Dirang is a beautiful Arunachal village on the West Kameng circuit. It’s tucked away in amongst the peaks of the Himalayas and has the Dirang Chu river snaking through it.
As there is only one main road on the way in and out of Tawang, you’ll most definitely pass it on the way there.
Dirang is located around an hour out of Bomdila and then it’s around a 6/7 hour drive to Tawang.
Do I need a permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh?
Yes, all tourists (both domestic and foreign) will need a permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh.
For Domestic Indian tourists, you will need to purchase an ILP (inner line permit). This is valid for 15 days and costs 100 rupees.
This permit will allow you to travel across Arunachal Pradesh in the 12 tourism circuits. You have a lot more freedom here than foreign tourists with this permit (i.e. Bumla Pass).
You can purchase this online here or offline at the border or in a travel agency in Guwahati. You will need a passport photo and identity proof.
For Foreign tourists, you will need to purchase a PAP (Protected Area Permit) to enter the state. This permit is a little more restricted than the domestic permit and will allow you to travel on certain tourist routes. It costs around $50 USD and will allow you to enter Arunachal Pradesh for one month only.
You can only purchase this at a tour operator of Arunachal Pradesh (like Holiday Scout) or at the Visa office in Guwahati and you will need a passport photo, visa, flight ticket, and passport ID. It will take around 2-5 days to process.
If you’re travelling solo, you’ll be restricted to the West Kameng and Ziro Circuits.
DO NOT try to enter the state without a permit or you could be deported from India. This permitis necessary due to border security and if you’re caught without one it can only mean bad news. On that note, make sure you have a couple of printed copies of your permit for border control. These control points are dotted around all tourist circuits and districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
How to reach Dirang Boutique Cottages in Dirang?
There are two parts to Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh. Dirang Basti is the original village side of the area and the new Dirang city which is around 6 kilometres further than Dirang Basti.
Dirang Boutique Cottages is located just before the Dirang Basti welcome gate and, as you approach the main road, there will be a sign to point you down towards Dirang Boutique Cottages.
If you’re taking public sumo ask them to stop here and you can walk the rest of the way. If you’d rather take a taxi down, ask them to stop in Dirang Basti and request one. It will cost around 200 rupees.
If you’re in your own vehicle, once you’ve taken the side road down towards the Dirang Chu river, keep driving around until you reach the suspension bridge with prayer flags crossing over the river.
The cottages are located over the other side of the river and there is no way to drive up close to the hotel. If you get lost, don’t hesitate to ring one of the staff, they speak excellent English and Hindi and can help guide you!
You can park your car nearby the bridge and one of the staff will come to help you will your bags.
6 reasons to check into Dirang Boutique Cottages
1. It’s the perfect stop off on your road trip to Tawang
The road to Tawang is pretty rough. Although it seems straightforward being a one-track road to get there what you don’t factor in is the road quality.
Whether you’re driving your own car, or you are squished in the back of a Sumo Jeep. The roads are bumpy, dusty, and treacherous, there is a lot of traffic including army trucks and you need lots of concentration.
So, although you can do the long journey all in one from Assam, I would NOT recommend it. Trust me, you’ll need a break.
I would always recommend stopping off in Dirang over Bomdila. It’s not that I’ve got anything against Bomdila, but Dirang is just a little more laid back and relaxing.
As much as I love busy cities and infrastructure, Dirang is the perfect picturesque village. It forces you to slow down and enjoy where you are for a while.
It’s peaceful, quaint, takes a slower pace, there’s a lot less traffic and above all, it’s drop-dead gorgeous.
Dirang Boutique Cottages is the ideal place to stay as it adopts the same principle. Slow down, be comfortable, relax and enjoy.
Dirang is a place where you can disconnect and enjoy nature!
2. It’s located on a farm, within the Himalayan mountains next to the Dirang Chu River
Picture this, you’re surrounded by mountains, it’s so quiet you can hear the river flowing, prayer flags are floating with the wind, you can see Buddhist monasteries in the distance and you’re immersed completely in nature. Doesn’t that sound like paradise?
That’s how this Dirang Boutique Cottages makes you feel.
As soon as you arrive you can see the farmland, with crops and fruit growing on trees. Butterflies are quite literally flying around you and there is no traffic, cars, or honking all night. It’s pure bliss.
There’s no better way to get acquainted with Arunachal Pradesh than this. You will feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
The cottages are right beside the Dirang Chu River in the mountains Enjoying a cup of coffee with the view was my favourite part of staying here
3. Dirang Boutique cottages are gorgeous and are based on traditional Brokpa huts
What I loved about these cottages is that although it is a modern property in Dirang, they haven’t forgotten their traditional roots.
Brokpa’s are Monpa Shepherd’s in West Kameng that herd sheep and yaks and they have their own unique culture.
Yak’s are very important animals to the Monpa tribes in West Kameng as they provide milk for butter tea, cheese for curries and snacks, furs for keeping warm, and meat for the harsh winters.
The cottages were inspired by traditional Brokpa Shepherd Huts in Arunachal Pradesh
Traditionally, the Brokpa shepherds live in stone-built huts in the mountains. So, the guys at Dirang Boutique Cottages used this inspiration for their design.
There are four cottages, each with two spacious rooms and two super comfy beds.
The rooms are warm and cosy, and have an attached bathroom with a shower and running hot water (a luxury in North East!).
Each room also comes with its own private terrace and deck chairs. This was one of my favourite things to do when in the mornings. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee with an epic view of the mountains. Or, I’d enjoy a lazy afternoon with a good book.
The cottages are spacious and cosy, which is perfect for the colder nights
4. The homemade food at Dirang Boutique Cottages is farm-to-table and incredibly tasty
I’m absolutely in love with the concept of farm-to-table and sourcing local ingredients from the area when trying the food.
The great thing about this property is the fact that they are based on a farm that serves the local community.
They grow their own fruit and vegetables, so everything that is served to you on your plate is organic and truly homemade in the kitchen!
I always feel that a hotel should have a good restaurant on-site, especially in the North East where the options are pretty slim. Thankfully, Dirang Boutique Cottages has that and the food is really tasty and wholesome.
The family grow their own crops onsite Dirang Boutique Cottages has a beautiful restaurant and public spaces to relax in too
5. The team welcomes you like family
Whenever I visit Dirang and meet more of the friendly locals there, I always come away feeling like family.
As a solo traveller, it can get lonely at times when you’re by yourself. So, staying in a hotel can sometimes feel isolating. But, I felt that Dirang Boutique Cottages was more of a homestay and it was one big happy family.
I ended up staying here for over a week and there were always new people checking in and out. So, that meant new conversations, people to meet, to swap travel stories with, and so forth.
But, what I loved the most is that every day I had a family to talk to. Who made sure I was safe, offered me cups of tea, showed me their home, and ultimately took care of me here in Arunachal Pradesh.
It made the whole travel experience to Dirang so much more personal and gave you a unique look at the culture here.
Sange, his friends and I – there were always new people to meet
6. Dirang Boutique Cottages is a great base to explore more of Dirang
As well as an incredible pit stop on your way to Tawang, it’s also a convenient base if you wanted to explore more of the local area for a few days.
I have to admit, although you can easily walk around Dirang Basti to explore, it is easier if you have your own means of transport to visit some of the suggested places below.
But, if not, there are taxis for hire from the local village which the team at the hotel can organise for you. Due to the road conditions, these are pricey as a standard, so try to negotiate.
If you’re looking for a tour package, I would recommend looking into Holiday Scout and their tailored tour packages for your visit to North-East India.
The great thing about their team is that they organise the trip based on your needs and include all accommodation prices. Dirang Boutique Cottage is their flagship property and so, if you’re travelling to Tawang, you’ll definitely stay here!
108 Stupa is a great day trip from Dirang
Places to visit in Dirang & Day trips from Dirang Boutique Cottages
Dirang Dzong & Village
The first place you should start is to explore the beauty of where you are! Dirang Basti is like travelling back through time.
It’s home to one of the oldest monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh and the Dalai Llama himself walked through the village when seeking sanctuary from Tibet.
Here, you can take a walk through the village, go shopping in the markets, take in the views from Dirang Dzong monastery, walk by the Dirang Chu River and meet some of the friendly locals going about their day. If you’re lucky, you may be invited in for tea or the local Arra (alcohol). Dirang has so much to offer travellers – don’t skip over it!
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