"Of Paths and Presence - Pomo Valley Trek "

A chapter in Mishmi country, walked through Eastern Arunachal Pradesh

Upcoming Dates

  • September 4th to September 12th

Highlights

  • Travel deep into Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, one of India’s most remote and least inhabited regions.
  • Trek into the heart of the Pomo Valley on a three-day, two-night camping trail through grasslands, maple forests, waterfalls, and wide open mountain terrain.
  • Camp in remote forest clearings and valley campsites, with simple meals and nights shaped by weather, water, and silence.
  • Raft the Dree River, experiencing the landscape from the water before entering the trekking zone.
  • Walk past waterfalls and river crossings that emerge naturally along the trail, shaped by terrain rather than itinerary design.
  • Spend time with the Idu Mishmi community, sharing meals, tea, and conversations that offer insight into life in this frontier region.
  • Visit Gipulin village after the trek, easing back into settlement through quiet walks and time spent in a local home.
  • Experience a journey that balances physical movement with cultural grounding.
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Details

Eastern Arunachal Pradesh is not a place you arrive at quickly. Roads stretch long, valleys deepen gradually, and the landscape reveals itself in layers rather than landmarks. This is one of India’s least inhabited frontiers, shaped as much by distance and terrain as by those who live here.

This chapter journeys into the Dibang region, a remote part of Arunachal where rivers cut deep through forested mountains and movement has always followed the logic of land rather than maps. Set within the Mishmi Hills at the eastern edge of the Himalayas, this is a landscape shaped by isolation, altitude, and time. For generations, communities like the Idu Mishmi have lived with this terrain, carrying knowledge through oral histories, seasonal migration, and an intimate understanding of forests, water, and weather.

At the heart of this journey lies the Pomo Valley trek. Spread across three days, it is a gentle yet immersive introduction to multi-day trekking. The trail moves through grasslands, maple forests, river crossings, and wide open valleys shaped by waterfalls and weather. The walking is steady, with a few steep sections, but the experience is less about pushing limits and more about learning to move with the land. Campsites are simple, nights are quiet, and each day unfolds at a pace that allows the landscape to be absorbed.

The days before and after the trek are not fillers. They allow you to enter and exit this world gradually. You raft the Dri River, sit down for home-cooked meals in local homes, listen to stories of the valley, and walk through villages where hospitality is offered without performance. By the time you step onto the trail, the place already feels familiar. By the time you leave, it lingers.

This is one of our more demanding set departures, not because the terrain is extreme, but because the journey asks for patience, endurance, and openness. Days are long, comfort is simple, and the experience rewards steadiness more than speed. It is ideal for fit travellers looking to experience a remote multi-day trek, and for those who want to understand the Eastern Himalayas through movement, stillness, and sustained time outdoors.

Over nine days, this chapter reveals the region slowly — through river, forest, camp, and conversation; through walking, waiting, and returning. This is not a journey of constant spectacle. It is one of gradual immersion.

  • Accommodation in clean and comfortable stays and thoughtfully set-up campsites (open ground or platformed), on a double-sharing basis throughout the journey.
  • All transportation in SUVs with experienced local drivers.
  • Breakfast from Day 2 onwards.
  • Lunch on Days 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
  • Dinner on Days 1, 4, 5, and 8 (Veg Dinner on Days 1 and 8). 
  • A team of professional and experienced trekking guides, porters, and a dedicated cooking crew for Pomo Valley Trek.
  • Campsite setup and camping equipment, including tents, sleeping foam mats, and a basic first-aid kit for Pomo Valley Trek.
  • White-water rafting experience on the Dree River with a professional safety setup.
  • Guided walk, traditional lunch, and organic interactions with locals in Gipulin and Anini on Days 3 and 7.
  • All entry fees, forest permits, and trekking clearances required for Pomo Valley.
  • Inner Line Permit for Indian Nationals (ILP). 
  • An Experienced ChaloHoppo Trip Leader.
  • Flight and train tickets.
  • Meals and beverages not explicitly mentioned under Inclusions.
  • Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreign nationals.
  • Personal trekking gear, inner liner for sleeping bag, raincover for bags and gumboots. 
  • Personal sleeping bag, rated for 0°C to sub-zero temperatures. (Available to rent as well) 
  • Personal porterage beyond support provided for main luggage during the trek.
  • Camera or photography permit fees, if applicable.
  • Tips for hotel staff, drivers, and local hosts (at the guest’s discretion).
  • Entry fees to museums, parks, or attractions not specified.
  • Personal expenses, including toiletries, medicines, and incidental costs.
  • Any additional expenses arising due to weather conditions, roadblocks, health issues, or itinerary changes beyond our control.
  • Any medical expenses incurred during the trip due to illness, injury, personal health conditions, or emergencies.

FAQs

What type of properties are we staying at?

We will be staying at clean, comfortable, and hygienic stays and campsites at all locations. The room categories at each property may vary and not be the same for all depending on the availability of the rooms.

The stay at Dree Campsite will be divided into Cottages and Tents (A mix of attached and non-attached washroom).

Also, Please note that the campsite during the Pomo trek comes with humble and basic facilities, the best that could be catered in the wild.

The trip starts at Dibrugarh Airport on Day 1, where the group assembles for departure, and ends at Dibrugarh Airport on Day 9. Your ChaloHoppo trip leader shall meet you at the airport on Day 1.

On Day 1, participants are required to arrive at Dibrugarh Airport by 11:00 AM at the latest. The group will depart from the airport by 12:00 PM. Any arrivals after this time, due to flight timing or delays, will need to reach the destination at their own expense.

For departure, return flights can be booked anytime after 2 PM on Day 9. Participants are advised to plan their flights in line with the recommended arrival and departure timings shared for this trip.

Please note that Dibrugarh Airport is the only designated pick-up and drop-off point for this trip. The vehicle will not stop at any other location. All participants must ensure they reach the airport before the scheduled departure time, as the trip will commence from there.

An age group of 20-50 years old is ideal for the experience. However, depending on your trekking experience and fitness, the limit could be stretched to 60 years as well. Participants below 20 years of age must have prior trekking experience and should be accompanied by a guardian above 20 years old. 

This trek is ideally designed for experienced trekkers who have completed long hikes or multi-day treks before. It is an ideal trek to introduce yourself to the multi-day trekking experience, in case you have done day hikes before. Participants should be comfortable walking 5-7 hours daily over challenging terrain that includes steep ascents and descents, rough trails, and slippery, muddy conditions due to weather.

The trek tests both physical endurance and mental resilience over consecutive days. While a team of guides will be present throughout, this trek is not recommended for absolute beginners to hiking. However, if you maintain an active, fit lifestyle and can persist through long hours of trekking across rugged, wild terrain, this trek is achievable with the support of our expert team of guides.

The trail features mixed and demanding terrain, including grasslands, forest sections, sustained gradual ascents, steep, rugged climbs, hanging bridges and river crossings. Expect misty passes, lush valleys, steep forest trails, and boulder sections near rivers. During rains, the trail will become muddy and slippery, increasing the overall difficulty.

An age group of 20-50 years old is ideal for the experience. However, depending on your trekking experience and fitness, the limit could be stretched to 60 years as well. Participants below 20 years of age must have prior trekking experience and should be accompanied by an adult above 20 year old.

You’ll have decent mobile connectivity in Anini, and Acheso – Airtel is the only network that works. That said, networks can be unreliable and may shut down at times. Dibrugarh and Roing will have Airtel and Jio working.

There is no mobile connectivity during the trek in Pomo Valley.

Sleeping bags rated for 0°C to sub-zero temperatures are available for rent at ₹1500. Sleeping bags are only available for rent on prior booking. You have to bring your own gum boots, inner liner for sleeping bag, and raincover for your trekking bags. Once you book the trip an extensive and detailed list of items to be carried will be sent to you.

No. A team of porters will carry your trek backpack (a 30 Ltr or duffel bag) and sleeping bag. Trekkers are only required to carry a small daypack (10 or 30 Ltr) with personal essentials needed during the day on the trail.

May marks the transition between summer and the early monsoon in this region. September is the post monsoon transition between monsoon and early autumn period. Expect unpredictable weather, ranging from sunny spells to passing or continuous rain showers on the same day. Trails can become wet and challenging, and nights will be very cold, especially at camps. Weather patterns can change quickly, and exact conditions are difficult to predict even locally.

Heavy rains and mist can impact our transit from Roing to Anini and back. Landslides and road blockage are quite common during these months. A delay in the clearance of roads and the closure of the highway cannot be ignored. 

Local Arunachali cuisine along with simple trek meals like fried rice, eggs, thalis, and millet dishes. There will be options for both veg and non veg.

Meal options may be limited on certain days due to remoteness. Please note that Pork is the staple preferred meat in the region. Chicken is also available but limited.

Owing to the high terrain, this experience will be challenging for those who encounter motion sickness. The drives on given days will be long through curvy mountain roads.

May and September are usually a month of passing showers but can also see continuous spells of rain. There could be a possibility of delay in reaching destinations owing to weather, road construction or any external factor that is beyond control. In worst case scenarios, due to heavy rain and bad weather the highway to Anini can also be shut.

You will find some eateries along the way from Dibrugarh to Roing but as we make our way to Anini, food options become limited, and long drives may delay meal timings. We recommend carrying enough snacks for added comfort.

The minimum group size for this trip is 6 participants. We recommend booking flexible flight tickets. In the unlikely event that the trip is cancelled due to insufficient bookings, you will be informed at least 21 days prior to the start date.

The rafting in Dree is beginner friendly with Grade 1 rapids. You shall be rafting under the guidance of experienced professionals. Please note that rafting can be impacted by weather.

As the trek takes place in the remote wilderness of Eastern Arunachal, campsites will have permanent and basic pit toilets. Pomo valley campsite will only have pit toilets. These are eco-friendly, temporary toilet structures commonly used on remote treks. Each toilet is covered on all sides, with a dug pit and a wooden base. All toilets on the trek will be Indian-style.

A basic first-aid kit is available throughout the trek with the team. In case of serious medical emergencies, evacuation will be coordinated with local authorities and porters, depending on weather, terrain, and accessibility. Evacuation and treatment costs, if any, will be borne by the participant.

Pomo Valley follows a strict carry-back policy. All non-biodegradable waste, including plastic, must be brought back from the valley. Fines may be imposed by local committees if waste is left behind.

Electricity is available at select towns and stays, but power supply and voltage are erratic in Anini. There will be no electricity during the trek in Pomo Valley. Power supply can’t be trusted in Anin and Acheso as well. We recommend carrying power banks.

Rooms and tents are shared on a double-sharing basis. In case you are a solo traveller, you will be paired up with another solo traveller of the same gender. Please note that almost all of the properties will have double bedrooms. 

Note: Room allocation is managed by the sales and reservations team based on gender and confirmed bookings.

Throughout the journey, we will be staying in clean, comfortable, and locally run properties that are among the best available in this remote region. The accommodation reflects the character of the destination and is chosen with a focus on hygiene, safety, and practicality rather than luxury.

In Roing and Anini, we stay at small-scale resorts and guesthouses offering basic but comfortable facilities. At Acheso, accommodation is provided in a mix of riverside cottages and tents, offering an immersive stay amidst nature in a remote mountain setting.

It is important to note that infrastructure in this part of Arunachal Pradesh is limited. Power outages, voltage fluctuations, and intermittent network connectivity are common and should be expected. Amenities typically associated with urban hotels, such as room service, laundry facilities, hair dryers, and other luxury conveniences will not be available.

The experience is best approached as an opportunity to disconnect from modern comforts and immerse yourself in one of the most remote and pristine landscapes in the Eastern Himalayas.

It is important to note that booking flights before reserving a slot with us does not guarantee availability. In the event that we are sold out, we cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience caused.

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