[airguitar]

All - planning for a trip to Tawang in the latter half of December. Manas National Park - Bomdilla - Tawang - Dirang - Nameri - Tezpur. We will be driving in a 4x4 (Thar) and there will be 2 or 3 thars. We don't have first hand experience of driving in snow. Though we are prepared with snow chain ( practising putting it on and removing etc, and also with gloves on hands so as to replicate similar conditions ). Still a little unclear on how dangerous/difficult can Sela pass be for a first timer on snow. Some questions.

1. Is it right that we would encounter snow only near Sela pass and no where else between Bomdilla and Tawang ?
2. Are there NH cranes etc that cleanup the snow/roads ?
3. What is the state of the Sela Pass tunnel?
4. Are the road edges barricaded to prevent slipping of vehicles off the road?
5. Any particular stretch that one needs to be more careful?
6. Would Bum La be accessible in end of December and would it be tricky for a first timer to drive to Bum La?
7. Any other precautions that you suggest that we take on these stretches?

PS, I tried looking for a thread on Arunachal route queries, I didnt' find any though there were travelogues.

[Rahkehs]

Originally Posted by airguitar

All - planning for a trip to Tawang in the latter half of December. Manas National Park - Bomdilla - Tawang - Dirang - Nameri - Tezpur. We will be driving in a 4x4 (Thar) and there will be 2 or 3 thars.

Did you complete the Winter Trip to Sela/Tawang? I am planning a Car Trip to Tawang during this Christmas, hope you can provide some information.

[airguitar]

Originally Posted by Rahkehs

Did you complete the Winter Trip to Sela/Tawang? I am planning a Car Trip to Tawang during this Christmas, hope you can provide some information.

Yes, I did visit. But due to El Nino, the snow was not copious in November, December. The roads were clean all the way and the snow was limited to the sides of the road. On the day of our return, it snowed very mildly ( small, sparse flakes ) and it didn't matter too much. The locals also were saying that it hardly snowed that season. Snowing, however, picked up late Jan and Feb apparently. This is likely not the normal situation as I know of friends that really struggled in December a couple of years ago. While the Sela Tunnel has now been opened and will mitigate most of the common problems encountered in that area, you go fully prepared (snow chains etc, peace of mind for areas outside the tunnel). And watch videos etc on what to expect / how to drive in snow etc ( of course, nothing like actually having experienced driving in snow). Check with locals at all major waypoints ( ILP checkposts, Bomdilla, Dirang etc). Make use of morning time well as inclement weather almost always starts post noon/early afternoons. Since sunrises are early, make early starts so that you get to the destinations by 1/2pm max. Keep your engine/bonnet covered with an extra layer like Tarpaulin sheets etc, park facing a wall and other measures that will not need you to struggle with cranking the engine in the morning. Keep an eye out on DPF issues if you drive a BS6+ diesel as parital burning/DPF clogging issues happen with a higher probability at higher altitudes.

Don't miss the Jang falls before Tawang. Tawang also now has a 5 star hotel (vivanta) just in case you want to pamper yourselves at high altitude. We visited Bum la, Sangetsar lake ( both of which we couldn't take our vehicles as we were not given permits and so we had to hire a taxi), Chaksom bridge, Tawang Monastery etc. New tourist destinations are opened for the public in the border areas each year, ask your hotel/homestay. Last year, we visited one such place called Chumi Gyatse which is a last army point on the frontier, in one of the directions ). It's a holy destination for Buddhists and a wonderful place. We visited and sought blessings.

Let me know if you want to know more on anything Tawang (except information about the Tunnel itself, which I don't have have a firsthand understanding as it was not open when I went )

[ABHI_1512]

Originally Posted by Rahkehs

Did you complete the Winter Trip to Sela/Tawang? I am planning a Car Trip to Tawang during this Christmas, hope you can provide some information.

December is a no go to Tawang because of heavy snowfall. Although Sela tunnel is now open and provides all weather connectivity, places like Tawang itself receives snowfall during the winters. As for Bumla, Army won’t allow any movement towards Bumla and Shungetsar lake because of snow laden roads. One can, though, try after talking to the locals but during the winters, it’s is very rare that snowfall will not effect the roads.

[Rahkehs]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Let me know if you want to know more on anything Tawang (except information about the Tunnel itself, which I don't have have a firsthand understanding as it was not open when I went )

Originally Posted by ABHI_1512

December is a no go to Tawang because of heavy snowfall.

Thank You both for your inputs. Seems I will have to postpone my trip. I was planning to visit Tawang Area, Kaziranga & Meghalaya during my 16 days trip, but if Tawang which was the highlight can't be visited, then I will plan in March/April.

[ABHI_1512]

Originally Posted by Rahkehs

Thank You both for your inputs. Seems I will have to postpone my trip. I was planning to visit Tawang Area, Kaziranga & Meghalaya during my 16 days trip, but if Tawang which was the highlight can't be visited, then I will plan in March/April.

Tawang is best visited in the month of October when the mountains are covered with colours of various hues. If you can, do plan around that time to get the very best of Tawang.