We welcome you to the Eastern most frontiers of India at the State of Arunachal Pradesh across the following circuit ~
Dibrugarh – Namsai – Wakro – Walong – Dong – Tezu – Dibrugarh
Namsai ~
Namsai is the headquarter of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh and is one of the principal business town of Eastern India. Situated in the easternmost part of India, Namsai has rich vegetation and heart warming hospitality of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Golden Pagoda Monastery at Tengapani at Namsai district is a major tourist destination. Known as ‘Kongmu Kham’ in the local Tai-Khamti language, Golden Pagoda is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in North East India. The Golden Pagoda is a temple complex spread over 20 hectares of land built in a Burmese architectural design with a beautiful garden around it. The temple complex has a shrine hall which has a huge Buddha statue in meditating pose inside it. The shrine hall has four entrances on east,north,west and south directions. Main entrance to the hall faces north. The Buddha image inside faces north. The main entrance to the Golden Pagoda complex faces east, the direction that Buddha achieved Enlightenment.
Wakro ~
Wakro is small Tribal town of the State of Arunachal Pradesh and is famously known as the Orange capital of Arunachal Pradesh. On your drive from Namsai to Wakro, you are welcomed by the sign indicating that this is the Land of oranges. Orange cultivation, introduced on a commercial scale over twenty years ago, has changed the lives of the people of Wakro. Walking through orange orchards of Wakro during the fruiting season, past orange laden trees, is a memorable experience!
Wakro is inhabited primarily by the Mishmi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishmis are differnent from the other Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh when it comes to their dialect and cultural practices.The Mishmis or the Deng are an ethnic group comprising of three tribes, the Idu Mishmis (Idu Lhoba); Digaro tribe (Taraon, Darang Deng), and Miju Mishmi (Kaman Deng). Racially, all three are from the same stock and are believed to have come from Burma.
Very close to Wakro is the Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary. The Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary is named after the Kamlang River which flows through it and is the habitat of the four big cat species of India: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard. At Kamlang, there are 61 species of mammals, 105 bird species and 20 species of reptiles. Apart from the four big cats: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard, other notable animal species reported in the park are elephant, leopard cat, wild boar, civet, deer, giant squirrel and flying squirrel. Of the fifteen species of primate found in India, six species are found in the park. These are capped langur, rhesus macaque, stump-tailed macaque, Assam macaque, hoolock gibbon and Bengal slow loris.
The Wakro Eco Resort at Wakro is a good stay option at Wakro at close proximity to the Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Walong ~
Walong is located on a the beautiful mountains of the Eastern Himalayas and is a prime location that connects India and China with the beautiful River Lohit flowing across he heart of the town. Walong is also the easternmost town in India. The forest around Walong is rich in wildlife. Rare mammals such as Mishmi takin, Red goral and Leaf muntjac occurs while among birds there is the rare Sclater’s Monal. A flying squirrel, new to science, i.e., Mishmi Hills Giant Flying Squirrel also can be spotted here at Walong. Walong is also one of the strategic locations of the Indian Air Force that has an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) to facilitate movement of the troops across the border.
Walong is remembered for the Lohit Brigade of the Indian Army. Lohit Brigade were the ones that put a strong resistance to the Chinese Army in the Indo China war of 1962. Battling under the most treacherous conditions like cold weather, uncertain terrain, outnumbered troops, ‘orders’ that never reached and a slimy enemy the Indian Troops had finally fallen at the hands of the Chinese at the “Battle of Walong”. But Walong was retaken by the Indians and this place has a story to narrate that would put the hearts of all the patriots of Mother India to a soulful cry. Although long forgotten now, the brave and gallant Soldiers of the Indian Army had put in their best efforts even knowing that they couldn’t win this War. No one dared to flee and they stood grounds ’til their last breath in protecting their Motherland. The War memorial at Walong has these words inscribed on its walls that narrate their gallantry:
- “The sentinel hills that round us stand
- bear witness that we loved our land.
- Amidst shattered rocks and flaming pine
- we fought and died on Namti Plain.
- O Lohit gently by us glide
- pale stars above us softly shine
- as we sleep here in sun and rain.”
Dong Village ~
Dong Village is the Eastern most motor-able village of India and is the first place in India to receive the rays of the Sun. A village of great natural and unspoiled beauty, the Dong Village lies at the junction pf the Lohit River and the Sati Stream. Dong Village is located near the point where India, China and Myanmar meet. At this location is a peak (Millennium Point) where tourists climb up to at 4 AM to see the sun rise. Dong is a confluence of a few huts with a population of slightly above 30 people who comprise of 3 -4 households.
The nearest accommodations near Dong Village is available at a small town of Walong ~ the Soil where India fought China during the 1962 War. Dong village can be reached on foot from Walong in a 90-minute climb.
Kibithu ~
Kibithu is one of the easternmost permanently populated town of India located on the last road head of extreme northeast of northeastern India. Kibithu is uniquely located on the trijunction, with China to the north and Myanmar to the east. A land of breath taking scenic beauty Kibithu is slowly gaining popularity among travelers to Arunachal Pradesh.
Kibithu is dominated by Meyor tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Major source of income includes business and tourism.It is amongst the most beautiful towns of Arunachal Pradesh with dozens of rivulets and waterfalls. They make the entire journey of about 230 km from Tezu to Kibthu highly romantic and picturesque.
Tezu ~
Tezu is one of the principal towns in this circuit located midway between Dibrugarh and Walong. Tezu is a land of beautiful rivers and valleys and is located in Lohit district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Mishmi tribes are the early inhabitants of this land and their history dates back to the period of the epic Mahabharata. Many other ancient tribes live here and Tezu is vibrant with the traditions followed by all these tribes. There are many places of tourist interest in Tezu, including picturesque lakes, religious sites and wildlife sanctuary.
The ancient inhabitants of Tezu are the Mishmi tribes. The Mishmi tribes have traditions and customs dating back to the times of Mahabharata. According to sacred Hindu traditions, Lord Krishna’s first queen Rukmini was a Mishmi Damsel. The major Mishmi God is Ringyajabmalu and the major Mishmi festival is known as Tamladu puja. It is celebrated each year on 15 February. People from all communities and all walks of life are invited to join in the celebrations. The Holy Parshuram Kund near Tezu hosts this festival and thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over India, and also from neighboring countries, come to take a holy dip and wash away the sins of millions of births. This is accompanied with a fair at Tezu and takes place every year during the month of January.
Places of Interest near Tezu are ~
- Parashuram Kund
- Glow Lake
- Hawa Camp
- D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tezu Botanical Garden
- Tezu Park
- Tezu District Museum and Craft Center
Sample Itinerary for your Visit to Easternmost frontiers of India ~
Day 1 ~ Dibrugarh – Choukham ( 4 Hours)
Arrive at the Mohanbari Airport at Dibrugarh. Upon arrival you will be received by our representative offering you a warm welcome in Traditional Assamese style. Depart to the town of Choukham in Arunachal Pradesh. Upon arrival check into the Golden Pakoda Resort at the premises of the Golden Pakoda Temple. Check the illumination of the Golden Pagoda Temple in the evening that has been built under the expert supervision of around 200 architects from India and Myanmar.
Night Halt: Golden Pagoda Resort
Meals Included: NA
Day 2 ~ Choukham – Wakro (2 Hours)
Visit the premises of the Golden Pakoda Temple in the morning and later depart to the town of Wakro. At Wakro, visit the Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (famous for its 61 species of mammals, 105 bird species and 20 species of reptiles. Apart from the four big cats: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard, other notable animal species reported in the park are elephant, leopard cat, wild boar, civet, deer, giant squirrel and flying squirrel). Later in the day visit the nearby Village at Wakro.
Night Halt: Wakro Eco Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 ~ Wakro – Walong (10 Hours)
Early Morning depart to Walong. It will be a long drive across mountain terrain. Spot the Natural beauty of the Forests on the way and halt to spot the majestic view of the Lohit River from the Lohit View Point. Arrive at Walong.
Night Halt: IB/Guest House at Walong
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 ~ Dong Village
Early Morning embark on your Trek to Dong Village from Walong. At Dong, witness the first rays of the Sun in India at the border of India, China and Myanmar. Visit the Village of Dong and trek back to Walong. At Walong, pay your tributes to brave souls of the departed Indian Army soldiers who lost their lives during the Indo-China war of 1962.
Night Halt: IB/Guest House at Walong
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 ~ Walong – Tezu (10 hours)
Depart to Tezu. Tezu is a the largest town of the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Night Halt: Comfortable Hotel at Tezu
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 ~ Tezu – Glow Lake
From Tezu embark on your trek to the Glow Lake. Glow Lake is set in a picturesque landscape with snow-capped mountains on the backdrop and lush greenery around. Return to Tezu. (Alternately, you may choose to enjoy hiking and river rafting and angling on the river Lohit at Tezu)
Night Halt: Comfortable Hotel at Tezu
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 ~ Tezu – Dhola Ghat – Tinsukia
After Breakfast, depart to the Dhola-Ghat in Assam to witness the Grandeur of the Longest Bridge in India ~ the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge on the mighty Brahmaputra River. Cross the Bridge to reach Sadiya and return to Tinsukia for night halt.
Night Halt: Hotel Highway, Tinsukia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8 ~ Dibrugarh Airport
After Breakfast, depart to the Mohanbari Aiport at Dibrugarh for your onward destination. Tour Ends. Bid Adieu!
Meals Included: Breakfast
PS: Minimum People required for this Tour is 2 PAX
