In the Lap of the Eastern Himalayas: Virendra Singh’s North East Trip Review
This trip was not the call of the mountains or a long-forgotten travel bucket list that sparked Virendra Kamal Singh’s trip to Arunachal Pradesh. It was something far simpler and more profound: the joy of familiar company.
Virendra shared many laughs and memories with his college friend over the decades. Their wives had become close over time, and they often joked about how the two men always managed to get lost in the same conversations. They had travelled together before, but never to a place as remote, raw, and mystical as Arunachal.
The plan came together effortlessly. October seemed to be the perfect time with cool weather, clearer skies, and fewer crowds. And so, on 2nd October 2022, they boarded a flight to Guwahati for one of the most impressive journeys of their lives.
Into the Wild Beauty
Their journey began with a drive to Bhalukpong. As soon as they crossed into the state, the landscape changed. The rolling hills were replaced by city skylines, and the rivers sparkled beside winding roads.
Hotel Waii International welcomed them with clean sheets and a warm meal, which was enough to melt away the fatigue of travel. But it was only the next day, en route to Dirang, that the group began to understand the true magic of the region.
The car wound through pine-covered hills, past sleepy hamlets, and across sparkling streams. They paused at Thupsung Dhargye Ling Monastery, where a monk offered a simple blessing. At Sangti Valley, they watched black-necked cranes standing tall in golden fields.
Dirang Awoo Resort was their stay for the night - a property full of potential but held back by lifeless service. Still, the laughter around the dinner table was louder than any complaint. "It is not about where you sleep," Virendra’s friend joked. "It is about who you are laughing with before you do."
The Heart of the Highlands in Tawang
The climb to Tawang the next day was breathtaking, both literally and figuratively. The air grew thinner, the temperature dipped, and the silence of the snow-covered Sela Pass at 14,000 feet commanded surprise. The group bundled up and stepped out briefly, with their breaths fogging in the cold.
At the Jaswant Singh War Memorial, their fun turned to respect. The story of a lone soldier fighting against all odds touched them deeply. Virendra’s wife quietly wiped a tear.
Situated high in the mountains, Tawang was also nothing like they had imagined. It was serene, spiritual, and surprisingly welcoming. Their hotel, LN Stay, proved to be the highlight in terms of comfort and hospitality. Warm rooms, courteous staff, and piping hot food made the three-day stay feel like a gentle embrace after the long climb.
With the sprawling prayer halls and golden rooftops, the Tawang Monastery left them spellbound. Even the markets, with their colourful prayer flags and local trinkets, felt like a slice of another world. The group spent an evening wrapped in shawls, sipping butter tea on the hotel terrace, and sharing stories from their younger days.
On one of these evenings, Virendra’s friend looked at him and said, “You know, this trip is a connection to the land, to people, and to each other.”
He nodded. He had put it perfectly.
Touching the Edge of the Nation
Their trip to Bum La Pass was optional on the itinerary, but quickly became essential in their memory. The winding road was sharp and beautiful, which led them to the Indo-China border. A soldier at the checkpoint shared stories of the terrain, weather that changed in minutes, and patrols carried out in silence and snow.
From there, they visited the ethereal Shonga-tser Lake, popularly known as Madhuri Lake. Named after the actress who had filmed there, the lake was wrapped in stillness. Tree stumps rose eerily from its waters and offered a reminder of a forgotten earthquake.
Their final spiritual stop in Tawang was Taktsang Gompa, a monastery situated against cliffs, echoing with age-old prayers. “Maybe this is what peace actually feels like,” his wife whispered as they left.
Back Down to Earth
From Tawang, the descent began, but the bond among the group had only grown stronger. In Bomdila, they explored another monastery, smaller but equally sacred. Hotel Tsepal Yangjom was basic but clean, and the group spent the evening recounting their favourite parts of the trip.
Virendra’s friend joked about his obsession with local pickles, while his wife mimicked his many attempts to pronounce ‘Shonga-tser’ correctly. There was laughter all around.
Guwahati felt like returning to reality. At Hotel Park Riviera, they had their final dinner together, sitting a little longer at the table than usual. The city noise buzzed outside, but inside, they were still wrapped in the mountains.
Before heading to the airport, they managed a short visit to the revered Kamakhya Temple. The spiritual energy of the place served as a fitting end to a journey marked by discovery and devotion.
As they drove to the airport, their driver, Mr. Sujeet Mandal, who had by now become a beloved travel companion, played soft Assamese music. Virendra’s friend leaned back with his eyes closed, while his wife took one last look at the passing hills.
On the other hand, Virendra sat quietly, with his fingers intertwined with his wife’s. There was a contentment in his eyes and a peace that no business deal could ever bring.
A Note of Gratitude
The group returned with hearts full and spirits lifted, all thanks to the seamless planning by Thrillophilia and Mr. Jibon Jyoti Ramchiary. Every detail, from permits to pickups, had been thoughtfully arranged.
And a special nod to Sujeet Mandal, their driver, guide, and occasional photographer, whose quiet dedication made a big difference.
The trip may have ended, but the stories? They were just beginning. And as Virendra would later say to anyone who asked:
“If you want to see where heaven meets earth, go to Arunachal. But don’t go alone. Take people who mean something to you. That is what makes it unforgettable.”
Read More:
Thrillophilia North East Reviews