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A first-of-its-kind travel program - transforming Arunachal's Dibang Valley into a regenerative tourism destination through slow, meaningful travel.
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CORE
EXPERIENCES
Camp by a pristine river
with a local brew & barbecue under the starry night sky.
Cultural Immersion Trek
Wake up to one of India's earliest sunrises and trek slowly for 10 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*.
Bamboo Handicrafts
Local handlooms
*Your bamboo mugs will be partially or fully crafted beforehand to save time (It's a long process!).
Slow 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 dipping in natural pools, harvesting bamboo or farming/foraging or walking through kiwi and orange gardens* or chatting with village elders and/or engage in a couple more "secret" immersive experiences.
Nights will be spent by the fire, brewing* or sipping rice wine, playing cards and chatting with our Idu Mishmi Family.
*Seasonal.
Map Your Dibang Story
A DIY day to do whatever you want.
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Relax with a book or visit the local Shaman* to learn the intricacies of Idu spirituality or go picnicking on hilltops or rent a bicycle/kayak.
The day is yours.
*Subject to availability.
ADD-ON
EXPERIENCES
Extend your journey with these Add-on Experiences
Rent a bicycle (DIY Day)
Rent a Kayak (DIY Day)
Explore the Idu Mishmi CCA
Local Festivals (in Sep & Feb only)
High Altitude Treks (5-9 Days) / Moderate-Difficult / May-October
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 - 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 to support my Idu Mishmi friends' efforts against mass tourism and unsustainable development.
Stays
Local Village home, Town homestay, riverside camp & cottages
Hosts: Local Idu Mishmi Family
Maximum capacity: 4-5 Persons
SleepingArrangements: Gendered. Clean & Hygienic. Shared rooms with Single Beds.
Washroom: Clean & Hygienic. Shared. Non-attached. Indian (village) & Western (town & campsite)
Food: Organic, Home-cooked Idu Mishmi food and local beverages(in homestays) + Indian Meals (in Campsite & cottages).
Vegan, Veg & Non-Veg friendly.
Perks: Hot water, Fireplace, Farm & Mountain Views.
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 latest by 2:30 PM + 3 Hours drive to Roing.
Day 2: 8 Hours drive from Roing to Dibang Valley.
Day 3: Cultural Immersion trek
Day 4: Slow Village Life
Day 5: Bamboo/Whitewater Rafting + local barbecue
Day 6: Slow Waterfall hike
Day 7: DIY day
Day 8: 9 Hours drive to Roing.
Day 9: 3 Hours Drive to DIB + Departure from DIB post 11 am.
Upcoming
Journeys
Waiting List | Filling Fast | Slots Available
9 Days & 8 Nights
A small group of 4-5 carefully selected travellers
DEC 21-29*
March 8-16**
March 22-30**
April 4-12**
April 12-20**
INR 49,500/Person
+ Air/Rail
Flexible Payment plans available.
*Led by Shreyas Danappa
**Led by an experienced local
Kindly Note: Our journeys are mainly for solo travellers but we also welcome couples and friend duos who fit the group dynamic. Each person, whether traveling solo or with a companion, must register individually.
We regret that we're unable to accommodate families, children, and private groups of three or more.
INCLUSIONS
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All Meals & Accommodation for the scheduled 9D/8N Program - 2 Night at Town Homestay + 2 Nights at Village Home + 2 Nights at a Cottage + 2 Nights at Campsite.
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A private Scorpio or similar (with driver) available to use at your disposal (Includes transfer from/to DIB Airport)
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An experienced team of resourceful local guides (trekking, camping, handicraft, village excursions, rafting etc.)
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Certified Rafting Instructor(s)
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A Trip Leader (Either me or an experienced local)
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A local handicraft souvenir.
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Costs associated with Barbecue & local brew such as firewood, ingredients etc.
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Tents, mattresses & blankets for camping.
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Basic Medical/First Aid Kit during the trip.
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Indian Permits and Permit Fees
EXCLUSIONS
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Airfare, Rail fare, Bus fare etc.
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Any food and beverage costs apart from the ones mentioned in itinerary.
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Optional local Guides 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. They are merely listed to support local small businesses in Dibang Valley.
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Trip extensions, Buffer Days etc.
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Foreigner Permits and Permit Fees (The permits 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 them. We do not however encourage paying money to 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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Protein Bars (optional)
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Toilet paper (Non-chemical)
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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: 3-4 cotton T-shirts, 1-2 Trousers & 3-4 pairs of 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 allow denim jeans.
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A rucksack (preferably with waterproof covering). We do NOT allow suitcases, duffle bags, carry bags or trolley bags as they do not work in mountainous terrains.
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Rain jacket + waterproof/resistant trousers.
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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 liner
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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 for comfort.
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A pair of sports 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 slippers.
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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 tupperware lunch box and spoon (for packed lunch)
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Sunscreen
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A small waterproof daypack for hiking. Daypacks that re not waterproof can be protected by your poncho.
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Sanitiser spray (to use against leeches)
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Original ID (Indian Passport or Aadhar or Voter ID) & 4 printed photocopies
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4 printed photocopies of your Arunachal Permits (We will arrange them).
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?
The group will have a maximum of 4-5 carefully selected, like-minded participants. Quality over quantity, always.
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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 due to Arunachal's proximity to the border with China (Tibet). Our team can arrange them at an additional cost.
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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 (hand-picked team of locals, workshops, intimate cultural immersions, hidden gems and exclusivity etc)
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Remote, 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 fully developed for mainstream tourism.
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The group size is small (4-5 only) which increases each individual's overhead costs such as guides’ fees, transportation, activity costs etc.
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I am very selective about who you travel with. Many applications are declined to ensure likemindedness among your travel companions. Quality is put before business needs.
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Along with local guides, Either me or an experienced member in my local team will be serving as your trip leader.
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Our local hosts and guides are paid generously + I don't feel comfortable bargaining or asking discounts. Owing to all this, the costs might seem a bit high at first glance, but they are totally worth it. (Check Testimonials on Instagram)
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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.
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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.
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What do I need to Bring with me on this journey?
Here's a list of things that will help you out :)
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Is it safe (for women) to travel these locations?
YES. I have personally vetted these locations for general safety and our local team has been sensitised about women safety.
​90% of my guests are women.
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. You are comfortable with exploring at a relaxed pace and not covering all places.
This journey may NOT be the best choice for you if you prioritise the luxury and comforts of home while traveling, or want to cover too many places, 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. There will be no private, hotel-like rooms.