Arunachal Pradesh Nature & Culture Cultural Treks Tours, Trekking Adventures in The Bailey Trail, Guwahati, Tezpur, Dirang valley, Bomdila, Chander, Tungri, Chang la, poshing la, Potak, Tse la, Upper Lower Lortum valley, Luguthang valley, Khokar la, Tsonai, senai, tsenai, sonai, Kya la, Sela Pass Ridge, Tawang, Tippi Orchid research centre, Monpa tribal villages, Tawang Monastery Gompa, Exotic Flora Forest Orchids Rhododendron of Arunachal Pradesh North East India

Trekking Adventures

General Information | Nature, Culture & Tribal Jeep Tours | Trekking Adventures |

• Max Elevation: 4550 m 
• Grade: Moderate to strenuous 
• Period: April and Oct 
• Minimum of 04 persons permitted
• Included visit to Tawang monastery & Monpa tribal villages 

Partially aligned along the ancient trade route, The trek connects a series of interlocking valleys, connected through  six major passes reaching up to 4550 m. You will traverse through  mixed sub tropical forests, coniferous forests, High grasslands, Juniper, Rhododendrons, and desolate high Himalayan pastures There are lovely Alpine lakes and breathtaking views of the great peaks on the Tibet frontier. You also get to see quant monpa villages, the Tawang Monastery and spend time exploring other sights around Tawang and meeting the people.

Your trek tour starts from the Guwahati Airport in Assam. The modern highway which connects the Brahmaputra Valley to Tawang , encounters three ridges, all of them running roughly West to East. Of these the most formidable is the Sela Ridge rising up to 4900 Meters, which is crossed by the highway via the Sela pass at 4267 Meters, to reach Tawang, 3048 m. Toward the North and the East, beyond Tawang; the mountains ridges rise up to the Himalayan watershed enclosing Tawang in a horseshoe, marked by the peaks of Gori Chen at 6500 meters and Kangdo, which rears its head at a proud 7090 Meters

In ancient days crossing over the Himalayan watershed from Tibet over the Tukung-la pass the traders traveled along a different route. Descending down the head waters of the Tawang Chhu river, they crossed the Sela ridge along a yak trail, with their caravans of wool, skins, precious stones and yak butter to reach the barter markets in Assam.. Here they exchanged their loads for salt, tea, cloth, and other commodities. This route was first explored by British surveyors lead by F.M. Bailey in 1913 - and came to be called 'The Bailey Trail'. In 1962 the Chinese army used this route to strike deep into Arunachal Pradesh.

Our trek starts from the Dirang River Valley at Chander at an elevation of 2530 m. Over seven days it follows the "Bailey trail" to cross the the 4550 high Tse la Pass and then diverts along the general alignment of the massive Sela Ridge, making its way through a series of interlocking valleys connected through several passes to reach the highway at the Sela pass. The route traverses through river valleys, quaint Monpa villages, and desolate high Himalayan pastures, passing through a fascinating mix of terrain  - mixed sub tropical forests, coniferous forests of Pine, fir, Oak, and Chesnut, grasslands, Juniper, and Rhododendrons. There are lovely Alpine lakes and breathtaking views of the Gori Chen and Kangdo peaks. From the Se la pass you will drive to Tawang for a 02 nights visit taking in the Tawang Monastery and spend time exploring other sights around Tawang. Thereafter we will drive back over the Sela pass to the lovely Dirang Valley to stay for 02 nights, allowing us one full day to see the sights. Finally we take two days to return to Guwahati driving along the highway crossing over Bomdi la pass, with an overnight halt at Tezpur.

The trek was reconnoitered in 2002 by the Gurudongma team, along with a team of British naturalists on a 13 day trek - arguably the first ever organized group in recent times. The first commercial trek was operated by Gurudongma for Di Anne, Barbara, Jane and Sherry from the USA in Oct 2004.

Itinerary

Day 01: Drive Guwahati to Tezpur

Pick up from Guwahati airport. Drive to Tezpur, 181 Kms in 04.30 hrs, overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Drive Tezpur to Dirang, 1500 m via Bomdila

Drive in 213 Kms in 06 hours to Dirang at 1500 m. Enroute visit Tippi Orchid research centre.

Day 03: Drive Dirang - Chander, 2530 m and Trek to Tungri, 3100 m

Early morning drive to Chander in two hrs. Weather permitting get your first view of the panorama of snows. Start Trekking. Steadily uphill along a good track, through forests for 04 -05 hours to the Camp 1 at a yak pasture. Overnight in camp.

Day 04: Trek Tungri, 3100 m to Chang la, 3650 m

A hard trek of 06 hours through coniferous forests with two steep climbs along a ridge to Camp 2, near Chang la pass , 3650 m. Superb views of the Sela range, surrounding valleys and the Himalayan watershed.

Day 05: Changla, 3650 m to Potak, 4200 m

Steady climb of 03 hours through scattered coniferous forests, juniper and Rhododendrons to cross over Posing la pass at 3950 meters. Trek continues for another 04 hrs. First we go down hill to cross a glacial stream, and then climb up to an alpine pasture to Camp 3 at Potak, 4200 meters at confluence of two streams. 

Day 06: Trek Potak, 4100 m – Tse la, 4550 m – Lortum, 4100m

Trek steadily uphill beyond the tree line for 03 hrs to cross the high -  Tse la, 4550 m. There is a small Alpine lake below the summit and breath taking  panoramic views of the Sela ridge, river valleys, Gorichen (6500 m) and Kangdo,(7090 m) peaks on the Himalayan watershed. During October, whilst descending for 02 hrs to a river valley the trees and foliage presents spectacular fall colours.. Camp 5 at Lortum, 4100 m.

Day 07: Trek Lortum to Luguthang, 4500 m

A long hard day of trekking for 08 hours, Begin with a nice leisurely walk downhill with great views . Enjoy the stunning fall colours. Thereafter climb steadily on a near virgin trail for three to four  hours to the Khokar la pass connecting the Lortam and Luguthang valleys It is a challenging trek as you encounter many false crests. Once at the top there are wonderful view of alpine lakes and in the far distance can be seen the river valley where Luguthang is located. The descent into the valley and walk down to the campsite is one of the most stunning of the trip. Luguthang – a cluster of half a dozen graziers houses with a gompa, is located high up at 4500 m. From the surrounding ridges you can get good views of the Tawang Chhu Valley. Overnight at camp 5.

Day 08: Trek Luguthang to Tsonai, 4500 m

Another long hard days trek.. Crossing two major high passes, there are ascents and desents. You will be trekking at an average altitude of 4500 m, and affects of altitude combined with the long day make it perhaps the most challenging day. Camp 6 is set in a lovely pasture at Tsonai, 4500 m.

Day 09: Trek Tsonai to Se la, 4267 m. Drive Se la to Tawang, 3048 m

Morning reveals stunning view of the great peaks The last days trek is just for 02-03 hrs. There is the last pass to climb – The Kya la before descending to the Sela Pass, 4267 m.. Transfer to our jeeps to descend to the Tawang Chhu Valley at Jang. Steep descent of 31 Kms( 01 hr) through the rugged and narrow Nuranang Valley. Therafter we drive for 44 kms( 1.45 hrs) through picture post card country side, climbing up through a series of hair pins to Tawang, 3048 m. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 10: Tawang sightseeing

At Tawang - Explore the 350 years old Tawang Monastery, and have an audience with Rimpoche. The famous Galden Namgyal Lhatse, popularly known as Tawang Monastery was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyamtso in the year 1860-81.  It is the fountain-head of the spiritual life of the Gelupa Sect of the Mahayana School of Buddhism. The inner walls of the Dukhang - the assembly hall are painted with murals of various divinities and saints. The silver casket wrapped in silk containing the Thankas of Goddess Palden Lhamo - the principal deity of the monastery, were painted with blood drawn from the nose of the fifth Dalai Lama. A colossal, richly gilded statue of Lord Buddha sitting 26 feet high, occupies the middle of the northern side. In the afternoon participate in a cultural program of songs and dance. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 11: Tawang Sightseeing

Visit Buddhist nunnery, crafts center, and Urgelling Monastery dating back to 1489 followed by the Seru Monpa village. The Urgelling Monastery is the birth place of the Sixth Dalai Lama. In 1714 the Dalai Lama’s original monastery at Urgelling was destroyed, during Mongolian invasion from Bhutan. All valued possession of Urgelling monastery were taken to Tawang Monastery. It was during this time that the Ka-gyur (holy scriptures) written out in gold and silver arrived at the Tawang monastery, where they are preserved to this day. Today a modest Gompa stands at this site. After early lunch drive back over the Sela pass to Dirang in 04 - 05 hours. Overnight at your hotel.

Oct 12 / Day 12: Dirang sightseeing

Visit Sangti Valley, Yak Research centre, Dirang Dzong and Monpa heritage village. Overnight at hotel at Dirang.

Oct 13 / Day 13: Dirang to Tezpur

Drive back to Tezpur, 215 kms in 06.30 hours. Overnight in hotel.

Oct 14 / Day 14: Drive to Guwahati airport, 183 kms in 04.30 hrs, for your departure flight to Delhi/ Kolkota.

TOUR ENDS