Road Trip to Bumla Pass, Tawang

We tend to associate winters with gloomy grey skies, bleak mood and runny noses, but there is a divine side to the season that often gets overlooked. We are talking about the Himalayan Alps capped with snow, pristine frozen lakes and Scottish Chalets that would put Camille Pissaro’s paintings to shame.

Road trip to the ‘Lapland of India’

Our Road Trip to Bumla from Tawang was one of such unfathomable stretches of jagged mountains and snow covered alps. The 360 degrees view of the fresh untouched snow  delivered a splenderous alpine scenery throughout the road trip. Beautiful snow covered lakes, one more exotic than the other made their appearance after every 10 minutes of our journey.

Now grab a cup of mocha, sit back and relax as we give you a virtual tour of ‘The Lapland of India’ – Another Winter Wonderland of Arunachal Pradesh.

Road Trip to Bumla Pass

We were definitely not over from the intoxication of our previous day’s rendezvous with Sela and the gorgeous rainbow falls of Nuranang. But we were promised an even better deal for today. So, like two little excited kids, we were ready to embark on our adventure by 7:30 am. However, our car arrived at about 9 am. This was because the special pass for Bumla are distributed on the day of departure. Our driver, on sensing our anxiousness assured us that we were perfectly on time and promised us an experience for a lifetime. We were convinced and off we went. . .

Small pit-stops on the way to Enjoy the Snow-Capped Mountains and Mesmerizing Lakes!

The Landscape is a poster from Heaven! Do you Agree???

We were to cover a distance of 37 km to Bumla and scale a few thousand feet from Tawang. We were greeted with a fabulous change in scenery at every serpentine bends of the bumpy roads. The landscape was a poster from heaven and it only got better as we inched closer and closer to our destination. The realm of the mystic snow capped Himalayas bordering the wide panaromic stretches of  snow  made the experience more surreal and divine! The red, blue and yellow fluttering flags splashing colours of festivity were a constant companion of the serene snow. A few snow yaks taking their leisurely stroll in the bed of snow made a few sly passes at us. . .

The Snow-Yaks made a few sly passes at us as we drove past them. . .

Bumla Pass – The Last Shangrila of India’s Lapland

Roughly two hours later and after conquering a few thousand feet we arrived at Klepta (8 km from Bumla). Suddenly the air around us changed. We encountered a barrage of army manning the points and a ‘No Photography’ Board popping up at every alternate nook and bend. We were approaching a sensitive area!

The India-China Border, featuring the ‘Line of Actual Control’

Before deboarding from our vehicle we were provided with snow boots and taken straight to the Reception Hut. The temperature was already hovering in the negative and we helped ourselves to some tomato pepper soup inside the hut. After depositing our cameras and smart phones at the designated counter, an army personnel escorted us (in groups of 10) to the India-China border.

While we were at it, the officer narrated the stories of Indo-Chinese aggression of 1962. Finally we reached the border. This was the ‘Line of Actual Control’, meaning there was no ‘No Man’s Land’ between the two nations. The only demarcation were a heap of stones, that stood as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. A banner saying ‘Incredible India’ on one side and ‘Welcome to China’ on the other side stole the limelight.

A 24×7 surveillance zone was constructed at the border where our armies continually kept vigilance and watched the activities of the Chinese army stationed some 3 km away from that point. My eyes welled up at the realization of the efforts and sacrifices our Jawans go through to keep us safely tucked inside the cozy comforts of our homes,  even in such harsh unforgiving conditions. My respect for the Bravehearts increased manifolds.

Playing in Bumla Snow

When you unleash two wild kids in a magical land, chaos is definitive

When you unleash two wild kids in a magical land, chaos is definitive. But it was not long before we realized that we had to be on a constant lookout while exploring the snow-white terrain.

See, its Raining Snows. . .

Throwing Snowballs at Each Other (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara). . .

One moment we would find a firm footing on the snows while the next step would sink us knee-deep. But that did not deter us from playing in the snow and making snow-mans!

Bumla Lake

Half an hour hence we had become an expert on snow-footing and could cognitively judge whether the patch of snow was a friend or a foe! A little further, the magical Bumla Lake revealed itself in front of our eyes.  The beautiful lake with its glassy still surface and spectrum of variegated blues can show some of water’s most mesmerizing qualities.

Bumla Lake displaying spectrum of variegated blue- Can you Beat this view???

Its crenelated sidings were brilliantly juxtaposed with chunks of snow that wash ashore. The spot earns even more visual points when reflecting the gorgeous snow capped Himalayas in the clear waters. We sat on a rock and gazed long and hard at the marvel of a lake. No words!

Tongpen La-World’s Highest Café

Look What we Found! World’s Highest Cafe. . . (This is just too much Happiness!)

This was a snowball effect of ‘highs’. Can you imagine when two insane coffee lovers find themselves in the world’s highest café! We had an hour to spare, we grabbed a cup of cappuchino each and enjoyed the beautiful view from the cozy café while sipping on the favourite hot stuff. . .

To the The Land of Hundred Lakes

Shungatser (Madhuri) Lake

On our return journey from Bumla pass, a beautiful lake appeared every 10 minutes amidst the paradise corseted with snow. Barely 12 kilometers later, we made a compulsory stop at Shungaster Lake. It was at an altitude of 12,400 feet and in the fag end of March, we were glad to see the clouds part and bring the much needed sunshine.

Can you hear ‘Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam’ Already? Courtesy: Madhuri Lake

We were amazed at the meticulous architectural genius with which the lake was planned. A paved footpath for walk along the gorgeous lake, framed photo opportunities in the beautifully crafted park, separate picnic spots so as not to hinder the experience of the visiting tourists and a strategically planned well equipped restaurant in a corner – everything was on point.

The chilly wind even in stark sunshine caused us to scamper for cover as we kept exploring and walking along the lake.

Unique Appearance of Shungatser (Madhuri) Lake

Shungatser Lake appeared different than usual lakes and indeed had a big reason for the strange appearance. It was formed after an earthquake in 1971 which had caused the damming of the river. After that, a flooding in the forest meant that the trees were submerged in the water.

What happened after this phenomena is that the trees died and in the present situation the trunks of these dead trees are visible in the water lending Madhuri Lake a distinct feel. The water is placid and clear and on a clear day the reflections in the lake can be really photogenic.

Spot the Golden Ducks perched comfortably on the dead tree-trunks. Courtesy: Madhuri Lake

We were lucky to spot the rare golden ducks perched comfortably on top of the dead trunks placed in the waters and didn’t lose an opportunity to click a few dozen photographs.

Shungatser Hut

While we were exploring and enjoying the gorgeous lake and its surroundings, we came across a dream-like wooden chalet. The cozy chalet with this backdrop was straight out of a dream; I for one would definitely have loved to call it home for a day or two. The interiors had a variety of wooden furnitures, and a warm fireplace. The floors were artitistically covered with droolworthy rugs. I called it ‘the perfect Scottish Dream’.

Nagula and P-Tso Lake

As we proceeded onwards, we made small pit stops at Nagula Lake, P Tso Lake and two other unnamed lakes.

The Blue P-Tso Lake. How Serene were the Days!!!

Taking a good long stare at the Mirror-Like Nagula Lake. . .

The Quest for Mesmerizing Lakes Continue. . .

Just Stopped By a few Un-Named Lakes along the way. . .

Moving Car and DSLR Shots!!! Credit: Maddy

While all of them were unique, the commonality amongst them would be the emerald snow filled waters, vistas of surrounding Alps and dream like chalets cast high on the snow hills. The picture perfect views of the iconic mountains reflected perfectly in the lakes water would surely spoil you for choice.

The faint evening lights of Tawang greeted us as we rolled into town roughly at around 16:30 hours.

Parting Thoughts

Oh well, what can I say about the Last Shangrila of a lost land. There is nothing like the classic glamour of Bumla. Its Raw, Real and Ravishing. On one such freezing days, you can indulge in a hot chocolate fudge or grapple a cheap pint from Tawang’s quirky ruin bar.

Whether on a budget or a game for splurge, Bumla consistently delights its visitors with its snowy retreats. The beauty of the atmosphere is heightened by the addition of a awry winter sparkle to the unblemished natural scenery.