Arunachal

Bhalukpong Travel Information

Bhalukpong is the most important entry point of Western Arunachal Pradesh. If you plan to travel to the Tawang - Bomdila circuit, you have to travel through Bhalukpong.

How to reach

The small town on the Arunachal - Assam border is located 56 km from Tezpur town (Assam). The Salonibari Airport of Tezpur is also the nearest airport. The nearest railhead is at Rangapara, although most tourists prefer to deboard at Guwahati and then drive to Bhalukpong.

From Guwahati, you may travel either through NH 52 which travels through the Northern side of Brahmaputra or by NH 37 through the Southern side of Brahmaputra. Both roads will lead you to Tezpur in about four hours. From Tezpur, Bhalukpong takes about an hour and a half to reach.

About the town

Part of the small town is within the state of Assam. There is a check post where you will have to show your inner line permit before entering into Arunachal. The Assam side of Bhalukpong has a large number of shops lined up till the border. This is where most tourists buy their general consumables such as bottled water etc as the cost goes up and availability continually reduces as you go higher up within Arunachal.

The border area is mostly dusty, a little crowded and full of shops and small hotels. As one goes up a couple of kilometers, the scenery changes dramatically. You will find river Jia Bhorali on your right. The same river is known as Kameng in Arunachal. Bhalukpong itself falls within West Kameng district.

What to See

Tipi Orchidarium -is situated 5 km ahead of Bhalukpong close to the banks of the Kameng River. The place has one of the largest collection of rare orchids in the country. The best time to visit this center is between April and May when one can see the exotic orchid collection in full bloom. The Orchidarium houses over 2600 cultivated orchids from 80 different species.

Pakhui / Pakke - Bhalukpong is surrounded by the evergreen forests of the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary. Since 2002 the Wildlife Sanctuary has been changed into a Tiger Reserve and its name is Pakke Tiger Reserve, although the old name still remains popular. The Tiger Reserve can be reached by crossing the Kameng river from Bhalukpong. Drive to Pakke is through the Assam side. Local communities have come together to develop some tourist amenities including homestays.

Fishing - There is an excellent scope of fishing mahseer in the Jia Bhoroli River near Bhalukpong. The wide valley, sparkling river, pure ambiance - all adds up your experience of peace here.

Visit Nameri - Nameri National Park is also in close proximity to Bhalukpong town. You can drive for half an hour (about 20 km) to reach some of the tented accommodations within the National Park. If you are interested in staying within the forest and do not mind compromising a little on the front of material comfort, we can also organize your stay in this forest accommodation. River Jia Bharali is in the vicinity and rafting in the river is a common tourist activity here. Even a day visit inside the forest is worth a dekko as the forest is rich in biodiversity and its population of large variety of wildlife such as Leopard, Bison, Sambar, dhole (the Asiatic wild dog), Hog Deer, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Capped Langur, Indian Giant Squirrel etc. Nameri is a birder's paradise with over 300 species of birds - including the white-winged wood duck, four distinct species of the Hornbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eaters, Babblers, Plovers etc.