We welcome you to Thembang Village, Arunachal Pradesh.
Located at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, Thembang is a small village in Arunachal Pradesh known as land of historic and cultural significance. Best known as the start point of the Bailey Trail Trek of Arunachal Pradesh, Thembang Village is located approximately 55 kilometers North East of the town of Bomdila. Thembang Village is a land of Historical and cultural significance of the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The Thembang Village is a primary settlement of the Monpa Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and is home to several ancient and historical structures. Located approximately 55 km North-East of the Bomdila township at an altitude of 2169 m, the Thembang Village is one of the Oldest Villages in the region surrounded by majestic beauty of the lush green mountains, steep gorges and snow clad peaks. The Bailey Trail Trek of Arunachal Pradesh commences from the Thembang Village.
History of Thembang Village ~
Thembang Village is among the oldest villages of Arunachal Pradesh and North East India. This village has witnessed many wars which is symbolized at the Thembang Fort that is a huge fort with two stone wall gates. Thembang Village has also witnessed a fierce battle during the Indo China war of 1962 between the Indian and Chinese troops. The Chinese army had come down to Thembang through the Bailey trek and had gone to Bomdila securing Thembang. Thembang being an ancient village is believed to have been ruled by Thembang Bapu, who were the direct descendants of the King of Tibet. Thembang is one of the oldest villages of the region and has witnessed many wars and as a result a Strong Fortification with two stone wall gates (Northern and Southern Gates) were made by the villagers of Rahung, Khutam, Bhud and Khowna who were under the sovereignty of the Bapus during that time. A loud shout was given as a warning every evening before closing the giant gates. The old name of Thembang is Yuchho-Pema-Chan which literally means a Lotus like Village. In 1913 Lt. Col. F M Bailey and Capt. H T Morshead of the Survey of British India have stayed here while coming down from Tibet during their Tsangpo Exploration in 1912-13 which is now known as Bailey trail. Many British officers including H W Tilman in 1938 had stayed in Thembang. The Thembang village has also witnessed a fierce battle between Indian and Chinese armies during the 1962 Indo-China war. A huge Chinese army had come down here through the Bailey trail went straight to Bomdila after securing Thembang, encircling a large numbers of Indian army between Bomdila and Sela Pass. At Sela, the Chinese troops were faced with a fierce battle under the Indian Soldier Jaswanth Singh whose memorial at Jaswantgarh is a living testament of his bravery!
Thembang Village ~ A Visitor’s Paradise and Ideal destination to witness Community based Sustainable Tourism
Places of Interest at Thembang Village ~
Thembang has many places of tourist interest with the primary being the Thembang Fort. This fort was built in an ancient architectural design and has two gates one at the Northern side and the other at the southern side. The primary attraction of Thembang Village is the Thembang Fort or the Dzong which was built in an ancient architectural design. The Thembang Fort has two Gates — one at Northern side and the other at the Southern side of village fortification. The northern gate measures 3.50 m. X 5.00 m while the gate at the southern side is in the nature of an emergency or escape gate. The construction of the Thembang Fort followed traditional construction system of the Monpa’s, which includes composite Stone Masonry and wood architecture.
An Old Monastery is to be found at the Thembang Village which houses traditional wood carvings, paintings and manuscripts.
The Thembang Monastery is an ancient Buddhist Monastery that has many relics on display of the likes of traditional wood carvings, paintings and manuscripts.
Thembang Village is the start point of the Bailey Trail Trek. Also, Thembang offers numerous sites for bird watching as many migratory bird species visit Thembang.
Thembang offers its visitors to experience sustainable Tourism at its best as the Villagers have taken this initiative to focus on Ecotourism and help the people of the village to sustainably manage and utilize the forest resources such as firewood, timber and bamboo by developing a management plan in the buffer zone and hence generating employment opportunities. In continuation to this initiative, the village community began participating in the programme with various roles like offering homestay to visitors, traditional food stalls, travel guides, porters and a few groups performing local cultural programmes.
At Thembang, there are many caves of religious significances. Thembang is also the starting point of one of the most Pristine Treks of North East India i.e. the Bailey Trail Trek. However, for the not very adventurous, Thembang Village also offers numerous short treks across the nearby meadows and forests. Also, Thembang offers numerous sites for bird watching as many migratory bird species visit Thembang. The nearby Eaglenest Sanctuary is home to many birds who also frequent the Thembang Village.
Thembang offers its visitors to experience sustainable Tourism at its best as the Villagers have taken this initiative to focus on Ecotourism and help the people of the village to sustainably manage and utilize the forest resources such as firewood, timber and bamboo by developing a management plan in the buffer zone and hence generating employment opportunities. In continuation to this initiative, the village community began participating in the programme with various roles like offering homestay to visitors, traditional food stalls, travel guides, porters and a few groups performing local cultural programmes.
So why wait?! Plan your visit to the Beautiful Village of Thembang in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, Incredible India!
Contact us:
EMAIL: info@jungleideas.com
Phone: +91 7086009708
Sample Itinerary for your visit to Thembang Village ~
Day 1 ~ Guwahati – Nameri National Park
Arrive at Guwahati Airport. On arrival you will be received by our representative at the airport offering a warm welcome in traditional Assamese style. From the Airport drive to the Nameri National Park in Sonitpur. Check into your Jungle Resort at Nameri National Park. Evening free at leisure. Bonfire/Traditional dances can arranged upon request.
Night Stay: Jungle Resort at Nameri National Park
Meals Included: NA
Day 2 ~ Nameri National Park – Thembang Village
Early morning walk into the interiors of the Nameri National Park escorted by a forest guard. Spot varied flora and avifauna at Nameri National Park. Nameri is also a Tiger Reserve so if you are lucky you can spot a tiger in the wild. After breakfast, continue on your journey to Thembang Village. On your way sight the majestic unadulterated natural landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh.
Night Stay: Monpa Homestay at Thembang Village
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 ~ Thembang Village
Today is our day of leisure at the pristine Thembang Village. Spend your day exploring Thembang at the Thembang Fort, the Old World Monastery, Birdwatching, Admiring the natural beauty of Thembang, Dine with the local Monpa Tribes of Thembang and share a meal with them in their typically made local kitchen and interact with them, Observe their daily lifestyle. You may also choose to go on a short trek to Gonthung Village and return back to Thembang Village.
Night Stay: Monpa Homestay at Thembang Village
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 ~ Thembang Village to Sangti Valley Trek
Today we embark on our trek from Thembang Village to Sangti Valley. This trek takes you across the virgin wilderness of Arunachal Pradesh across the lush green mountains. We will cross Chilling, Chander (a primary Yak grazing area with minimal human habitat) and Khalbog Village. Arrive at Sangti Valley.
Night Stay: Basic Homestay at Sangti Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 ~ Sangti Valley
Today we spend our day at Sangti Valley. Surrounded by the towering ranges of Eastern Himalayas covered with fruit orchards, lush green forests and a meandering fast hill river, Sangti Valley is home to a very interesting culture and tradition of the Monpa Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. During winters Sangti Valley becomes a Bird Watchers Paradise as many species of migratory birds flock to Sangti and make it their breeding grounds. Sangti Valley is home to the Black necked cranes who come to the fields of this valley every winter. Trek to reach Dirang.
Night Stay: Hotel Sundupkhan at Dirang or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 ~ Dirang – Tezpur
Travel to the cleanest city of Assam at Tezpur. At Tezpur, visit the Fortress of Fire at Agnigarh, the Hanuman Mandir and Cole’s Park.
Night Stay: Hotel Aditya’s at Tezpur or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 ~ Tezpur and Chandubi Lake
Depart to Chandubi Lake near Guwahati. One of the best Eco-tourism destinations of North East Chandubi Lake is famous for the variety of migratory Bird species.
Night Stay: Chandubi Jungle Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 ~ Chandubi Lake and Guwahati Airport
Early morning enjoy the sunrise, boat riding and Jungle hike near the Chandubi Lake. After breakfast you will depart to Guwahati Airport for your onward destination. Trip Ends. Bid Adieu!
Meals Included: Breakfast
PS ~ We can also accommodate your visit to the Kaziranga National Park in Assam in this Itinerary if your travel month is in between October and April.
The Lush Green Mountain cover of the Thembang Village of Arunachal ~ Thembang ~ Arunachal Pradesh ~ India
