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The Sangestar Tso Lake is located on the way from Tawang town to Bum La Pass in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, near Indo-China border above 16,500 ft above sea level.
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Location
An old traders road went from Tawang via Milakatong La Pass (La in Tibetan is Tso]] to Bum La Pass and finally to Tsona Dzong in Xizang province of China.
1962 Sindo-Indian War
The road to Bum La Pass is also a historical route, the People's Liberation Army of China invaded India during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Here in Bum La Pass one of the fiercest battle took place in the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
Opening of Trade Route in 2006
In 2006, Bum La Pass was re-opened to traders for the first time in 44 years. Traders from both sides of the pass were permitted to enter each other’s territories, in addition to postal workers from each country.
Climate
It is often covered with heavy snow throughout the year. It is one of the most off-beat passes in the world and is also referred to as the pass from where Dalai Lama entered India escaping from Tibet.
Tourism
This is a really beautiful place. This location is off the beaten track for those who love roaming in the wilderness. It is a fantastic place for a picnic of a lifetime if you move out of Tawang by around 7am and carry in everything yourself.
Visit by civilian tourist of India is permissible with permission from the Indian Army. The track is very treacherous, only SUVs advisable, and that too only on clear weather day with no snowfall or rainfall.
Dalai Lama Escape route
Try to identify the route taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he escaped China and came over to India to take refuge.
Sangestar Tso
Created by falling rocks, boulders and trees in an earthquake, There is a Sangestar Tso lake (lake is called Tso in Tibetan) that featured Madhuri Dixit (Bollywood actress) in the movie Koyla, as a result this lake is sometimes also called Madhuri lake. The lake is about 20 km from Tawang town, about 7 km beyond the bifurcation of road leading to Bum La Pass.
Permit
A special permit is required to visit Milakatong La Pass and Bum La Pass. The Permits can be requested at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner in Tawang District, and the same has to be stamped in the Indian army cantonment at Tawang town. It is also to be noted that without the army stamp, you will not be allowed through the numerous check posts on the way.