Arunachal Pradesh after Bhutan: how to cross, when to get the permit, and where to go
Bhutan's eastern border is three to four hours from Guwahati, where Arunachal trips begin. The catch is the permit, which has to be started before your Bhutan trip. Tell us your dates and we plan the handover.
From Bhutan into Assam
Samdrup Jongkhar is open to foreign passports
Bhutan's south-eastern gate, opposite Darranga in Assam, has processed third-country nationals since 7 November 2024. It is the natural exit if your Bhutan trip ends in the east.
About 100 km to Guwahati
From the border gate to Guwahati is roughly 100 km and three to four hours by road. We can collect you at the Indian side of the gate or in Guwahati.
Check your Indian visa
In August 2026 India announced Darranga as an entry point for e-Visa holders. Entry rules change, so confirm on the official Indian e-Visa portal that your visa type is accepted at Darranga before you rely on it.
Border and visa facts on this page were checked on 8 October 2026. Your Bhutan operator arranges the exit formalities on the Bhutanese side.
Send your permit documents before you leave for Bhutan
- Arunachal Pradesh needs a Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals, applied for through a government-registered tour operator.
- The application should go in at least 15 days before you enter Arunachal. If you spend two weeks in Bhutan first, that clock has to start before your Bhutan trip, not after it.
- So the practical order is: agree the Arunachal route, send passport and visa copies by email to the operator, then travel to Bhutan. The permit is ready when you reach Guwahati.
- Foreign travellers are typically required to travel in Arunachal as a group of at least two, with a registered guide.
More detail: Protected Area Permit guide for foreigners.
Why Arunachal is not a repeat of Bhutan
After two weeks of dzongs and monasteries, most travellers want something different. This is what we plan for.
Tribal culture, not only Buddhism
The Monpa around Dirang and Tawang are Buddhist, but the Apatani of Ziro and the people along the inland highway follow their own traditions, with their own houses, farming and festivals.
Homes instead of hotels
Nights with Monpa and Apatani families, eating with the household, in place of the tourist hotels that Bhutan itineraries use.
Fewer monasteries
We keep to the main ones, such as Tawang, and give the time to villages, markets and walks.
An honest look at the driving
Arunachal's roads are slower than Bhutan's. If you arrive tired, a short Ziro trip may suit you better than the full circuit.
Pick the pace that fits the end of a long trip
| Trip | Route | Length and driving |
|---|---|---|
| Full circuit | Guwahati to Tawang, Zemithang and Ziro, ending in TezpurMonpa and Apatani homestays, Sela Pass, the inland Trans-Arunachal Highway. | 12 days · five long road days of 6 to 8 hours |
| Ziro only | Tezpur to Ziro Valley and backApatani villages on foot, with free days to walk or cycle between them. | About 4 days · one long drive each way |
The full route, with kilometres and hours for every day and a guide price, is on our Arunachal tours for foreign travellers page. The short trip is on Ziro Valley for foreign travellers. From Tezpur you can go on to Kaziranga or Majuli in Assam, which need no permit.
Plan my Arunachal extension
Free, and no obligation. We reply by email within 24 hours with questions or a first day-by-day plan.
Bhutan to Arunachal: common questions
Can foreign tourists leave Bhutan by road into Assam?
Yes. Samdrup Jongkhar, opposite Darranga in Assam, has processed third-country passports since 7 November 2024. Your Bhutan operator arranges the exit on the Bhutanese side.
How far is Guwahati from the Bhutan border?
About 100 km from the Samdrup Jongkhar gate, which takes three to four hours by road.
Can I enter India at Darranga on an e-Visa?
India announced Darranga as an e-Visa entry point in August 2026. Confirm on the official Indian e-Visa portal that your visa type is accepted there before you travel, because entry rules change. Checked 8 October 2026.
When should I apply for the Arunachal permit?
At least 15 days before you enter Arunachal Pradesh. If you are in Bhutan for two weeks first, send your documents before the Bhutan trip starts.
We will be tired after Bhutan. Is there a short option?
Yes. A Ziro Valley trip of about four days from Tezpur has one long drive each way and the rest on foot among the Apatani villages.
Where can we go after Arunachal?
Tours can end in Tezpur or Guwahati. Kaziranga National Park and Majuli Island in Assam are close and need no permit.
More for international travellers
- Arunachal Pradesh tours for foreign travellers: The 12-day Tawang, Zemithang and Ziro route with a price.
- Ziro Valley for foreign travellers: A short Apatani homestay trip.
- Hornbill Festival for foreign visitors: Nagaland, 1 to 10 December 2026.
- Protected Area Permit guide: Which states need one, cost and lead time.