Experience the dramatic shift from the plains of Assam to the highlands of Arunachal as you journey to Aalo, where the Galo tribe welcomes you with guided village walks, a traditional bamboo-cooked lunch, and net fishing by the Sipu River. Drive along one of the most secluded routes to the breathtaking valley of Mechuka, where the Memba community hosts you in serene mountain homestays. Hike to the Samten Yongcha Monastery, take in panoramic views, and enjoy a soulful Memba meal in a village kitchen. Follow forest trails, cross hanging bridges, and explore the stark beauty of Yarlung, near the Indo-Tibetan border. Along the way, engage in storytelling, cooking sessions, and local river hikes, all led by expert guides and tribal hosts. This is a journey of culture, stillness, and connection, wrapped in the rhythm of the medicinal rivers that shape these sacred lands.
Known to but a handful of explorers who seek untouched surreal destinations brimming with natural and cultural heritage, Mechuka, was only connected by road to mainland India in the year 2001. Reaching this piece of paradise may have gotten much easier now but don’t let someone fool you by telling you the journey is anything close to being an easy one. An exploring soul, are you? If this brings a grin to your face, it’s time you get ready for some magic!
Yes, magical it is! People often ask us, “What’s a good season to explore Arunachal Pradesh?” and it’s always so hard to answer that question because every season has it’s own charm with each month having it’s own offerings which lead to different experiences round the year. These are the peaks of the majestic Eastern Himalayas that we are talking about so no, we refuse to call any month a bad time to be here.
Dibrugarh is well-connected by flights from major Indian cities and by train from Guwahati. Taxis and autos are available from the airport and railway station.
This particular chapter begins from Dibrugarh by 2:00 pm. The team and other travellers will be waiting so be sure to plan your arrival accordingly.
We will be reaching Dibrugarh on the second last day only by 7:00 pm in the evening. Since you will have very few options to continue your journey back home (or to other parts of North East India), we have included the stay in Dibrugarh in the package itself. You can plan your journey ahead based on the check out time on the last day around 10:00 am.
Rooms are shared on twin sharing basis. In case you are a solo traveller, you will be paired up with another solo traveller of the same gender.
Cold in Mechuka, mild in Aalo; clear skies with occasional rain.
Clean, basic village homestays with warm hospitality and authentic local charm.
Meals include tribal dishes like bamboo-cooked meats, rice, nettle soup, yak cheese, and fermented rice beer (Apong). Veg options available on request.
Selective breakfasts, lunches, and dinners included; others at local eateries.
Yes, vegetarian meals available on request with local seasonal produce.
Yes, with prior information. The itinerary is flexible and can be paced accordingly, but not suited for travelers needing special mobility support.
Once you sign up for the trip, we will be sending you a detailed list of Things to Carry for the season!
Not highly. Most activities involve short hikes or walks and gentle village trails. However, some long drives and river hikes may require moderate endurance.
While most of your expenses are taken care of, an additional Rs. 1,000 per day (upper limit) would be more than enough for all your expenses. You can take a look at our Exclusions to get a better understanding of how much money you may need.
The short answer to this is no. We do not take bookings for more than 3 people from the same group/circle in our set departures as we encourage our travellers to travel alone and get to meet and interact with like minded strangers on the trip.
Based on our prior experience, we have noticed that a pre-existing group within a larger group does tend to hamper the dynamics of the experience that we strive to provide.
Moreover, for existing groups, we anyway recommend opting for our customised tours where we can tailor the itinerary to your requirements and budgets, ensuring your group gets exactly what they are looking for.
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We’ve kept the Arunachal ILP process separate to give travelers more control and flexibility over their travel documents. The process is simple and can be done online in just a few steps. We’ll guide you through it if needed.
To visit Arunachal Pradesh, Indian citizens need to apply for an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be easily obtained online through the official portal https://eilp.arunachal.gov.in. Simply register, fill in your travel details, upload a passport-sized photo and a valid ID (like Aadhaar or Voter ID), select the districts you plan to visit, and pay ₹100 per district. The e-ILP is usually approved within 24–48 hours. Once approved, download and carry printed copies of the permit, as it will be checked at various entry points and checkpoints within the state.
Mountain terrains with long scenic drives; weather ranges from cool hills to humid foothills.
