Tawang Salt Trek Revives the Ancient Monpa Trade Route 

A 5.5-km “Salt Trek” was organised in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, to retrace an ancient route once used by Monpa ancestors to trade salt and other essential commodities with Tibet. More than 100 people, including students, youth, trekking enthusiasts and Indian Army personnel, participated in the heritage initiative.

What is the Salt Trek?

• The trek began at Griptsang Lake near Nagula and ended at Chhu-shet Gyengo near Klemta Lake, following a section of the traditional trade route.
• The initiative was organised by the Monyul Heritage Tourism and Winter Sports Society, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Tawang, and Monpa Media Mates, with support from the Indian Army. 
  • It formed part of activities associated with World Tourism Day.
• For the Monpa community, the route represents more than a trekking trail. 
  • It recalls a time when traders crossed rugged, high-altitude Himalayan terrain, often facing snow, rain and difficult weather, to obtain essential commodities for their communities.

Why is it important?

The initiative demonstrates how heritage tourism can convert history into a living experience.

• The trek helps younger generations understand the trade practices, hardships and lifestyle of their ancestors.
• Local resource persons shared information about the ancient route and nearby pilgrimage sites.
• Participants were shown traditional objects such as horse saddles, walking sticks, silver coins, traditional matchboxes and samples of white and rock salt.
• Particular emphasis was placed on documenting oral histories, folklore and traditional place names, which can disappear when they are not recorded.

Tourism and conservation together

• The Salt Trek also highlights the potential of community-based heritage and adventure tourism in Tawang.
• Tawang already has distinctive natural and cultural attractions, with its high-altitude landscape and strong Monpa cultural identity.

However, tourism in fragile Himalayan areas must remain sustainable. Organisers therefore encouraged participants to follow a “leave no waste behind” approach and protect the high-altitude environment.

Exam Hook

Key Takeaway

The Salt Trek shows how an old trade route can become a tool for cultural preservation, intergenerational learning, sustainable tourism and local economic development.

One-line Wrap

The Salt Trek turns an ancestral trade route into a living classroom, connecting Tawang’s youth with the history, resilience and cultural memory of the Monpa community.