Overview: Day 7 began early as we departed from the quaint village of Kitpi, embarking on a long drive towards Shergaon. Unlike Day 3 when we crossed the snow-laden Sela Pass, this time we opted for a more modern route—the recently inaugurated Sela Tunnel.
At an elevation of 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), the Sela Tunnel is a marvel of engineering and a game-changer for the region. It holds the distinction of being the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel at this altitude and forms a critical link between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, ensuring year-round connectivity to Tawang. The twin tunnels—Tunnel 1 (980 m) and Tunnel 2 (1,555 m)—are connected by a 1.2 km link road and significantly reduce travel time while avoiding the treacherous winter conditions of the Sela Pass, located 400 metres higher.
This strategic infrastructure project, executed under BRO’s Project Vartak, not only supports civilian mobility but also strengthens defence logistics along the Indo-China border. One can’t help but marvel at the precision and vision behind such a construction.
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| Sela Tunnel |
After crossing the tunnel, we made a stop at Bomdila for lunch and indulged in some local souvenir shopping—tiny tokens from a high-altitude market full of warmth and character.
Our next destination was the stunning Chillipam Monastery, officially called Sangngag Choekhor Dargyeling Monastery. Nestled atop a hill near Rupa, this lesser-known gem offers sweeping views of valleys and forests below. Its peaceful surroundings and vivid architecture made for a memorable visit, and it’s easily one of the most scenic monasteries in Arunachal.
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| Chillipam Monastery |
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| Chillipam Monastery |
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| Chillipam Monastery |
From there, we continued to Morshing village to explore the Lama Tenpai Dronmey Museum. We were guided by the passionate Rinchin Norbu, whose dedication to preserving Monpa heritage and the traditions of Morshing, Sanglem, and Domkho villages was truly inspiring. The museum houses a fascinating collection of handcrafted ritual masks, ceremonial items, and historical artifacts—a living archive of the region’s cultural legacy.
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| Lama Tenpai Dronmey Museum |
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| Lama Tenpai Dronmey Museum |
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| Lama Tenpai Dronmey Museum |
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| Lama Tenpai Dronmey Museum |
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| Lama Tenpai Dronmey Museum |
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| Lama Tenpai Dronmey Museum |
Our day ended as we reached Shergaon under the night sky, checking into Oakley Groves Resort. While darkness shrouded the view on arrival, we were promised a visual treat in the morning—and it more than delivered.
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| Oakley Groves Resort |
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