Subhash
raman Staff answered 5 months ago
Reaching Arunachal Pradesh involves several steps, as it is a remote state in northeastern India with varying accessibility depending on your starting point and the region you wish to visit. Here’s a detailed guide for first-time visitors:
By Air
Nearest Airports:
Lilabari Airport (Assam): The closest airport to Arunachal Pradesh, located about 50-60 km from the border. It has regular flights from Guwahati and other major cities.
Tezpur Airport (Assam): About 100 km from Arunachal Pradesh, with flights from Guwahati.
Itanagar’s Rajiv Gandhi Airport: Located in the capital city of Itanagar, it is under development and may have limited flights.
From the Airport: You can hire a taxi or use pre-arranged transport to reach your destination within Arunachal Pradesh.
By Train
Nearest Railway Stations:
North Lakhimpur Railway Station: Around 60 km from Arunachal Pradesh.
Tezpur Railway Station: Approximately 100 km away.
Guwahati Railway Station: About 300 km from Itanagar, which is a major station with well-connected trains from across India.
From the Railway Station: You can take a taxi or bus to your destination in Arunachal Pradesh.
By Road
Major Entry Points:
Itanagar: The capital city of Arunachal Pradesh. You can drive from Assam or take a bus from Guwahati.
Bomdila: Another major entry point. You can drive from Tezpur or take a bus.
Road Travel:
From Guwahati: Drive to Itanagar (approx. 350 km) or Bomdila (approx. 230 km). Road conditions can vary, so check current travel advisories and road conditions before planning your trip.
National Highways: NH 13 and NH 715 are important routes connecting various parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Permits
Inner Line Permit (ILP):
Required for Indian Nationals: Needed to enter Arunachal Pradesh, which can be obtained from the Arunachal Pradesh Government’s offices in New Delhi, Guwahati, or Itanagar, and online through the Arunachal Pradesh ILP website.
Foreign Nationals: Require a Protected Area Permit (PAP), which can be obtained through the Ministry of Home Affairs or Indian missions abroad.
Travel Tips
Weather Conditions: The best time to visit is between October and April when the weather is pleasant. Monsoon season (June to September) can make roads difficult and prone to landslides.
Accommodation: Book hotels or guesthouses in advance, especially in popular destinations like Itanagar, Tawang, and Bomdila.
Local Transport: Hire a local taxi or use public transport for traveling within the state. Some remote areas might require specialized vehicles.
Emergency Contacts
Local Authorities: Keep contact numbers of local police stations and emergency services handy.
Travel Agencies: Consider contacting local travel agencies for guided tours and transportation arrangements.
Following these guidelines will help ensure a smooth journey to Arunachal Pradesh. Enjoy your trip!
Amit Khanna Staff answered 3 months ago
Reaching Arunachal Pradesh, located in the northeastern part of India, requires some planning due to its remote location and limited connectivity. Here are the most common ways to reach Arunachal Pradesh:
1. By Air
Tezpur Airport (Assam): The nearest airport is Tezpur Airport in Assam, located about 260 km from the Arunachal Pradesh border. This airport is well-connected to major Indian cities like Kolkata and Guwahati.
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (Assam): Guwahati is the nearest major international airport, around 450 km from Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. From Guwahati, you can travel by road or train.
Lilabari Airport (Assam): Located 70 km from Itanagar, Lilabari is a smaller airport with limited flights from Kolkata and Guwahati.
Helicopter Services: Arunachal Pradesh also offers Pawan Hans helicopter services from Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh to various locations in the state.
After reaching one of these airports, travelers can continue by road or hire taxis to reach Arunachal Pradesh.
2. By Train
Naharlagun Railway Station (Itanagar): Located 15 km from the capital, Itanagar, Naharlagun Railway Station is connected to Guwahati, New Delhi, and other major cities via trains like the Donyi Polo Express and Shatabdi Express.
Harmuti Railway Station (Assam): Around 33 km from Itanagar, this station is another convenient option for travelers heading to Arunachal Pradesh.
Guwahati Railway Station (Assam): One of the main railway hubs in the region, Guwahati is well-connected with the rest of India and is a good entry point for travelers heading to Arunachal Pradesh.
From these stations, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach different parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
3. By Road
Road Connectivity: Arunachal Pradesh is well connected by road with Assam and other northeastern states. The National Highway 15 and National Highway 13 (Trans-Arunachal Highway) provide access to the state. Private taxis and government-run buses are available.
Guwahati to Itanagar: The road distance from Guwahati to Itanagar is about 330 km, and it takes around 8–10 hours by road. Buses and shared taxis frequently operate on this route.
Tezpur to Bomdila or Tawang: Another popular route is from Tezpur (Assam) to Bomdila or Tawang, which takes about 10–12 hours.
4. By Bus
State Transport Buses: Arunachal Pradesh State Transport (APST) runs regular bus services connecting major cities like Itanagar, Ziro, Tawang, Bomdila, and Pasighat to neighboring states like Assam.
Private Buses: Private bus services from Tezpur, Guwahati, and other major towns in Assam are also available.
5. Inner Line Permit (ILP)
Important: Non-residents of Arunachal Pradesh, including Indian citizens, are required to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the state. This can be done online or at designated offices in Assam, New Delhi, or Arunachal Pradesh.
Protected Area Permit (PAP): Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP), which can be obtained through the Ministry of Home Affairs or authorized travel agencies.
Summary of Key Entry Points
By Air: Tezpur, Lilabari, and Guwahati airports.
By Train: Naharlagun (Itanagar) and Harmuti railway stations.
By Road: National highways from Assam, with Guwahati and Tezpur as key access points.
Once in Arunachal Pradesh, local transport includes taxis, buses, and private vehicles for traveling between cities and scenic locations like Tawang, Ziro, and Bomdila.