Rainforest Trekking in Northeast India
A moderately paced trek into the dense rainforest of Namdapha National Park, at the far eastern tip of India, camping in the forest and staying with the Lisu.
At the far eastern tip of the subcontinent lies India’s largest national park. Namdapha covers some 2,000 square kilometers of the Noa-Dihing river valley and pokes like a finger into Myanmar on the map. It holds more than a thousand plant species, over five hundred birds, and animals from tigers and leopards to primates, deer, flying squirrels, red pandas, binturongs and bears, because it sits where two global biodiversity hotspots meet — where India turns into Southeast Asia. The park climbs from about 650 feet to peaks above 14,700, so it runs from tropical wet evergreen forest through subtropical and temperate broadleaf, pine and alpine meadow to permanent snow. The trek is moderately paced and small, with nights camping in the rainforest, a wide riverbed under the eastern Himalaya, and time in a Lisu village. Visiting matters here: tourism is part of what keeps this remote place protected.
Traveling with Greener Pastures means hassle-free, insightful journeys in the hands of passionate experts. All our naturalist guides are from the region and have deep knowledge of the local wildlife, terrain, and communities. Every tour can be tailored to your interests and fitness level.
At a Glance
Rainforest Trek
An enchanting trek through the rainforests of Arunachal Pradesh.
Phenomenal Biodiversity
Namdapha National Park is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world.
Sustainable Living
Learn about life in the forest from the Lisu, who live inside the national park.
Day by Day
Dibrugarh - Miao
Arrive at Dibrugarh airport and drive to Miao (6-7 hours), where the national park begins, through tea gardens and the fertile Assam countryside and into the forest as the mountains close in. Evening by the fire. You stay in a simple sustainable cottage.
Dibrugarh - Miao
Arrive at Dibrugarh airport and drive to Miao (6-7 hours), where the national park begins, through tea gardens and the fertile Assam countryside and into the forest as the mountains close in. Evening by the fire. You stay in a simple sustainable cottage.
Miao - Hornbill Camp
Trek to Hornbill Camp (3 hours), where large flocks of great hornbills are often seen in flight. The camp sits right in the rainforest, surrounded by birds, insects, animals, plants and fungi. Set up camp, rest until lunch, and explore a forest trail in the afternoon. Overnight in tents, with a campfire.
Miao - Hornbill Camp
Trek to Hornbill Camp (3 hours), where large flocks of great hornbills are often seen in flight. The camp sits right in the rainforest, surrounded by birds, insects, animals, plants and fungi. Set up camp, rest until lunch, and explore a forest trail in the afternoon. Overnight in tents, with a campfire.
Hornbill Camp
A day exploring the forest around Hornbill Camp with a tribal guide — short hikes on different trails you would never find alone. Evening by the campfire with stories from the porters and guides about life in the wild. Overnight in tents.
Hornbill Camp
A day exploring the forest around Hornbill Camp with a tribal guide — short hikes on different trails you would never find alone. Evening by the campfire with stories from the porters and guides about life in the wild. Overnight in tents.
Hornbill Camp - Firmbase
A 4-hour trek to Firmbase, one of the most scenic campsites in India, with Dapha Bum peak on the horizon, stopping at the Bulbulia hot sulfur springs. The trail crosses evergreen, primary, bamboo and secondary forest and is excellent for birds — the snowy-throated babbler is almost certain, and with luck a red panda eating bamboo. The rest of the day is for birding and walks. Overnight in tents.
Hornbill Camp - Firmbase
A 4-hour trek to Firmbase, one of the most scenic campsites in India, with Dapha Bum peak on the horizon, stopping at the Bulbulia hot sulfur springs. The trail crosses evergreen, primary, bamboo and secondary forest and is excellent for birds — the snowy-throated babbler is almost certain, and with luck a red panda eating bamboo. The rest of the day is for birding and walks. Overnight in tents.
Firmbase - Embeong
Trek to Embeong, a tiny Lisu village of about ten houses built from the forest, with flowers, fruit and organic farms. Spend the day learning how the Lisu live, visiting their farms and homes. You stay in a home or in tents, with a campfire.
Firmbase - Embeong
Trek to Embeong, a tiny Lisu village of about ten houses built from the forest, with flowers, fruit and organic farms. Spend the day learning how the Lisu live, visiting their farms and homes. You stay in a home or in tents, with a campfire.
Embeong
A day hike upstream along the Noa-Dihing to the next village, deeper in the forest toward Burma, along the river, over bamboo bridges and with snow peaks in view. Back to Embeong by afternoon, with a bonfire in the evening.
Embeong
A day hike upstream along the Noa-Dihing to the next village, deeper in the forest toward Burma, along the river, over bamboo bridges and with snow peaks in view. Back to Embeong by afternoon, with a bonfire in the evening.
Embeong - Deban
An early start for the long walk back to the forest rest house at Deban (6-7 hours), through deep rainforest and over bamboo bridges in a core area rich in wildlife. The rest of the day is free for the Lama and Chakma villages near Deban. You stay at the forest rest house.
Embeong - Deban
An early start for the long walk back to the forest rest house at Deban (6-7 hours), through deep rainforest and over bamboo bridges in a core area rich in wildlife. The rest of the day is free for the Lama and Chakma villages near Deban. You stay at the forest rest house.
Deban - Dibrugarh
The morning is for the villages, river and forest around Deban. After lunch, drive to Dibrugarh (6-7 hours), a pretty tea town on the Brahmaputra. You stay at the town’s old clubhouse.
Deban - Dibrugarh
The morning is for the villages, river and forest around Deban. After lunch, drive to Dibrugarh (6-7 hours), a pretty tea town on the Brahmaputra. You stay at the town’s old clubhouse.
Dibrugarh
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight. End of tour.
Dibrugarh
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight. End of tour.
Your Retreats
01Namdapha Jungle Camp
Six cottages of wood, cane and thatch near the sandy banks of the Noa-Dihing river at Miao. Simple rooms with attached bathrooms and hot water. The camp arranges treks into Namdapha, and on clear days the snow line is visible.
“On clear mornings the snow line shows above the rainforest”
02Deban Forest Guesthouse
Set on a wide lawn ringed by rainforest, the Deban guesthouse is run by the park’s forest department. It has a few simple rooms with basic but clean amenities, homely service, and fine views of the park.
“A lawn, the rainforest all around it, and nothing else.”
03The Gymkhana Clubhouse
With an open, small-town atmosphere, the Gymkhana Clubhouse in Dibrugarh is run by enthusiastic locals and has genuinely good modern rooms, plus a pool and a gym. The clubhouse, built in 1923, holds a restaurant and a well-stocked boutique bar.
“A 1923 clubhouse with a well-stocked bar and a small-town welcome.”
Why Travel With Greener Pastures?
Curated Experiences
Our itineraries are one of a kind, carefully detailed from our own personal travel experiences — from choosing the best logistically correct routes to the most interesting stay options.
Native Guides
With guides native to the region, you get an insider view of local life and culture.
Experts in the Region
You are in the hands of a team who know and are passionate about Northeast India.
“By choosing us, we share together a pledge towards responsible tourism, and a belief that travel has the power to positively transform local livelihoods, cultures, and the environment.”
— The Greener Pastures Promise
Travel news from Northeast India.
Stories from the field, our upcoming experiences, and other travel related news from Northeast India.