Literally translated, Arunachal Pradesh means "Land of the dawn-lit mountains". Being in the eastern most corner of India, it has the good fortune to enjoy the first rays of the rising sun. One of the most picturesque and exotic in the world I have had the pleasure of exploring in my humble list I must admit!

The towering mountains with their snow-capped peaks, sweeping, verdant valleys, countless waterfalls gushing out of crevices and catching you unawares as you drive by, beautiful rivers, challenging trails....left me speechless with wonder! I was baffled that most of these places are virgin and untapped....though places like Tawang and Bomdila did come into the limelight with their entry into Bollywood films. I thought it was such a pity that such a pristine, safe, simple place which would not burn a hole in your pocket if you decide on it as a holiday destination is largely unknown. But let me warn you here that you must be prepared for the lack of luxurious facilities in this part of the country. You must let go and simply enjoy nature at its most unadorned level without the frills and fancies of modern amenities.

Far from the madding crowd, the tranquil serenity of this haven leaves me satiated every time I visit. In this excerpt, I'm going to give you a brief overview of my fascinating trip to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Located at a height of about 3048m, Tawang is famous as the birth place of the Dalai Lama. However, it also boasts of a host of beautiful monasteries. The name Tawang means Chosen Horse. It is also known by another Tibetan name, Galden Namgey Lhatse, which means "truth emerging from the hallowed precincts of Paradise".

From my hometown Guwahati, we went to Tezpur first which took about 3 and-a-half-hours. Tezpur is well connected and has direct flights from Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi too. After a halt in this town with its picturesque setting, we set off towards Bhalukpong, the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, approximately 52 kilometers away. Along the riverside, the leisurely drive was beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

When we reached the quaint town of Bhalukpong snugly tucked in the southern part of the Himalayas in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, we had to cross the inner line check post. Visitors need a permit here which can be easily obtained at either Guwahati or Tezpur. The town is located at 213m above sea level, approximately 100 km from Bomdila and about 5 km from Tipi.

Right on the banks of the mighty Kameng river, it has a dense border of forests that culminates into the periphery of the Pakhui Game Sanctuary. We discovered that Bhalukpong has its own distinctive charm though it is the gateway to more well- known destinations like Tawang and Bomdila. People from nearby areas of Assam and Arunachal throng to enjoy angling and river rafting as well as fun-filled picnics in this captivating place. We had also taken the children to Eco camp where they experienced various activities. The Pakhui Game Sanctuary and Tipi Orchidariurm, which hosts over 2600 cultivated orchids from 80 different species are major tourist attractions in this state. The annual festival Nyethidow of the Aka tribe is celebrated in the month of January here and draws huge crowds too.

From Bhalukpang we set out on the arduous drive towards Tawang which took us around 16 hours of driving. You can also go by bus, private taxis as well as shared ones. But I would not advise you to use these modes of transport as the roads are atrociously bad....the tarmac and gravel giving way to slippery mud intermittently. Government buses frequently break down and tourists have to resort to hitchhiking in private vehicles.

However, the journey was full of scenic beauty as we crossed the Bomdila Pass at 8000 feet, on towards the Sela Pass at 13,700 feet to reach Tawang at last. I however think it would be wiser to break your journey at either Bomdila or the charming village of Dirang. The Sela Pass is notoriously known for heavy snowfall during season, which would force you to stay for hours stranded on either side. Do make sure you take a very good driver as the roads are steep and uphill. Also keep in mind that the high altitude makes it difficult to breathe at times...do please carry inhalers in case you have a problem. I must mention that along the way, sumptuous food is available, especially non-vegetarian and vegetarian and vegetarian dim sums and cream buns, which we enjoyed to our heart's content.

Photo credits: Banner Left – transindiatravels.com, Banner Center – arunnachalpra.desh.mobi, Banner Right – kamakshitours.com

Literally translated, Arunachal Pradesh means "Land of the dawn-lit mountains". Being in the eastern most corner of India, it has the good fortune to enjoy the first rays of the rising sun. One of the most picturesque and exotic in the world I have had the pleasure of exploring in my humble list I must admit!