The Easternmost state of the Indian subcontinent, Arunachal Pradesh, is also the largest of the seven sisters of North East India. With over 75% of the state under forest cover, it also remains to be one of the least explored regions in the whole country.
“How long does it take to fully explore Arunachal Pradesh?”, is a question that we get asked ever so often, and our answer always is- “We don’t believe a lifetime is enough”. That’s right! With over 26 major tribes, over 100 sub-tribes, each with their own unique dialects, traditional attire, food, architecture, beliefs, is it really possible to explore all of it? Just in terms of travel, there are a total of 13 circuits that have been identified for the state authorities, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
In terms of geography, the terrain’s altitude ranges from just 300m above sea level, all the way up to over 7,000m, depending on which part of the state you are in. The climate varies according to the elevation from a humid subtropical climate towards the plains, to alpine climate at it’s higher ranges.
Being a remote location, the region had not picked up much in the travel space, with a lack of infrastructure over the last few decades. However, it is safe to say that things are fast changing. No, it is still not as easy and accessible like many other states, but that is due to lesser airport connectivity, leaving a lot of the interiors untouched.
In this chapter, we bring to you a whole new circuit of this magnanimous state- one which covers parts of the lesser known eastern belt. With improved roads, and the support of our local partners, we are thrilled to delving into this new and unexplored fairy tale of a region- the Dibang Valley.
Of the 26 major tribes, in this chapter, we will be hosted by members of the Idu Mishmi community, some of the warmest people that you will meet in your life. With incredible stories of the yesteryears, and some mouth watering local food and brew (you have to try Yu-chi), gear up for a fascinating journey into the mountains of the Eastern Himalayas.
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 (10:00am)
Vegetarians do not need to worry. While a lot of the local delicacies are meat-based, with the influx of tourism there are multiple vegetarian options at all places. You must also try out the seasonal fruits and vegetables in the region.
The local cuisine of the Idu Mishmi community in Arunachal Pradesh is definitely more meat based, with few vegetarian options. However, with the increase in tourism in the region, accommodations and eateries in the region have started offering multiple vegetarian options to ensure the comfort of guests.
We too have identified places and hosts to cater to our guests who prefer to eat vegetarian meals.
Yes, you would be requiring an Inner Line Permit to travel enter Arunachal Pradesh. We will be arranging the same for you. We would need details such as your Aadhar Card/Passport, passport size photo, along with a few other details to procure this.
The ILP usually takes about 7 days to process.
The region is not suitable for travel year-round due to frequent landslides, road closures, and heavy rainfall, especially from April to September. For a safer and more enjoyable experience, we recommend planning your visit outside of this period.
While most of your expenses are taken care in the trip cost, an additional Rs. 1,000 per day (Upper limit) would be more than enough for all your expenses
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.
Click here to connect with our bespoke travel experts now.
The hikes and treks included in this chapter can be considered easy to moderate in terms of difficulty. A beginner with basic levels of fitness can enjoy the same.
Being a high altitude belt, travellers do have an opportunity to witness the land covered in snow during the winter months of January, February and March.
Once you sign up for the trip, we will be sending you a detailed list of Things to Carry for the season!
White water rafting is a seasonal activity in the region. During peak season (June to September), in this particular chapter, one can expect rapids up to Grade 3 in terms of difficulty.
During the dry months, when the water levels are lower and more gentle, we will be building a traditional bamboo raft with you to navigate the waters nearby. This, of course, is a very different experience as compared to the rubber raft experience, and is one that is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on you.
Incase the weather permits rafting during winter, we will do so based on the water levels.
