The beauty of Arunachal Pradesh is still untouched by commercial forces and retains a wild charm and a rustic flavour. It is a dream destination for ornithologists as the dense forests are mostly free from human invasion and the fascinating taste of the tribal culture is an added attraction. The quiet lifestyle of the small villages, the crystal clear rivers flowing in youthful exuberance, the colourful monasteries which are abodes of peace, make the western part of Arunachal a perfect destination for nature lovers.

Here are six special tourist spots in Western Arunachal that are perfect for enjoying the beauty of the state.

Sangti Valley

Those who are looking for a pristine Himalayan valley, free from the hard blows of civilization, Sangti Valley is an unexplored paradise, located just about 10 kilometers away from the town of Dirang in the West Kameng district. A crystal clear river flows through the valley which is surrounded by the lower ranges of the eastern Himalayas. The small village spreads along the river bank and the fertile grazing grounds and one can spend an idyllic day just watching the village life. You may find the children swimming through the bluish-green water clear to go to the other bank or a fisherman wading his way to mid-river to trap a few fishes.

The weather is pleasant throughout the year and the winter months are chilly. Sangti Valley is the home for black-necked cranes which fly in from China during the winter months. Bird watchers will also find forktails, redstarts, and wren babblers busily active by the riverside and can easily spend a day photographing them. Short treks along the river bank with a local guide can be very rewarding and a great choice for exploring the local ambiance.

Sangti Valley has a few homestays that offer the basic amenities for a night stay. One can also start from Dirang and spend the entire day in the valley while enjoying lunch on the riverside.

Thembang village

An hour’s drive through a narrow but paved road from Dirang will take you to the heritage village of Thembang situates at an altitude of 2300 metres. The village is surrounded by the eastern Himalayan ranges covered with dense forests and some snow covered peaks can be seen peeking from a distance. This village is a settlement of the people of the Monpa clan and is protected by a fortified structure which was built in 10 century AD using traditional Monpa architectural methods. Thembang was a centre of power in the medieval periods and is a witness to many wars, resulting in the requirement for the fortification.

The moment you enter the village, you will notice how silent and peaceful the entire atmosphere is. The village is a heritage for the locals and though some of it is in a dilapidated state, the North gate of the fort is still standing strong. A walk through the village is like a reverse time-lapse, as the setting will transport you back by a few centuries in an age whose story is hardly told. There is also a monastery perched high on the opposite hill offering splendid views of the entire region. Under a tourism initiative, the place has a few homestays that offer simple lodging facilities under the warm hospitality of the villagers.

An interesting and picturesque trek route passes from Thembang to Tawang which can be a rewarding experience for trekkers. Thembang also offers ample opportunities for birding in the surrounding forests and is an ideal place to explore one of the remotest corners of the Himalayas.

Mandala

Around 30 kilometers away from Dirang town, lies an area that is rich in bio-diversity and is an unexplored paradise for hikers. The roads are bumpy and rough, making the area a tough spot to reach but if you manage to do so, there are rewards waiting in plenty. There is a scenically located birding lodge in Mandala that offers great views with decent accommodation options. The area spreads between an altitude of 1500 to 3500 metres and the evergreen and the coniferous forests are rich with birds and other wild life.

The higher reaches of Mandala have some beautiful natural lakes which are great options for hiking and camping. The hike to Mandala top will take you through the Phudung village which has a strange landscape with scattered dead tree trunks, a result of a decades old forest fire. On a clear day, the eastern Himalayan ranges and the Gorichen massif is clearly visible from the top. The entire region is gold mine for bird photographers and one can spend an entire day chasing birds.

The birding lodge is the only option to spend a night here and it needs to be booked in advance. Being a remote area the facilities are on the expensive side but to enjoy the beauty of the place, one needs to spend a minimum of two nights here. The best time for birding is during the winter months whereas in October and November, the clear blue skies offer great views all around.

Tomhill

Visitors to Tawang mostly spend a night in Bomdila and the quaint little town does not hold much importance for the tourists. But a short ride of two hours can take you to the higher reaches where the mountains open up their bounty with green meadows and dense forests. In the months of March and April, the entire region is covered with flowers, especially rhododendrons of various shades. The entire forest literally lights up with shades of red, pink and white and though rhododendrons are found in other Himalayan states as well, so many varieties of the species in a single spot are quite rare.

Hikes through the colourful meadows can be extremely rewarding and this is a place completely untouched by tourists, making it a magical destination for nature lovers. On a clear day, distant snow peaks are also visible from this route making it more endearing.

Taktsang Monastery

While almost every tourist visits the Sangetsar Lake from Tawang, only a few venture upto the Taktsang Gompha which is just about five kilometers of drive from the lake. The Taktsang or tiger’s nest monastery in Paro, Bhutan is world famous but only a few of us know that another monastery of the same name is there in India too. This one is also graced by the presence of Buddhist guru Padmasambhaba who meditated in a nearby cave. The small monastery is perched on the edge of a high cliff overlooking a deep valley surrounded by mountains and the environment is extremely serene and peaceful.

The monastery has three levels dedicated to three Tibetan deities and as you climb to the higher levels the wind might threaten to blow you off into the valley deep down. The setting is pristine and apart from the wind, there is hardly anything breaking the silence. The unpaved road moves beyond the monastery and goes meandering through the mountainside to some far corner and the beauty of it literally beckons you to follow it. If you are hiring a car from Tawang to visit Sangetsar Lake, make sure that you discuss visiting this monastery with the driver beforehand, as this is not included in the standard route that they follow.

Shergaon

Before visiting Arunachal Pradesh, I was not aware that fruits like Kiwis and persimmons are produced in India. I was lucky that I visited during October, the right time for tasting the kiwis, persimmons and apples. The delightful and juicy taste of the persimmons made me buy kilos of them from Dirang Valley and it is a taste that is not to be missed. Shergaon can be called the apple capital of the West Kameng district as it grows about 17 varieties of apples. What is so special about that, you may ask- but hold on- it is not just apples. Shergaon also grows kiwis, walnuts, plums, cherries, chestnut peaches and pomegranates! The village is named after the Sherdukpen tribe, who are the residents of the area.

The small village is beautifully located in a green valley surrounded by green mountains with three small streams flowing through it. There are no hotels or other staying options in the village as yet, so the best choice is to cover it on a day trip from Bomdila. The Government is planning to introduce an agro-tourism initiative under which homestays are likely to come up in some time. An afternoon walk through the orchards as the clouds float through the blue autumn sky casting their shadows on the valley, is a walk to remember indeed. The Chilipam monastery, which is one of the most scenic monasteries in the region is also located near this village and worth a visit.

For details on West Kameng, you can contact the West Kameng tourism page on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/westkamengtourism/

For car services and hotel bookings, you can get help from Kalita Tours and Travels located in Assam.

https://www.kalitatourtravels.com/contact/

By Suvajit Banerjee

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