Bum La pass and Sangetsar Tso
Bum La lies about 37 km from Tawang on a rough mountain road, at about 4,600 m. It is one of the official border personnel meeting points between India and China and is under Army control. Indian citizens can visit with a permit from the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tawang, which must then be stamped at the Army cantonment. We arrange this the day before through local partners. Foreign nationals are not permitted.
Only four-wheel-drive vehicles make the journey, and only in clear weather. The road climbs past Army posts and high lakes, through bare alpine country where snow lies for much of the year. At the pass, soldiers sometimes give visitors a short briefing on the border's history. Time there is limited, and conditions can be cold and windy even in summer.
On the return we stop at Sangetsar Tso, often called Madhuri Lake, about 7 km past the fork. It was formed in 1950 when an earthquake dammed a valley, leaving dead tree trunks standing in the water. Bum La closures after snow are common between December and March. Check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Can foreigners visit Bum La Pass?
No. Bum La is open only to Indian citizens, with a permit from the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tawang that is then stamped by the Army. Foreign nationals cannot visit, even with a Protected Area Permit. Sangetsar Tso, on the same road, also requires the Tawang-issued permit.
How do I get a permit for Bum La?
Apply at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tawang, usually the day before, then have the permit stamped at the Army cantonment in Tawang. Your hotel, driver or operator normally handles this. Permission is given day by day and can be cancelled for weather or Army reasons. Check current status before you travel.
How high is Bum La Pass?
Bum La is at about 4,600 m, or 15,200 ft, on the India–China border, about 37 km from Tawang. Visitors coming from Tawang at about 2,670 m should acclimatise for at least a day first, move slowly at the pass and limit time at altitude. Anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor.
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