Arunachal Pradesh

Heal Your Soul in Mechuka

Tour Code: CH_02

Day 1

Pasighat

Reach Pasighat and stay at a resort overnight.

Day 2

Pasighat – Along

On reaching, meet some of the warmest hosts as you check into their beautiful stay perched between orange and mousambi orchards. Walk around the gardens and paddy fields or choose to go explore the local market. In the evening, get to know your hosts better as you try some of the traditional Galo brew (watch your step here! It’s stronger than you would imagine.) along with some traditional food to go with it. Overnight in Along.

Day 3

Mechuka Valley

Wake up early in the morning and after breakfast proceed to the most beautiful destination in the trip, Mechuka. As you drive up a few thousand feet, you will observe how both the air and landscape change dramatically with height. After a good eight hours of travel, you will reach this magical valley in the West Siang district which promises to make you forget the journey as soon as you drive into it. Mechuka or Menchukha, as is traditionally called, translates to medicinal water from snow as the locals believed that the water from the Menchukha stream which passes through the valley could cure any illness in the world due to its medicinal properties. The beautiful town of Mechuka is home to primarily the Memba tribe, a Tibeto-mongloid ethnic group which follows Buddhism. Other inhabitants, in smaller numbers, would include the Ramo, Bokar Libo and Tagin tribes (some of which are sub tribes of the Adi community). On reaching, let life slow down to the pace of the mountains as you walk around the small town taking in the grandeur of the snow-capped mountains around you. You will be staying in a Memba homestay where you may rest if you choose to leave the walking to the next day. Sit by the fire with your hosts in the evening before retiring to your room for a well deserved sleep.

Day 4

Exploring Mechuka

After breakfast, set out to get to know this paradise of a place a little better. There are many stories and folklore that have been passed down generations among the people here. Hear them out as our local team takes you around to tell you a little more about the region. Visit the Yorlung Camp at a height of 7934 feet and meet those protecting the boundaries of the country. The gate of the camp is the last point where civilians are allowed without any special permission. Certain rocks and sticks have been marked from where one can talk on a mobile phone as even moving an inch results in no network on the devices. Thereafter, drive to the Gurudwara to pay your regards and know more about the significance of the Gurudwara and Sikhism in Mechuka. The Gurudwara is beautifully located with a hanging bridge just behind it. Walk around and explore the area as langar gets ready. After lunch, walk around and see the places nearby as you hear the stories associated with the spots you will visit. Go back to the homestay and retire there for the night. You could also choose to sleep in the Gurudwara for the night, where you can hear the bubbling stream flowing just behind the walls.

Day 5

More of Mechuka

As you bid goodbye and thank your hosts at the Gurudwara for their hospitality, head back down towards the town for breakfast before you hike up to the top of a hill to visit a 400 year old Buddhist monastery where you can see many carvings, structures and other ancient artifacts which though passed down so many hands and generations are still very well maintained. The view from the Gompa is truly exquisite and if you are lucky, you may even see one of the IAF planes making a U-turn just around the Gompa before landing on what the Air Force calls the ‘Advance Landing Ground’, which is the name of the airstrip in Mechuka. After you walk back down to your homestay, bond with your hosts over some ‘Chang’  while you learn how to make some of their traditional food (read momos).

Day 6

Mechuka – Along

Early next morning, make your way back towards Along where you will spend the night at the same homestay you had stayed in earlier. If you wish, you may visit a Galo village nearby to see traditional houses as well as witness as a traditional Galo dance in full swing. You may indulge in more of the local spirit and food if you wish. This day is at leisure. Overnight in Along.

Day 7

Along – Guwahati

Make your way to the station at around to catch your train at 8 pm. Train to Guwahati.

Day 8

Departure

Prepare for your flight back.

Tour package includes –

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis
• Breakfast on all days
• All parking and tolls
• Internal travel
• English speaking guides where required