Into the Dibang
An Experiential Adventure
INTO ARUNACHAL
A first-of-its-kind travel program transforming villages in Arunachal's Dibang Valley into self-contained eco-tourism destinations through slow, meaningful travel.
CORE
ITINERARY
Camp at Pristine Beaches
Riverside camping with a local barbecue under the starry night sky.
Cultural Immersion Trek
Wake up to one of India's earliest sunrises and trek for 7 KMs across a river bridge, through the Idu Mishmi community's culturally-conserved forests, bamboo groves, pristine river beaches and fern meadows.....
......into a few remote villages where you will briefly learn to craft traditional bamboo mugs*.
(A Map My Stories Project).
Bamboo Handicrafts
Local handlooms
*Your bamboo mugs will be partially or fully crafted beforehand to save time (It's a long process!).
Idu Village Life
Experience the slow paced, laid-back life of the Idu Mishmis of Dibang.
Photos taken with consent.
The day can be spent relaxing or swimming in a nearby natural pool*, harvesting bamboo or farming or walking through kiwi and orange gardens* or chatting with village elders and/or engage in a couple more "secret" immersive activities.
Nights will be spent by the fire, brewing* or sipping rice wine, playing cards and chatting with our Idu Mishmi Family.
*Seasonal/Affected by weather/Subject to availability.
Map Your Dibang Story
A DIY day to do whatever you want.
Relax with a book in cosy nooks of our homestay or visit the Igu - A Local Shaman central to Idu Mishmi culture or drive to another unexplored valley - to a village imbued by Idu Mishmi lore or hike through fern fields and lay out a picnic spread on top of a hill or try one of our Add-on experiences.
The day is yours.
ADD-ON
EXPERIENCES
Experiential Gems* I've unearthed in Dibang
*Extend your Journey beyond the fixed 9D/8N Program with these Add-on Experiences
Rent a Mountain Bike (Min. 1 Day)
Rent a Kayak (Min. 1 Day)
Picnicing (1 Day)
Birding around quaint villages (1 Day)
Butterfly Watching (1 Day)
White Water Rafting (1 Day)
Meet our team of local researchers
Attend Local Festivals
The Mishmi Trail - Village to Village Trek (5-7 Days)
Border Lake Trek (7-9 Days)
Monsoon Valley Trek (5-7 Days)
Alpine Lakes Trek (8-10 Days)
Wildlife Expeditions ( 3-14 Days)
TRAVEL
IDEOLOGY
This journey is intentionally Slow...
It does not seek to "cover" places or check off bucket lists. Rather, it hopes to forge a deeper connection with a few villages. Thus, rendering a lot of free time for the traveller to unwind, contemplate and rejuvenate in Arunachal’s raw mountainscape.
...& deeply Personal.
'Into The Dibang' is NOT a commercial "tour package" but a personal passion project. The program is crafted based on my extensive explorations of the valley - built to support the Idu Mishmi community and protect their homeland from mass tourism, unsustainable development and neocolonial travel.
Stays
Local Home Stays Basic (Bamboo) & Rustic Cottages (Bamboo + Wood)
Hosts: Local Idu Mishmi Family
Maximum capacity: 4-6 Persons
Sleeping Arrangements: Clean & Hygienic. Shared rooms with Single Beds - Furnished (Rustic) & Non-Furnished (Basic)
Washroom: Clean & Hygienic. Shared. Non-attached. Indian (Basic) & Western (Rustic)
Food: Organic, Home-cooked Meals and local beverages;
Idu Mishmi Cuisine (Vegan/Veg/Non-veg)
Perks: Hot water, Kitchen Garden, Mountain Views and Good vibes.
Ride to Dibang Valley (6-7 Hours)
& Back (6-7 Hours)
The 225 Kilometre long ride to Dibang Valley is an adventure on its own! The sound of Hoolock Gibbons and views of the emerald blueTalo river flowing through untouched, sub-tropical, community conserved forests may remind you of a NatGeo documentary or two. Watching the Eastern Himalayas unfold, grow and transform hints at a similar journey within.
A Brief Overview
Day 1: Arrival at DIB Airport/NTSK Station latest by 2:30 PM + 3 Hours drive to Lower Dibang.
Day 2: 8 Hours Drive from Lower Dibang to Dibang Valley
Day 3: Cultural Immersion trek to our village.
Day 4: Idu Village Life
Day 5: Bamboo Rafting + Local Beer & Barbecue + Riverside Camping
Day 6: Border side drive + waterfall hike.
Day 7: DIY day in Dibang Valley + music in the evening.
Day 8: 8 Hours drive from Dibang Valley to Lower Dibang.
Day 9: 3 Hours Drive from Lower Dibang to DIB/NTSK + Departure from DIB/NTSK post 11 am.
Upcoming
Journeys
Sold Out | Filling Fast | Slots Available
9 Days & 8 Nights
A small group of 4-5 carefully selected solo travellers
December 22-30
March 23-31 (2024)
INR 47,000/Person***
+ Air/Rail
* Flexible Payment plan available.
Kindly Note: Our journeys are for solo travellers, couples and friend duos only and each individual, whether traveling solo or with a friend/partner, must register individually.
We regret that we are unable to accommodate families, children and other private groups.
INCLUSIONS
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All Meals & Accommodation for the scheduled 9D/8N Program - 5 Nights (Homestay) + 2 Nights (Cottage) + 1 Night (Camping)
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A private Scorpio or similar (Includes transfer from/to DIB Airport or NTSK Station)
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A trained team of resourceful local guides (trekking, camping, handicraft, village excursions etc.)
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Certified Rafting Guide.
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A Map My Stories Rep to ensure quality of experience.
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A bamboo handicraft souvenir.
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Food/Ingredients (for barbecue, jam making & beer brewing/wine making), firewood for bonfire, materials and tools for handicraft demonstration and bamboo rafting.
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Tents, mattresses, sleeping bags & blankets for camping.
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Pitching fees for camping.
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Basic Medical/First Aid Kit during the trip.
EXCLUSIONS
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Airfare, Rail fare, Bus fare etc.
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Any food and beverage cost apart from the ones mentioned in itinerary.
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Optional local Guides & Transportation for your DIY Day
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Optional Add-on Experiences. Add-on experiences are subject to availability. (I recommend pre booking add-ons if the uncertainty makes you uncomfortable). Map My Stories does NOT charge a booking fee or earn commissions from Add-ons.
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Trip extensions, Buffer Days etc.
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Permits and Permit Fees (We will guide you on how to arrange them after registration. The permit costs are nominal/negligible for Indian citizens and may cost INR 4000-6000 for foreign passport holders).
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Any Tips (Our local guides are paid generously. However, we are completely on board if you feel the need to tip the local guides etc. We do not however encourage tipping the local children or buying them chocolates and other packed foods.)
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Tiffin box, water bottle & spoon for packed lunch. (Kindly bring your own as we want to minimise single-use plastic as much as possible.)
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Costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, road blocks, landslides, road conditions, political unrest and any other circumstances beyond our control. Note: The Eastern Himalayas are not known for great roads and there have been instances of road blocks before.
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Travel Insurance
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Any personal Expenditure (Shopping, medicines etc)
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Any items / services not specifically mentioned under the head ‘inclusions’.
Mandatory Check-list
(My Recommendations):
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Your own toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and soap to minimise buying single-use plastic in the valley.
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Toilet paper (Non-toxic)
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Water bottle (Should not be single-use plastic)
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A fully charged torch or headlamp.
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3-4 pairs of Comfortable breathable clothes for sunny days: Cotton T-shirts, Trousers & Breathable cotton socks etc.
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2-3 pairs of Warm Insulating Clothes for winters (temperatures can go as low as -5 during peak winters) - Thermals, An insulating jacket, Merino wool cap & muffler/bandana, ,Thick Woolen socks and gloves) for cold nights.
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Odomos cream against mosquitoes
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Water resistant trekking trousers are recommended. We do NOT recommend jeans for trekking.
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A rucksack (preferably with waterproof covering). We do NOT allow suitcases, carry bags or trolley bags.
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A poncho (if you don't have water-resistant trousers or waterproof cover for your rucksack.
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A bath towel
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Rubber Boots or Gum Boots (They can be bought locally in Dibang itself for INR500/Pair)
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Two new or used pairs of comfortable insoles to place inside your gum boots.
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A pair of floaters/slippers/shoes to wear casually.
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A trekking pole (not mandatory)
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A hat/cap to protect against the sun.
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Your medications (allergies/motion sickness/infections or any other personal medications).
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Appropriate swimming clothes.
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A pair of indoor slippers.
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A pair of shoes to wear casually.
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2 big plastic bags - one for storing soiled clothes and the other for any single use plastic generated or found during the program (Single use plastic cannot be disposed in the mountains. Needs to be carried back with you to the plains)
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A lunch box and cutlery (for packed lunch)
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Sunscreen
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A small waterproof daypack for hiking
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Sanitiser spray (works against leeches)
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Original ID (Indian Passport or Aadhar or Voter ID) & 4 printed photocopies
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Passport size photos- 4 copies
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4 printed photocopies of your Inner Line Permit (We will arrange your permits).
Optional Check-list to promote Slow Travel Concepts (My Recommendations):
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A note book for journaling your thoughts & experiences, noting down words from the local dialect, and writing down local recipes.
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Illustration tools to make paintings, postcards etc. (paints, brushes, pens, paper/canvas etc)
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Binoculars and "Birds of Bhutan and the Eastern Himalayas" book
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The Merlin Bird ID & PlantNet Apps
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A ukulele or guitar
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A yoga mat
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A scrap book to press fallen flowers & leaves. (Can also be used for journaling & illustration)
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Any books of your own.
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A hammock to do nothing on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How big will the group be?
Each group will have a maximum of 4-6 carefully selected, like-minded participants. Quality over quantity, always.
Are foreigners allowed to participate in 'Into The Dibang'?
Yes! Foreigners can do the program. However, special permits need to be arranged at the capital (our team can arrange them at an additional cost) due to our proximity to the border with China (Tibet).
Why are these journeys more expensive than the average tour packages ?
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My personally curated/vetted journeys offer more unique experiences than the average travel company (workshops, immersions, hidden gems etc)
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Offbeat destinations (especially Northeast India) are pricier due to poor connectivity, higher cost of goods etc. You are going to be in remote locations that are not developed for mainstream tourism - far away from crowds.
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The group size is small (4-6 only) which increases each individual's shared costs such as guide fees, transportation, workshop fees etc.
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I am very selective about who you travel with. Many applications are rejected to ensure likemindedness among your travel companions.
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Along with local guides, A Map My Stories Rep will be joining you to ensure and enhance the quality of your experience.
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Our local hosts and guides are paid generously + we don't feel comfortable bargaining. Owing to all this, the costs might seem a bit high at first glance, but they are totally worth it. (Check Testimonials on Instagram)
What kind of fitness levels are expected in these journeys?
The day treks are short but require decent amount of endurance and fitness. Nothing out of the ordinary.
I want to extend my journey and visit other places not part of the itinerary. Can you help me plan my extended journey?
Yes! I have a growing local network and will be happy to connect you with the right people and plan your extended journey.
What do I need to Bring with me on this journey?
Here's a list of things that will help you out :)
Is it safe (for women) to travel these locations?
YES. I have personally vetted these locations for safety and our local team has been sensitised about women safety.
Disclaimer
This journey is for you if you’re fascinated by culture and thirsty for adventure. You’re flexible and don't mind the challenge of the unexpected. You aren’t intimidated by bumpy roads or Indian toilets or no electricity. Landscapes thrill you and cultures intrigue you. Meeting locals, blending in and getting a feel for a place is more important than getting a perfect Instagram shot and ticking a million bucket list items. You appreciate the freedom to explore without relying on a rigid itinerary or constant hand-holding from us.
This journey may NOT be the best choice for you if you prioritise the luxury and comforts of home while traveling, or want to travel as fast as possible, or if you have specific high maintenance needs. Wifi, mobile data, hot water, and electricity aren't always available. You may have to use Indian toilets every once in a while, including where we stay. Local foods comprise the majority of our diets unless you have restrictions. Accommodations in remote areas can be basic or rustic at best. You will be exploring at a relaxed pace and not rushing through places.