Arunachal visit best time: pick your month by what you want to see
The best time depends on what you want, so start there.
The Arunachal visit best time depends on what you want to see. Come from December to mid-March for snow, mid-March to April for rhododendrons, October and November for clear skies, and avoid late June to early September everywhere.
Choose by what you want to see
| You want | Go in | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Snow | December to mid-March | Sela Pass, Tawang, Mayudia in the east |
| Rhododendrons | Mid-March to late April | Sela and Bomdila slopes |
| Clear mountain views | October to November | Tawang, Dirang, Ziro |
| Open passes, mild days | April and October | Tawang, Bum La |
| Festivals | Feb to April and September | Losar, Nyokum, Mopin, Ziro Music Festival |
| Eastern valleys | March to May, October to November | Pasighat, Mechuka, Roing |
The months to avoid
Late June to early September is monsoon. Landslides close roads, sometimes for days, and there is no alternative route on much of the west. In July and August we usually advise people to postpone. We run some trips in June and September with padded itineraries, but only after a frank conversation.
Arunachal visit best time for Tawang
October to April. April is arguably the best single month, with mild days, open passes and flowers. Winter brings snow, and since the Sela Tunnel opened, a snowfall no longer cuts you off. Bum La and Madhuri Lake may be closed in deep winter, so choose April or October if those matter to you. Read the Tawang package.
Arunachal visit best time for Ziro and the east
March to May and October to November. September is the Ziro Music Festival, and it sells out, so book four to five months ahead. See the Ziro Valley tour.
When it is busiest
October, over Durga Puja, and again at Christmas and New Year. Book Tawang rooms by June for October. If crowds bother you, March, April and November are the sweet spot: good weather, open passes and rooms available.
Month-by-month detail
For the full month-by-month table and the festival calendar, use the main best time to visit Arunachal page. To find how many days to allow, see how many days are enough.
Related guides
- How many days are enough for Arunachal Pradesh?
- Why Arunachal Pradesh is famous: what it is known for
- How to tour Arunachal Pradesh: a step-by-step plan
Further reading
Independent sources, if you want a second opinion before you book:
- Arunachal Pradesh on Wikipedia — history, geography and demographics of the state
- Arunachal Pradesh Tourism — the state's official tourism site, which also notes the ILP and PAP requirements
- Arunachal Pradesh on Wikivoyage — a community-written travel guide
Tell us what you want to see. We'll build the trip around it.
Send us your dates, the city you're flying from and how many people are travelling. You'll get a day-by-day plan and a firm price, usually within a few hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh?
October to April for Tawang, March to May and October to November for Ziro and the east. Avoid late June to early September.
Is October a good time to visit Arunachal?
Yes. The monsoon has cleared and skies are clear, but it is the busiest month, so book early.
When does it snow in Tawang?
Mostly from December to mid-March. Sela Pass and Tawang town get the most.
When are the rhododendrons in bloom?
Roughly mid-March to late April on the Sela and Bomdila slopes.