There is a brief window in the Eastern Himalayas when the mountains begin to shift. Winter loosens its hold, but does not disappear entirely. Snow still crowns the high passes, rivers begin to swell with meltwater, and valleys turn greener by the day. In Western Arunachal Pradesh, spring and early summer are not about absence of snow, but about contrast. White ridgelines above, fresh growth below, and movement returning to the land.
This chapter is set in that season of transition.
Western Arunachal lies along India’s far eastern frontier, shaped over centuries by trade routes, migration, faith, and geography. Long before modern borders, these valleys connected Tibet, Bhutan, and the plains below. Even today, history feels close here, carried quietly in monasteries, village paths, and everyday rituals rather than written records.
As the season shifts, West Kameng and Tawang reveal layers of the mountains rarely seen in winter. Snow remains across high-altitude regions like Sela Pass, while lower valleys open up into green fields, orchards, and forest trails. Waterfalls strengthen, rivers carry fresh mountain flow, and roads reconnect places that winter holds apart. Days grow brighter, evenings remain cool, and the rhythm of travel feels expansive yet grounded.
In the green valleys of West Kameng, you step into the homeland of the Sherdukpens, one of Arunachal’s smallest communities. Their villages are shaped by warmth and familiarity, where daily life unfolds around fields, forests, shared meals, and long-held customs. Hospitality here is instinctive rather than curated, offered without ceremony.
As the road climbs higher, Monpa culture begins to shape the landscape more visibly. Monasteries rise gently above settlements, prayer flags trace the wind, and homes reflect a way of life deeply tied to Buddhism, land, and seasonal rhythms. Practices like traditional paper-making, home brewing, and communal cooking continue not as heritage displays, but as everyday life.
In the high meadows, you encounter the Brokpas, pastoral communities whose lives have long been guided by movement. Traditionally nomadic, they follow grazing cycles across valleys and alpine pastures, shifting with the seasons rather than settling in one place. Spring and early summer mark a time of return to these higher landscapes, when snow begins to retreat just enough for life to move upward again.
Over eight days, this journey moves through monasteries and meadows, homestays and high passes, orchards and jungle paths. You will walk with local guides, share meals in traditional homes, learn age-old crafts, taste local brews and handcrafted wines, and spend unhurried evenings in places where conversation matters more than schedules.
This chapter is for travellers who want to experience the mountains in motion. For those who are curious about how people live with altitude, season, and faith. For those who understand that spring in the Himalayas is not about leaving winter behind, but about watching it slowly transform.
Western Arunachal, in this season, is not something to rush through or collect.
It reveals itself slowly, as you move with it.
Note: Please keep a poncho/ raincoat and a pair of rubber gumboots handy if possible in case of light showers and short hikes. Leeches in some areas could be a present in the season, especially further in June but, the packing list will have mention of preventives that can help us deal with them.
Note: Owing to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control and the legacy of the 1962 Sino-India conflict, this region remains heavily militarised. Certain restrictions apply, especially for foreign nationals. Our team will assist you with all formalities to ensure a seamless journey.
If you are landing a day prior to the trip, you can join the group either at Guwahati Airport, or Jalukbari Junction — depending on where you are staying in Guwahati. These are the designated pick-up points en route to Shergaon, as the vehicle will not stop or enter the city beyond these points.
The trip starts from Guwahati Airport at 12 PM on Day 1. We recommend arriving by 11 AM to ensure a timely departure, as Day 1 includes a long drive.
We expect to reach the Guwahati airport area by 7:30 PM on the final day. Please book a flight after 9 PM or ideally the following morning, with an overnight stay in Guwahati.
Yes, you would be requiring an Inner Line Permit to travel enter Arunachal Pradesh. We will be arranging the same for you. We would need details such as your Aadhar Card/Passport, passport size photo, along with a few other details to procure this. The ILP usually takes about 7 days to process.
While most of your expenses are taken care of in the trip cost, an additional ₹1,000 per day (upper limit) would be more than enough to cover any personal expenses. Most places along the route might not accept online payments, making transactions a bit inconvenient.
We will be staying at clean, comfortable, and hygienic homestays at all the locations.
Please note, there are different room categories and sizes at all the homestays and room allocation is done at random by the Trip lead.
Once you sign up, we will share a detailed and season specific list of things to carry, tailored for travel during April, May and June.
While we understand that visiting the border areas of Bum La pass is a highly sought after experience, we have skipped it in this chapter as we want our guests to go off the beaten road with us. The pass is definitely beautiful but Chumi Gyatse offers a more peaceful and spiritually enriching experience. It holds deep religious significance for Buddhists and is less crowded than Bumla Pass.
While Snowfall is weather dependent, you will definitely see snow and snow sheets at the high-altitude passes from November to March.
Yes, vegetarians do not need to worry. While many local dishes are meat based, the rise in tourism has ensured that vegetarian options are available at all locations. We also encourage you to try the seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are especially fresh and flavourful during spring and summer.
This trip takes place during spring and early summer in the Eastern Himalayas.Lower altitude regions such as Shergaon and Dirang experience pleasant daytime temperatures ranging between 12°C to 22°C, with cool and comfortable evenings.
Higher altitude regions including Sela Pass, Tawang, and Chumi Gyatse can be significantly cooler, especially in the mornings and evenings, with temperatures ranging between 5°C to 15°C.
April and May generally offer clear skies, blooming valleys, and vibrant greenery. June may bring occasional rain showers, particularly in the afternoons, adding to the lushness of the landscape. Snowfall is unlikely during these months, though small snow patches may still be visible at very high altitudes.
Since we travel through high altitude regions of the Eastern Himalayas, average driving speeds are slower, resulting in longer travel times on certain days. While daylight hours are longer during this season, mountain roads and winding terrain still require patience. The reward lies in the journey itself, with stunning views of green valleys, high altitude lakes, rivers, and expansive mountain landscapes.
We recommend starting early each day and being punctual to ensure smooth travel.
You’ll find plenty of eateries and highway dhabas up to Dirang. However, as we ascend towards Tawang and beyond, food options become limited. Long drives may also lead to delayed meals.
We recommend carrying snacks or stocking up the previous day to ensure a comfortable, hunger-free journey.
While heavy snowfall is unlikely during this season, occasional rain, fog, or landslides may temporarily affect road conditions, especially in June. If access to any planned location is restricted due to weather or road conditions, we will make every effort to arrange a suitable alternative for the day.
We accept up to 3 people from the same group in our set departures to keep the group dynamic open and engaging. For larger groups, we recommend our Bespoke Trips — tailored to your preferences and budget.
The minimum group size for this trip is 4 participants. We recommend early travellers book flexible flight tickets. In the unlikely event that the trip is cancelled due to insufficient bookings, we will inform you at least 21 days before the start date.
This trip doesn’t have any strenuous treks or hikes and does not require you to be in the best of fitness. The hikes on Day 3 and 7 in Meeshopsa and Chug Fall under easy category for active people. Certain sections with rain prediction could be tricky and the trails come with steep drops occasionally. However, it is not something that could not be managed with patience and our guide’s assistance.
The hike in Meeshopsa and Chug could take you anywhere between 30 mins to 45 mins depending on your pace. The trail in Chug is an easy flat forest trail.
The trip is not advised for senior citizens or people with knee issues.
Single occupancy requires an additional room and impacts overall group capacity. To maintain the experience quality and balance trip logistics, a limited number of single rooms are offered with a single-room supplement.
Rooms are shared on a double sharing basis. In case you are a solo traveller, you will be paired up with another solo traveller of the same gender. Please note that almost all of the properties will have double bed rooms.
