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Regenerative Tourism & Social Impact in Arunachal's Mishmi Hills
About Us
We are four clans of the Idu Mishmi community from Elopa and Etugu villages in Arunachal's Lower Dibang Valley. We’ve declared 75 sq KM of our ancestral land a Community Conserved Area (CCA) — named Elopa-Etugu Community Eco-Cultural Preserve (EECEP).
When spoken, EECEP sounds like a word in our language — ‘ee-see-ee-pee’ which means ‘a place we have left'. This name holds deep meaning for us — we were forced to leave our ancestral land in the 80s-90s when the River Dibang (Talõ) changed course and swallowed our agricultural fields. The following two decades witnessed increased outsider hunting and resource extraction in our ancestral lands.
Wildlife in EECEP
Over 40 species of mammals have been recorded in scientific camera trap surveys led by community members and outside scientists. Compare that with Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies right next-door and is 4 times larger than EECEP, where similar camera trapping surveys conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India revealed merely 23 species of mammals. EECEP has flourishing populations of globally endangered species such as......
Clouded Leopards
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival
3 hours drive from Dibrugarh Airport to reach our riverside cottage in Roing Town. It's been a long day. Rest the night away for your upcoming adventure. Ensure your flights land at DIB Airport not later than 3 PM.
DAY 2
Idu Mishmi Village Life
Post breakfast, take a 20-minute drive to a local village nestled in the tropical foothills of Lower Dibang.
Settle into a cosy, Ghibli-esque 'Oko' (a traditional Idu home) and spend the day wandering through village farms, listening to the calls of gibbons, birding, and interacting with community elders while getting insights into traditional crafts & weaves.
Savor a farm-to-plate outdoor meal, then end the evening gathered around a traditional fireplace, cooking, storytelling, and sipping on the local brew with an Idu Mishmi family.
DAY 3
The Talõ River
Wake up at a leisurely pace.
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Post breakfast, take a one-hour drive through community forests, stopping at dry riverbeds for short explorations, before arriving at our camp at EECEP.
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Spend the afternoon exploring the Talõ River’s ecology and trying traditional fishing* in the nearby streams.
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As the sun sets, settle into your twin-sharing tents, then gather around a fire for storytelling and an outdoor dinner.
*Subject to availability
DAY 4
Elopa Plateau Trek
Wake up to one of the earliest sunrises of the country and spend your morning birding.
Post-breakfast, four hours of slow & immersive trekking* to Elopa Plateau (850m).
Throughout the trek, listen to songs of different families of Hoolocks Gibbons who have made Elopa their home.
Local lore of the forest & foraging will be central to this trek. Learn about mammals, birds, fish, trees, plants, fungi & more through the anthropological lens of the Idu Mishmis.
In the evening, settle into your tents at Elopa Plateau before we gather by the fire for a night of storytelling & reflecting.
*The trek will be moderate-difficult and will be done at a leisurely pace.
DAY 5 & 6
Science meets Tradition
Day 5
Spend the day on a slow trek to the edge of the Elopa Plateau, where you might spot the Himalayan Serow at a salt lick if luck is on your side.
Join our local research team in setting up scientific camera trap - photographic prints of the wildlife captured will later be mailed to you as a keepsake*.
Learn the traditional Idu methods of trapping and take time to unwind with some forest bathing.
In the evening, settle back into camp at Elopa Plateau.
Day 6
Post breakfast, begin a slow three-hour trek down from the Elopa Plateau to the dry riverbed of Ishi-Afra.
Explore signs of endangered wildlife alongside our Idu Mishmi community rangers, then continue on towards the grasslands to settle into camp.
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*For Indian Nationals only
DAY 7
Grasslands
Wake up at a leisurely pace and spend the morning exploring the grasslands of EECEP. Those interested in culture can also take a short walk to a nearby village, where everyone will eventually gather for a home-cooked lunch at a traditional home.
After lunch, take a one-hour drive back to Roing Town, where you’ll have free time to explore local markets, small businesses, cafés, and handicraft stores.
In the evening, enjoy a final dinner and sharing session with our team at your riverside guesthouse in Roing Town.
DAY 8
Departure
Three hours drive across the border through Assamese tea estates, villages and the Brahmaputra river to reach Dibrugrarh Airport.
Ensure to book flights that depart from DIB post 11:30 AM.
Food & Stay
Local Village home, Cottage & Tents
Hosts: Local Idu Mishmi Family
Maximum capacity: 4-5 Persons
SleepingArrangements: Gendered. Clean & Hygienic. Twin/Triple/Quadruple-Sharing.
Toilets: Clean & Hygienic. Shared. Non-attached. Western (Night 1, 2 & 7) & Outdoors (Night 3, 4, 5 & 6)
Food: Organic, Home-cooked Idu Mishmi food and local beverages.
Vegan, Veg & Non-Veg friendly.
Perks: Hot water (Night 1, 2 & 7) & Fireplace.
Upcoming Dates
Wait List | Filling Fast | Slots Available
8 Days & 7 Nights
Group limit:
Max 4-6 Persons
OCT 26 - NOV 2
INR 40,000/Person
Flexible Payment Plans Available.
INCLUSIONS
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All Meals & Accommodation for the scheduled 8D/7N Programme.
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All transportation (Includes transfer from/to DIB Airport)
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An experienced team of resourceful local guides, cooks & porters (for carrying camping/cooking gear, not for personal luggage). A porter for personal luggage can be arranged at an additional cost of INR1500/Person/Day.
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A Trip Leader (An experienced local)
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Basic Medical/First Aid Kit during the trip.
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Permits and Permit Fees for Indian Passport Holders Only. Please Note: Foreigners can join the program. However, since Arunachal is close to the China (Tibet) border, a Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required. This must be arranged in the state capital. We can help arrange them at an additional cost (Last we checked, it cost around USD 50 per person)
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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Trip extensions, Buffer Days etc.
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Foreigner Permits and Permit Fees (The permits may cost around USD 50 / Person 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
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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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Sleeping bag (if you already possess one)
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A fully charged torch or headlamp.
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2-3 pairs of Comfortable breathable clothes for sunny days: quick dry cotton T-shirts, trousers, pairs of Breathable cotton socks etc.
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1-2 pairs of Warm Insulating Clothes for winters (temperatures can go as low as 5 degrees 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).