Balphakram National Park

Balphakram National Park is situated near Caro hills in Meghalaya above 300 meters above sea level below the ancient granite Balphakram plateau. Meghalaya is a north eastern state of India which has Assam in the north and Bangladesh in the south. One third of the state is covered under forest and Balphakram National Park covers an area of 220 sq km which was established in 1987.

Balphakram National Park in Meghalaya is popularly known as "abode of perpetual winds" and also the "land of spirits". Balphakram National park is a famous park and home of wide species of plants and animals. You need to visit at least once and witness the charming beauty and various species of flora and fauna.

This park is also a great source for rare and valuable herbs like dike muni, which are medical herbs and rarely found. It is full of sprawling vegetation consisting of sub tropical and deciduous trees. In the southern part of the park is a belt of limestone. This area is very rich in minerals- especially coal, limestone and mica.

Attractions: 

Animals / Mammals

Sloth Bear, Giant Squirrels, Indian Elephants, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Wild Buffalo, Gaur, Baboons,  Barking Deer, Hoolock Gibbon, Assamese Macaque, Pig-tailed Macaque, Capped Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Assamese Macaque, Sambar, Pangolin, Wild Buffalo, Serow and Slow Loris.

Birds         

Jerdon’s Baza, Black Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Amur Falcon, White-cheeked Partridge, Speckled Piculet, Ashy Minivets, Asian Pied and Pale-chinned Flycatcher, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Blue-throated Barbets, Ashy and Flavescent Bulbuls, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Plain-backed Thrush, Maroon Oriole, Sultan Tit, Black-winged Cuckoo shrike, Horn bill, Peacock, Pheasant and Inornate Warbler.

Things to do:

Jungle safari, Elephant Safari, Jeep safari, Wildlife Photography and Trekking

Best Time to visit:

October to March is best time to visit this park.

How to Get There:

Nearest Airport – Guwahati Airport (170 kms)

Nearest Railway Station – Guwahati Railway Station (160 kms)

By Road – Through Shillong or William Nagar (Nearest Town)

Things to do in Tawang

Tawang means the ‘Land of rising sun’. Tawang district is one of the most beautiful hill stations of Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang is bordered by Tibet in the north and Bhutan in the south west. The name Tawang was derived from Tawang Monastery which contains many age old scriptures, images, Buddhist scriptures with gold letters and books. This monastery is also known as ‘Gompa’ or ‘Galden Namgyal Lhaste’. 

Tawang is inhabited by tribe called ‘Monpa’. There are number of lakes and have a strong presence of the Indian Army and access to the area as it shares a highly sensitive border with China.

Tawang is famous with its visitors for trekking and hikes. The airport closest to Tawang is located at Guwahati. The railhead closest to the place is located at Bhalukpong. This place is situated in the district of West Kameng. It is at a distance of 280 kms from Tawang. The ideal time for visiting this place is between April and October.

City Attractions:

Pankang Teng Tso

Pankang Teng Tso lake is situated 17 kms from Tawang and was formed due to an earthquake. It was part of a pine forest and now the trunks of dead pine trees protrude from the deep blue waters.

Sangetser Lake

Sangester Lake was formed in 1950, following a major earthquake. Its bed, once a forested slope, sank in the tremor, taking with it the forest of tall pine trees. It is 42 kms away from Tawang.

Banggachang Lake

This lake was also formed due earth quake and attracts a lot of visitors towards it due its natural beauty and scenic views.

Tawang Monastery

Tawang Monastery was founded in 1680-81 and is the second largest Buddhist monastery in the world. The monastery holds prayers, living quarters of the monk, a courtyard to held ceremony / functions and Assembly hall.

This monastery also has 18 feet high, fully gold painted statue of Gautam Buddha.

Sports Activities

Tawang offers trekking, mountain climbing, river rafting, paragliding to its tourists with variety of activities and natural beauty.

Sela Peak

Sela Peak in Tawang is one of the highest peaks and the most panoramic peaks of the region. The drive to Tawang goes through the Sela Pass, which is also known as the best getaway to Tawang.

Geshila Peak

The Geshila Peak provides absolute tranquility, awesome sights and a multitude of scenic picturesque locations from all around.

Festivals

Losar and Torgya are the famous festivals of Tawang region are celebrated twice annually. This is believed to be celebrated to chase out evil spirits which usher in the diseases and misfortunes in both human beings and crops and like other unprecedented natural calamities.

Things to do:

Trekking, Paragliding, River rafting and Mountain Climbing
Photography
Monastery

Places nearby to visit:

Guwahati
Tezpur
Bhalukpong
Bilapara

Famous for:

Trekking, Paragliding, River rafting and Mountain Climbing
Photography
Monastery
Festivals
Peaks

Suggestions:

If you are planning to travel to Tawang then you will require Inner Liner Permit, which can be obtained from Kolkata, New Delhi or Guwahati.