Quirky Wanderer

It began with a Mandala. Intricate, symmetrical, and impossibly delicate, the Tibetan Mandala I saw in Bomdila was unlike anything I had ever seen. A symbolic geometric design, painstakingly created from colored sand by Tibetan monks, representing the universe. All for it to be destroyed. The thought of monks dismantling their artwork, made my heart sink. “The destruction of the Mandala is a reminder of the impermanence of life,” said Chukpa Lama gently. We are in GRL monastery in Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh and Chukpa Lama ji is kind enough to give us a monastery tour that not only shows us the monastery, but gives an insight into the principles of Buddhism. Something I would have probably not experienced if I had not chosen to explore Arunachal with Holiday Scout.

We took part in the prayer activities, spoke with the monks and even had the simple, wholesome lunch that was served to the monks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a very unique 12 day trip to Arunachal, curated by one of the best boutique travel companies that you can explore Arunachal with: Holiday Scout. 

My friend Abhinav Singh has always been all praises for this tour company, (I soon discovered why), founded by Sange Tshering, a passionate tourism entrepreneur from Bomdila.

Sange isn’t just a tour operator—he’s a storyteller, a community builder, and, dare I say, an unofficial tourism ambassador for the region. He was on this trip with us and here are ten reasons to explore Arunachal with Holiday Scout

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1. Expert Guidance, In-Depth Knowledge & Stories that Stay with You

“And this is how the children of Khandro Drowa Zangmo were reunited with their father and saved from the demoness Hashang Gyalmo”, Sange finished narrating the intriguing story outside the Lhagyala Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Arunachal. 

Sange is quite the storyteller. At every place, he brings out cultural references, interesting snippets and willingly shares anecdotes that paint a picture in the traveller’s minds. I could see how eager he is to share information about his home state and his enthusiasm was infectious.

Travel becomes all the more interesting, when there are local experts with knowledge. As we began to explore Arunachal with Holiday Scout, Sange briefed us about each destination: Whether it’s monastery architecture or tribal customs, you don’t just see—you understand.

He has also trained several local youth as guides in the region and that enriches the experience for travellers. 

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2. Handpicked Offbeat experiences

In a remote village near Tawang, I found myself elbow-deep in pulp, learning the age-old art of paper-making from the bark of the Daphne plant. That’s the kind of unique experience Holiday Scout builds into its itineraries.

From traveling to an offbeat trail to Thingbu village to witnessing how traditional tribal hats are made from yak hair, to visiting the home of the mother of the 6th Dalai Lama, to meeting the wooden mask maker in Morshing village, Sange ensured our 12 day Arunachal itinerary covered not just the regular sightseeing spots in Arunachal, but also immersive experiences that offer a perspective into the natural and cultural wealth of the state.

If you’re planning Arunachal with Holiday Scout, make sure to ask Sange if there’s any cultural festival around that time, so you can experience that too!

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3. Local Interactions and Real Connections

Meals with locals, giggling with women vendors at the AMA market, in depth conversations with monks, shaking a leg on Monpa tribe folk songs with local dancers, learning to make momo at a traditional Monpa home, these are some of the immersive local interactions you are most likely to have If you choose to explore Arunachal with Holiday Scout.

Sange’s deep roots in the region are impressive. They explain years of research and community building with a focus on boosting tourism in the state.

For me travel is all about cultural exchanges: I collect stories and carry a part of the place through these local interactions, leaving parts of me in the places I visit. As a discerning traveller, I love it when my tour operator has the right local connects to provide the best indigenous experiences. Then doors open naturally and I am not a guest looking in, but a participant in everyday life.

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4. Seamless Logistics

Traveling for 12 days through Arunachal’s challenging terrain can be exhausting—but not when every detail is handled with such care. From comfortable cars to seamless transfers, well-timed halts and skilled drivers to proper acclimatization at Bomdila before heading to high-altitude Sela Pass, comfort and safety was never compromised.

Sange meticulously planned this trip and ensured we got ample rest, resulting in us not feeling tiresome even after 2 weeks on the road.

How are the roads in Arunachal? Excellent! Courtesy, BRO (Border Roads Organisation).

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5. Cultural Immersion:

From meditating in monasteries, to cultural dances, to museum visits to understand the tribes of Arunachal, to visiting local Monba tribe homes, this trip was a culturally rich trip, as we went delved deeper into the local Monpa culture: their customs, traditions and way of life.

This learning was transformative and beyond superficial interaction, done in a fun yet meaningful way. 

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6. Food for the Soul (and the Stomach)

Think Arunachal is tough for vegetarians? Think again. When you visit Arunachal with Holiday Scout, every meal is a delight.

Every day, we had local food from Baale “traditional” bread of the monks to the one pot Thenkthuk to traditional momo to the corn and beans thukpa to fermented breads  like Tingmo that is had with Aloo Phing gravy.

Thanks to Sange’s thoughtful planning, we dined in local homes and enjoyed traditional delicacies that rarely make it to restaurant menus.

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7. Boutique Stays with a Personal Touch

If you know me well, you know how much I love boutique stays over traditional chain hotels. When you explore Arunachal with Holiday Scout, PLEASE PLEASE insist on boutique stays. We stayed in the gorgeous Dirang cottages, next to the Dirang river, the newly built, homely yet modern Bomdila Embassy in Bomdila and a homestay in Tawang.

The best part about these stays are the local interactions, homely comforts and truly authentic experiences. 

How else can you see your host cooking dinner for you and join them in the kitchen?

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8. Incredible Value for Money

For the kind of authentic experiences, meticulous care in trip designing, attention to detail, the trip cost will be completely justified. The richness of this trip—emotionally, culturally, and experientially—far outweighed the cost. When you explore Arunachal with Holiday Scout, you’re not paying for packaged sightseeing; you’re investing in memories, authentic perspective, and deep human connections.

 

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9. Travel That Gives Back

One of Holiday Scout’s most inspiring initiatives is @the_chham, a cultural dance show run in collaboration with Gorichen MPCS. Held daily in Bomdila, it showcases the traditional dances of the West Kameng tribes while offering employment to local youth as well as preserves the tribal culture.

Sange also trains local guides, installs tourism signage, and partners closely with the Arunachal Tourism Department. You can read more about their social initiatives here. 

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10. Safe, Inclusive, Empowering

We were three women traveling across remote regions, and not once did we feel unsafe. From respectful local communities to Sange’s ever-attentive team, every aspect of this journey felt secure and inclusive.

Holiday Scout is a highly recommended option for solo women travelers looking to explore the Northeast India.

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As the journey ended at the Guwahati airport, my mind went back to the fading patterns of that Mandala. I realized that some experiences—like sand mandalas—are meant to be fleeting. But their impact? Permanent.

Exploring Arunachal with Holiday Scout wasn’t just about ticking destinations off a list. It was about collecting stories, building connections, and a longing of discovering more.

Like Sange says,” Sometimes endings are new beginnings.” And I can’t wait to return.

Disclaimer: I was invited by Sange for this trip, but it was so AWESOME, that every word written here stems for the heart and Holiday scout deserves all the praise!

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