• Postcard PraNam
  • Postcard PraNam

Arunachal Pradesh

A journey to North-Eastern India 🇮🇳
Where mornings are born before the rest of the country wakes.
Arunachal Pradesh —
the first place in India to greet the sun,
where dawn arrives softly,
painting mountains with light
and silence feels sacred.
🌅🗻
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  • Trip start
    December 19, 2025
  • Ahmedabad Airport

    December 20, 2025 in India ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    We went home to Vadodara, where the table was full and hearts even fuller.
    Home-cooked food, familiar flavours, and that comfort only parents’ homes can give.

    With happy bellies and rising excitement, we started for Ahmedabad airport,
    picking up friends along the way — every stop adding more laughter to the journey.

    We reached the airport around 1 a.m.,
    our Guwahati flight waiting patiently for a 6:20 a.m. departure.
    The night passed easily — cards in hand, smiles all around,
    and endless rounds of 420 / Bluffmaster keeping the excitement alive
    until it was finally time to board. 😃✈️
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  • Hotel Siphiang Phong

    Dec 20–21, 2025 in India ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    We reached Guwahati Airport right on time and quickly took a taxi to ISBT Guwahati, where our bus to Bomdila was waiting. The Prime Minister had chosen the same day to visit Guwahati — thankfully, we made it through before the roads began to close.

    Helicopter services in the Arunachal sector weren’t operating; they run only when the weather is perfectly clear. So, the road journey it was.

    The bus ride stretched on for nearly 12 long hours. It doesn’t actually enter Bomdila town, instead sticking to the highway via the Bomdila bypass. But given how late it had gotten, we managed to convince the driver to drop us directly at our hotel.

    By the time we arrived, it was 11:45 pm.
    And yet, because India follows just one official time zone, that 11:45 here felt more like 1:45 in the morning.
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  • Bomdila Monastery

    December 21, 2025 in India ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    It was a brand new day.
    Before leaving for Dirang — the Sangti Valley, we began our morning with a hike to the Bomdila Monastery.

    The journey felt enchanting — quiet trails, cold mountain air, and a deep sense of calm. The monastery stood serene, grounding us before the road ahead.

    On our way back, we enjoyed a simple local delight — roasted corn 🌽, warm and smoky, eaten slowly as the mountains looked on.

    Soon after, we hired a cab and set off towards Sangti Valley, carrying the taste of the morning with us. 🌄🚖
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  • Sangiti valley

    December 21, 2025 in India ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Our stay at Sangti Valley was one of the most peaceful and memorable parts of the journey. After reaching the campsite, we settled into the tents and warmed ourselves with some hot Maggi and tea, which felt perfect in the chilly mountain weather.

    As evening set in, the temperature dropped quickly. The hosts arranged a bonfire, and we gathered around it for warmth before having dinner under the cold Himalayan night sky. Adding to the fun was a small, very energetic puppy at the campsite who kept running around and chasing us the whole time, making the evening even more lively.

    The next morning was extremely cold and covered in thick fog. The valley looked completely different, with mist slowly moving over the river and surrounding hills, creating a quiet and magical atmosphere.

    After breakfast, we settled the bill and packed up, continuing our journey toward Tawang. On the way, we planned stops at Nuranang Waterfall and the historic Chagzam Bridge, beginning another scenic stretch of the trip through the mountains.
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  • Junga/Nuranang Waterfall

    December 22, 2025 in India ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We were really excited to visit this waterfall, and it completely lived up to the anticipation. As we got closer, the sound of rushing water started echoing through the valley, building up the excitement even more.

    There is a small entry ticket required to access the viewpoint area, after which a short walk leads you down to the waterfall. The moment we reached the viewpoint, the sight was absolutely stunning — a massive sheet of water crashing down the rocky cliff into the valley below. The mist, the roar of the water, and the surrounding mountains made the whole place feel incredibly powerful and alive.

    Located near Jang in the Tawang region, Nuranang Falls drops from a height of around 100 meters, making it one of the most impressive waterfalls in Arunachal Pradesh. Watching the water plunge down with such force was mesmerizing, and we spent quite some time just standing there taking in the view and the cool spray in the air.

    It was definitely one of those stops that reminded us why road trips in the Himalayas are so special — sometimes the best moments are simply standing in front of nature and feeling its raw beauty.
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  • Chagzam Bridge

    December 22, 2025 in India ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Reaching Chagzam Bridge turned out to be a bit of an adventure. Even though we had already confirmed this stop beforehand, our driver was extremely reluctant to go there. The road was under construction and he was worried about taking his new car 🚙 on it — he was almost on the verge of giving up on the plan.

    But we had come this far and didn’t want to miss it, so we decided to continue anyway. Eventually, we had to walk 🚶🏻‍♂️nearly 1 km because the driver refused to drive further on the rough stretch. The path followed the river and, despite the dust and construction, the scenery made the walk worthwhile.

    Interestingly, this route is actually a new shortcut road running alongside the river, which cuts down the journey by more than 20 km compared to the older route. What started as a slightly stressful situation turned into a memorable little trek, and finally reaching the historic Chagzam Bridge after that effort made the experience feel even more rewarding.

    🏞️ Check post on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT489w2jLV6/?igsh=M…
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  • Holy Waterfall

    December 23, 2025 in India ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    Chumi Gyatse, also known as the Holy Waterfall, is one of the most spiritually powerful and serene places I’ve ever witnessed. Tucked away in the Eastern Himalayas near the Indo-China border, this sacred site is believed to consist of 108 waterfalls, though only a few are visible depending on the season.

    For Buddhists, Chumi Gyatse holds deep religious significance — it is said that Guru Padmasambhava blessed this place, and the water flowing here is considered holy. The journey to reach it is as humbling as the destination itself: rugged terrain, silence broken only by flowing water, prayer flags fluttering in the cold wind, and a sense of calm that stays with you.

    Standing here, you don’t just see a waterfall — you feel devotion, nature, and history coming together. A place that cleanses not just the body, but the soul.

    📍 A reminder that some journeys are less about the destination and more about the spiritual stillness they leave behind.

    📍 The time also updates to Chinese timezone, the left 11:46 AM is Indian time whereas the right side 02:16 PM is Chinese/Tibetan time
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  • Bum La Pass: 🇮🇳 India 🇨🇳 China LAC

    December 23, 2025 in India ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Bumla Pass was easily one of the most powerful places we visited during the trip. Standing at this high-altitude border between India and China, the Indian Army briefed us about the historic battle fought here during the 1962 Indo-China war. Hearing the story right at the actual location made it incredibly moving.

    The soldiers told us about the heroic stand led by Subedar Joginder Singh of the 1st Sikh Regiment, who defended this post with a small platoon against a much larger Chinese force. Despite being heavily outnumbered and attacked in multiple waves, the Indian soldiers fought fiercely and refused to retreat. Many of them were killed while defending the post, and even after being wounded, Joginder Singh continued leading his men in battle until he was captured. He was later awarded India’s highest wartime gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, for his extraordinary bravery. (Wikipedia)

    While standing at the border, we could clearly see the Chinese side as well. At one point, we noticed a short-heighted Chinese soldier constantly watching and monitoring our side, almost as if he was keeping a close eye on visitors near the border.

    Visitors are also allowed to take photos right at the border for a small fee, which makes for a memorable moment from such a historic place.

    What impressed us the most was the discipline, professionalism, and pride of the Indian Army personnel stationed here. Despite the extreme altitude, cold winds, and isolation, they patiently brief visitors, manage the border area, and proudly share the history of the place. Being there made us realize the sacrifices made by soldiers and left us with immense respect for the men guarding the nation at these remote frontiers.
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  • Shungetser/Madhuri Lake

    December 23, 2025 in India ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C

    Our visit to Shungetser Lake was beautiful, but also quite intense because of the weather. The entire area was covered in thick fog and freezing cold winds, making the lake and surrounding mountains appear and disappear in the mist. The drive up to the lake was equally dramatic — the whole road was wrapped in fog, giving the journey a mysterious Himalayan feel.

    We didn’t get to spend too much time here because we were eager to return to Tawang for the cultural show that we had already confirmed earlier in the morning. With the fog getting denser, our driver (captain) drove surprisingly fast but still very carefully, navigating through stretches of almost zero visibility on the mountain roads.

    After leaving the lake, we stopped at a small “home restaurant” nearby for food, but unfortunately the meal was quite disappointing — probably one of the worst we had during the trip.

    The drive back felt longer because of the fog, and we were a bit worried we might miss the show. But after finally reaching Tawang, we were relieved to find out that there was still about 1–2 hours left before our turn for the cultural performance.

    Even though the fog limited the views and the food stop wasn’t great, visiting Shungetser Lake still felt special. The cold air, the silent foggy landscape, and the dramatic drive made it a memorable part of the journey.
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  • Tawang Monastery

    December 24, 2025 in India ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    To visit the famous Tawang Monastery, we hired a small Omni cab, which was convenient because the driver also agreed to drop us directly at the Tawang bus stand afterward.

    Perched high above the town at around 10,000 feet, Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. The monastery complex overlooks the entire Tawang valley, and the views from here are truly breathtaking.

    Walking through the monastery grounds, with prayer flags fluttering in the cold mountain wind and monks moving quietly through the courtyards, created a very peaceful atmosphere. The massive prayer hall, traditional architecture, and surrounding Himalayan mountains make this place feel both spiritual and majestic.

    After spending some time exploring the monastery and enjoying the views of the valley below, we continued our ride with the same Omni cab toward the Tawang bus stand, getting ready for the next part of our journey.
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  • Giant Buddha Statue

    December 24, 2025 in India ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Located on a hill overlooking the beautiful town of Tawang, the Giant Buddha Statue & Temple offers a peaceful and panoramic view of the surrounding Himalayan landscape.

    Standing at an elevation of about 3,050 meters (10,007 ft), the golden Buddha statue symbolizes serenity and spiritual calm.

    After visiting the historic Tawang Monastery, this was our final sightseeing stop in Tawang before heading to the bus stand.

    The quiet atmosphere and sweeping views of the valley made it a perfect place to pause and take in the beauty of Tawang one last time before concluding our visit.
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  • Tawang Market

    December 24, 2025 in India ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    After reaching the Tawang bus stand, we left our luggage safely in the bus and decided to explore the nearby market for a while. The streets were lively but also a bit confusing, with narrow roads and small lanes branching in different directions, making it easy to lose track of where we came from.

    Most of the restaurants were still closed since many places here don’t open before around 11 AM, so food options were quite limited at that time. Still, it was nice to walk around, soak in the local atmosphere, and browse through the small shops. Before leaving, we picked up a small souvenir as a memory from Tawang.

    Finding our way back to the bus stand took longer than expected because of the maze-like roads, but we eventually made it. Soon after, it was time to board the bus and begin the long journey back to Guwahati, bringing an end to an unforgettable trip through the mountains.
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  • Homestay: Achala Homes

    Dec 25–26, 2025 in India ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Overall rating: 1/10 — the only positive was that we at least got a bed.

    The room had a foul smell, the bathroom was dirty, and there was no proper ventilation. The whole place felt suffocating, as if we were trapped inside.

    To make things worse, no one answers the phone when you reach the property and try to check in. When we finally got to the reception, the receptionist was busy sleeping, which made the whole experience even more frustrating.
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  • Trip end
    December 26, 2025