Towering mountains and quiet monasteries

DURATION: 8 days

DATES: Oct 23 – 30, Nov 6 – 13 , 2011

*Departure as per client’s convenient dates possible for groups of 4 or more.

This trip takes you from the foothills of the Himalayas, to the heart of the mountains, over the exciting Sela pass and through some breathtaking scenery. You can experience the Tibetan Buddhist culture and visit the monasteries in the region, the largest and most famous being the Tawang monastery.

COST: Rs. 23,500 per person, Includes: Stay at medium budget good accomodation on a twin sharing basis, breakfast, lunch and dinner, services of a coordinator, travel by private comfortable vehicle, airport pick-up and drop-off. Does not include: Any items of personal nature, any other items not mentioned above such as entry fees.

GETTING THERE AND AWAY: The trip starts and ends at Guwahati, capital of the state of Assam in the North-East region of India. Guwahati is connected to major metros of India by flight, and by rail.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive at Guwahati, leave for Tezpur (4 hrs). Arrive and check into hotel.Overnight: Tezpur

Day 2:  Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you climb the Eastern Himalayas, with snow-peaked mountains in the distance as you drive to Bomdila/Dirang (7 – 8 hours, 190 kms). En-route visit Tipi orchid centre, a glass house with over 7500 orchids. Overnight: Dirang or Bomdila

Day 3:  To Tawang (6 hours) – After breakfast, drive through the sinuous road to Tawang. Stop at the breathtaking Sela Pass (at 13,714 second highest motorable road in the world), where you can see frozen lakes in the winter. Visit Jaswant Garh located here is a memorial to the brave soldier who strongly handedly tried to hold off the approaching Chinese from the pass during the 1962 Chinese war. Overnight in the hotel at Tawang.

Day 4: In the morning, we will visit the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, and drive onto the upper tawang area, with some lovely lakes and mountain scenery. In the afternoon we will go to the Tawang monastery, a 400-year old monastery, and the second largest after Potala, Tibet. The monastery is presently home to around 450 lamas. We will spend time understanding the history and cultural significance of the monastery, considered to be at the heart of the spiritual life of the Monpa Buddhist people of Tawang. Overnight: Tawang

Day 5:  Drive down to Dirang (6 hours) and visit the Dirang monastery on the banks of the river. Time permitting, visit the Yak research centre in Dirang.

Overnight: Dirang/Bomdila

Day 6:  Dirang to Bhalukpong (7 hours). We will be staying next to the Jia-Bhorali River, famous for angling. Walks along the river (and a dip or two) are part of the itinerary, to refresh you after your long drive. Bird-watching is great here, so be ready with the binoculars!Overnight: Eco-camp by the river

Day 7:  After breakfast drive from Bhalukpong to Guwahati (5 hours). Afternoon check into your hotel, and in the evening visit the local markets to buy the famous Assamese raw silk (Muga, Pat and Endi).

Overnight Guwahati

Day 8: Departure.