We take you on a journey to the majestic heights of Western Arunachal Pradesh, nestled in the biodiversity hotspot of the Eastern Himalayas. This is the Land of the Dawn Lit Mountains, India’s Own “Land of the Rising Sun”. The overall experience of mountain ecology and life, landscapes, livelihoods, rural settings and Buddhist Monasteries make for a unique journey.
The transboundary Monpa community inhabits this region, along with other communities such as the Sherdukpens, Aka, Bugun, Bhut, Lish and Miji. There are also three major Tibetan settlements in this region. You will cross the valleys of Tenga, Rupa, Kalaktang, Shergaon, Dirang and Tawang through the high mountain passes of Bomdila and Se La. The meandering Kameng River and its many tributaries will be a constant companion throughout your travels. This trip is carefully curated by our local experts towards offering you an intimate insight into the landscape, life, histories and flavours of Western Arunachal Pradesh, taking you along on an experience of a lifetime.
The tour includes visits to the most remote parts of India, interaction and photography with the aboriginal people of Arunachal, witnessing and photographing village life and monastic culture at Tawang and a stopover at remote villages.
Guwahati, Assam
GAU- Guwahati
November 26, 2026
December 04, 2026
Winter Season, suitable for cold weather conditions
INR 79,950 / Per Person
Winter Season, suitable for cold weather conditions
Airport pickup and drop-off at Guwahati.
Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis.
Ground transport on all days.
All permits(Indian nationals only)/entry fees and local transport in comfortable vehicles.
All meals during the tour start from dinner on day 1, ending with breakfast on the last day.
Photography-related services as mentioned in the itinerary.
Services of your photography mentor during the tour.
Transport from your location to your airport of arrival – Guwahati.
All expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, etc.
Addition beverages, snacks and mineral water.
Any kind of insurance.
Protected Area Permit fees for foreign nationals.
Tips and other expenses are not mentioned in the inclusion mentioned above.
This will be a journey across the plains of Assam towards Tezpur, crossing the mighty Brahmaputra River. On the way, you will be able to stop by local village markets and some beautiful countryside tea gardens. Tezpur is the cultural centrepiece of Assam, and the town has some important historical monuments such as the Agnigarh. You might be able to get a glimpse of the blue mountains of Arunachal on a clear day. Overnight: Tezpur
You will have the opportunity to soak in the tropical and dense foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, and make your way up through the verdant Tenga valley, the scenic town of Bomdila and follow the changes in the landscape up to Dirang Valley. There are several waterfalls on this route and you can stop by and stagger the long journey. You follow the Jia Bharali and the Kameng River all the way up to Dirang. Overnight: Dirang
This is your day to immerse yourself in the rustic surroundings of Dirang, where several traditional Monpa villages are located, and you can explore the rural lifeworld of the Monpas and the traditional architecture of the stone houses. You can visit the Dirang Dzong, which has a glorious history, the Dirang Monastery on the banks of the river, and Sangti Valley, which is set in a very picturesque and serene farming landscape. Overnight: Dirang
You will make an early morning start towards the majestic and towering Se La, which is the major pass connecting Dirang and Tawang. You will spend some time at Se La, soaking in the enchanting views and the Se La Lake nearby, where a short walk will bring you to a landscape that will bind you in a spell. You will proceed to Jaswantgarh Memorial from where you will get the first glimpse of the town of Tawang. Overnight: Tawang
You will spend the day slowly acclimatizing to the altitude of Tawang, and get a glimpse of the local markets and the Tawang War Memorial, which is dedicated to the soldiers who fought during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. You will visit the monastery of the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama, who was born in Tawang. You will be able to visit a village near to Tawang, to get a glimpse of the rural life here. Overnight: Tawang
This is your day to visit the imposing Tawang Monastery, locally known as the Galden Namghyel Lhatse, which is over 460 years old and is designed on the lines of the Potala Palace, the original and customary seat of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet. You can spend the day traversing the incredibly large monastery and get a glimpse into the lives of resident monks, young and old, and their daily religious rituals/routines. Overnight: Tawang
You will visit the Chuksom Bridge in the early morning over the Tawang Chhu, built in the 14th century. You will make your way back towards Dirang, and visit the Jung Waterfalls on the way back, reaching through a small trek. You will slowly mark your way back through the Se La, Dirang valley and onwards to Bomdila, where you will visit the Bomdila Monastery and soak in the sights of this sleepy town. Overnight: Bomdila
You will make your way back towards Guwahati through a different route through the verdant landscape of Shergaon, where you will have the opportunity to visit Sherdukpen villages and get a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Sherdukpen tribe, which inhabit the borderlands between Bhutan and India. You will drive through the charming landscape of Kalaktang to Guwahati, with several stops along the way. Overnight: Guwahati
It is time to bid farewell to the easternmost part of India.
This tour is intended for amateur as well as serious photography enthusiasts with an interest to visit and photograph the beauty of Arunachal Pradesh. No prior expertise or experience in photography is necessary, as our photographers will be there to assist you at every level.
You may carry any camera – a simple aim-and-shoot or a DSLR or a Mirrorless. Travel enthusiasts who are not photographers but keen to experience the multiple facets of the Northeast can also benefit from the tour.
Yes, you can. We visit many beautiful places in Arunachal Pradesh, see the celebrations of life and experience amazing culture. Having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is. Your partner will enjoy the journey with the group.
Yes. The answer is exactly the same as in the case of the previous question. We visit many beautiful places in Arunachal, enjoying a road trip and having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is.
Not really. We will be travelling in Arunachal in four-wheelers. All the places we are going to are connected by road. We will be doing a few short hikes that are easy to moderate level of difficulty. A basic level of fitness is good to have. The trip is meant to be easy on your legs.
– 25% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations earlier than 60 days before the start of a tour.
– 50% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 59 days and 45 before the start of a tour.
– 80% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 44 days and 31 days before the start of a tour.
– No refund for cancellation within 30 days of the tour start date or for a no-show.
Cancellations have to be communicated via an email to photography@darter.in. The date of email receipt in our account will be used to apply the cancellation policy mentioned above.
Few people can boast of having travelled the high Himalayas like Manish has. For more than 15 years, he has explored these mountains extensively on foot, on bicycles and on two and four wheels, often making his own path. He is a versatile photographer with a history of creating brilliant images of culture, heritage and landscapes.
Photography holidays to interesting and often isolated places where you get up close with traditions, festivals, and the everyday life of people with a strong bond to their roots.
Manish Lakhani
+91 99988 66669Shreeram MV
+91 97400 83260
The Arunachal photography workshop was a perfect blend of learning, travel, and fun—ending with a heart full of memories. Manish, our mentor, felt more like a friend, offering hands-on guidance to frame and compose our best shots.
We captured rolling mountains, serene monasteries, and even documented life in remote Monpa Buddhist villages. Mirza kept us going with his deep Northeast knowledge and witty humor, while Rasdid drove us safely through mountains and snow with ease.
With wonderful teammates and unforgettable moments, this workshop is for anyone who wants to create stories worth treasuring.
