Trek through the jungles of Nameri National Park, explore donyi polo tribal villages and tibetan Buddhist communities, then spend a night in an historic British tea plantation bungalow
India
Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang & Assam
Duration
14 days
Culture Tour, Buddhist Pilgrimage,
Wildlife Tour & Mountain Tour
Leisurely
INTRO TO TEMPLES, CHORTENS AND GOMPAS TOUR
Leave behind the cities on the plains of Assam in a comfortable 4×4, drive northwards across the mighty Brahmaputra River and then upwards into the jungle green mountains of the Eastern Himalayas to explore both traditional tribal villages and the expansive, colourful Buddhist community of Tawang, the most important yet least known outside of Tibet.
We head from historic Guwahati across the mighty Brahmaputra River to Nameri National Park, famous particularly for its wildlife and above all for the Hornbill, the rare state bird of Assam.
We raft down the Bor-Dikorai River and take a nature trail trek through jungle before driving up into Arunachal Pradesh and the imposing mountains of the Eastern Himalayas, to the lofty historic mountain towns of Bomdila and Dirang.
We explore traditional Sherdukpen and Monpa tribe villages, including Thembang, reputedly the oldest village in West Kameng, and spend time at its weekly market before crossing the motorable Sela Pass (4170 m) and skirting around Sela Lake. We descend into the Tawang Valley, its hillsides scattered with Buddhist monuments, the largest Buddhist monastery outside of Tibet, and the inspirational Gorsham Chorten.
We finally return to the plains and take a well-earned night’s rest in a splendid British tea plantation bungalow before discovering the rich cultural legacy of legendary Tezpur.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ancient Hindu temples of Guwahati
- Crossing the mighty Brahmaputra River by road bridge
- Rafting down the Bor-Dikorai River
- Jungle trekking
- The historic, mountain towns of Bomdila and Dirang
- Sherdukpen and Monpa tribe villages and market
- Crossing the Sela Pass (4170 m)
- The Buddhist heartland of the Tawang Valley
- Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet
- Inspirational Gorsham Chorten
- Accommodation in a British tea plantation bungalow
- The legendary city of Tezpur
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Guwahati – Nameri National Park – Rupa – Chhilipam – Bomdilla – Nafra – Thembang – Dirang – Sela Pass – Nuranang Waterfalls – Jaswant Garh – Tawang – Gorsham Chorten – Tezpur – Guwahati
KEY INFORMATION
- We have set departure dates for this tour. Please see ‘Dates’ section for more information
- This tour can be organised as a bespoke tour at other times of the year
- Similarly, if this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
- In exceptional circumstances, local conditions may require the route to be altered in your interests at short notice
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Reception: airport or station reception and transfer upon your arrival in North-East India & final drop-off at the end of your trek or tour as per the standard itinerary. (For clients arriving earlier and or departing later, special arrangements can be made for accommodation and/or airport transfers if required or requested – additional charges will be calculated for this.)
- Full escort: our treks and tours are fully escorted by an official, local, English-speaking guide
- Accommodation: all accommodation (13 nights), including 1 night in an historic tea plantation bungalow
- Meals: all meals (14 days)
- Transport: all transport throughout your tour in a comfortable, modern vehicle equipped with air-conditioning and seat belts, with a professional driver
- Permits: all restricted area permits as required
- Entrance fees: all entrance fees to sites & parks
- Activity fees: all fees for activities included in your itinerary
- Documentation: provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your tour, a full risk assessment of your route, a bespoke equipment list and facts about the country.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Tips
- Soft drinks & items of a personal nature
- Camera fees
DATES
Forthcoming set group dates (maximum 8 pax):
– Sun 1st March – Sat 14th March 2026
– Thur 5th November – Wed 18th November 2026
– Mon 1st March – Sun 14th March 2027
– Fri 5th November – Thurs 18th November 2027
Bespoke, private tours:
Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
PRICES
PRICE PER PERSON
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT*
£2480
from £400
*THE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT CHARGE IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO SHARE A ROOM WITH ANOTHER SUITABLE TRAVELLER. IF WILLING TO SHARE, THE SUPPLEMENT WILL NOT BE CHARGED.
If this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
Other tours you might be interested in:
If you have opted to take your Temples, Chortens and Gompas Tour in November, why not follow on by joining our Hornbill Festival Tour from 20th November till 5th December?
On the other hand, if you have opted to take your Temples, Chortens and Gompas Tour in March, why not start your trip with our Nagaland Tribal Villages Tour from 13th till 27th February or follow on with our Central Arunachal Tribal Villages Tour from 16th till 30th March?
Our tours have been designed to fit together like a hand in a glove.
DAY 1
Arrive in Guwahati for a day of sightseeing
Arrive in Guwahati, where you will be met by your driver and guide, and transfer to your accommodation. In the afternoon, time permitting, there will be an opportunity to visit visit Kamakhya temple, Kalashetra and its museum, plus the state emporium. Overnight in Guwahati.
DAY 2
Drive from Guwahati to Nameri National Park
In the morning, continue the sightseeing in Guwahati not completed on Day 1. In the afternoon, drive to Nameri National park, crossing the mighty Brahmaputra by road bridge. Overnight in Nameri National Park.
A full day of jungle activities in Nameri National Park
Today we have the choice of either taking a restful day in the beautiful grounds of our eco-lodge accommodation, perhaps enjoying a short walk along the banks of the Bor-Dikorai river, or otherwise opting for our guided activities.
If you choose our guided activities, you will rise early for breakfast and then cross to the far banks of the Bor-Dikorai river by canoe for a short jungle nature trek. In the afternoon, we have the option of taking a raft for 13km downriver, looking out for any wild animals or exotic birds coming down to the water’s edge. Overnight in Nameri National Park.
Drive from Nameri National Park to Bomdila
Cross the border into Arunachal Pradesh and drive northwards into the mountains to reach Bomdila, taking a detour through the mountains to visit the donyi polo Sherdukpen tribe villages of Rupa and Chhilipam. Take time also to visit the beautiful Buddhist monastery of Sang-Ngoy Choekhor Dargyeling and take in the staggering 360 degree views across the mountain tops from its upper terraces. Overnight in Bomdila.
Full day excursion to visit Nafra
Today we take an excursion to visit the traditional local market and Buddhist monastery at Nafra before returning to Bomdila. Overnight in Bomdila.
Drive from Bomdila to Thembang
We continue our drive northwards detouring to visit the 1000-year old Monpa tribe village of Thembang, believed to be the oldest village in the region, perhaps dating back 2000 years. Overnight in Thembang.
Drive from Thembang to Dirang
Monpa village tour: we continue our drive, pausing at a succession of traditional Monpa villages, such as Gunthung, Panama and Namshu, before we finally reach Old Dirang. Here, we visit the historic Khatsikpa Gompa, beautifully sited on a ridge overlooking the town, then descend on foot past ancient mani walls and stupas to the restored historic Dirang Dzong, from where Tibetan officials once collected taxes. Finally, we take a stroll through the village itself to admire traditional Monpa houses. Overnight in Dirang.
Drive from Dirang to Tawang
Still we continue northwards, driving over the lofty Sela Pass (4170 m/13,700 ft) and passing by the beautiful Sela Lake, believed by Buddhists to be just one of 101 lakes in the area. We then descend into the Tawang Valley past the spectacular Nuranang Waterfalls, pausing to visit Jaswant Garh, a monument to rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat who performed great acts of bravery, eventually losing his life, during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. We finally reach the town of Tawang itself, the heart of the Buddhist community in Arunachal Pradesh. Overnight in Tawang.
A full day exploring Tawang
Today we spend a whole day exploring Tawang town and the region around. We pay a visit to Tawang Monastery and its remarkable museum which displays unique Buddhist artefacts dating back to the time of the seventeenth century Dalai Lama and even earlier.
We visit two nunneries, first Jangchup Choling Nunnery, reached by cable car, then Thukje Chueling Nunnery, and finally the fifteenth century Urgelling Gompa, reputedly the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama. We will even find time to do a little shopping, with visits both to the local market and to Tawang Emporium. Finally, time permitting, we will visit the remarkable memorial to the 1962 Indian War with China. Overnight in Tawang.
DAY 10
A full day excursion to Gorsham Chorten
Our excursion today takes us 90km to the north of Tawang to visit the venerated historic Gorsham Chorten, said to be the second most important chorten in the world. Based upon the famous Boudhanath Stupa of Kathmandu, as well as the less well-known Chorten Kora in east Bhutan, it draws pilgrims from near and far.
On our way, we pause to admire spectacular views westward into Bhutan, picking out small village houses across the border, some 30km away. Beyond Gorsham Chorten, we visit the traditional Monpa village of Zemithang. On our return, we keep our eyes open for monkeys which frequently emerge from the jungle and sit by the wayside hoping for contributions towards their evening meal. Overnight in Tawang.
DAY 11
Drive from Tawang to Dirang
Today we set off from Tawang and retrace our route southwards through the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, driving as far as Dirang. Overnight in Dirang.
Drive from Dirang to tea plantation bungalow
Today we conclude our journey south, driving out of the mountains from Dirang back over the border and onto the plains of Assam to reach our beautiful accommodation, the historic Wild Mahseer, set in the midst of the verdant Addabarie Tea Estate. Fronted by a massive lawn interspersed with mature trees, decorative beds blooming with seasonal flowers and dotted with wooden benches, this is a perfect refuge for visitors who are keen to re-create the experience of the old-world British planters’ lifestyle.
Drive from teat plantation bungalow to Guwahati
Today we drive to Guwahati, breaking our journey in Tezpur to enjoy some of the city’s cultural legacy. We will visit picturesque central park of Chitralekha Udyan, dotted with carved stonework dating from the earliest settlement of Tezpur, and the ancient Hindu temples of Ganeshgarh and Mahabhairav, time permitting. Overnight in Guwahati.
We transfer to the airport
We transfer to the airport in good time for your departure.
