Bomdila
Bomdila is a city in Arunachal Pradesh.
Get in
By car
Bomdila can be reached from Tezpur (180 km/112 mi) by road. The road is very bad in patches, therefore the travel takes about 5-6 hours if you are not held up by untimely landslides.
If returning from Tawang (160 km/99 mi), the travel takes about 4-5 hours depending on the prevalent condition of the road.
By shared taxi
Shared Tata Sumo taxis ply on this route. The fare is ₹280 (Jan '12) from Tezpur to Bomdila. The official counter is located inside Tezpur's Assam State Transport Corporation bus stand (A.S.T.C or locally called as S.T.C). It is advisable to make the booking and get a seat number a day in advance as the service is not very reliable due to bad weather and unpredictable "Assam bandh". The taxis leave A.S.T.C at 5:30AM to Tawang and 11:30AM to Bomdila from Tezpur A.S.T.C. A few private players also operate just outside Tezpur A.S.T.C.
Note that the road is in bad shape and taxis run only when full (with 10 passengers).
By bus
From Tezpur, Bomdila can also be reached by bus. One needs to first go to Balipara which is about 20 km (12 mi) from Tezpur A.S.T.C. Shared Tata Ace Magics ply on Tezpur-Balipara route (rate ₹15 per head). There is a daily Itanagar- Bomdila bus that passes through Balipara at around 11AM. The bus is generally crowded.
Get around
Bomdila is a very small place and walking is the best way to get around the town. It is advisable to hire a taxi to go to the Upper Gompa. (about 4 km/2.5 mi) by road, ₹100). Taxis can be hired from the taxi stand situated just beyond the main market. Tezpur to Dirang Sumo fare is ₹350
See
There are three monasteries in and around Bomdila. Locals call them Gompa. It is always best to ask directions to Gompa than saying monastery.
Lower Gompa: This Gompa is situated just beyond the main market. The taxi stand and the Lower Gompa are situated on opposite ends of the main market. It is a very simple monastery. One can give it a miss if time is of the essence.
Middle Gompa: This Gompa is situated about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the main market.
Upper Gompa: This Gompa is the most majestic of the three. It is situated about 5 km (3 mi) from the Market. One can hire a taxi from the taxi stand to go this Gompa.
Crafts Centre: Crafts centre is situated just opposite the Lower Gompa. Local handicrafts are showcased here.
Do
Buy
Eat
Sikkim Restaurant: Main Market, Bomdila. Thukpa, Momo and Chowmein (Fried Noodles)available in both Veg. and Non-Veg. (Chicken, Pork, Beef and Fish). Dishes ranging from ₹50-80
Tsepal Yongjam: Main Market, Bomdila. Indian, Chinese and continental dishes. Ranging from ₹80-150
Drink
Sleep
- Hotel Passang, central market area. Tel:+91 3782 222-627. Clean rooms. No TV, AC or hot shower. Hot water in a bucket is available from the reception on demand. Double Rooms available from ₹300
- Tsepal Yongjam Main Market. Single rooms from ₹600-1900. Double rooms from ₹1200-3900. Clean, AC rooms. Wooden flooring. TV and hot shower in the room.