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Arunachal Pradesh
EXOTIC LAND OF THE RISING SUN

Arunachal Pradesh is aptly called the “Land of the Rising Sun” because it is the first to greet the sunrise in India. A land of unparalleled grandeur and unspoilt beauty tucked in the eastern Himalayan range, it is a frontier state of jagged peaks and lush green rainforests.

Bounded by Myanmar on the east, Bhutan on the west, China on the north and northeast and Assam to the south, it is the largest state in the northeastern tip of India covering an area of 83,743 sq km. Home to more than 20 major tribes who live off the forests, Arunachal Pradesh even today remains the last great frontier of indigenous culture.

ITANAGAR

The capital derives its name from the historical fort, Itafort, situated in the heart of the city. The fort is identified with Mayapur of Ramachandra, a king of the Jitari dynasty dating from 1360-1550 A.D.
Places of interest here include the scenic Gekar Sinyi (Ganga Lake) at the foothills of the Himalaya; Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum with its rich collection of tribal art and craft, weapons, ornaments and textiles; Mahayana Buddha Temple, a center for Buddhist studies; and the State Forest Research Institute.

AROUND ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Tawang, nestled in the lap of the Himalaya at 3,500 m in northwest Arunachal Pradesh, is dominated by the 17th-century Tawang Monastery, the second largest lamasery in Asia. Other places to see near Tawang are the Singsar Ani Gompa, a nunnery; picturesque Nuranang Fall, which cascades into the Tawang Chu River that flows into Bhutan; P. T. Tso Lake, meaning beautiful lake, set in the middle of a large meadow; Sangetser Lake, up close to the border with Tibet, China; and the 700-year-old Gorsham Chorten.

The 348-km drive to Tawang from Tezpur in the Assam plains takes you through Bhalukpong where an Orchidarium at Tipi, 5 km away, boasts 300 species of orchids. Another Orchid Sanctuary lies at Sessa, 24 km from Tipi, which has more than 2,600 orchids representing 80 species.

Bomdila (100 km from Bhalukpong), a hill station at a height of 2,522 m, offers a bird’s-eye view of Kangto and Gorichen peaks, the state’s highest. Visit its Gontse Gaden Rabgeling and Thubchog Gatseling monasteries and craft centers that sell fine woolen carpets, hand-woven textiles and masks.

Dirang (42 km from Bomdila) is famous for its monasteries and hot springs. The Sangti Valley (9 km from Dirang) is where the Siberian Black Necked Stork winters. Sela Pass, a spectacular world of ice and snow, is 4,154 m high. It passes the Sela Lake, or Paradise Lake, rich in the hilly trout. Jaswant Garh (14 km from Sela Pass) is a war memorial dedicated to a brave Indian soldier.

In eastern Arunachal Pradesh, the Namdapha National Park that rises from sea level to 4,500 m is the world’s only park supporting the four great felines within one reserve - tiger, leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard. Part of the winding 1,725-km General Stillwell Road, scene of heavy fighting in World War II, runs through the park.

Parasuramkund, 80 km to the northeast of Tezu, the district headquarters of Lohit, is where the sage Parasuram washed away the sin of matricide by taking a dip; a war memorial at Walong honors the dead of the war of 1962; and Dong Valley is where the first sunrise in India is witnessed.

In the central belt, Pashighat, situated on the bank of the Siang or Brahmaputra river, is the oldest township of Arunachal Pradesh, the first British post in the region. Dr. Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, 55 km from Pashighat, is famous for its wild buffalo, tiger, sambar deer and wild duck. Ziro, at an altitude of 1,484 m, is a picturesque plateau with terraced hills of paddy cultivation surrounded by pines. Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 30 km from Ziro, shelters 17 species of endangered plants.

VISA

In addition to an Indian visa, foreign tourists intending to visit Arunachal Pradesh require a Protected Area Permit. Foreign tourists can obtain the Protected Area Permit from any Indian Mission abroad; any Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) at Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata; Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai, Home Ministry, Government of India and Home Commissioner, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar for a period of 10 days for a group consisting of four or more persons. The application giving the details - name, passport number, its issuing authority and the expiry date, place of birth, profession, proposed duration of stay and the purpose of visit - should be made to the Home Commissioner, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar (0360-2212339) or the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi 011001. Foreign tourists visiting Arunachal Pradesh will have to pay US$ 50 per head to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

Helicopter Services: The Arunachal Pradesh Helicopter Services operates daily services between Guwahati and Naharlagun. Helicopter services have also been introduced connecting many other centers within Arunachal Pradesh, namely, Ziro, Tezu, Along, Pasighat, Khonsa, Tawang and so on. For operational details, contact the Asstt. Director, Civil Aviation, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Naharlagun; Tel: 0360/2245261, 2243262, the nearest Tourist Information Office of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. By Rail: The nearest railhead is Harmuty in Assam (33 km from Itanagar). By Road: From Guwahati, daily (day and night) bus services are available (429 km). One travels mostly on the NH 52 to reach Itanagar. Direct buses to Itanagar are also available from Shillong (482 km), Tezpur and other places in Assam, Johrat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukhia and Nagaon. Within Arunachal Pradesh, bus services are available from Itanagar/Naharlagun.

GENERAL INFO

Arunachal Pradesh’s terrain is mostly mountainous with the Himalayan range along the northern borders crisscrossed by ranges running north-south.

Season: The climate is determined by the altitude - hot and humid at the lower elevations and quite cold higher up. Average temperatures range between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius in winter. Temperatures can rise up to 40-42 degrees Celsius between June and August. Arunachal Pradesh receives one of the heaviest rainfalls in the world - more than 3,000 mm a year.

Adventure: Trekking, angling and white water rafting.
Accommodation: There are modern hotels and restaurants in Itanagar. Comfortable forest lodges and circuit houses are found in other places.

For more information, contact Directorate of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar, India; Tel: 91-360-214745, 214752, 214450; Fax: 91-360-214745;
E-mail: info@arunachaltourism.com
director_tourism@yahoo.com.in
Website: www.arunachaltourism.com