Short Treks in the Arunachal Himalaya

Duration: 10-14 days
Months offered: November thru March
Costs: From $2,000

High Asia has designed several treks and tours in Arunachal Pradesh which allow those short on time, yet interested in taking part in a completely unique wilderness and cultural experience, to do so without committing a month of their time. These trips provide one with a glimpse back in time. Only in Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar is it possible to experience the cultures and landscape of the Himalaya in a manner unaffected by the shocking changes that continue to alter nearly all of the high Asia'

Cultural interaction with some of Arunachal's many tribal groups is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our treks. The cultural diversity of Arunachal Pradesh is perhaps its greatest resource. Certainly no where else in Inner Asia can so many different ethnic groups be found living in ways nearly unchanged since the time of king Ashoka.

For centuries the vast mountainous terrain served to keep the tribal clans virtually isolated from one another. Inter-tribal warfare was intermittent and indecisive. No dominant tribe emerged, and there was not much homogenization. Instead, there seems to have been a process of diversification with small tribal groups having their own languages, belief systems and life styles. Today, there are more than 125 tribes and sub-tribes, but only 15 of them have populations of over 5,000 each. On our trips you will be guided by these people, visit their villages, perhaps partake in their food and festivals and surely travel home richer with priceless experience.

The treks, though often in or near tribal areas, take one into forest and alpine ecosystems rich in fauna. We do not guarantee that you will see some of the species listed in the introduction, but there is certainly a good chance of seeing some of them. If for some reason the trek you take part in does not encounter some of these creatures, we recommend joining us at the end of all our treks in a visit to nearby Kaziranga Wildlife Reserve in Assam . During one afternoons cruise through the park in spring 2000 we saw rhino, elephant, buffalo, swamp deer, wild pig and over 40 species of birds. The park is well known for its tiger population with over 82 members.

In closing this introduction to High Asias ecotourism activities in Arunachal Pradesh, one should know that all of our itineraries in Arunachal Pradesh are ultimately customized to meet the interests and abilities of the participants. Please contact us for more information.