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Breathtakingly
beautiful Bomdila, 3,500 metres high in the Himalayas, is the headquarters of the west
Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh. This lofty paradise is snow clad for a major part of
the year and makes a delightful destination to get away to in summer. |
The journey to Bomdila is quite as exciting
as the town itself. As you drive up here via Tezpur, you wind past gentle, wooded slopes,
the fragrance of pine hanging heavily in the air. The landscape changes dramatically as
gnarled gorges give way to plains that undulate into hills.
The Bharali river rushes down the mountains,
providing some splendid angling opportunities for mahseer. Tipi, an orchid
conservation centre further uphill, is a glasshouse with a fantastic collection of exotic
orchid species and hybrids. The Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary across the river Kameng
is another interesting stop where you can linger awhile.
After Tipi, the road climbs sharply to get to
Bomdila. The town is surrounded by lush apple orchards that stretch far and wide. Bomdila
itself is tiny, but it is spread over a wide ridge that straddles a mountain. There is a
panoramic view of the Himalayas and its frosty peaks and the pretty Kameng valley with its
orchards.
A number of treks and hikes into the mountains
start at Bomdila. From simple little walking trails to more strenuous treks, Bomdila is at
the hub of hiking activity in the Kameng region.
Bomdila, like other towns in the area, has a strong
Buddhist and Tibetan influence. There are a fair number of gompas here and the town has
quaint little eating-places where you can savour traditional Tibetan cuisine plus the all
time favourite momos and thoopas.
The Craft Centre at Bomdila turns out a
range of superbly designed dragon carpets that are on sale. Also produced at the centre
are traditional thangka wall hangings, paintings and masks. Most of these are intricately
crafted with minute details and varied themes. So come back home with a little bit of
Bomdila in your suitcase - and a lot of Bomdila in your heart!
Getting there: From Kolkata, the
simplest way to get to Bomdila is to first reach either Guwahati (1081 km from Kolkata) or
Tezpur (1100 km) in Assam. You can fly or take a train to either city. From both Tezpur
and Guwahati, there are public and private buses to Bomdila (160 km) and trains to
Rangapara and Bhalukpong, 100 km from Bomdila.
Permits
Indian tourists visiting Arunachal Pradesh require an Inner Line Permit, which takes
approximately three weeks to be issued. Contact The Liaison Officer, Government of
Arunachal Pradesh, 4B Chowringhee Place, Kolkata: 700013; Tel: 91-33-2486500.
Foreign tourists intending to visit Arunachal need
clearance from the Home Ministry and a Restricted Area Permit, which takes approximately
three weeks to be issued. The Permit is valid for 10 days. A minimum of four and a maximum
of fourteen tourists must travel together on a tour arranged through an approved travel
agent.
For more information on permits,
see Travel
Documents, Arunachal
Pradesh
