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Locally-Rooted Slow Tourism in Arunachal's Mishmi Hills
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A gentle journey into the landscapes and lifeways of Dibang Valley
"This...
just changed my life."
- Oshin Gupta
EP, April Studios
CORE
EXPERIENCES
Experiences that stay with you long after you leave.
A slow river exploration
on a traditional or inflatable raft*
*Subject to weather/water conditions.
FOOD
Traditional Idu Mishmi and Indo-fusion meals prepared in local kitchens using freshly farmed and seasonally foraged produce for most of the journey. Vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian options are available.
STAYS
Local Homestay
Locally owned/managed Maximum capacity: 4-5 Persons Sleeping Arrangements: Gendered. Clean & Hygienic. Shared rooms with Single Beds. Washroom: Clean & Hygienic. Shared. Non-attached. Western Style. Perks: Home-cooked meals, Hot water, Traditional Fireplace, Farm & Mountain/River Views.
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Day 1: Arrival at DIB Airport latest by 2:30 PM + 3 Hours drive to Lower Dibang.
Day 2: 8 Hours drive to Dibang Valley
Day 3: 10 KM Village/Forest trek
Day 4: Slow Village Life
Day 5: River Exploration & Barbecue
Day 6: Waterfall hike(s)
Day 7: DIY day
Day 8: 8 Hours drive to Lower Dibang
Day 9: 3 Hours Drive to DIB + post 11 am departure from DIB.
DATES & COST
Waiting List | Filling Fast | Slots Available
9 Days & 8 Nights
4-5 carefully selected travellers.
Limited spots. Because experiences this raw aren't designed for the masses.
SEP 12-20**
OCT 17-25**
NOV 7-15**
NOV 21-29**
DEC 12-20**
DEC 19-27**
INR 60,000 Person
+ 5% GST
+ Air/Rail
Flexible Payment Plans Available
*Facilitated by Shreyas Danappa
**Facilitated by Amishi Mihu
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Kindly Note: Pre-scheduled dates listed above are mainly for solo travelers. Couples or duos may also be considered if they suit the group dynamic. These slots are NOT open to private groups of three or more (including families and children).
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Private groups of three or more may opt for a customised journey.​
ADD-ON
EXPERIENCES
Customise or extend your journey
INCLUSIONS
1) All Meals & Accommodation for the scheduled 9D/8N Program. 2) A private Scorpio or similar (with driver) available to use at your disposal (Includes transfer from/to DIB Airport) 3) An experienced team of resourceful local guides (trekking, camping, handicraft, village excursions, rafting etc.) 4) Certified Rafting Instructor(s) 5) A Trip Leader (Either Shreyas or an experienced local) 6) A local handicraft souvenir. 7) Costs associated with Barbecue & local brew such as firewood, ingredients etc. 8) Tents, mattresses & blankets for camping. 9) Basic Medical/First Aid Kit during the trip. 10) Indian Permits and Permit Fees
EXCLUSIONS
1) Airfare, Rail fare, Bus fare etc. 2) Any food and beverage costs apart from the ones mentioned in itinerary. 3) Optional Add-on Experiences. Add-on experiences are subject to availability. (We recommend pre booking add-ons if the uncertainty makes you uncomfortable). 4) Trip extensions, Buffer Days etc. 6) Foreigner Permits and Permit Fees (The permits may cost USD 50 for foreign passport holders). 7) 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.) 8) Tiffin box, water bottle & spoon for packed lunch. (Kindly bring your own as we want to minimise single-use plastic as much as possible.) 9) 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. 10) Travel Insurance 11) Any personal Expenditure (Shopping, medicines etc) 12) Any items / services not specifically mentioned under the head ‘inclusions’.
TRAVEL
IDEOLOGY
MANDATORY CHECKLIST
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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 (Eco-friendly)
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Water bottle (Should not be single-use plastic)
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Water purification tablets and/or potable water filter (for Spring/Monsoon dates only)
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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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A pair or two of quick dry arm-sleeves.
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2-3 pairs of Warm Insulating Clothes for winters (temperatures can go as low as -5 during winters) - Thermals, An insulating jacket, Merino wool cap & muffler/bandana, ,Thick Woolen socks and gloves) for cold nights.
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Insect repellant cream (Odomos etc) and bug spray against local black flies and 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 jacket or waterproof cover for your rucksack or to use as a mat on wet surfaces)
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A bath towel
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Trekking shoes (if you already own a pair. No need to purchase)
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Rubber Boots or Gum Boots in case of rain forecast (They can be bought locally in Dibang itself for INR500/Pair)
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Two new or used pairs of insoles to place inside your gum boots for padding.
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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 are not waterproof can be protected by your poncho.
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Hand sanitiser spray bottle (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 send you a soft copy to print).
Optional Slow Travel checklist
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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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Marshmallows to roast.
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A yoga mat
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Any books of your own.
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A hammock to do nothing on.
FAQ
How big will the group be?
We host a maximum of 4–5 carefully selected, like-minded participants.
Quality over quantity, always.
Are foreigners allowed to participate in Into The Dibang: Drifting?
Yes. Foreign nationals are welcome.
Since Arunachal Pradesh lies close to the Tibet border, a Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required.
This is issued in the state capital and currently costs roughly USD 50 per person (subject to change).
We’ll guide you through the process and help arrange it.
How is Meandering different from Drifting?
They take place in two entirely different locations and offer very different moods.
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Drifting
A wilderness-focused, purely outdoor journey for the pre & retreating monsoon season only.
The raw-er and more flexible one of the two.
Think: foraging, fishing, outdoor cooking, hiking, birding, wildlife tracking, and camping most nights.
The itinerary follows a loose outline rather than a fixed plan.
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A bit more polished and culturally immersive than 'Drifting'.
Think: Village stays, glamping, and community experiences.
A bit more structured but still leaves space for spontaneity.
Why are these journeys more expensive than average tour packages?
Our personally curated/vetted journeys offer more flexibility and unique experiences than regular travel companies.
We are locally-rooted, Idu-Mishmi centric and specialists in the Dibang region only, on purpose.
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Remote and offbeat Northeast India locations have higher logistics costs
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Our groups are intentionally small (just 4–5 people) and this increases per-person expenses
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Local hosts and guides are trained and paid fairly and equitably — we don’t bargain with our local network for discounts
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Participants are carefully filtered for group compatibility. Some applications may even be declined.
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Along with local guides, a dedicated trip leader (an experienced local) or facilitator (Shreyas) accompanies you
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The itineraries are designed to be flexible to allow space for context, organic interactions and unstructured moments of introspection through slow, experiential travel in Northeast India.
The journeys prioritise depth, ethics, and experience over scale.
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What fitness level is required?
Day hikes are not too long but require reasonable stamina and endurance.
Nothing technical but you should be comfortable being active outdoors.
Can you help me extend my journey beyond the itinerary?
Yes.
We have a growing local network and are happy to help you plan onward travel and connect you with the right people.
What should I bring?
We’ve shared a detailed packing list help you prepare for the journey.
Is it safe — especially for women?
Yes.
All locations are personally vetted for safety, our local team is sensitised to women’s safety and guests are filtered to ensure women can travel comfortably within these groups.
In fact, around 90% of our guests are women.
DISCLAIMER
This journey is for you if you’re interested in experiencing how people interact and live with their immediate landscapes. 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 independently without relying on 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.