Guwahati to Tawang Bus Service

[Power Ranger]

I am planning for a trip to North East. Visiting Kaziranga and Shillong are my top priorities. Moreover, I would also like to travel to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, if possible. So I am looking for information on bus service between Guwahati and Tawang. Is there direct buses from Guwahati to Tawang? As far as I am aware of, there is no railway connectivity to Tawang, so I think road transport is the only option to get there. Please let me know what is the best mode of transport to reach Tawang from Guwahati.

 

[Debapriya Deb]

There is no direct bus service from Guwahati to Tawang. However, there is one bus operated by ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation) that leaves for Bomdila from Guwahati. It departs Guwahati ISBT at 6 in the morning and arrives at Bomdila in the evening. It takes about 12 hours to cover the distance of around 340 KM between Guwahati and Bomdila. From Bomdila, Tawang is another 170 KM away. You need to stay overnight at Bomdila and board a bus to Tawang on the next morning. You can also get shared cabs (mostly Tata Sumo) from Bomdila to Tawang. Cabs usually take around 8 hours to arrive at Tawang from Bomdila, while the bus journey can take upto 12 hours.

Guwahati to Bomdila - 340 KM - 12 Hours by bus.
Bomdila to Tawang - 170 KM - 12 Hours by bus (8 Hours by shared maxi cabs).

Another option for you is to take a bus to Tezpur from Guwahati. Tezpur-bound buses depart from Guwahati ISBT every 30 minutes throughout the day. It takes about 6 hours to reach Tezpur from Guwahati. From Tezpur, you have two options to reach Tawang. First option is the Assam State Transport bus. ASTC operates a direct bus from Tezpur to Tawang. It leaves Tezpur Bus Stand in the early morning and reaches Tawang in the evening after around 14 hours' journey. The route is very scenic and goes through the beautiful backdrop of Sela Pass. However, it can be a very hectic journey as the roads are virtually non-existent in some parts and the whole journey involves steep ascend.

Guwahati to Tezpur - 180 KM - 6 Hours by bus.
Tezpur to Tawang - 320 KM - 14 Hours by bus.

The second option is to take a bus to either Bomdila or Dirang from Tezpur. Halt there during the night and take another bus to Tawang in the morning. Shared cab services are also available from Bomdila and Dirang to Tawang.

Tezpur - Bomdila - 150 KM - 7 Hours by bus.
Bomdila - Tawang - 170 KM - 10-12 Hours by bus (8 Hours by shared maxi cabs).

Or

Tezpur to Dirang - 190 KM - 9 Hours by Bus.
Dirang - Tawang - 130 KM - 8-10 Hours by bus (6 Hours by shared maxi cabs).

Night journey is not recommended due to the road condition and remote location. In case of an emergency like landslides, finding a helping hand would be next to impossible during the night time. There are a number of lodges and guest houses at Bomdila and Dirang, so staying there for a night is not going to be a problem. To be on the safer side, it is always better to avoid night journey while in the North-East.

Regards,
Deb

 

[Admin]

Traveling from Guwahati to Tawang has become more accessible with the introduction of direct bus services. Here's the latest information to help you plan your journey:

1. Direct Bus Services:

• Operators:Two main operators provide direct bus services:
  • Network Travels: Departs from ISBT Guwahati at 10:30 AM, arriving in Tawang around 6:00 AM the next day. The journey takes approximately 19.5 hours.
  • Zainab Travels (Under ASTC): Leaves ISBT Guwahati at 11:30 AM, reaching Tawang by 7:00 AM the following day, with a similar duration of 19.5 hours.

2. Ticket Pricing:

• Network Travels: Fares start at ₹1,400.
• Zainab Travels: Tickets are priced at ₹1,300.

3. Booking Options:

• Online: Tickets can be booked through platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, and RedBus.
• Offline: Tickets are available at the respective operator's counters at ISBT Guwahati.

4. Boarding Points in Guwahati:

• ISBT Guwahati: Primary boarding point for both operators.
• Additional Points: Some buses may offer pickups at locations like Paltan Bazar and Khanapara.

5. Travel Tips:

• Advance Booking: Due to limited services, it's advisable to book tickets well in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Prepare for the Journey: The route is scenic but long. Carry essentials like snacks, water, and warm clothing, as temperatures can drop significantly, especially during nighttime.
• Road Conditions: While the journey offers breathtaking views, some stretches might be challenging due to road conditions. It's recommended to travel during the day and avoid night journeys when possible.

For more detailed information or to share personal experiences, feel free to continue the discussion here.

 

[ManuDani]

We are trying to organize an itinerary by bus or cab from Guwahati to Tawang, we are from Italy and we have a PAP. We can go by ourself catching buses or cabs to reach Tawang? On the way back is it possible to find a connection to Itanagar ? We intend to stop overnight in Tezpur and Bomdila going to Tawang and on the way back we'd like to stop overnight in Dirang and proceed to Itanagar, from your experience it is possible?

 

[Gori Bride]

Hello ManuDani,
That's a fantastic itinerary you're planning! Traveling independently in Arunachal Pradesh is an incredible experience, and the Tawang circuit is a true highlight.
Regarding your questions as foreign nationals with a PAP:

1. Moving Independently (Bus/Shared Cabs)​

• Yes, you can absolutely move by yourselves (a couple counts as a group of two) using local buses or shared/private cabs.
• As I mentioned in the other thread, the requirement for a physical guide to be with you 24/7 is often relaxed for couples, especially on the main tourist routes like the one you've planned.
• Crucial Step: Since you already have your PAP, you must confirm with the agency who issued it that your intended mode of travel (local bus/shared cab) is permitted under the terms of the document they secured for you. They are the official sponsor, and their confirmation is key.
• Practicality: Shared Tata Sumo/Maxi Cabs are the most common and fastest way to cover distance between the towns (Tezpur, Bomdila, Dirang, Tawang). Buses are cheaper but significantly slower.

2. Your Planned Itinerary & Overnight Stops​

Your planned stops are excellent and very practical for this route!

Leg	Mode	Notes
Guwahati $\rightarrow$Tezpur	Bus (Frequent) or Train (Day/Night) or Shared Cab	Tezpur is the gateway. This is very easy to do.
Tezpur $\rightarrow$Bomdila	Bus (Early AM) or Shared Cab	This is a great first day in the hills. Overnight stay in Bomdila is recommended for acclimatization.
Bomdila $\rightarrow$Tawang	Shared Cab (Best) or Bus (Early AM)	Shared cabs are faster (8-9 hrs). You'll cross Sela Pass on this stretch.
Tawang $\rightarrow$Dirang	Shared Cab (Best) or Bus (Early AM)	Dirang is a beautiful, lower-altitude stop on the way back. Very possible.
Dirang $\rightarrow$Itanagar	Shared Cab (Best) or Bus (Early AM)	This connection is possible, but you will almost certainly need to break the journey.

3. Connection from Dirang to Itanagar​

• There is no direct, daily scheduled bus or shared cab service that efficiently connects Dirang (in the West Kameng district) to Itanagar (the capital, in the Papum Pare district) as it is a less common route for locals.
• Best Options:
  1. Dirang $\rightarrow$ Tezpur/Bandardewa: Take a morning bus/cab back down to Tezpur or the border town of Bandardewa.
  2. Tezpur/Bandardewa $\rightarrow$ Itanagar: From there, you will find very frequent bus and shared cab services (including night buses from Tezpur) to Itanagar.

In summary: Your plan to use public transport and stop overnight in the major towns is definitely possible and is a fantastic way to experience Arunachal Pradesh!
Safe travels, and enjoy the stunning mountain views!