Bomdila
Bomdila is a scenic mountainside town in Arunachal Pradesh, and the headquarters of West Kameng district.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]Bomdila can be reached from Tezpur (180 km/112 mi) by road. The road is mostly smooth as of April 2023, so travel should take less than 5 hours without stops if you are not held up by untimely landslides or major road repairs (which can sometimes require you to wait for an hour to pass).
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
[edit]Shared Tata Sumo taxis ply on this route. The fare is ₹500-700 (Apr 2023) from Tezpur to Bomdila. The official counter is located inside Tezpur's Assam State Transport Corporation bus stand (A.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 and also can fill up. The taxis leave A.S.T.C at 5:30AM to Tawang via Bomdila and 11:30AM to Bomdila only. However, drivers may refuse to take foreign travelers in the 11:30 slot due to fears of delays of an hour or more at the Arunachal state border for checking documents, which means arriving in Bomdila after nightfall. However, the process of crossing the state border can be as quick as 5 to 10 minutes if the gate staff aren't busy.
By bus
[edit]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.
There are also buses running directly between Guwahati and Bomdila, but best to check with them first if you're a foreign traveler, as your presence will require them to stop longer at the entrance to Arunachal Pradesh state.
Get around
[edit]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.
See
[edit]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 (labeled "Bomdila Monastery" on many maps): 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
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]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
[edit]Sleep
[edit]There are many hotels, guest houses, and homestays in Bomdila, so it should be possible to find one when you arrive, though many fill up on weekends.
- 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.