Losar in Tawang

8 Days

Festival

Arunachal Pradesh

Highlights

Drive through Sela pass which was once a Tibetan border
Enjoy the Buddhist New Year festival “Losar” among the Mahayana believers
Explore Asia’s second largest monastery

Overview
Itinerary
Map
Pictures

In Arunachal Pradesh, Losar is celebrated by the Monpas who are a majority in Tawang. Belonging to the Mongoloid stock, the Monpas are mainly into agriculture and animal husbandry. Before the advent of the festival, people can be seen cleaning their homes and discarding all unused and old items. It is believed that by doing so one can usher in good health, peace and prosperity to the house.

Commemorating the advent of the New Year, Losar is the occasion for the Monpas to feast, drink and make merry. Relatives and friends get together and celebrate this festival in a very pompous manner. The festival of Losar falls in the end of February or early March and is celebrated for 8 – 15 days. Indeed, the joie-de-vivre that characterizes this festival is simply fascinating.

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Day 1

Arrival in Guwahati - Nameri NP

Road to Nameri National Park on the foot hills of the Himalayas and bordering Arunachal Pradesh. If early arrival, you can enjoy a nature walk in the afternoon. Night in resort or eco camp. Many activities can be organized around the park: angling, rafting, hikes...

Day 2

Nameri NP - Dirang

After breakfast, you go to Dirang. In Bhalukpong, which is the border between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, you will ask permission to enter Arunachal. The journey is along a very scenic road traversing forested hills and crossing over the Nichephu pass to the Tanga valley. Traversing the Tanga valley, the road climbs through a series of hairpins to the town of Bomdila, located at 2800 m height pass of same name. En route, stop at Tipi to visit a greenhouse of orchids with more than 7,500 flowers. You will also stop in the temple of Nag Mandir in Dedza. Visit the village inhabited by the ethnic Rupa of Shertukpen. Lunch at Bomdila and will continue to Dirang. Night in hotel.

Day 3

Dirang - Tawang

After breakfast, visit the hot springs of Dirang and then drive to Tawang, the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism. On the way, you can visit the quiet Nyukmadung Village. To reach Tawang, you will go through the Sela pass (4170 m). Night in hotel or guest house. Option: Bailey Trail Trekking (8 to 11 days) or Nagigi Trekking (8 days)

Day 4 & 5

Tawang

You will spend the next two days celebrating the colorful festival and festivities of Losar. You can also drive to Zemithang, an interesting and scenic village of the Monpa tribe (who are Mahayana Buddhists), located close to the border with China. Night in hotel or guest house.

Day 6

Tawang - Bomdila

After breakfast, you go to Bomdila. En route you pass Nuranang Falls, the memorial of Jaswant Garh (in memory of the Indochina war) and the Dirang Ta Dzong (Tibetan old prison). Night in hotel or guest house.