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Home , Arunachal Pradesh, Mechuka

Mechuka — Paradise on Earth (Arunachal ) – Aalong – – Dibrugarh

Once upon a time Arunachal was the land of the Monpa, Mishmi, and hitherto mysterious. But, now all the beautiful places like Dzong, , Se La, , and Namdapha are open to tourists who can explore and enjoy by driving pristine hills, covered with dense jungle.

Except Mechuka!

A recent visitor has written that if she was a poet, all her verses would talk about this simple, stunning, emerald green, wreathed in clouds valley that is located 30 kilometres from the Tibetan border. And she is right.

Roughly a decade ago, there were no roads to reach Mechuka. The residents of the valley – the Memba Tribe — had to walk for a week to reach Mechuka from the road siding Aaalo. Thankfully, there is an unpaved road now, next to a picture-perfect view of snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers, and evergreen forests, which makes the bumpy ride worth it.

Mechuka is still untouched by commercial tourism, which is why Wonderful World hoisted its flag here; to make it more of a thrilling adventure for our guests than just a tour. Make no mistake; it’s hard to reach Mechuka. But if you have a taste for the offbeat, a desire to test your own mettle, and a thirst for both adventure and sublime, you won’t forget this journey for sure.

Our trip will start from Dibrugarh in Eastern , which has direct flights to and . There, we will hop on a ferry to cross the mighty Brahmaputra, which is nearly 5 kilometres wide at this point. On the other side, we will take a long drive through plains and hills to , formerly known as Along.

Inhabited predominantly by the , Aalo is a scenic riverside town surrounded by picture-perfect villages. After a day of rest, we will visit Adi village to acquaint ourselves with the unfamiliar culture of Arunachal. Later, we will hit the tough road to our destination -- Mechuka.

We will spend two days in this dreamscape, taking long walks by the river, visiting the main Gompa and some other smaller shrines, and trying the local Memba cuisine before heading back to via Aalo.

Mechuka is being pushed as the next-big destination in the northeast. So, let's explore it before it becomes a commercially sought-after spot.

Note: We taking a very small group of ladies on this trip. If you would like to join us, let’s discuss once before confirming

Itinerary

April 1: Dibrugarh

• Pickup • Check-in at Dibrugarh Hotel • Leisure walk in evening on the banks of Brahmaputra • Overnight stay at Hotel Tea County or similar

April 2: Dibrugarh to Along (167 km; 8.5 hours) (includes breakfast)

• Early start for Bogibeel Ghat • From here we take a scenic ferry ride over the mighty Brahmaputra to reach its north bank o As we continue our drive, the landscape changes dramatically -- from rice fields to densely forested tropical valleys o The poor road condition might make our progress slow, but this gives us ample time to absorb the scenery • Overnight stay at Aalo Hotel in Along or similar

April 3 : Along (includes Breakfast)

• Post breakfast, set out to visit some villages of the Adi tribe o Here, we will learn about their customs, culture, and lifestyle o Their villages are mostly located on mountain tops, which inspires the name Adi (Mountain Top) o During our walk through the villages, you will be impressed by their mastery over bamboo and cane, which is used to make everything from their huge houses to intricate baskets and unique caps o The women folk are no less when it comes to weaving. So, if you are interested in local products, this would be the best place to buy them • Overnight stay at Aalo Hotel in Along or similar

April 4 : Along to Mechuka (183 km; 7.5 hours) (includes breakfast)

• Brace yourself for a long drive through verdant valleys o Throughout the drive, we will see sparsely populated villages, dotted amidst the lush green mountains • By evening, we will reach the fabled Mechuka valley where we can unwind in the warmth of our host families • Overnight stay at Geboo Homestay in Mechuka or similar

April 5: Mechuka (includes Breakfast)

• We spend the day around Mechuka

• Start with a walk to Dorjeeling village, and get a glimpse of the culture and lifestyle of the Memba Tribe • Later in the day, we will climb up to the Samten Yongcha Gompa, which was built around the 15th century • We will get stupendous view of Mechuka from the Gompa perched on top of a hill • Overnight stay at Geboo Homestay in Mechuka or similar

April 6: Mechuka (includes breakfast)

• We will drive towards the border via a scenic road passing through a verdant forest • Stop by a small gurudwara on the way back. It was believed to have been blessed by Guru Nanak himself • Post lunch, we will visit the village of Lhalum and hear some fascinating mythological beliefs of the Memba tribe • Overnight stay at Geboo Homestay in Mechuka or similar

April 7: Mechuka to Along (183 km; 7.5 hours) (includes breakfast)

• We drive back to Aalong • Overnight stay at Aalo Hotel in Along or similar

April 8: Along to (105 km; 5 hours) (includes Breakfast)

• Post breakfast, we will continue our drive to Pasighat, the headquarters of the East • On the way, we will take a small detour to walk on a 600-ft-long suspension bridge over the Siang • The drive will continue through some breathtaking scenery as we enter the main Siang valley o This valley is mainly inhabited by various Adi sub-tribes like Minyong, Gallong, and Passi • In the evening, we drive to Ranaghat, where you can enjoy stupendous views of the Siang and even walk along its banks if you please • Overnight stay at Doni Hango Eco Camp in Pasighat

April 9: Pasighat to Dibrugarh (includes breakfast)

• A 2-hour scenic drive to jetty, from where we take a scenic ride over the Brahmaputra • Reach Dibrugarh where we can relax for the rest of the evening • Overnight stay at Hotel Tea County or similar

April 10: Dibrugarh (includes breakfast)

• Drop at airport to fly back home

Cost: INR 46200 on a twin-sharing basis (exclusive of GST at 5%)

Includes:

• Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis in the hotels mentioned in the itinerary • Breakfast for all days • Transportation using a Mahindra Scorpio or similar (only 4 people in a car to ensure the drives are comfortable) • Local guides in Along and Mechuka, and a lady from Wonderful World to accompany you • Tips for the guides

Excludes

• Flight fare • Lunch and dinner (keep a budget of INR 450/day for meals without alcohol) • 5% GST at the moment • Excess stay and meals due to bad weather conditions or strikes, resulting in delay of flights or any other form of transport • Any other personal expenses • Tips for the drivers

Note:

• The hotels in this area are not luxurious (though incredibly safe) • We will try and accommodate you in the best-possible places (twin-sharing might not be possible at each stop) • In order to enjoy, you need to be prepared for the tough road for this one

Payment plan

• Please pay INR 5000 to confirm your spot • Balance payment due by February 1, 2018

Cancellation policy

If you wish to cancel before departure • Till day 90 – booking deposit is refundable • From day 60 to 90 – booking deposit is non-refundable • From day 45 to 60 – 50% of the total amount is refundable • From day 30 to 45 – 25% of the total amount is refundable • No refund post that