Bum La Passबुम ला दर्रा
The 1962 border pass at 4600 m north of Tawang, visited only on an army permit.
See what is open on your dateOpen in Google MapsWhereTawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang & Kameng
Tawang & Kameng
Best time to visit1 April to 15 June and 15 September to 15 November
Good seasonsPost-monsoon (October to November), Summer (March to May)
DifficultyEasy
Height4600 m above sea level
Time neededFull day
Base and nearbyTawang town, Tawang
EntryFree · army permit through the Tawang DC office, arranged by local taxi unions a day ahead · closed in heavy snow
About Bum La Pass
The India-China border post at 4600 m, 37 km north of Tawang, where the Chinese army came through in October 1962 and where the two armies still hold border personnel meetings. Civilians go only with a permit from the Tawang DC office, which the local taxi unions arrange a day ahead, and only in a shared Sumo. The road closes with heavy snow from roughly December to March. Cold, thin air, and a very moving place.
What to see and do
- The border point and the heap of stones
- Indian Army briefing at the post
- Sangetsar Lake on the same road
- Snow on the ground most of the year
- The 1962 invasion route
Part of The Himalaya.
Opening status, best time and closures here are estimates from usual seasons and past patterns, not live information. Confirm with the local authority before you go. Terms of use
More places in Tawang
- Sela Pass and Sela LakeTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · Peak TreksThe 4170 m pass into Tawang, with a lake at the top and a tunnel that keeps the road open all winter.
- Gorsam Chorten, ZemithangTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · Pilgrimage RoutesA huge Boudhanath-style stupa at Zemithang, 90 km from Tawang in the Bhutan corner.
- Jaswant Garh War MemorialTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · Monuments & HeritageThe roadside memorial to Jaswant Singh Rawat, who held this ridge for 72 hours in 1962.
- Tawang MonasteryTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · Pilgrimage RoutesThe largest monastery in India, on a spur above Tawang town at 3000 m.
- Tawang War MemorialTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · Monuments & HeritageThe stupa-shaped memorial to the 2420 soldiers who died in the Kameng sector in 1962.
- Urgelling MonasteryTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · Pilgrimage RoutesThe small monastery where the sixth Dalai Lama was born in 1683, 5 km below Tawang.
- Nuranang Falls, JangTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · WaterfallsA 100 m waterfall right below the Jang road, 40 km before Tawang.
- Sangetsar (Madhuri) LakeTawang, Arunachal Pradesh · Lakes & DamsA lake made by the 1950 earthquake, its drowned forest still standing. Renamed by a Bollywood film.
All places in Tawang · All places in Arunachal Pradesh
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Jagah Pedia is a free travel guide by Santosh Pandey. Status, timings and closures are estimates from usual patterns, so confirm locally before you travel.