Sela Pass

Sela Pass sits at approximately 4,170 metres and is the main gateway connecting Tawang to the rest of Arunachal Pradesh and India. The pass is flanked by the Sela Lake, a small glacial lake that remains partially frozen for most of the year and is considered sacred by Buddhists. Prayer flags flutter across the pass, and on clear days the views of the eastern Himalayan range are spectacular. The pass remains covered in snow for much of the year and can be closed by heavy snowfall in winter. The recently completed Sela Tunnel, the longest bi-lane tunnel in the world at this altitude, now provides all-weather connectivity just below the pass, reducing travel time between Dirang and Tawang. The pass sits on the route used historically by Tibetan traders and pilgrims.