Arunachal Pradesh shares its borders with China, Bhutan and Myanmar – hence travelling to Arunachal Pradesh could be tricky without right permit. There are even few areas where entry to foreigners are strictly prohibited. In this blog I have tried explaining things to know before travelling to Arunachal Pradesh and all about travel permits in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Things to know before travelling to Arunachal Pradesh
How to apply for travel Permits in Arunachal Pradesh
To visit Arunachal Pradesh you need to apply for permits beforehand, and this is the most important part once you have made your mind to visit this beautiful state.
There are two kinds of permits:
- Protected Area Permit (PAP)
- Inner Line Permit (ILP)
1. Protected Area Permit (PAP)
Protected Area Permit is required for foreign tourists. This permit is valid for 30 days and costs 3,550 INR. Apply Here
2. Inner Line Permit (ILP)
Inner Line Permit is required for Indian citizens. This permit is valid for 15 days and costs 100 INR. Also, you can apply for an Inner Line Permit online and get it on the same day which costs 400 INR with an additional cost of INR 5500(per vehicle) for Bumla Pass, if interested to visit.
You can apply for a permit in Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati (Assam), and Itanagar (although you need a permit before you can enter Itanagar, so this option is only available to locals). You can also get a permit either through a tour agency or independently.
Contact Himangshu (+917576096491) he can help with all required permits.
Once you’ve received your permit for Arunachal Pradesh, be sure to print out copies, that you’ll need to provide at multiple checkpoints. Apply Here
How to reach Arunachal Pradesh
By plane
Arunachal Pradesh has four commercial airports at Itanagar, Pasighat, Tezu and Zero.
The best way to reach Arunachal is to reach Guwahati (Assam) that serves as the major entry point. Guwahati has an international airport and very well connected by road, rail and frequent flights from major the cities of India as well.
There’s also helicopter service available from Guwahati to Pasighat and Tawang that only operates depending on the weather condition (INR 3500 each way).
Book your flights from MakeMyTrip or Goibibo
By car
The easiest way to reach and enjoy the whole trip is definitely by road, definitely it would be a long journey.
Also you can hire a private cab for the entire duration of your trip to Arunachal right from Guwahati airport which will be far more comfortable than shared cabs or public buses. I would suggest not to miss the road trip for some unforgettable maggi and momo stops that comes with awe-inspiring views.
Contact Himangshu (+917576096491) for car rentals and travel guide right from pick up till drop off. Please tell him that I said ‘hello’ if you meet him.
The roads are good and well maintained by Border Road Organisation (BRO), but there can be landslides in the rainy season, so be very cautious if you wish to self drive.
Best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh
April-May and October-November are the most ideal times to visit Arunachal Pradesh, where you will be able to witness many festivals that takes part in between October to April as well.
Although the climate and charm of Arunachal are appealing throughout the year, every season has got its own uniqueness to attract the tourists. I went in December and the winter season showcased snowfall, valleys painted in white, snow capped mountains and certain times blocked roads. The overall experience was just incredible! The high altitude region of Tawang will be extremely cold from November to February-March so come prepared.
Here monsoon starts from June or July to September. As Arunachal is prone to heavy rainfall, and landslides comes without any prior notice, its advisable to avoid those months.
Is Arunachal Pradesh safe?
Answer is: yes, absolutely.
Arunachal Pradesh itself has always been a peaceful state in terms of tourism and I didn’t feel unsafe or uncomfortable for a single moment. The locals are so friendly and polite they helped me with everything possible they could.
Language in Arunachal Pradesh
People of Arunachal Pradesh can speak and understand Hindi and English. So communication won’t be an issue.
How many days are enough for a Arunachal Pradesh trip
Usually 5-7 days are ideal for Arunachal trip where you can visit the major attractions without any rush.
Envisioning the lovely end to this amazing time spent in Arunachal Pradesh. So guys hope you find this blog helpful planning yours, and if you have any queries please write it down in the comment section below. We would try to help with the best of our knowledge.
Interested to explore another North Eastern States – Meghalaya?
Read our Ultimate 7 Days Meghalaya Travel Guide and Itinerary
