Pasighat was founded by the British in 1911 as an administrative post, making it the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh. It is the headquarters of East Siang district and sits at about 155 m on the Siang.
Source: Pasighat
Town in Arunachal
Pasighat
Adi country where the Siang meets the plains
Pasighat is the headquarters of East Siang district, set at about 155 m where the Siang leaves the hills for the Assam plains. Founded in 1911, it is the oldest town in Arunachal and the heart of Adi country. Stay 2 nights for the river, Adi villages and Daying Ering sanctuary.
Photo: Bhavikji · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsPasighat sits on the right bank of the Siang, the river the Tibetans call the Yarlung Tsangpo and the Assamese know as the Brahmaputra once it reaches the plains. Here the Siang comes out of a deep valley into a wide braided bed of sand and islands. The town grew from a British administrative post set up in 1911, which makes it the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh.
This is Adi country. Adi villages of bamboo and timber houses on stilts surround the town, with community halls called mosup or dere, rice fields and orange and areca gardens. The indigenous Donyi-Polo faith, worship of the Sun and Moon, is practised alongside Christianity, and the great festival of the year is Solung, celebrated from 1 September with dances, songs and apong rice beer.
Pasighat is also a gateway. Dibrugarh in Assam is now close thanks to the Bogibeel bridge, and roads lead north to Aalo and Mechuka, east to Roing, and up the Siang to Yingkiong. It is low and warm, so October to March is the comfortable season. Use it to rest after the hills, to watch the river at sunset and to visit Adi villages with a local guide.
Say it like a local · AdiMosup
community hall of an Adi village, traditionally a youth dormitory
What to do in Pasighat
Sunset over the Siang
Walk down to the river ghats on the edge of town in the late afternoon. The Siang spreads into channels and sandbanks below the last hills, boats cross to the islands, and in winter the water turns a clear green-blue.
Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary
About 13 km from town, this sanctuary protects river islands, grassland and riverine forest in the Siang. In winter, migratory ducks and waders join resident birds; entry and boat crossings need forest department permission.
Adi villages and the mosup
Villages around Pasighat keep stilt houses, granaries and the mosup, a community hall where young people traditionally gathered and village matters were discussed. Visit with a local guide who can introduce you to families.
Solung in September
From 1 September the Adi celebrate Solung, an agricultural festival with ritual offerings, the ponung dance by women and evenings of song and apong. Pasighat holds public celebrations alongside the village rituals.
Gateway to the Siang valley
Pasighat is the base for drives north to Aalo, Mechuka and Yingkiong, and east to Roing. Arrange Sumo seats and permits here, and stock up on cash before heading into the hills.
Field notes
What most guides miss about Pasighat
The Bogibeel Bridge across the Brahmaputra near Dibrugarh, opened in December 2018, is India's longest combined rail and road bridge at about 4.94 km. It cut the road journey from Dibrugarh to Pasighat to a few hours.
Source: Bogibeel Bridge
Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary near Pasighat covers islands, grasslands and riverine forest in the Siang. It was declared a sanctuary in 1986 and is known for wintering water birds.
Source: D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary
Experiences
Three days worth having in Pasighat
Photo: Rashid Jorvee · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Pasighat · 2 hours
Sunset on the Siang at Pasighat
Watch the Siang spread out of the hills into braided channels and sandbanks as the sun sets behind the ridges, with boa…
Free; boat crossing ₹100–500 where offered
Photo: Prashanthns · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Pasighat · Half to full day
Birding in Daying Ering sanctuary
Cross to the river islands of the Siang to look for wintering ducks, waders and grassland birds in a sanctuary of sandb…
Vehicle ₹2,000–3,500; forest entry, boat and guide fees extra
Photo: Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditio… · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Pasighat · Half day
An Adi village, the mosup and apong
Visit an Adi village near Pasighat with a local guide: stilt houses, granaries, the mosup community hall, orange and ar…
Guide ₹1,000–2,000; taxi ₹1,500–2,500
Real prices
What things cost in Pasighat
ItemIndicative 2026
Shared Sumo seat, Dibrugarh–Pasighat₹300–500
Shared Sumo seat, Pasighat–Aalo₹350–550
Hotel room in town₹1,500–3,500 a night for a double
Taxi for a half day around town and villages₹1,500–2,500 per vehicle
Local guide for Adi villages₹1,000–2,000 a day
Plate of rice with pork or fish curry₹150–300
Local prices change with season and fuel costs. Check current status before you travel.
Getting there
How to reach Pasighat
Air
Dibrugarh airport, with flights from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati, is the usual gateway, about 100 km and 2.5–3 hours away via the Bogibeel bridge. Pasighat's own airport has had limited regional flights; check current status before you travel.
Bus
Shared Sumos run from Dibrugarh and Itanagar to Pasighat, and buses connect Pasighat with Itanagar. Murkongselek in Assam, about 30 km away, is the nearest railhead with a few trains; Dibrugarh has many more.
Road
From Dibrugarh, cross the Bogibeel bridge and drive through Dhemaji district to Ruksin and Pasighat. From Itanagar the trans-Arunachal road takes about 6–8 hours. The Inner Line Permit is checked at the Ruksin gate.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Pasighat
Saver: simple hotels and lodges in town charge about ₹1,500–2,500 a night for a double; some villages near Pasighat have homestays that a local guide can arrange. Comfort: a handful of mid-range hotels in town have clean rooms with attached bathrooms and hot water, which is what our comfort trips use. Signature: Pasighat has no luxury hotel. On signature trips we use the best room available here and keep the focus on private guiding and time on the river.
Trips that stop here
See Pasighat on a trip
Photo: Bhavikji · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Comfort
Arunachal · 7 nights · sleeps to 1,829 m
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The Siang valley and Mechuka
Private SUV with driver
From, per person₹50,000Mar – Apr · Oct – Nov
Questions
Pasighat, answered
How do I reach Pasighat from Dibrugarh?
Cross the Bogibeel bridge and drive about 100 km through Dhemaji district, roughly 2.5–3 hours by car. Shared Sumos run for about ₹300–500 a seat. The Inner Line Permit is checked at the Ruksin gate on the state border.
Do I need a permit for Pasighat?
Yes. Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit listing East Siang district, and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. List any other districts you plan to visit, such as West Siang or Shi Yomi for Mechuka. Check current status before you travel.
When is the Solung festival in Pasighat?
Solung usually begins on 1 September and runs for several days, with public celebrations in Pasighat and rituals and dances in villages. Exact programmes vary by village each year, so check current status before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Pasighat?
October to March, when the weather is warm and dry and the river is low. September is wet but has Solung. April and May get hot, and June to August bring heavy rain and road damage across the Siang valley.
How many days do I need in Pasighat?
Two nights is enough for the river, an Adi village and Daying Ering sanctuary. Many travellers spend one night here on the way to or from Mechuka, which is a long day's drive north.
Is Pasighat a good base for Mechuka?
Yes. It is the usual gateway: shared Sumos and private cars run north to Aalo in about 3–4 hours and on to Mechuka, about 280 km and 10–11 hours from Pasighat in all. Many travellers break the journey at Aalo.
Are there ATMs and mobile network in Pasighat?
Yes. Pasighat has several ATMs and 4G from major networks. North of Aalo, ATMs are fewer and signal weaker, so draw enough cash here for Mechuka.
What food should I try in Pasighat?
Try Adi dishes of rice with pork, chicken or river fish cooked with bamboo shoot and local herbs, smoked meat, and apong rice beer where offered. Simple restaurants in town also serve North Indian food and momos.
Is Pasighat safe for travellers?
Yes, it is a calm district town used to visitors. Take care on the river, where the current is strong, and on roads after dark. In the monsoon, landslides and floods can cut roads for days.