On the foothills of Himalaya in the district
of West Kameng lies a hill station called Bhalukpong which is 213m above the
sea level in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhalukpong is on the bank of Kameng River and
surrounded by dense forests borders which forms the edge of the Pakhui Game
Sanctuary. We have to touch Bhalukpong if we are going to Tawang, Bomdila
or Dirang. So it can be called the getaway of Tawang, Bomdila and Dirang. But
since it has its own charm, it is a must visit hill station of North East.
Bhalukpong can give you an amazing experience
with wildlife and a host of activities complimenting its natural beauty apart
from being the nature lover’s glory. It can provide you a view of the
environment of place which is less significant.
Bhalukpong looks more attractive for the
running river in the forest nearby called The Kameng River. You can find
yourself making the most of fishing, trekking, hiking and camping. Pakhui Game
Sanctuary is a glamorous place of Bhlukpong which can be visited to see birds,
tigers, elephants, barking dear and much more.
Bhalukpong is a place which can be very well
visited anytime between September and June with the best time actually being in
Septembet - November and again in March - May.
The Aka Tribe celebrates The Nyethidow Festival in March
which attracts lot of tourists and a good time to visit the place.
Nature’s beauty is the main sightseeing of
Bhalukpong. Some of the sightseeing options in Bhalukpong that you
can explore are mentioned below:
There are limited options of stay in
Bhalukpong. There are hardly 5-6 standard and deluxe hotels available in
Bhalukpong. For backpackers in the market few budget hotels are found. I would
like to give the list of hotels below so that the guest according to their
pocket opt the hotel for the stay.
WAII INTERNATIONAL HOTEL: This is the best modern type of hotel come up
in Bhalukpong in last 8 months. It can be said that the hotel is equivalent to
3 star categories. At present total 26 rooms with different category is the
inventory of the hotel. The Tariff of base category of room starts above Rs
3000/- . You can get vegetarian and non-vegetarian as well as local food in the
hotel but always recommended to intimate in advance your food preference so
that it can be arranged beforehand.
I will rate this hotel from Deluxe to Diamond
category of our North East Packages.
PRASHAANTI
COTTAGES: Just beside Kameng River the resort is build.
Basically the resort in Assam and the property of Assam Tourism. Since it is
situated on the border of Assam and Arunachal one can enter Bhalukpong by
walking. The area is huge and cottages are separately located. The inventory is
10 cottages and 9 Rooms and I can rate this resort as a 3 Star equivalent
property without any hesitation.
HOTEL KOSHY RESIDENCY: Total 18 rooms’ inventory of 3 categories
with a neat and clean atmosphere is one of the better hotel of Bhalukpong less
known by agents. The entrance is not so attractive like other hotels because it
is on the road side but once you enter into a hotel, you can count it as a good
Deluxe Property. On the back side of the hotel you will find hills which are a
good view for the guests who stay there.
SEAGULL
HOTEL: A very old but a good property. The total of
20 rooms with wooden floor and architectural look inside the room is also a
better Deluxe Hotel of Bhalukpong. Location wise it is much better.
HOTEL DRUK: Druk must be rated in between Standard and
Deluxe. It’s a 2 star equivalent property with 15 rooms’ inventory. Since
Bhalukpong is surrounded by mountain so most of the hotels location is fine as
hotel Druk is.
HOTEL
SOLU: Fantastic location but I believe the
management has to take care of the maintenance and service of the hotel. Higher
and medium end guest if enters into the hotel, they will not be happy most
probably. From outside anyone who looks hotel Solu, they would love to stay
there because of the location and view of the River Bohrali. The total
inventory of 14 rooms. Service wise it is average. Agent can blindly sell this
hotel in their standard category of packages.
Apart from the above 6 properties, there are
other hotels to stay for a budgeted guest who are not accompanying with their
family or the backpackers. The names of the few hotels are as under:
1.
HOTEL 7TH HEAVEN
2.
HOTEL SDC
3.
HOTEL TASHIYANGTSE
4.
HOTEL PAYUL
5.
HOTEL LIPANG PHUDU
6.
HORNBILL INN
7.
HOTEL SANGRILA
IMPORTANT NOTE: It has been noted from past experience that
travel agents when they are handling group of say 50-100 pax is under
impression that Bhalukpong is not a place to make it overnight stay because of
paucity of hotels in the place. But it is not true. Anytime we can keep a group
of 50-100 pax in Bhalukpong in 3-4 different properties who are going up to
Tawang.
FOOD: In all the hotels vegetarian and
non-vegetarian food is available. Only HALAL meat is hardly available so those
who are looking for HALAL food then must become a vegetarian in the area. There
is no such good restaurant outside of the hotel in the area where you can get
quality food except in the hotels you stay. Even Jain food is available on
request. Or a group can carry its own chef and cook the food for them. Kitchen
arrangements can be made on request at an extra cost.
Courtesy:
Asad Siddiqui
(Managing Director)
CATWALK
HOLIDAYS PRIVATE LIMITED
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