How to get there
Air
There are no direct flights to Itanagar from any part of India. There is a chopper service operated by the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh from Guwahati (Assam) to Itanagar on all days of the week except Saturday. However, there are regular flights to Tezpur (Assam), the nearest and best connected airport, from Kolkata and Guwahati. Taxis and buses ply from Tezpur airport to Itanagar city regularly.
Train
The nearest railhead is Harmuty, 33km from Itanagar, but the most convenient disembarkation point is North Lakhimpur, 60km from Itanagar. The Arunachal Pradesh Express serves Harmuty. Super fast and fast passenger trains will bring you to North Lakhimpur from Guwahati (Assam). Taxis and buses link both railway stations to Itanagar.
Road
You can drive into Itanagar from neighbouring Assam and Meghalaya and expect a mix of reasonably good motorways and ill-maintained tracks. Direct buses are available from Guwahati, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukhia and Nagaon in Assam as well as Shillong in Meghalaya to Itanagar.
Best time to visit
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Dining Out
The hotels and circuit houses have restaurants attached and Indian cuisine is yours for the asking. You may feast on the different types of cuisines available in Itanagar. Tibetan food is available in abundance and is a must eat in Itanagar.
Shopping
you are an avid shopper, the idea of returning from a tour without shopping some souvenirs or gifts for your near and dear ones may sound absurd to you. Do not worry. In terms of touristy shopping, Itanagar would not disappoint you.
The state of Arunachal Pradesh has a rich tradition of handicrafts. The ace artisans of the region craft out exquisite items from wood, metal, bamboo and wool. It might be hard to resist your temptation seeing these artifacts and utilities.
Since the Himalayan region is rich in wood, it plays a vital role in making the handicrafts. Check out cups, dishes and fruit bowls made of local Monpa wood while shopping in Itanagar.
Baskets and masks made of bamboo and cane are also popular items for shopping in Itanagar. Beautiful ornaments and bangles made of beads may also feature in your shopping cart in Itanagar.
You may not find the swanky commercial centers or plush shopping malls in Itanagar. But the colorful local bazaars are delightful places for shopping in Itanagar. You would also find vendors erecting stalls on the streets. If you do not mind a little bit of bargaining, give them a shot. Visiting The climate of Itanagar is very pleasant. Although there is a lot of humidity and considerable heat during summer, a mild breeze blows during the day that keeps the entire area cool. During winter, it witnesses snowfall between December and January.
Tourist Offices
Government of India Tourist Office, Naharlugan, Arunachal Pradesh.
You can also contact the Arunachal Bhavans in the main cities of India – Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Delhi and Bangalore.
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