There are a few destinations like Tawang, Itanagar, Bhalukping and others which I would like to visit in Arunachal Pradesh. It is an underrated destination, which is why I think not many people know much about it. It is why I have joined the forum to find out when the best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh
Hi, welcome to the forum! Overview Arunachal Pradesh is such an underrated tourist destination in India. It is one of the Northeastern States, sharing a border with Bhutan in the west, China in the north, Myanmar in the east and Assam in the south. The climatic conditions of Arunachal Pradesh varies, depending on where that region is located. Generally, we can divide the state into three parts, namely: the tropical zone, the subtropical zone, the temperate zone and the alpine zone. The tropical zone is basically the sea level areas, the subtropical zone is basically the sub-Himalayan areas, the temperate zone is basically the middle Himalayan areas and the alpine zone is basically the upper Himalayan areas. Below, we would discuss the climatic conditions in each zone and when would be the best time to visit each region or zone. Climatic Conditions of Arunachal Pradesh in Each Zone The Tropical Zone - The tropical zone is the lowermost region of Arunachal Pradesh, which are the areas around its border with Assam. Cities like Bhalukpong, Itanagar, Kimin and Pasighat fit under this category. The general climate here is warm and humid, in other words, tropical, like in most plain areas. 1. Winter - The winter season extends from November to February. This is the coldest and driest season in the tropical zone region. Temperatures range between 17°C to 23°C, mild enough but not too cold that you can't do much sightseeing. Unlike other regions of Arunachal Pradesh though, snowfall rarely occurs in the tropical zone areas. Winter is the best season for exploring the attractions around the plains of the state. For example, Itanagar, the state capital, has a number of historical sites that would best be explored around winter season, like the Ita Fort, Gompa Buddhist Temple and Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum. On the other hand, Pasighat has a number of natural attractions, like the Kekar Monying and River Siang, that one can see in their full glory during winter. Also, the Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, a bird sanctuary, is also worth visiting during this time, since migratory birds from far away countries migrate to the region during winter. Because the plain areas experiences a tropical climate all-year round, the winter season is considered as the best time for exploring the region. Best For - Sightseeing 2. Summer - The summer season extends from March to June. From the months of March to April, temperatures reach the low 30°C marks. The succeeding months experience higher temperatures that sometimes reach the 40°C mark. This is not the ideal time to visit the tropical zone area as the climates can be very harsh, especially for those who aren't used to hot temperatures. However, if you must visit the low plain areas during this season, just make sure that you stay hydrated and wear light clothing. You can indulge in wildlife safaris during this time, since the animals come out from their hiding areas to get some relief from the heat, reaching watering holes in the sanctuary premises. Some of the wildlife sanctuaries in the tropical zone are the Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Namdhapa National Park. Best For - Wildlife Safari 3. Monsoon - The last season extends from July to October. Generally, the tropical zone experiences the highest amount of rainfall in the region, as compared to the other zones. Temperatures remain below 30°C but humidity can be quite high. The wettest month is usually June though the months of August and September receive fairly high rainfalls too. You can enjoy the lush greenery surrounding the region though. In Itanagar, the Ganga Lake is a must visit as it becomes fuller and the surrounding forests become greener. You can also visit indoor attractions like museums or even historical sites, especially when the rains ravage the region. This is considered as one of the off-peak seasons of the tropical zone of Arunachal Pradesh so you can enjoy some discounts on hotels and travel agencies. Best For - Nature Lovers The Subtropical Zone - The subtropical zone lies on the upper areas above the tropical zone. Places like Ziro, Raga, Aalo and Walong belong in this category. The general climate here is mildly warm, a bit lower than the tropical zone temperatures. 1. Winter - The winter season extends from December to February. Temperatures stay below 25°C and January is usually the coldest month, with temperatures reaching 16°C. In the higher parts of the zone, cloudy skies are very common though snowfall rarely occurs still, because this region is still below the Himalayan region. The pleasant climates make sightseeing quite comfortable and enjoyable. One of the most popular regions in Arunachal Pradesh that people visit during this time is the Ziro Valley. The region becomes more stunning during winter, as pine trees and bamboo groves line the forest areas of the valley. You can visit the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary during this time, where the assortment of pine and bamboo would mesmerise you. Kile Pakho and Midey are enjoyed by novice and expert trekkers alike because of the pristine forests and wonderful mountain views. Best For - Sightseeing and Trekking 2. Summer - The summer season extends from March to May. Temperatures during this season remain under 30°C so they are still very mild. In contrast with the previous season, the skies are clearer during this time so you can indulge in trekking and sightseeing too. A unique feature of the summer season here is that rainfall still occurs during some days. The village of Walong, where the historic war between the Chinese and Indian soldiers occurred, is a must visit during this season. Walong is close to the border of Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar and China. The Lohit View Point, where you can clearly view the Lohit River and Lohit Valley from, is a must visit here, as the clear views of the distant river and valley are best enjoyed during summer. You can also clearly view the distant mountain peaks from the village. Best For - Sightseeing 3. First Monsoon - The first monsoon season extends from June to September. Temperature remain roughly the same during this season but the region receives its highest rainfall from June until August. It's not the best time for sightseeing but if you enjoy adventure, you can try visiting Aalo. The Silom River flows freely in the region and is the best location for rafting. If you love thrilling adventures, rafting in the river can give you that adrenaline rush. You can even indulge in bridge crossing, as there are numerous cable bridges amidst the river, which locals use to reach one point to their village or vice versa. Best For - Adventure Seekers 4. Second Monsoon - The second monsoon season extends from October to November. Rainfall is comparatively lesser during this season so you can enjoy sightseeing coupled with the lush greenery all around. Temperatures remain lower, around 20°C to 23°C. Dong, one of the easternmost villages of India, is a must visit. Although unexplored, it has retained its pristine beauty, with views of the distant mountains, enveloped in lush greenery and a river flowing through it. If you enjoy offbeat adventures, Dong is sure to delight you, a small hamlet that deserves all the praises for a relaxing and enjoyable nature getaway. Best For - Nature Lovers The Temperate Zone - Lying just on the foothills of the Himalayas, before the border with China, is the temperate zone. Regions like Tawang, Moruk, Mechuka and Brango belong in this category. These are mostly elevated areas, with lower temperatures especially during winter season. It's also not unlikely for these regions to experience snowfall. 1. Winter - The winter season extends from November to February in the temperate zone regions. Temperatures range between 10°C to 15°C during November. By December, temperatures can drop as low as 0°C and by January, temperatures can go as low as -11°C. On the upper areas, snowfall can also occur. Generally, you can visit many regions in the temperate zone even during winter but you have to avoid the higher areas and passes, where landslides and road blocks can occur. If you want to experience snowfall, there's no doubt that the winter season is the best for that. Mechuka Village is a good option for a destination in winter. Since there are numerous trekking trails here, the winter is the best season for exploring the terrains of the region. Monsoons can be quite difficult as the region experiences heavy rains which can lead to muddy tracks. There are also some attractions here that you can cover like Buddhist monasteries and tribal villages. Best For - Sightseeing (Lower Areas Only) 2. Summer - The summer season, from March to June, is perhaps the peak tourist season in the temperate zone. Temperatures remain around 20°C so it's very mild, good enough for sightseeing. You can explore the Tawang region during this season. You can even reach the higher area where the Sela Pass is located. There are also many monasteries that one can visit around the town of Tawang, like the Tawang Monastery, Urguelling Monastery and Taktsang Monastery. View points around the town can also give one a great view of the distant snow-capped mountains, because of the clearer skies. Tawang can be visited almost all-year round but the passes around the region can be difficult to reach during winters and monsoons due to road blocks. If you still have time, venture into the Mouling National Park as well. It is one of the most diverse yet unexplored wildlife sanctuaries in India, perhaps because of the rough terrains that you need to traverse to reach it. Best For - Sightseeing 3. Monsoon - The last season extends from July to October. Temperatures remain on the lower side, between 18°C to 20°C. However, the rainfall in the region can be quite heavy, resulting in some landslides and road blocks. It is not the best time to explore the villages around the temperate zone because the roads can be quite dangerous to access. However, lower areas like Pango, Karo and Dagu can be enjoyed during this season. These are mostly off the beaten track villages, where you can explore virgin forests and interact with locals. Best For - Offbeat Places (Lower Areas) The Alpine Zone - The last region lies on the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh with China, also known as the Himalayan region. Generally, temperatures here are very cold, snowfall is abundant in most high areas and access to attractions is very limited. Towns of Zemithang, Korle, Tuting and Bishing lie in this area. The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary is also located on the northern eastern area of the region. 1. Winter - The winter season also extends from November to February. Temperatures can reach below zero so it can be extremely cold. Because these areas are within the Himalayan regions, sightseeing during this time would be very difficult. These regions usually have snowfall and thick snow during winter. The roads leading to the higher areas might be covered with snow as well so it can be dangerous to traverse them. Plus, fogs can be very thick during this time so viewing the distant mountain peaks can be quite hard. It is not the ideal time to explore the alpine zone of Arunachal Pradesh and can also be dangerous for travellers so it's best to avoid this season when visiting the higher areas of the state. Best For - Thrill-Seekers Only 2. Summer - The ideal time to visit the upper areas of Arunachal Pradesh is the summer season. Temperatures remain on the lower side, around 15°C. This season extends from March to June but make sure you reach the region after the snow melts, so between May to June. During this time, you can enjoy the views of the mountains clearly, as well as the lush greenery that envelopes the region. Zemithang is a little explored region, where Monpa settlements can be found. The largest chortem in the region, the Gorsam Chortem, can be found here. Gelling, the last Indian village before the border, is also worth exploring, where Tibetan traditions dominate. Keep in mind that hotels are sparse around these areas, for the most part, there are government tourist houses as well as guest houses. But if you love off the beaten track destinations, you'd be delighted in these places. You can also reach the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the largest wildlife reserves of Arunachal Pradesh during this season. Best For - Exploring Small Hamlets 3. Monsoon - The last season, from July to October, is the monsoon. Again, this is not an ideal season to explore the higher alpine zone. This is because roads can be very muddy and even blocked at times. Since most of the higher alpine regions are hilly, driving can be very tough and dangerous. You can, however, enjoy the scenery around Kibithu, a village in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located on the eastern part of the state and is part of the alpine zone still. The region becomes alive in monsoon, as it has many waterfalls and streams that become fuller in the rainy season. It also shares a border with Myanmar so you can make a side trip if you'd like. Adventure sports are also abundant in Kibitz, like crossing the famous hanging bridge here, or maybe venturing in rock climbing. Best For - Exploring Lower Regions Conclusion As you can see, the climatic conditions in Arunachal Pradesh are varied. The best time to visit each region varies as well. For instance, for the lower areas, you can get away with any of the seasons, though summers can be hot. The remaining winter and monsoon seasons are good times to explore the lower regions too. For the middle Himalayan regions, almost all seasons are good too, but the summer and winter seasons are mostly recommended as the monsoon can be dangerous due to road blocks and landslides. The upper Himalayan regions are a bit more complicated, they can only be visited during summer, though some areas can be explored in monsoon, the lower lying ones. I hope this helps you!
