|
Lure
of Lohit
The lohit river rises in eastern Tibet, in the Zayal
Chu range and surges through Aruncachal Pradesh for
two hundred kilometers,before disgorging itself in the
plains of Assam. Tempestuous and turbulent, and known
as the river of blood, only partly attributable to the
lateritic soil, it flows through the Mishmi Hills, to
meet the Siang at the head of the Brahmaputra valley.
The valley of the Lohit is full of surprises. Thickly
forested for the most part, it is a botanist’s
dream,as alpine vegetation gives way to sub-tropicla
forests, and then to some of the densest tropical jungles
in all of India.rhododendrons bloom in many hues in
the upper reaches, orchids reveal themselves in the
lower froves. This is indeed a treasure house of medicinal
plant and herbs, and the home of Mishmi teeta, the coptis
plant, prized the world over for it’s medicinal
properties.
The Mishmis hold sway in the hills. In the plains are
the Khamptis and the Singphos, fervent Buddhists and
migrants from across he Patkai hills from Burma. As
the Lohit journeys through, Tibetan theology gives way
to animist belief, in turn replaced by Theravada Buddhism
and then by Hindu temples as Tibet, south East Asia
and the Indian sub-continent mix and merge.
 |
|
 |
| Lohit
river |
|
Rope
crossing on Lohit river |
 |
|
 |
| Mishmi
Lady |
|
Camping
on the Lohit river |
 |
|
 |
| Parshuram
Kund |
|
Wild
flower in Lohit |
 |
|
 |
| Meyor
village |
|
Sunset
at Tezu |
THE
LURE OF LOHIT
| Day
1 - |
Arrive
Dibrugarh, amidst the lush environs of a hundred
tea gardens. Dibrugharh is on the banks of the
Brahmaputra. Spend the afternoon on a tea garden,
with tea and cucumber sandwiches at the Manager’s
bungalow. |
| Day
2 - |
Drive
through Margherita(yes, there is a town with that
name,a and a very pretty town too), classic tea
garden country, and on to the thickly forested hills
of Arunachal. Halt at Diban, in the heart of the
Namdapha Tiger reserve. camp fire at night, n a
grassy patch near the Noa Dihing River. Stay at
the Diban Lodge. |
| Day
3 - |
In
and around the Namdapha Tiger Reserve experience
the joys of solitude amidst the wilderness-the call
of the wild! Namdapha teems with wildlife-tiger,
Takin, the clouded leopard, snow leopard, wild buffaloes-
and a host of smaller fauna. A naturalist’s
paradise. |
| Day
4 - |
Drive
towards Tezu. The home of Digaru and Miju Mishmi.Skirting
the Mishmi Hills. Cross the tempestuous Lohit river
by ferry, and halt at Tezu. Unwind at a cultural
evening in a Mishmii village, complete with a Beedu,
the timeless ritual of song and dance steeped in
hoary tradition. Partake of Yu, the local brew,
freshly distilled, and mildy heady. Stay at the
Circuit House. |
| Day
5 - |
Head
for the hills-literally! Drive to the Hayuliang
,along the picturesque Lohit river Experience the
traditional rope-pully crossoing of the river .Visit
authentic Mishmi village. Overnight at village. |
| Day
6 - |
Visit
Chowkam and Namsai – home to the Khamptis
and the Singhpos- the only Theravada Buddhists in
India. Cross the Lohit and Noa Dihing rivers by
ferry, and drive through to Dibrugarh. Overnight
at Hotel. |
| Day
7 - |
Onward
to Majuli, the largest river island in the world,
now a UNESCO world heritage site.Majuli is pollution
free fresh water island. This is also the centre
of the medieval Vaisnavite religion with 26 Satras(monastries)
still existinig. Overnite in a Satra. |
| Day
8 - |
Visit
to the Satras and learn about the ancient faith
from the monks. Interact with Mising tribes and
witness their esquisite and colorful weaving tradition.
Majuli also a great place for bird watchers. It
is the Island in the sun. |
| Day
9 - |
Visit
the Kaziranga National Park – the abode, and
the last habit of the Indian rhinoceros- the Great
Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. Stay at the Wild Grass
Resort. |
| Day
10 - |
Elephant
safari in the Kazirana National Park and after a
leisurely lunch. Drive to Guahati Airport and catch
a flight back. |
TOUR
ENDS
|
