Itinerary
Our journey brings us to the tropical jungles of the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. We start from Dibrugarh in Assam and travel by road to Deban, from where the actual trek commences. From the Hornbill Campsite, we will trek to Firmbase on Day 4 and further across the Namdapha river to the village of the Lisu tribes near Imbiong on Day 5. The next day, we will trek to Baloo Khat and then descend to Miao on Day 7. We will go on an excursion to the Pangsau Pass the following day and return to Margherita before starting for Dibrugarh early on Day 9.
Day 1: Arrival at Dibrugarh
We will pick you up from Dibrugarh Airport/Station and drop you at the hotel. You have the rest of the day at your leisure. We recommend a stroll along the banks of the Brahmaputra. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 2: Drive from Dibrugarh to Miao
Post breakfast, we drive 145 km to Miao. Lush tea plantations adorn the rolling hillsides. We cross the towns of Digboi and Margherita on the way. As we enter Arunachal Pradesh, the roads become rough and the tea gardens give way to dense forests. We reach the small town of Miao in the evening and take a relaxing stroll along the Noa Dihing River. Overnight in eco-camps.
Day 3: Drive to Deban, Trek to Hornbill Camp
A 20 km drive over dirt tracks, river crossings and muddy patches will bring us to Deban today from where we will start trekking. Crossing two crude bamboo bridges on the Noa Dihing River, we enter a bamboo and cane forest which gives way to a forest of very tall trees. Calls of the Hollock gibbon and deer pierce the silence. One can spot birds like Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Rusty-bellied Shortwing and Oriental Pied Hornbill. The campsite is aptly named because these magnificent birds come here in the evening to roost. Nocturnal flying squirrels can also be seen here. Overnight in tents.
Day 4: Trek to Firmbase
We will trek through dense rainforests today. Be on the lookout for oddly-shaped fungi and a plethora of butterflies, frogs and insects. Birds like the Red-headed Trogon, Great and Rufuos Hornbill, and the Grey-cheeked Warbler punctuate the continuity of greenery. We have lunch at Ranijheel - a lake that has now dried up before descending down to the Namdapha River and set camps on the riverside. On clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the Dafa Boom range can be seen from here. Overnight in tents.
Day 5: Trek to Imbiong
In the morning, we will cross the Namdapha river to visit an isolated village inhabited by the Lisu tribe. We will spend the day interacting with these people who migrated from Myanmar and live in close proximity to nature. We will return to our campsite a little way further down the Noa Dihing River. Overnight in tents.
Day 6: Trek to Baloo Khat
The trail skirts the banks of the Noa Dihing and traverses an expansive grassland today. On the way to the grassland, we will cross a bamboo bridge. Later we will climb a steep hillock and then descend down to a stream, before ascending a hillock again. The last descent will bring us to the banks of the Noa Dihing where we will camp for the night. Overnight in tents.
Day 7: Trek to Deban, Drive to Miao
A steep ascent through the tropical forests brings us into prime birding habitat today. Birds like the Red-headed Trogon, White Crested Laughing Thrush, Rufous vented Yuhinia and Black-throated parrotbill among others can be spotted here. The descent is mostly difficult, with some very steep and slippery sections. The last climb over the undulating landscape brings us to the Miao-Vijayanagar road from where vehicles will brings us to Miao. Overnight at an eco-camp.
Day 8: Drive to Pangsau Pass, Stay at Margherita
Today, we will take the historic Stilwell Road to the Pangsau Pass. Named after Joseph Stilwell, the 1700 km long road winds over the hilly terrain through India, China and Myanmar. If we can get permits, we will walk across the Myanmar border to explore the colorful market. On the way back, we will drive to Margherita, which borrows its pretty name from an Italian engineer who first set the railway line here, and further to a village inhabited by the Singpho tribe. Overnight at a lodge.
Day 9: Drive to Dibrugarh, Departure
We will start early and drive to Dibrugarh. Kindly make your arrangements for onward travel post 2 pm.