Biking and Hiking Tour Eastern Arunachal Pradesh

Arrive at Dibrugarh airport, where our representative will meet you and then transfer to Roing by car (155 km / 5 hrs). The drive is a pleasant one as you cross the lush green tea plantations and rural Assam. Cross the river Lohit on a country boat and reach Roing by evening.

Roing is the headquarter of the Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh. A small town nestled at the foothills of the easternmost end of the Himalayas. This is a land of dense forested hills spanning all the way to China on the north and east, whereas the mighty Brahmaputra valley and its main tributaries lie to your west. This is the territory of the Idu Mishmi people, a tribe spread between this end of Arunachal and across the border in south western China and probably one of the smallest linguistic groups of the region. The Idu are generally animist and revere nature and speak a tongue which is listed among the endangered languages list. Here in Roing you will bike through villages and visit some of the Idu homes.

Activity: Bike- 40 kms / Village visit
Phone No: +44(0) 7552443666
Email id: Info@Wildrhinoadventures.co.uk

Today bike around the watershed of the Brahmaputra heading towards Tengapani (meaning ’Sour Water’) which lies 65km to the other side of the Lohit River. This region is the hub of the Khamti people, who migrated to the rich plains of the Lohit from Myanmar and beyond. Till the 1980’s this region used to have some of the richest villages in all of Asia due to the logging trade that flourished here, logging has been banned since the 80’s but licensed and controlled operations still continue. Unlike most of the neighbouring tribes, the Khamti are more settled, civilized and well to do, infact they are the only tribe to have their own script. They are a tight knit community with a strong central Buddhist belief in lines of the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Of note is their immensely scrumptious cuisine. Using aromatic infusion of local herbs and age old recipes a Khamti housewife can churn up magic on your table. The biking though longer than the previous day is comfortable as roads are flat and good condition. There will be a couple of river crossings and one ferry crossing to Tengapani. In this region visit various villages, Buddhist temples, markets, one can also go for a swim in the beautiful rivers, indulge in the Khamti cuisine and more.

Activity: Bike- 65 kms

Leaving the Khamti belt behind, bike towards the ‘Miju’ Mishmi areas lying at the fringe of the Kamlang wildlife sanctuary. Wakro (“where the bamboo grows”) is a small township known for its orange orchards and the neighbouring pilgrimage site of Parshuram Kund. The approximate biking distance is around 50 kms. After arriving at Wakro, bike towards the local organic tea plantation. Overnight stay at Wakro.

Activity: Bike – 50 kms / visit the Chowkham Buddhist Temple

Here starts the hiking phase. The destination is the pristine Glow Lake situated deep in the folds of the Mishmi Hills. Today’s hike will take you through lush forested tracks following the Kamlang River and steadily climbing towards Glow Lake. Nestled at an altitude of 1160mts, Glow lake is totally cut off from the rest of humanity except for the trail you will hike up on. There is no permanent settlement here except for a couple of huts that are used by local tribesmen to dry the fish before they take it down towards the lower lying villages.

Activity: Hike – 9 kms (6-7 hrs) / Camp

Today is a rest day and the entire day is spent generally exploring the surroundings, relaxing and eating some excellent camp food.

Activity: Fishing/ Relax/ Camp

The return leg takes a bit less time than the ascent. Once back at the roadhead at Kamlang you will get into your vehicles and head towards the Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary. The drive through dense bamboo forests, secluded Mishmi and Chakma Villages will take about 2 hrs. In fact this drive takes you through the periphery of two lush wildlife sanctuaries namely Kamlang and Namdapha.

Activity: Hike – 9kms/ Drive – 50kms (2hrs)
Phone No: +44(0) 7552443666
Email id: Info@Wildrhinoadventures.co.uk

Deban is a small settlement at the periphery of the Namdapha National Park. Here you will stay in an old forest camp on the banks of the Noa Dihing River. Namdapha is the largest protected area of Asia and boasts of thriving flora and fauna. Here we have the option of biking fairly deep into the park on the forest road and take a small hike with a naturalist in tow to spot some birdlife. This is an excellent opportunity to see the Hoolock Gibbons (the only ape found in India) and the various Hornbills. In the evening if you are up to it you can take a walk to the nearby Chakma Village. The Chakma tribes are the original refugees of this region. Buddhist by belief, the Chakma have been driven out of Burma and Bangladesh, infact till recently they were not given refugee status in India even.

Activity: Bike/ Hike/ Birding/ Village visit

This day will be spent biking along Chakma villages till the township of Miao. One will notice the villagers going about their daily chores. This is a beautiful day of biking with a river crossing added to the fun. Once at Miao check in to a guest house, have lunch and if visit the nearby Tibetan Refugee Centre.

Activity: Bike – 35kms/ Tibetan Refugee Centre visit

On this last day leave Miao early and head out to Dibrugarh. This drive is through the coal, oil and tea belt of Assam. Here stay at a colonial era Tea Plantation Managers’ Bungalow. This distance of 150Kms is covered in about 4 to 5 hours.

Transfer Distance: 150Km/ 4 to 5 hrs

Drive to Dibrugarh airport and catch your flight for your onward journey home.