Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here!
The Route we were taking to Tawang was the - Guwahati-Tezpur-Bhalukpong-Sessa-Tenga-Bomdilla-Dirang-Baisakhi-Sela-Tawang ( although, there's another shorter and 'newer' route also known as Trans-Himalayan-Highway of Guwahati-Sipajhar-Mangaldoi-Rowta-Orang-(turn left at junction)-Mazbat-Amatulla-Kalaktang(turn right )-Gyuto Monastery-Shergaon-Rupa-Bomdila-Tawang which has fewer amenities and lesser traffic on the way ). While returning, we had taken part of this route - from Bhalukpong, instead of coming to Tezpur we came to Guwahati via Orang route which was far quicker. The first route i.e the traditional route is more popular and help easily available, compared to the 2nd. In both the routes, the road from Bomdila to Tawang is common.
I was sitting in the front seat of the Sumo, and glued to my windows throughout the journey. It was unlike any other road trip I had taken so far. 12+ hours ( more, if we get stuck ), on the road is no joke ~ that too, not on normal hills but the Himalayan mountains. Arunachal's hills are not child's play. They are what you call the meanest, wildest and most treacherous adventure possible, or even imaginable! Add to it, travelling with strangers ( men )...can you imagine more thrill than that?
it was misty, foggy throughout, with the skies clearing only occasionally...
after Bhalukpong, its only hills, hills and more hills all the way...
all covered in green foliage...
came across many bridges like this built by the BRO ( border roads organisation )...
the road gets narrow, and we have to make way for entire army convoys to pass...
( these frequent convoys can have 30-40 vehicles at a time )
passing through Sessa town ( famous for its Orchid Sanctuary )...
sessa means chilly, the name suits...
at some point the the mist clears...
only to be back, and make it lot darker...
would you dare to drive that road below?
pass by some more little towns, or are these villages? hamlets?
some lovely views...
river Kameng flows along, side by side, in most of the route...
we reach New Kaspi famous for its Nag Mandir/Temple...we halt a few minutes...
the views around...
the driver gets his tires filled, much needed for the bumpy road ahead...
and again, we move on...into more hills...
we approach Tenga, there's a long traffic jam due to road repair...get stuck 30mins!
while we are stuck, I watch in awe the army trucks passing along river Kameng...
Tenga Valley, at 6500 Feet, is a small but strategic military base camp...
closer view of the river Kameng...
yes, that's the road we'll go...
but, after crossing this bridge first...notice, there's no pillars on the bridge?
never get enough of the mountains...but the bigger ones are still to come...
we go further up, and, I see the first snow of my life...up ahead in those hills...
yes, snow...like on top of christmas trees, I couldn't wait to get a closer view...
after over 5 hours on the road, travelling 162 km from Tezpur, we reach Bomdilla...many people take a halt here, visit its monastry and stay in one of the many hotels, but, we'll go further...
Tawang is a town in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, situated at an elevation of approx 3,048 metres ( 10,000ft ) to the east of Bhutan. The town once served as the district headquarters of West Kameng district, and became the district headquarters of Tawang district when it was formed from West Kameng ( wiki ).
Address : Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
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