Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh (21-28 April 2018)

#DRIVEWITHSOUL– Mountain Trail

Team SOUL takes great care to curate drives that give you opportunities to explore locations on and off the tourist map.

After exploring the heartlands of India and creating memories of a life time during our last Iconic drive - Jungle Trail in October, we now bring to you the next Iconic drive: Mountain trail, Tawang.

Go ahead and explore the North East of India, like never before and earn your badge.

Copyright, Confidential, Tata Motors Limitedc

Trip Highlights

Explore the Land of the Rising Sun-Arunachal

Stay in nature’s lap while enjoying Bihu dance & Bonfire

Enjoy rafting on the Jia Bhorelli rapids in Nameri

Travel alongside experts from evo India magazine

Witness Bhutanese influence in the Dzong, surrounded by 500 years old stone houses

Drive across terrains as varied as tea gardens to the Sela Pass located at 13,700ft+

See the gorgeousness of the Tawang Monastery, the largest in India

Spend time with the local Monpa tribe in Thembang (a UNESCO fortified village)

Mountain TrailTotal distance : 1,056 KMs

Tawang

Guwahati

Day 1Check in at Guwahati

Day 2Guwahati to Bhalukpong

Day 3Bhalukpong to Dirang

Day 4Dirang to Tawang

Day 5Stay at Tawang

Day 6Tawang to Dirang

Day 7Dirang to Nameri

Day 8Nameri to Guwahati

DAY 1: GUWAHATI

21ST APRIL

Schedule

1400 - 1600 hrs: Check in at Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati

1900 hrs: #SOULtroduction & interaction with team from

evo India

2000 hrs: Dinner

Dinner

Meals Included

TripAdvisor India review

Stay at:Vivanta by Taj

Check in at the Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati, and get ready for the drive.

Besides, if you have time, Guwahati is a sprawling city known for holy sites like the hilltop Kamakhya Temple, featuring shrines to the Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu, and Umananda Temple, dedicated to Shiva and covered with engravings, standing on the Peacock Island in the river Brahmaputra.

Key Highlights

#SOULTRODUCTIONSHARE YOUR LOVE FOR THE OPEN ROAD WITH LIKE-MINDED SOUL MEMBERS

We take our partnership with evo India a step further. Experts from the editorial team of the magazine would be accompanying you on the tour. On 21st, we plan a session with them for tips regarding driving in the North East.

DAY 2: GUWAHATI - BHALUKPONG

22ND APRIL DISTANCE: 216 KMS (5 HRS)

Schedule

We start our journey towards Bhalukpong, a small town located along the southern reaches of the Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh. En route, we stop at Tezpur, a city on the banks of the river Brahmaputra which is also considered to be the Cultural Capital of Assam.

SOUL members will also have the opportunity to visit the pious Mahabhairav Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by King Banasura in pre-historical times. The Shiva linga of this temple is said to be made of 'Living Stone' which grows slowly over the years.

Key Highlights

Breakfast Dinner

Meals Included

Stay at:Hotel WaiiInternational

TripAdvisor India review

0700 hrs: Breakfast

0800 hrs: Flag off from Guwahati

1100 hrs: Stopover at Tezpur & visit to Mahabhairav Temple

1430 hrs: Arrival at Bhalukpong

1500 hrs: Lunch

Till 2000 hrs: Leisure walk by the river

2000 hrs: Dinner

Note: Timings are subject to visits/breaks taken

Leisure walk by the riverVisit to Mahabhairav Temple

DAY 3: BHALUKPONG - DIRANG

23RD APRIL DISTANCE: 139 KMS (5 HRS)

Schedule

Breakfast Dinner

Meals Included

0700 hrs: Breakfast

0800 hrs: Depart from Bhalukpong via Bomdila

Lunch en route

1330 hrs: Visit to Apple Orchard / Orchid Garden

1500 hrs: Arrival at Dirang

2000 hrs: Dinner

TripAdvisor India review

Stay at:Hotel NorphelRetreat

Post breakfast we leave for Dirang: a 5 hour road journey will get us there. We settle into our stay, and adjust to the slow mountain life, of this remote hamlet.

We go for a walk through the hamlet – apple farms and kiwi farms will greet us on the way. A short hike to the Dirang Dzong will give us a glimpse of the local life.

Key Highlights

Note: Timings are subject to visits/breaks taken

Visit to Apple OrchardsVisit to Apple Orchard Visit to Bomdila en route

DAY 4: DIRANG - TAWANG

24TH APRIL DISTANCE: 144 KMS (5 HRS)

Schedule

Breakfast Dinner

Meals Included

0630 hrs: Breakfast

0800 hrs: Visit to Dirang Dzong

0900 hrs: Head to Tawang via Sela Pass. Stop en route at

Sela Lake

1300 hrs: Arrival at Tawang

1430 hrs: Lunch

1600 hrs: Visit to Tawang Monastery

2030 hrs: Dinner

TripAdvisor India review

Stay at:Hotel ZaxStar

We start early to head out to Tawang via the Sela Pass. One of the highest motorable roads in the world, the Selais sacred to the Buddhists. Very close by is the pristine Sela Lake: a definite stop over on this road journey, before we head northwards to Tawang.

On reaching the town, we settle into our stays. Local hikes and cafes are on the menu. But soaking in the feel of this beautiful high altitude town offering beautiful vistas of high mountain peaks, misty rivers and lush valleys is the idea of this day.

Key Highlights

Visit to Sela Lake

Dirang Dzong

Visit to Tawang Monastery

Visit to Sela Pass en route

DAY 5: STAY AT TAWANG

25TH APRIL

Schedule0600 hrs: Breakfast

0700 hrs: Optional visit to Bumla Pass & Sangetsar lake

1330 hrs: Lunch

1430 hrs: Off-roading session with evo India team

1600 hrs: Day spent at Leisure

2030 hrs: Dinner

This day is at leisure where you can explore Tawang. Tawang Monastery is legendary in its beauty. It’s the largest Buddhist monastery in India and the second largest in Asia. It is an important seat of the Mahayana Buddhists and overlooks 18 Gompas of the region. It is 400 years old and at any given time houses about 450 monks, and is a must watch on a trip to Arunachal Pradesh.

Key Highlights

Breakfast Dinner

Meals Included

Stay at:Hotel ZaxStar

Note: Timings are subject to visits/breaks taken

TripAdvisor India review

Souviniere

Bumla PassSangetsar Lake

SouveniereTawang War Memorial

DAY 6: TAWANG - DIRANG

26TH APRIL DISTANCE: 171 KMS (7 HRS)

Schedule

Breakfast Dinner

Meals Included

Stay at:Hotel Awoo/ Hotel Pemaling

After an early morning breakfast, we leave to experience the Monpa way of life. The Monpas have conserved their heritage and have now realized that conservation is a great way to boost their economy.

Their village is fortified and has two entry and exit points in the stone walls, like the villages we read of in Asterix stories. A local village walk, a peek into their means of livelihood and sharing a meal with them is the day’s plan.

Key Highlights

Lunch

Note: Timings are subject to visits/breaks taken

0700 hrs: Breakfast

0730 hrs: Depart from Tawang & en route visit to Thembang

1000 hrs: Spend time with Monpa tribe

1200 hrs: Lunch

1300 hrs: Head towards Dirang

1900 hrs: Arrival at Dirang

2030 hrs: Dinner

TripAdvisor India review

Visit Thembang (UNESCO fortified village)Experience the Monpa way of life

DAY 7: DIRANG - NAMERI

27TH APRIL DISTANCE: 163 KMS (5 HRS)

Schedule

Breakfast Dinner

Meals Included

0700 hrs: Breakfast

0800 hrs: Depart from Dirang

1400 hrs: Arrival at Nameri

1430 hrs: Lunch

1800 hrs: Bonfire & Bihu Dance

2030 hrs: Dinner

TripAdvisor India review

Stay at:Jia BhoreliWild Resort

We start our journey towards our second last destination – Nameri. Famous for the Nameri National Park, we are staying in an eco camp. The day is at leisure. Located near the Jia Bhorelli river, one can take leisure walks around the camp and enjoy its natural beauty. The place provides for a peaceful and reflective environment as the drive nears the end. The day ends with camaraderie over bonfire.

Key Highlights

Stay at:Hotel Lalimou

Google review

Note: Timings are subject to visits/breaks taken

Jia Bhorelli river beside Nameri National ParkBihu Dance

Bonfire Stay at an eco Camp

DAY 8: NAMERI - GUWAHATI

28TH APRIL DISTANCE: 223 KMS (5 HRS)

Schedule0700 hrs: River Rafting (optional)

0830 hrs: Breakfast

0930 hrs: Depart from Nameri

1500 hrs: Arrival at Guwahati

For the adventurous ones, wake up early for a thrilling river rafting session. Post breakfast, departure for Guwahati will take us back to the plains, and will help us reach Guwahati airport by 3 PM. With fond memories of the drive fresh on our minds and with a promise to meet again, we take our flights back home.

Please book flights post 4 PM to have enough buffer.

Key Highlights

Breakfast

Meals Included

Note: Timings are subject to visits/breaks taken

Jia Bhorelli: white water rafting Crossing Brahmaputra during drive

Package details

• Package per adult: Rs. 32,350

• Package for couples: Rs. 54,600

• Package for child (4-10 yrs): Rs. 22,600

• Children < 4, not recommended due to high altitude

SUV on rent

• SOUL members can also rent1 a Tata SUV if they are unable to bring their vehicle

• Cost of rental: Rs 15,000

SUV transportation

• Alternatively, SOUL members can write to us for moving their vehicles to Guwahati and return

• Tata Motors will try to make arrangements if possible

• SOUL members would need to pay transit charges for the service

1 Subject to availabilityNote: The above includes applicable GST

Registration

Log onto soul.tatamoto

rs.com

Email us at soul@tatamo

tors.com

Call at 022-4033 6060

Registration process

Inclusions & Exclusions• What’s included:

• Accommodation on Double sharing Basis; stays will be in eco camps, hotels and guesthouses

• Transportation and sightseeing as per the itinerary

• Meals mentioned

• Activities as mentioned

• Inner line permit

• What’s not included:

• In case you are unable to bring your own vehicle, a Safari/ Hexa can be rented for INR 15,000/-

• Airfare to Guwahati and back - Please book a flight which reaches Guwahati by 12 PM on Day 1 (21st April), leaves Guwahati post 4 pm on the last day

• Camera fees and entrance fees at any of the places of sightseeing

• Meals not mentioned

• Excess stay & meals due to bad weather conditions or strikes, resulting in delay of flights or any other form of transport

• Beverages, room service, laundry, cigarettes, telephone expenses, any personal expense

• Bumla Pass and Sangetsar Lake visit

• Rafting in Jia Bhorelli (can be arranged at Rs. 1,700 per head)

• Any other item not mentioned in “What’s included” section

• Cancellation policy

• Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the journey are eligible for a 75% refund of the trip amount

• Cancellations made between 15-30 days prior to the start of the journey will be eligible for a 50% refund of the trip amount

• Cancellations made 15 days prior to the start of the journey or later will not be eligible for a refund

#DriveWithSOUL