Lure of Lohit
The Lohit river rises in eastern Tibet, in the Zayal Chu range and surges through Arunachal
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-tropical 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 groves. 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 its 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.
THE LURE OF LOHIT
Day 1
Arrive Dibrugarh, amidst the lush environs of a hundred tea gardens. Dibrugarh 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, 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, near 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 Mishmi
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 mildly 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-pulley crossing 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 Vaishnavite
religion with 26 Satras (monasteries) still existing. Overnight 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 exquisite 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 Kaziranga National Park and after a leisurely lunch. Drive to Guwahati
Airport and catch a flight back.
TOUR ENDS