Trans-Arunachal Highway: One of India’s best driving roads

Where can you drive cars like the Mercedes-AMG GT and the Porsche 911 Turbo in India? It’s not an unreasonable question to ask, what with the deplorable condition of roads and traffic in and around our cities. Except, India has great driving roads and I just found the best one. Over ten days, we drove five sports cars from the Pangsau pass on the Indo-Myanmar border to the Bum La pass on the Indo-Tibet border – and I can tell you the Trans-Arunachal highway ranks up there with the best driving holidays in Europe.

The people are incredibly hospitable, the roads are astonishingly good, and the variety is incredible. On the east you trace the historic Stilwell road up to the Pangsau pass; spectacular hill climb territory, so much so that the Arunachal Motorsport Club is planning a competitive event next year. Down to the plains as we head west, past Namsai and Dambuk, and then back up the thickly wooded mountains over fast-flowing corners, clear blue skies above, and views to gladden the heart.

Over the next three days we crossed Pasighat by the banks of the roaring Siang, Aalo where heritage is delicately preserved and Ziro, home of the eponymous music festival and where the picture above was taken. And it wasn’t just the quality of roads that surprised us but the sparse traffic and excellent road manners. Not once did we have a car or bike coming at us the wrong way, nobody uses their horn, nobody drives with the high beam at night, loitering animals are also rare; such a peaceful and stress-free place to drive.

Further west and north towards Dirang we cross massive army camps, pay our respects at the 1962 Indo-China war memorials, and appreciate the extensive infrastructure upgrades, particularly the Sela Pass tunnel. At Tawang, the chief minister, Pema Khandu, took time out to lead our convoy right up to the Bum La pass where we eyeballed Chinese troops at the international border. And if that wasn’t enough, the last leg, from Tawang through the Nechiphu tunnel and then past Sessa and all the way till Bhalukpong on the Assam border, is like you’re driving through the jungles of Thailand.

The fact that our sports cars came back without a scratch means you can take any car, any bike, and road trip through Arunachal on your own. You don’t need permissions, there are no safety or security worries, apply online for the Inner Line Permit and you’re done. Plus fuel is amongst the cheapest in India, ₹92.66 for 95-octane available almost everywhere, making it the perfect place to gas up the newly-launched AMG GT and head out on a road trip.