Itanagar is the capital of the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, the city is home to medieval Ita Fort and the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, which exhibits textiles and handicrafts. The nearby Gompa, a yellow-roofed Buddhist temple, was consecrated by the Dalai Lama. West of town is Geker Sinying, also known as Ganga Lake, surrounded by forests, orchids and ferns.
When to visit: Peak travel is Oct–Apr, when the weather is mild to warm and relatively dry. Itanagar experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season (Jul–Sep). Members of the local Monpa tribe mark Losar, the Buddhist New Year (Feb/Mar), with colorful decorations, dancing and a blessing ceremony at the Gompa.