About the State

Arunachal Pradesh, the erstwhile North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), is situated in the northeastern part of India. It is the largest state in geographical area among the North Eastern States. Though in common perception Assam is the largest state in North East, Arunachal has a total area of 84 thousand square km whereas the area of Assam is about 78 thousand square km. It is the homeland of 25 major tribal communities further divided into smaller sub-groups. The total population of the state is about 13 lakhs. Arunachal Pradesh has one of the lowest population densities in India with only 17 persons per square Kilometer.

The entire state of Arunachal Pradesh is mountainous, the hills are in most places the natural border with Assam, and as you get down from the hills, you mostly enter the state of Assam.

Surrounded by China, Bhutan, and Myanmar on its three sides, Arunachal Pradesh is a land of rugged grandeur whose snowy peaks like Kangto (7090 meters), Nyegi Kangsang (7050 meters), Gorichen (6488 meters), Chomo (6000 meters), etc are gorged through roaring rivers and swift streams. It offers a breathtaking spectacle of Nature’s glory in a wild profusion of flora, fauna and people abounding in tribal customs, cultures, languages and dresses.

The state is divided into twenty districts with the capital town of Itanagar in the Papum Pare district.

Endowed with unsurpassed beauty, Arunachal Pradesh was, until recently, the hidden frontier, existing in splendid isolation. The magnificent landscape in its unspoilt glory is now accessible and open to tourists, travellers and adventure lovers.

Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh

Tourism in the state has been popular for its unique biodiversity and natural beauty, however, traditionally tourism in the state has been restricted due to the lack of a road network and other tourism infrastructure.

The number of tourists travelling to Arunachal Pradesh in a year hovers at just about one lakh. This is a very small number considering the potential of tourism in the state. The most popular tourist destination is Tawang. Typically tourists travel from Assam through Bomdila and reach Tawang after 2 day road journey. The return also is a two-day journey.

The Aalo – Mechuka Valley route is also gaining popularity at present. Further east, Dibang Valley and surrounding area tours are also gaining popularity. The tourist infrastructure in the entire state is fast improving.  With new and better roads and bridges such as the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, much of the state is now accessible to tourists. Accommodation options are also improving though they remain limited in most parts of the state.
Indian tourists require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Arunachal Pradesh. It can be obtained from the Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Kolkata or Delhi office of the state government. Foreign nationals require a permit known as a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). This can be obtained from the different FRRO offices located in major cities of India. At HUMRO TOUR, we arrange for the permit for our guests who visit Arunachal with us. For further details, you may contact the phone number given here.