the due date the booking is subject to the relevant cancellation terms.
- Package price is per person sharing and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation charges will vary depending on when we receive your request, the hotel and transport supplier policies and any peak season restrictions. The applicable charges are shared with your quotation.
- Refunds are processed once the relevant suppliers approve them, so timelines can vary.
- Refunds are made to the original payment method or another method agreed with you.
- Non-refundable amounts, supplier fees and bank or payment-processing charges may be deducted.
- If a service cannot be provided because of weather, road closures, government orders or other events beyond our control, a refund or an alternative arrangement is offered as per the supplier's terms.
Policy & Important Terms
- Every traveller must carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- An additional charge of ₹2,500–₹3,000 applies for the Protected Area Permit (PAP) if you are travelling from outside India. Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). Bum La Pass needs a separate permit issued in Tawang and is open to Indian citizens only.
- Sela Pass (about 13,700 ft) and Bum La (about 15,200 ft) are at high altitude, and roads can close because of snow or landslides, so sightseeing is subject to road clearance. Take it slowly, drink plenty of water and consult your doctor first if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions.
- Kaziranga is normally only open from around November to April and the jeep safari is dependent on the park being open and on there being safari slots available.
- The order of the sightseeing may change due to traffic, weather, local events or monument timings.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary. Any extra trips or detours will be charged separately.
- Standard check-in and check-out times apply. Early check-in and late check-out are possible subject to availability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for this Arunachal tour?
es. Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh will require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and visitors from outside India will require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) which is an extra ₹2500-3000. Bum La Pass requires a separate permit which is issued in Tawang and is only open to Indian citizens. Provide your ID details when you book and we'll let you know what you need.
What is the best time for this Arunachal and Kaziranga tour?
Nov to Apr is the best time for the trip as that's the period when the park is normally open and the mountain skies are at their clearest (Oct to Mar). Expect snow and very cold nights at Sela Pass and Tawang from Dec to Feb. The monsoon brings landslides in the hills, and the park is closed.
Is the Kaziranga jeep safari included?
Yes, the package includes an early morning jeep safari in Kaziranga on day 9 (subject to the park being open and safari slots being available). You're on the lookout for one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, wild buffaloes, deer and a variety of birds prior to breakfast and the drive back to Guwahati.
How high does this tour go, and is altitude a concern?
The high points are Sela Pass (c.13,700ft), Bum La (c.15,200ft) and Tawang (c.10,000ft). You spend two nights in Dirang en route to allow yourself to acclimatise. Take it easy, drink loads of water and see a doctor prior to travel if you have any pre-existing heart, lung or blood pressure conditions.
When should I book my return flight or train from Guwahati?
Book an evening departure on day 9. The drive from Kaziranga back to Guwahati in the morning/early afternoon is going to take around 5-6 hours (depending on traffic and road conditions), so a morning or early afternoon departure is not really viable.
How is this different from your 12-day North East tour?
This tour is Arunachal Pradesh focused (3 nights in Tawang, Zemithang day trip and a Kaziranga safari) and doesn't visit Meghalaya. The 12-day tour spends less time in Tawang and includes Tezpur, Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong and Dawki.
