How to tour Arunachal Pradesh: a step-by-step plan
Six decisions, in the order that saves you the most trouble.
To tour Arunachal Pradesh, decide on one circuit, choose a month that suits it, get your permit, arrange a vehicle with a driver, book stays and fix a budget. Do them in that order and the rest of the planning falls into place.
Step 1. Pick one circuit
The state is too wide for one trip. The west (Bomdila, Dirang and Tawang) has the best roads and the most beds. The centre (Ziro) is gentler and cultural. The east (Pasighat, Mechuka, Roing and Namdapha) is the most remote. Our places guide compares them.
Step 2. Choose the month
October to April suits Tawang. March to May and October to November suit Ziro and the east. Avoid late June to early September. Use the month-by-month guide, or the interest-based Arunachal visit best time post.
Step 3. Count the days
Seven days from Guwahati covers Tawang. Ten adds Ziro. If you are unsure, read how many days are enough for Arunachal Pradesh, then pick one of the itineraries.
Step 4. Get the permit
Indian citizens apply online for an Inner Line Permit. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit through an operator. Do this as soon as your dates are firm.
Step 5. Arrange the vehicle and the route
Most people tour Arunachal in a hired car with a driver, because buses do not go to the places you came for. The car is the biggest cost and it is shared, so group size matters, as the cost page shows. Fly to Guwahati (or Dibrugarh for the east) and start the road there.
Step 6. Book stays and set a budget
Plan on roughly ₹2,800 to ₹4,200 per person per day for land arrangements, plus flights. Tawang fills up around Durga Puja and the winter holidays, so book rooms early. Homestays in Ziro and the east are the best way to meet people, and they need notice.
What to pack and expect
Layers, printed ID and permit, cash, a power bank and motion sickness tablets. Expect patchy phone signal, long road days and a great deal of scenery. Read the travel guidelines before you go.
Prefer someone else to do steps four to six? Try the trip planner, or send us your dates for a free plan.
Related guides
- How to travel Arunachal Pradesh from Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai
- How many days are enough for Arunachal Pradesh?
- Arunachal Pradesh travel guidelines: rules and safety
Further reading
Independent sources, if you want a second opinion before you book:
- 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
- Arunachal Pradesh on Wikipedia — history, geography and demographics of the state
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Frequently asked questions
How to tour Arunachal Pradesh for the first time?
Choose one circuit, usually Tawang from Guwahati, pick October to April, get an Inner Line Permit and hire a car with a driver. Seven days is the standard trip.
Can I tour Arunachal Pradesh on my own?
Yes, with a permit. Most people still hire a local car and driver because of the roads, checkposts and limited public transport.
How much does a tour of Arunachal Pradesh cost?
Roughly 2,800 to 4,200 rupees per person per day for land arrangements, plus flights, depending on style and group size.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes for Tawang in October and over the winter holidays, and for Ziro during the music festival.