Roing - Pasighat - Aalo - Daporijo - Ziro
11D/10N
January 31 - February 10
The tribal heritage of the glorious dawn-lit mountains of Arunachal Pradesh is best experienced during the festivals. The mystical eastern Himalayan land comes alive with colorful cultural performances and animist rituals. In this immersive travel experience, you will have an intimate and friendly look into the lives of the tribespeople, get to be a part of the zestful celebrations and eventually fall in love with both the kind hearted native people and faraway mountains.
A journey into Arunachal Pradesh is inspiring, especially in a rapidly changing planet it gives us a glimpse of the ways of the ancients and a chance to learn, grow and respect. The journey begins at Dibrugarh and one proceeds towards Roing in the Mishmi Hills to witness the Reh festival of the Mishmi community when the villagers pray for prosperity. Continue traveling to the Siang Valley, in the most splendid of countryside, you will meet the Adis, a warrior tribe also known for their skills of constructing complex bridges of cane and bamboo to cross the Siang. In the Subansiri Valley, you will meet the Tagins. Then somewhere in these lush subtropical mountains in the village of Raga you will be right on time as the colorful Hill-Miri and Nyishi tribespeoples gather to celebrate the annual Boori Boot festival. Lastly, in the splendid Ziro Valley you will meet the friendly Apatanis, peaceful hill-people who still give importance to their ancient sustainable ways of living.
Day 1 - January 31 | Dibrugarh - Roing
Upon arrival at Dibrugarh Airport in the far-eastern plains of the country, you will proceed to Roing (4-5 hours), the small town sits overlooking the foothills of the mysterious Mishmi Hills. En route cross the fertile countryside of Assam and the mighty Brahmaputra River. Evening at leisure.
Day 2- February 1 | Roing
Visits to villages such as Abango and Kuruno of the Idu Mishmi Tribe will be arranged where you can interact with the people and observe daily life. You will also visit RIWATCH, a NGO dedicated to preserving ancient knowledges of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. For most time, you will be participating and observing the Reh Festival which is the main animist event for the Mishmi people. See their dances, ethnic cuisine, songs and rites to learn more of their distant and fascinating culture. Evenings at leisure where you can spend time relaxing by the fire and meeting fellow travelers.
Day 3 - February 2 | Roing - Pasighat
After breakfast, continue on a scenic drive on some tough roads to Pasighat (6 hours), headquarter of East Siang District and the land of the once-warriors Adi tribe. Pasighat town is located beside the feared Siang River (Brahmaputra River) at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas. Spend the day visiting a few villages en -route for cultural interaction. Local sightseeing of Pasighat if time permits.
Day 4 - February 3 | Pasighat - Aalo
After an early breakfast, leave for Aalo (6-7 hours). The drive will pass through some breathtaking scenery of the valleys of the ever-mighty Siang River. These valleys are inhabited sparsely by the Minyong and Gallong Adi Tribes. They practice high altitude terraced farming, and their crop fields and villages form perfect landscape photographs. Spend the day visiting a few villages of the Adi Tribe and knowing about their culture.
Day 5 - February 4 | Aalo
Spend the day exploring villages around Aalo of the Adi Gallong Tribe such as Kabu, Jirdan and Kayin. In Kabu cross a cane hanging bridge which are famous for their native ingenuity. Evening will be at leisure by the campfire and a traditional dance performance.
Day 6 - February 5 | Aalo - Daporijo
After breakfast, you will leave for a scenic drive through bad roads to Daporijo (8 hours), located at the heart of the Subansiri Valley where the Tagin people live. En route you will visit villages for cultural interactions. Gallong houses are peculiar as they are built on the stone without the use of nails.
Day 7 - February 6 | Daporijo - Raga - Ziro
After an early breakfast, leave for Raga Village (3-4 hours) to spend the day attending the Boori Boot festival of the Hill Miri peoples, a gathering to welcome the spring and successful harvest. Observe the colorful activities such as folk dances and songs. Later after lunch, continue to Ziro (4 hours), a splendid valley surrounded by farms and pine-conifer filled forests and home to the Apatani Tribe. The drive will be scenic, through the tropical forested areas of central Arunachal Pradesh and crossing scattered tribal settlements. Evening at leisure.
Day 8, 9 - February 7, 8 | Ziro
Spend the next two days exploring Apatani villages such as Hong, Hari and Dutta. In these villages where Apatani build houses adjoining each other, you will get a closer interaction with the locals, especially the tattooed elders who still live a very traditional life. Visit the unique Apatani rice farms that stretch the vast valley with its infectious fertility. Enjoy a graceful dance performance by the old Apatani ladies in the rice fields. Visit to the local market can be informative about knowing more about Apatani culture, customs, eating habits, attires and ornaments. Evenings will be at leisure. You may also taste their ethnic cuisine over dinner.
Day 10 – February 9 | Ziro - Dibrugarh
After breakfast, leave for a long drive to the town Dibrugarh (7 hours) thus returning to the Assam plains.
Day 11 - February 10 | Dibrugarh
After breakfast, drive to the aiport as per your flight schedule. Tour ends.
Located midst breathtaking eastern Himalayan foothills, Mishmi Hill Camp is a delightful airy property run by a local family. It offers basic but clean cottages which have been built sustainably using local ways, apart from a few tents.
Homestays are important in promoting sustainable tourism. Your stay in Pasighat will be at the cute little Kham Homestay run by a local Buddhist Khampti tribal family with cozy rooms and hospitable hosts.
The beautiful Reyi Homestay is one of the best places to stay in Aalo. The host is warm and hospitable. The property is expansive with plenty of flowers and nature. The rooms are airy and very comfortable. A perfect hideout amidt the loving Adi tribespeople.
In a town as remote and badly administered as Daporijo, Hotel Singhik comes as a savior, a business hotel offering clean modern rooms and standard amenities.
Homestays are important in promoting sustainable tourism in Ziro, the land of the ancient Apatani culture, while also engaging visitors to have an authentic experience of staying with an Apatani family and learning about their ways. The rooms are simple, airy, clean, with fairly standard amenities.
With a small town open atmosphere, The Gymkhana Clubhouse in Dibrugarh is run by enthusiastic town folks and provides splendid modern rooms and amenities such a pool and a gym. The clubhouse which was built in 1923 consists of a restaurant and a well stocked boutique barroom.
curated experiences
Our itineraries are one of a kind, carefully deatiled from our own personal travel expereinces, such as choosing the best logistically correct routes to the most interesting stay options.
native guides
With our charming tour guide native to the region, you will get an insider view of life and culture of Arunachal Pradesh, thus bringing forth authentic local expereinces and friendships.
experts in tours
Traveling with Greener Pastures, be assured you are in the best hands of experts who know and are passionate about the region. Expect a hassle-free, easy going and insightful travel.
By choosing us, we share together a pledge towards responsible tourism, and share a belief that travel has the power to positively transform local livelihoods, cultures and environment.
Booking Procedure
Our tours can be confirmed with an advance deposit of 30% which can be transferred to our bank account.
Please go through the Terms and Services listed in our website.
Cancellation Policy
Greener Pastures must receive notification of cancellation in writing, email or phone call. At the time we receive the request, refund will be based as follows:
1. Cancellation more than 15 days prior to departure = 75% refund of deposited advance amount.
2. Cancellation less than 15 days prior to departure = 25% refund of deposited advance amount.
