What permits are needed?

Standard Inner Line Permit applies, and this route sits close to the border zone, so additional clearance may be required for both Bumla and the Mago/Gongkar La stretch. We handle this as part of the package but recommend booking with extra lead time.

Why does the return route go via Shergaon instead of straight to Guwahati?

The return distance from Tawang to Guwahati in a single day is too long to do safely and comfortably after this itinerary's demanding days. Routing through Shergaon splits the drive and gives a proper rest stop.

How high does this trip actually go, and should I worry about altitude?

Mago sits at roughly 3,585 meters, and Gongkar La goes higher still into true high-altitude terrain. Move slowly, stay hydrated, and tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell. This isn't a trip to rush.

What's the accommodation like at Mago and near Gongkar La?

Basic and limited, this is genuinely undeveloped territory, not a resort circuit. Expect simple stays rather than hotel-standard comfort. If you need reliable hot water and modern amenities every night, this specific route isn't the right fit, the standard Tawang packages are a better match.

Is a normal vehicle enough, or do I need something special?

The Mago and Gongkar La stretch requires an off-road capable vehicle, which is why we specify this in the package rather than using a standard sedan or SUV. We arrange the right vehicle for this leg as part of the trip.

Can this itinerary be customized, or shortened if I don't want to go all the way to Gongkar La?

Yes. Get in touch and we can adjust the pace, stop at Mago without continuing to Gongkar La, or extend the trip further if you want more time in the valley.

Bestseller Verified Tour Top Rated

Tawang, Bumla, Mago Chuna Valley & Gongkar La Lake | 7 Days

Arunachal Pradesh

7 Days / 6 Nights

4.9 · 12 Reviews

6 Nights

Premium Stay

Meals

Breakfast Incl.

Transport

Private Vehicle

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Experienced

Overview Itinerary Inclusions FAQ

Tour Overview

Mago Chuna Valley and Gongkar La sit past where most Tawang trips stop. Monpa and Brokpa families still herd yak through Mago's gorges, and Gongkar La is a glacial lake you reach mostly on off-road track. This trip includes Bumla Pass, the highlight most travelers come for, then continues into terrain few operators cover at all.

Detailed Itinerary

1

Day 1

Guwahati to Dirang

We pick you up from Guwahati and head for the hills. Assam's plains give way to Arunachal's first ridgelines as the road narrows and climbs. We reach Dirang by evening. Overnight stay in Dirang.

2

Day 2

Dirang to Tawang via Sela Pass

After breakfast, we cross Sela Pass, prayer flags snapping in thin mountain air, and stop at Sela Lake before continuing to Jaswant Garh War Memorial. We reach Tawang by evening. Overnight stay in Tawang.

3

Day 3

Bumla Pass, Ptso Lake & Madhuri Lake

Bumla Pass sits right on the Indo-China border, and it's the day most travelers book this trip for. We also stop at Ptso Lake and Madhuri Lake along the way, both quiet, high-altitude waters worth the walk. We're back in Tawang by evening. Overnight stay in Tawang.

4

Day 4

Tawang Monastery & Giant Buddha to Jang

A lighter morning: we visit Tawang Monastery and the Giant Buddha Statue before driving on to Jang. Tomorrow's the long push into Mago, so tonight's for resting up. Overnight stay in Jang.

5

Day 5

Jang to Mago Chuna Valley & Gongkar La Lake

The main event. We drive into Mago Chuna Valley, where Monpa and Brokpa communities still herd yak across some of the district's most sparsely populated ground, then continue to Gongkar La, a glacial lake reached mostly by off-road track. Note: exact drive times for this stretch aren't independently confirmed yet, we'll verify current road conditions closer to departure. Overnight stay in Mago.

6

Day 6

Return via Dirang to Shergaon

We retrace the route out of Mago, stopping in Dirang to see Dirang Monastery before continuing to Shergaon. Splitting the return this way beats one long push straight to Guwahati, and Shergaon's a good place to slow down after a demanding few days. Overnight stay in Shergaon.

7

Day 7

Shergaon Exploration to Guwahati

We spend the morning in Shergaon: the local fish farm, Choskorong Waterfall, and Zengu Gompa, then drive back to Guwahati, reaching by evening for your onward journey.

What's Included & Excluded

Included

All accommodation
Dinner
Breakfast
Inner Line Permit
Bumla Pass Vehicle
All sightseeing as per itinerary
Private vehicle transportation

Not Included

Travel Insurance
Airfare / Train tickets
Lunch
Personal expenses
Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Any extended stay