Tawang requires an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which Indian citizens must obtain in advance from the Arunachal Pradesh government offices in Guwahati, Kolkata, or Delhi, or online. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) and must travel in groups of at least two with a registered guide.
The main route is by road from Guwahati (about 500 km), passing through Bhalukpong and Bomdila before climbing over the Sela Pass at 4,170 metres. The drive takes 12–15 hours with stops. Shared jeeps and private taxis operate from Guwahati and from Bhalukpong. There is no railway to Tawang — the nearest station is Rangapara North, about 80 km from Bhalukpong.
Tezpur is the nearest large town with air connections; Guwahati has the nearest international airport. The road is at its best between April and October. Sela Pass closes in heavy snow, sometimes for several days at a time between December and March; check conditions before setting out.