Mostly visited for – Itanagar (capital and entry point of Arunachal), Tawang Monastery (a remote Buddhist town), Changlang District (land of biodiversity, Namdapha tiger project), Ziro (cultural capital famous for festivals), Bomdila and Urguelling (towns famous for monastic links and Buddhist temples). Rafting, trekking, fishing and angling are the adventure sports availed in Arunachal Pradesh.
Major Cities – Itanagar, Ziro Valley, Pasighat, Along and Tawang
Weather - Summer: March to May, Monsoon: May to September, Winter: October to February. Climate of Arunachal Pradesh is influenced by its variation in elevation. The high elevation areas have an extreme climate, Middle Himalayas have temperate climate and lower reaches have sub tropical climate with hot summers and cool winters.
Connectivity
By Air – The nearest airport, Lilabari is in Assam, 67 km from Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.
By Train – Harmuty (33 km from Itanagar) is the nearest railway station offering connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh.
By Road – Roads from Guwahati, Assam (381 km); Shillong, Meghalaya (481 km) lead to isolated Itanagar, the capital entry point of Arunachal Pradesh.
History, Geography and Culture of Arunachal Pradesh
The sun sends its ray of light first on this dawn lit mountain land, Arunachal Pradesh, a densely ridged easternmost forested state of India. The state’s history has been shrouded in mystery but the region finds its mention in the literature of Kalika Purana where Sage Parshuram washed away his sins and in Mahabharata as the place where Lord Krishna married his consort Rukmini.Geographically aligned between Burma, China, Bhutan, Assam and Nagaland, this land of dawn lit mountains is the richest bio-geographical province in the eastern Himalaya zone. The varying elevations in the deep-cut foothills are spacious enough to accommodate 65 tribal settlements in the form of traditional villages. The major rivers flowing eastward through the state are Brahmaputra and its tributaries – Dibang, Lohit, Subansiri, Tirap. The elevation of this hilly state varies from 50 m to 7000 m, lending it a bio-diverse environment. Rice, pulses, sugarcane, wheat, millets, oilseeds and ginger are the highly cultivated crops of Arunachal Pradesh.
The peaceful valley is famed worldwide for its tucked monasteries, and wildlife sanctuaries. The culture of this easternmost Indian state is Buddhist in belief, character and way of life. There are three cultural groups in Arunachal Pradesh based on their socio religious affinities. The Monpas and Sherdukpens of Tawang and West Kameng districts adhere to the monk / lama traditions dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism. These villages of these communities are known for richly decorated Buddhist temples called Gompas. The agricultural orientation of these natives has brought them close to terrace cultivation, besides pastoral rearing herds of yak and mountains sheep. Similar to these cultural sects are Membas and Khambas who dwell around the northern borders of the state and practice same religion and vocation as Monpas. Khamptis and Singphos of eastern Arunachal are Buddhists of Hinayana camp. These are the immigrants from Thailand and Burma.
The second cultural group of this state is its tribes. These tribes still dwell upon nature’s best kept preserves and bounties and even worship sources of nature like sun and moon. Predominant tribes of the region like Adis, Apatanis, Bangnis, Nishis, Akas, Mijis, Mishmis and Thongsas are basically the descendants of Donyi-Polo and Abo-Tani. For livelihood, they practice shifting cultivation of paddy and fishing.
The third cultural group of Arunachal comprises Noctes and Wanchos dwelling alongside the Nagaland area in Tirap District. These are strictly Hindu people known for their structured village society and practice elementary Vaishnavism.
Flora and Fauna of Arunachal Pradesh
The nature’s treasure trove, Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with bounties in terms of flora and fauna. It is famously called as home to exotic orchids. This orchid paradise is known for its more than 600 exquisite species for orchid blooms, thanks to its climate and varying elevations prevalent in the region. This particular gift of nature is the major draw for tourists who want to experience nature tourism amidst the tucks and folds of eastern Himalayas.
There is a special Orchid Research Centre in Tipi, West Kameng District sensitizing the natives and tourists with the importance of these flowers in the ecosystem of the state and promoting orchid conservation, research and development. The orchid collection can also be visited in the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary, a 100 sq km natural habitat for exotic orchids. Here tourists can do trekking and find out more about tropical, sub tropical and temperate climate orchids. The other orchid centers and nurseries of the state are located in Bomdila, Dirang, Hapoli and Yazali.
If tourists think that Arunachal is only blessed with the presence of Orchids, then they need to visit the wildlife treasures of this bountiful paradise. The fauna of this region is blessed with 25 mammal species. Four major cats i.e. tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, snow leopards, golden cats, leopard cat, marbled cat, elephants, gaurs, wild buffalo, etc can be spotted here easily. The highly endangered hispid hare also serve as the attraction of this state’s lowlands.
In terms of birds, the state is equally blessed. Over 500 bird species including white winged wood duck, black necked crane, mishmi wren and Bengal florican flock the skyline of Arunachal. But the avian attraction lies in the great Indian hornbill, the large beaked bird which is the privileged state bird of Arunachal Pradesh. Apart from them, tourists can spot 10 varied species of pheasants and innumerable species of butterflies, moths, beetles and other insects.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of Arunachal Pradesh
There are eight wildlife sanctuaries in different regions of the state. They are located in Pakhui, Itanagar, Mehao, Kane, Daying Ering, Kamlang, Eagle's Nest, and Mehao regions of Arunachal Pradesh.
Religion – Buddhism, Hinduism
Festivals – Losar Festival (Jan-Feb)
Pangsau Pass Winter Festival
Torgya Festival – Saka Dawa (Celebrating Lord Buddha’s achievement of Nirvana)
Dupka Tse Shi
Duechen
Ganden Ngamchoe
Flower Show Competition
Statehood Day of Arunachal Pradesh
Eat – Paa Saa Fish Soup, Meat, Rice, Apang – Rice Beer, Momos, Thukpa, Gyapa, Khazi, Sihi Yo Sangkho, etc
Buy – Handmade carpets, Wooden Masks, Pottery, Painting, Smithy Work and Basketry.
Hotels – there are many three star accommodations providing comfortable stay options in Arunachal Pradesh.