Jungle activities in Nameri National Park, high altitude Himalayan trekking, with a final night in a luxurious British tea plantation bungalow
India
Arunachal Pradesh & Assam
Duration
15 days
Mountain Trek
Culture Tour
Wildlife Tour
Tough/Extreme
INTRO THE YAK HERDERS’ TRAIL
Leave behind the ancient Hindu temples of Guwahati and drive across the mighty Brahmaputra River in a comfortable, modern, private vehicle to reach the jungles of Nameri National Park. Continue and upwards into the green mountains of the Eastern Himalayas, explore its elevated towns and then begin a remote, 8-day, high-altitude trek with ponies to carry your baggage, crossing lofty yak summer pastures, a beautiful, near-deserted landscape. Round this off in colonial style in a luxurious tea plantation bungalow.
We head from historic Guwahati across the mighty Brahmaputra River to Nameri National Park. Here we have the option to take both a raft along the Bor-Dikorai River and a trek through jungle on a nature trail.
We next leave the plains of Assam behind and drive up into the imposing mountains of the Eastern Himalayas, through the lofty mountain town of Bomdila and on to Dirang.
There follows an exhilarating eight-day high level trek through the Eastern Himalayas, venturing close to the Bhutanese border, which involves crossing no fewer than seven mountain passes over 4000m (maximum 4787m) and camping at above 3000m on no fewer than seven occasions, including four times above 4000m (maximum 4467m).
Once we have left the trailhead, we will pass through only one village until we return to Dirang. It is highly likely that we will encounter no-one but local yak herders and their families as we rise and fall to cross a succession of summer pastures.
We will finish our trek with a well-earned rest in the splendour of a former British tea plantation bungalow.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ancient Hindu temples in Guwahati
- River rafting and jungle trekking in Nameri National Park
- Exploring the mountain towns of Bomdila and Dirang
- 8 days of high-altitude trekking, mostly above 4000m, through the Eastern Himalayas
- A remote, deserted landscape, of high-level peaks and mountain passes, with summer pastures occupied only by yak herders and their families
- A finale in a former British tea plantation bungalow.
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Guwahati – Nameri National Park – Bomdilla – Dirang – Chander – Thungri – Changla – Potok – Lap – Lenan – Luguthang – Yangser – Sela Pass – Dirang – Guwahati
KEY INFORMATION
- Please see accomodation details below (‘What’s Included’)
- We have set departure dates for this tour. Please see ‘Dates’ section for more information
- This tour can be organised as a bespoke tour at other times of the year
- Similarly, if this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
- In exceptional circumstances, local conditions may require the route to be altered in your interests at short notice
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Reception: airport or station reception and transfer upon your arrival in North-East India & final drop-off at the end of your trek or tour as per the standard itinerary. (For clients arriving earlier and or departing later, special arrangements can be made for accommodation and/or airport transfers if required or requested – additional charges will be calculated for this.)
- Full escort: our treks and tours are fully escorted by an official, local, English-speaking guide; all our treks are fully escorted by ponies and pony boys
- Accommodation: all accommodation (14 nights), including 7 nights camping and 1 night in an historic tea plantation bungalow
- Meals: all meals (15 days) including 8 days prepared on the trail by your trek cook
- Equipment: Tent, sleeping mat, kitchen equipment
- Transport: all transport throughout your tour in a comfortable, modern vehicle equipped with air-conditioning and seat belts, with a professional driver
- Permits: all restricted area permits as required
- Entrance fees: all entrance fees to sites & parks
- Activity fees: all fees for activities included in your itinerary
- Documentation: provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your tour, a full risk assessment of your route, a bespoke equipment list and facts about the country.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Sleeping bags, other equipment not detailed above (‘What’s Included’) and specialist trekking clothing
- Tips
- Soft drinks & items of a personal nature
- Camera fees
DATES
Forthcoming set group trek dates (maximum 8 pax):
Dates have not yet been set for this trek. Please contact us for further details.
Bespoke, private tours:
Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
PRICES
PRICE PER PERSON
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT*
£2650
from £400
*THE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT CHARGE IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO SHARE A ROOM WITH ANOTHER SUITABLE TRAVELLER. IF WILLING TO SHARE, THE SUPPLEMENT WILL NOT BE CHARGED.
If this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
Other tours you might be interested in:
If you have opted to take the Yak Herder’s Trail in April, you might like to consider starting off with Central Arunachal Tribal Festival Villages Tour, from 16th-30th March.
On the other hand, why not also consider our Trek to the Beyul of Pemako?
Our tours have been designed to fit together like a hand in a glove.
DAY 1
Arrive in Guwahati
Arrive in Guwahati. In the afternoon, time permitting, there will be an opportunity to visit Kamakhya temple, the cultural centre of Kalakshetra and its museum, plus the state emporium. Overnight in Guwahati.
DAY 2
Drive from Guwahati to Nameri National Park
In the morning, continue our sightseeing in Guwahati not completed on Day 1. In the afternoon, drive to Nameri National Park crossing the mighty Brahmaputra River by road bridge. Overnight in Nameri National Park
A full day of jungle activities in Nameri National Park
Today we have the choice of either taking a restful day in the beautiful grounds of our eco-lodge accommodation, perhaps enjoying a short walk along the banks of the Bor-Dikorai river, or otherwise opting for our guided activities.
If you choose our guided activities, you will rise early for breakfast and then cross to the far banks of the Bor-Dikorai river by canoe for a short jungle nature trek. In the afternoon, we have the option of taking a raft for 13km downriver, looking out for any wild animals or exotic birds coming down to the water’s edge. Overnight in Nameri National Park.
Drive from Nameri National Park to Dirang
We continue northwards, driving over the border from Assam into Arunachal Pradesh. We then wind our way upwards, cutting through the mountains and a landscape which is rich in vegetation. We break our journey in Bomdila, before continuing onwards to our journey’s end at Dirang. Overnight in Dirang.
Drive from Dirang to Chander and trek to Thungri
Trek Day 1: We drive from Dirang to the traditional Brokpa tribe village of Chander, the starting point for our trek. The Brokpa are a sub-tribe of the main Monpa tribe. This is the last village we will come cross until we reach Luguthang on Day 6. The first day’s walking is suitably quite gentle, often following an ancient track, only gradually rising through lush vegetation. Sheer cliffs flank the path to the left while wonderful views open up across the valley to the right, until we arrive at our camp spot, the delightful yak pastures of Thungri (10,400ft/3170m).
Trek from Thungri to Changla
Trek Day 2: We leave camp and initially trek through a series of ancient sunken lanes, cutting through thick jungle which towers overhead. During the morning the trail continues to rise only gently, although by the afternoon it steepens considerably, zigzagging below a series of Buddhist prayer flags intermittently stretching across the way. We skirt around an occasional mani wall or abandoned military bunker, remnants of the Sino-Indian war of 1962, before finally emerging at the beautiful ridge pastures of Changla (12,272ft/3741m), flanked by a picturesque small lake. Here we pitch our tents.
Trek from Changla to Potok
Trek Day 3: Today’s walk is dominated by the ascent to Poshing La (13,523ft/4122m). Although the climb is not so steep as on Day 2, the pass is higher than yesterday’s. We will pass a sign at the start of the toughest section of the approach which appropriately reads “Housel Bulam” or “Keep Courage”. Once across the pass, the trek continues to present its challenges with a few lesser climbs through a landscape bedecked with wonderful rhododendron bushes, until a pleasant stroll along the banks of the River Tsomgo finally brings us to our camp spot at Potok (13,195ft/4022m).
Trek from Potok to Lap
Trek Day 4: Today the walk is dominated by the crossing of Chela La (15443ft/4707m). Although this pass is still higher even than Poshing La, the ascent is less steep and therefore less demanding. What is more, the wonderful views to be gained as we ascend, especially of the two lakes on the final approach to Chela La, are truly something to behold. We descend steeply to our camping ground, the yak pastures at Lap (14,291ft/4356m).
Trek from Lap to Lenan
Trek Day 5: We begin the day by following the banks of the delightful, meandering River Jongte, trekking across the stone beaches which appear intermittently along its shore. We then wade across the river itself and begin climbing steeply from the wide valley floor to reach Carla La (15,007ft/4574m). We descend on the far side through a succession of pastures, scattered with traditional stone huts, to reach the yak pastures at Lenan (14,245ft/4342m). Here, at the head of a steep valley, we pitch our tents and enjoy amazing views into the valley below.
DAY 10
Trek from Lenan to Luguthang
Trek Day 6: Today we rise once more to cross two magnificent passes, both above 15,000ft, the highest being Getong La (15,410ft/4696m), bedecked with Buddhist prayer flags. Our descent leads us finally to a village settlement, Luguthang, the first we have encountered since we set off from Chander on Day 1. We pass through its traditional stone houses and camp on the banks of the stream in the valley just below (12,883ft/3927m).
DAY 11
Trek from Luguthang to Yangser
Trek Day 7: Today we must cross yet another wonderful mountain pass, Jelong La (15,446ft/4708m), incredibly still higher even than yesterday’s. We descend steeply through a verdant mountainside scattered with livestock until we reach the banks of the River Chhaina and the pastures at Yangser (14,656ft/4467m), our camping spot for the night.
Trek from Yangser to the Sela Pass road and drive to Dirang
Trek Day 8: The very highest pass of the whole trek is reserved for our final day. Indeed, Nyakto La (15,707ft/4787m) is a fitting pass to end our mountain adventure. From its stone cairn, bedecked with Buddhist prayer flags, we descend for a final time. Passing through a landscape of lakes and gushing streams, we meet the road once more, rejoining our vehicle, just below Sela Pass. At this point, we kick off our boots, jump aboard our vehicle, and drive up and over Sela La as far south as our hotel in Dirang. Overnight in Dirang.
Drive from Dirang to the tea plantation bungalow
Today we continue our drive south. We leave Dirang and head out of the mountains, back over the border onto the plains of Assam. We will reach our beautiful accommodation, the historic Wild Mahseer, set in the midst of the verdant Addabarie Tea Estate, close to Balipara. Fronted by a massive lawn interspersed with mature trees, decorative beds blooming with seasonal flowers and dotted with wooden benches, this is a perfect refuge for visitors who are keen to re-create the experience of the old-world British planters’ lifestyle. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing on the verandah of your tea plantation bungalow and enjoying leisurely walks through the surrounding tea plantation gardens themselves while reflecting upon your experiences of the last two weeks. Overnight on Addabarie Tea Estate.
Drive from the tea plantation bungalow to Guwahati
We take a leisurely breakfast to allow time to enjoy the exceptional surroundings of our tea plantation bungalow and then transfer to Guwahati. Overnight in Guwahati.
DAY 15
Transfer to Guwahati airport.
Transfer to Guwahati airport in good time for your departure.
