Menchukha (pronounced 'Mechuka' by the locals) is a place nestled deep within the Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh, in the North-East of India. Although difficult to get to, it is a beautiful place, a valley almost untouched, with snow capped mountains around and a river threading through it.
Day 1:
We set out for Pasighat from Itanagar early in the morning. Our route took us via Assam. We halted in the Abor country river camp, on the banks of the river Siang.
From early evening till late morning very strong winds blow in the area everyday, so be careful of sand flying into your eyes if going to the riverbank. River rafting can also be done, we, however, did not go.
The road was rough, but the Siang flowing along the road almost all the way and the lush green mountains more than made up for it.
Day 1:
We set out for Pasighat from Itanagar early in the morning. Our route took us via Assam. We halted in the Abor country river camp, on the banks of the river Siang.
The Abor country river camp
View of the river from near the Abor
From early evening till late morning very strong winds blow in the area everyday, so be careful of sand flying into your eyes if going to the riverbank. River rafting can also be done, we, however, did not go.
On the banks of the Siang
Day 2:
We went to Dambuk from Pasighat to attend the live performance
of guitarist Yngwie Johan Malmsteen, in
the orange festival going on there.
Day 3:
Dambuk to Aalo
(previously known as 'Along') by road. Aalo is the traditional stop-over point
for visiting Menchukha.
The road was rough, but the Siang flowing along the road almost all the way and the lush green mountains more than made up for it.
A traditional hut of the Adi Tribe
Day 4:
Aalo to Menchukha. The
condition of the road devolves even further as we go deeper and the mountains
get higher. The forests are lush and green, and small streams dot the roadside,
cascading down from one rock pool to the next.
Mountains loom above as
the mist clears
One such cascading stream. Pure as only inaccessible
rivers can be.
A waterfall along the way
After around seven hours
on the road, a shift in the type of vegetation announces the imminent arrival
of our destination, and then the mountains suddenly fall away, revealing the valley
where Menchukha is located.
snow capped mountains over
the town.
Day 5:
Stay in Menchukha.
The weather is very cold. There was no snow in the town but we found frost in
the morning. Several homestays dot the town, none very satisfactory.
Sunrise
in an overcast morning
Free horses (wild?) graze
Inside the
gompa
The gurudwara where Guru Nanak is said to have once visited
The village of Dorjiling. We did
not visit the gompa there.
Aerial view of Dorjiling from the 'shortcut'
to Menchukha
More horses
Top of the 'shortcut'; Buddhist
prayer flags flutter in the breeze
Menchukha from the 'shortcut'
Day 6:
We set out for Aalo
early in the morning, to reach in seven hours.
Day 7:
Aalo to Itanagar. Along
the way we saw the confluence of the rivers Siang and Siom (we had to take a
short diversion)
The Siang and Siom merge
The Siom
The
riverbed is visible from the bridge
