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Arunachal Pradesh
The land of the rising sun
TOUR OVERVIEW
What would you like your next vacation to be like – A walk in the Forest, boat ride across a river, scenic lakes, monasteries, high altitude passes, vistas of beautiful orchids or architectural brilliance of stone houses & iron bridges? Arunachal, the land of the rising sun, offers it all! This is a trip where your journey is your destination. Come join us to let yourself be with all colors of nature and let that be a part of you.
Please read through the itinerary and information thoroughly. Ask questions.
GALLERY
Day 1 - 15 Mar 2019
Reach Guwahati by noon. Relax and prepare yourself for a long journey in the coming days. Take a sunset cruise over Brahmaputra. Overnight stay at Guwahati.
Day 2 - 16 Mar 2019
Today we will move more towards Nameri National Park (220 kms) to celebrate nature in an eco camp. This would be a start of to all that Arunachal has to offer. Soak yourself in nature with an evening tea with amazing surroundings. Enjoy a cultural performance in the evening. Overnight at Bhalukpong.
Day 3 - 17 Mar 2019
Start your day with beautiful Eco camp surroundings with a Forest walk and Boat ride across Jia Borali River. This is a 3 hour guided walk around the Nameri National Park, spotting birds and revelling in the natural scenery. After breakfast start towards Dirang (165 kms), on the way visit the Orchid Research Centre at Tipi – a beautiful sight to behold for an amazing collection of orchids. Reach Dirang by evening. Overnight at Dirang.
Day 4 - 18 Mar 2019
Step out to see Oldest monastery in Arunachal and Dirang Dzong (Dirang Fort). Experience the historical architecture of unique stone houses and the tribal area. Dip in the hot water springs for some skin care. Surrounded by Eastern Himalayan ranges, area rich in dense forests and rivers, let yourself be with nature with the beauty of Sangti Valley. Overnight at Dirang.
Day 5 - 19 Mar 2019
After breakfast start our journey towards Tawang(129 kms). Sela pass, this part of the Eastern Himalayan range is special for the Buddhists as it is believed that about 101 lakes exist in and around Sela pass. Very close to Pass is Sela Lake. We would visit Jaswantgarh War Memorial and bridge. Jaswant Singh Rawat was an Indian rifleman soldier of 4 Garhwal Rifles, Uttarakhand who won the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously at the Battle of Nuranang during the 1962 India-China war. The story is awe-inspiring. Overnight at Tawang.
Day 6 - 20 Mar 2019
Tawang Monastery, it is Asia’s second largest monastery and India’s largest which controls 17 Gompas in the region. Spend some time meditating. Explore the local market and Craft Centre. We will see 600 years old iron chain suspension bridge, Chag-Zam Bridge which represents a rare and remarkable architecture. Visit the Tawang War Memorial. Overnight at Tawang.
Day 7 - 21 Mar 2019
Start a little early for the day. Bum La Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,000m (16,500ft), on the Himalayan mountain range. The road to Bum La is also a historical route, the Chinese army marched into India during the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Shonga-tser Lake (45 kms), sounding difficult to pronounce, has a starry name to it. We would be visiting this superstar lake today till you figure out what name it holds. Also visit the beautiful P-Tso. Overnight at Tawang.
Day 8 - 22 Mar 2019
Start journey towards Bomdila(171 kms). Visit Nuranang Waterfalls on the way, one of the most stunning waterfalls in Arunachal Pradesh. If time permits, also visit the Dirang Orchid Centre. Overnight at Bomdila.
Day 9 - 23 Mar 2019
Proceed towards Guwahati(300 kms) after breakfast. It’s a long journey. Talk about experiences, memories, laughter. End the journey with a wonderful dinner. Overnight at Guwahati.
Day 10 - 24 Mar 2019
Catch the flight back after breakfast. Trip ends.
Inclusions
• Accommodation on double sharing basis for 9 nights at Guwahati(2), Nameri(1),Dirang(2), Tawang(3) and Bomdila (1).
• Road transportation in Innovas or similar
• Three major meals of the day and evening tea/coffee starting from evening tea on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10
• Monastery and Monuments entrance fees, parking charges.
• Inner line Permit for Arunachal
• Cultural program and Guided Forest Walk at Nameri.
• Guidance of an F5 Tour Lead.
Exclusions
- Flights to Guwahati from your city of residence and return.
- Meals other than mentioned
- Tips and other expenses of personal nature.
- Accommodation/Stay/Food during Transit.
- Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions.
- 5% GST
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities, personal flight delays and aspect beyond our control. We will definitely facilitate an alternative and handle the contingency, the cost being yours.
Terms & Conditions
REFUNDS/CANCELLATION:
If cancelled 90 days or more in advance, cancellation fee is 12% of the trip amount.
25% of the trip cost if cancelled 89 – 60 days in advance.
50% of the trip cost if cancelled 59 to 16 days in advance.
Last 15 days – no show – entire amount will be forfeited.
If you use our services to book flights, cancellation charges of the flights will apply.
Option of Deferred trip:
You have an option of parking the paid amount with us for a future trip, if you wish to cancel joining this trip 60 days or more in advance.
Following conditions apply:
You need to choose the trip you would like to go with instead (the deferred trip) within 2 months of deciding to cancel.
The travel start date of the deferred trip should be within 6 months from the day you decide to cancel.
There can be only one such change and once you decide the deferred trip, the cancellation policy of that trip applies.
You cannot choose a short trip (less than 5 days) as a deferred trip.
Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER:
1. 50% of the trip cost is required to confirm the booking.
2. The booking does not include flights as the flight rates are extremely unpredictable. However, we can help you book your flights for the trip
3. All our trips are well-researched, including identifying access to medical facilities. In case of a medical emergency, F5 will assist the traveler in getting medical attention.
4. F5 Escapes is in no way responsible for any untoward incident happening due to the ignorance/negligence of the guests, natural/man-made calamities, accidents or any other events that are out of human control during the trip.
5. F5 reserves the right to cancel the trip under certain conditions – in such a case, the amount will be refunded in full.
Arrival & Departure timings
Arrive at Guwahati by 1 PM on Day 1 and depart from Guwahati after 11AM on Day 10
Weather
March is traditionally spring in Arunachal. The weather till Dirang will be pleasant as the altitude is lower but it will be cold in Tawang with minimum temperatures going down to -5 degrees. You will have a chance to see snow at Sela Pass and Bum La. Be prepared with fleece/down feather jackets, thermal wear, and complete winter gear.
Stay
We will be staying in beautiful homestays with the locals. Please do come with the view of respecting the sanctity of a home and appreciating the warmth and hospitality. The stays in Arunachal are basic, clean and safe but will not have fancy facilities. Running hot water, enough blankets and heaters are available.
Fooooood!
Mostly local food like thukpas and momos. Rice, Dal and locally grown vegetables. Cornflakes and eggs will be available for breakfast. If you have special dietary requests, please let us know beforehand.
Please note that the staple in Arunachal and Assam is rice, so rotis will not be available as easily. Their local breakfast is fried rice. So they serve mostly eggs, bread and cornflakes for the guests. Your trip lead will carry some fruits.
Note about Smoking & Alchohol
Everyone joining is an adult and we realise that we cannot dictate the behaviour on how you should enjoy the trip. Each destination offers a locally brewed wine or beer and we would love for you to try them. All we ask is to drink responsibly. Alcohol on higher altitude helps in warming you up, but at the same time, can make you extremely dehydrated. And even smaller quantities can cause a hangover.
At a destination where it is bright and sunny at 5:30 am, hangover delays are going to cost a lot, and will not be tolerated at all.
So please do not test your limits and enjoy in moderation. Also, do respect your roommate’s comfort levels with the alcohol smell and avoid drinking in the room if she is not comfortable.
If you smoke, please do so outside the room, even if the rooms have ashtray.
Note > Prepare > Accept > Embrace
• Culture in Arunachal is laid back. The food is prepared fresh and the order needs to be placed at least an hour in advance, especially for group travel. Please cooperate with your trip lead.
• Breakfast will not be the dishes you are used to. It will be hard to get aloo paranthas, idli, poha or upma in those parts. Eggs and toasts are mostly what are served in all hospitality establishments. Your trip lead will carry Cornflakes and Fruits so that you can have some variety in breakfast.
• Higher altitudes require certain level of fitness. We are not strictly trekking anywhere but the even climbing up the stairs to the monastery will feel like treks, given the altitude (around 8000 to 16500 ft altitudes). Tawang is at 10000 ft. If you can brisk walk for 2 kilometres regularly, you should be okay. If walking at steep places is an issue for you, please reconsider.
• Bum La Pass is at 16,500 ft and Sela Pass is at 13,700 ft. While there is no trek required to visit these places, being at these altitude will be exhausting due to oxygen rarity and low temperatures. We are reaching these places by road and so there will be a steady acclimatisation for your body. Your night stays are not above 10,000 ft.
• We will share with you the do’s and don’ts of travelling to high altitude places and will also suggest some medication. Please consult your physician regarding the same.
• The roads in Arunachal are not that great. Given the terrain and the altitude, they are non-existent in some places. The average speed will be less than 20 kmph. The rewards more than make up for it, though! Although the vehicles will be Innovas, the journey will be tiring. Please reconsider if you have back issues.
• In line with the ideology of F5 Escapes, we will be staying in small guest houses and homestays during our trip. Please come with an open mind about sharing someone’s home and maintain the sanctity. This trip is about actually understanding a culture which is different and yet, is our own.
• Arunachal is a 100% organic state and people there live as naturally as possible. All stays will have water heating facilities and in case of a power cut, the hosts will provide you hot water from wood-fired heaters. Please do not insist on a diesel run generator and have patience.
• Sun rises early and sets early in the North East India. Infact, the first rays of morning in India, falls in Arunachal Pradesh. So our days will start early and end early. To cover everything that is promised, it is important that we maintain the timings. Although distances are less, the mountain roads make it difficult to maintain the average speed of more than 20 kmph.
• Mountain states may get rainfall/snowfall unexpectedly sometimes.
• The hot water spring at Dirang is clean but lacks facilities. However, since it is only few hundred meters from the homestay, you can consider getting into the water and changing back to the robe.
• The first and last nights are planned in Guwahati to avoid any confusion arising due to flight delays, which are common in the sector to North East. If on Day 10, you have time before you fly out, we can suggest and plan your sightseeing in and around Guwahati, at extra cost.
• The Road to Bum La is usually open in the season. But owing to army presence, unpredictable weather patterns or any other condition, the permits are assigned a day before. In case the roads are closed that day for some reason, we will still be doing other sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary.
‘F5 Escapes’ is a Bangalore-based, experiential travel company, with a focus on redefining the way women travel in India. The premise of F5 is an ambitious dream – to put India on the global travel map as a preferred destination for women from across the globe.
F5 Escapes offers fixed departure all-women group tours, customized itineraries for families, groups and solo travellers. We also do in-city engagements which include #JustGo travel meetups, workshops to educate women on travel safety, sustainable menstruation, motorbiking etc.