Buddha Trail and Prayer Flags

The Buddha Trail and Prayer Flags in Arunachal Pradesh

The Buddha Trail and Prayer Flags in Arunachal Pradesh offer a spiritual journey through some of the most serene and sacred Buddhist sites in India. This unique trail allows travelers to explore the region’s rich Buddhist heritage, while the vibrant prayer flags, fluttering across mountain passes and monasteries, symbolize peace, compassion, and hope.

The trail takes visitors through the enchanting town of Tawang, home to the Tawang Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Asia. This spiritual hub is a significant stop on the Buddha Trail, where prayer flags adorn the landscape, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The sight of the colorful flags fluttering in the Himalayan breeze is a reminder of the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of the region. These flags, inscribed with prayers and mantras, are believed to carry blessings to all sentient beings as they sway in the wind.

The Buddha Trail also passes through other key spiritual sites, including the Bomdila Monastery and the Urgelling Monastery, the latter being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. As you travel along this trail, the presence of prayer flags serves as a constant reminder of the teachings of the Buddha and the deep connection between nature and spirituality in this region.

Embarking on the Buddha Trail and Prayer Flags journey offers a peaceful and enriching experience, where the landscape, culture, and spiritual heritage come together to leave a lasting impression on travelers.

Buddha Trail and the prayer flags

10 Nights / 11 Days

Age 10+

Sept to May

The Trip:

Assam – Arunachal Pradesh

The most magical, fascinating and scenically spectacular, a mountain journey to Tawang is one of the Northeast’s greatest attractions. This trip will cover Western Arunachal Pradesh which is having highest motorable pass of 4,050 meters MSL. The Largest Buddhist Monasteries outside Tibet, the Gompas, the Monpa tribe, Snow capped Himalayan Mountain range, the Jungle walk in Nameri Wildlife, Elephant Back safari in Kaziranga are the diversity of this trip.

Destinations: Guwahati – Bhalukpong – Dirang – Tawang – Bomdila – Nameri National Park – Kaziranga NP

Day 01: Arrival at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati and drive to Bhalukpong

Post arrival at Guwahati International Airport, directly moves to Bhalukpong ( 5 Hours drive), the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh hills. Check into hotels on the bank of Jia Bhoroli River and overnight stay.

Day 02: Bhalukpong to Dirang (6 Hours drive)

Start early and drive through the Eastern Himalayas to Dirang. It is an ideal hill resort in the West Kameng district with a beautiful Apple Nursery, Kiwi Farm, Yak Research Centre (if possible), and Buddhist Gompa. Evening check-in hotel at Dirang and overnight.

Day 03: In Dirang

Spend the day at Dirang. After breakfast, visit Old Dirang, its winding streams and Old Fort. Take a light trek through Sangti Valley and enjoy fantastic views of Dirang. Afternoon lunch, rest of day to relax or wander around Dirang. Overnight in Dirang.

Day 04: Dirang to Tawang (6 Hours drive)

Post breakfast, move to Tawang, one of the most remote Buddhist attractions in India. Drive via Sela Pass at an altitude of 4,050 meters MSL. Stop there, have a Bird’s eye view of the Topography and for Tea. After that, visit the Jaswant Garh War Memorial at Nuranang on the way. Arrive late afternoon in Tawang and the remaining time is free for you. Check-in hotel and overnight stay.

Day 05: In Tawang

Morning visits the Tawang Monastery, which seats majestically facing into Bhutan, which is the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet. Observe the panoramic view from the Monastery and admire the huge statue of Lord Buddha. After that, visit Urgelling Gompa, the Birthplace of the 6th Dalai lama and Ani Gompa. After that, if time permits, also visit Indo China War memorial. Evening back to Hotel and overnight stay.

Day 06: In Tawang

This day is also for local and nearby places in Tawang. We will cover some other interior Gompas mainly of the Gelukpa Sect of Mahayana Buddhism. If time permits, also visit the local market.Evening back to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 07: Tawang to Bomdila (6 Hours drive)

Back journey to Bomdila, it’s a small Buddhist town. Situated at an altitude of 2,220 meters MSL, Bomdila is a picturesque town in the foothills of the Himalayas and the capital of the West Kameng District. If lucky, one can see the brilliant landscape and snow-clad Gorichen ranges of the Himalayas on a clear day. Reach Bomdila by evening.Overnight.

Day 08: Bomdila to Nameri National Park (6 Hours drive)

Post breakfast, drive back to Nameri National Park. Before reaching Nameri NP, visit Tippi Orchid Centre which houses around 7500 species of Orchids. Then move to Nameri National Park. Reach by late afternoon and check-in at the hotel.

Day 09: At Nameri National Park

Early morning avail Jungle Walk inside the National Park mainly famous for rare Birdlife and other flora & fauna. After that, avail of River rafting in the river Jia Bhoroli. Late afternoon, it is free for you. Overnight stay.

Day 10: Nameri National Park to Kaziranga National Park ( 3 hours drive)

Post breakfast move to Kaziranga National Park. Post lunch, avail of one round of Jeep safari inside the National Park. Evening back to Hotel and overnight stay.

Day 11: Elephant back safari and drop at Jorhat Airport (3 Hours drive max)

Early morning avail one round of Elephant back safari inside the National Park. Post breakfast move to Jorhat Airport (3 Hours drive) and drop.

The tour ends here.

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Travel Tips

When travel to North-East India, guests are requested to follow the below mentioned points for hassle free journey.

Always carry a small torchlight, umbrella in your bag. If you do journey during summer umbrella is must.
Bring Sturdy comfortable shoes, Warm jackets during winter and cotton T shirts or shirts during Summer.
Bring Toiletries, Insect repellent, Sunscreen.
Note that Star category hotels are generally available mainly in Guwahati, Shillong. The remaining destinations, mainly remote ones, mostly have basic accommodations but neat and clean.
For a comfort long distance journey, guests are requested to avail transportation by SUV cars such as Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, Scorpio, Bolero etc.
Changing foreign currencies are not mainly problem in Guwahati, Shillong or in some big towns. But maximum destinations do not have this facility so carry a number of Indian cash with you.

For a foreign traveller, always carry your documents such as Visa etc with you anytime.

Things to Carry

Loose fitting clothes (Sportswear)
Sports Shoes/Trekking shoes preferable
Extra Pair of Clothing
Bed sheet
Sun Cap/Hat
Sunscreen
Toiletries
Towel
Water Bottle
Prescribed Medicine (if any of your choice)
Head lamp
Kindly Note: Best time to avail tour in this region is from October to May. From June to September, due to heavy rain, maximum destinations are not suitable to visit.