High up in the North West corner of Arunachal is Bhutan and shouldered by China traditionally remembered only in times of the 1962 Indo – Chinese war.
It is a land of lush green forests, deep river valleys and beautiful plateaus. The land is mostly mountainous with the Himalayan range along the northern borders criss-crossed with ranges running north-south. These divide the state into five river valleys: the Kameng, the Subansiri, the Siang, the Lohit and the Tirap. All these are fed by snow from the Himalayas and countless rivers and rivulets.
The weather and the climate of Arunachal Pradesh are quite distinct from the rest of the country. The climate of the State is dominated by the Himalayan system and the altitudanal variations. The climate is highly hot and humid at the lower altitudes and in the valleys covered by swampy dense forest particularly in the eastern section, while it becomes exceedingly cold in the higher altitudes. Average temperature during the winter months range from 15 to 21 degree celsius and 22 to 30 degree celsius during monsoon.
This region is endowed with natures bounty, ranging from subtropical river valleys to high Himalayan pastures, over 4500 meters in elevation, fringed by snow caps bordering Tibet. Arunachal offers a feast of flora, wildlife, and a variety of tribal cultures, including the Buddhist Monpa, and Sherdukpen tribals, of Tawang. Arunachal Pradesh is reached only by driving for a full day from Guwahati.
The state is home to 26 main tribal strains. Each has a distinct identity, of language, culture, and beliefs. Most worship supernatural sprits, and their deities are connected to nature.
The entire population may be divided into three cultural groups based on their socio-politico-religious affinities. The Monpas and Sherdak Pens of Tawang and West Kameng districts follow the lamaistic tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. Culturally similar to them are Membas and Khembas who live in the high mountains along the northern borders, Khamptis and Singphos inhabiting the eastern part of the State are Buddhists of Hinayana sect. They are said to have migrated from Thailand and Burma long ago and still using ancient scripts derived from their original homeland.
The second group of people of Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bungnis, Nishis, Mishmis, Mijis, Thangsos etc. who worship the Sun and the Moon God, namely, Donyi-Polo and Abo-Tani, the original ancestor for most of these tribes. Their religious rituals, largely coincide with the phases of agricultural cycles. They traditionally practise Jhuming or shifting cultivation. The third group comprises Noctes and Wanchos in the Tirap district . These are hardy people known for their structured village society in which the hereditary village chief still plays a vital role. The Noctes also practise elementary form of Vaishnavism.
Arunachal Pradesh is a restricted area. Certain tourist circuits are open to foreign tourists for 10 days at a time, after obtaining a Restricted Area Permit (RAP).
You need to contact 3 monthsin advance so that we can send you permit application form, and obtain the permit for you.
The Arunachal Pradesh government charges a Royalty of USD 50 per person and a minimum of 4 have to travel together.
supernatural sprits, and their deities are connected to nature.