North East lover, I wish to share experiences ....

gdurgac · Jan 22nd, 2009, 00:38

Hi Theyyamdancer, I do agree with both of you: your tour sounds very very nice and 25 days make it possible but I think that it 'd be nicer changing the sequence of the places to visit.
Even if the distances are not that far the roads are quite hard to drive and it takes a lot of time to move from a place to a new one, though this makes it nicer, you can really enjoy the landscapes and take pictures !!!!

Maybe you have reasons to do this choice but I would suggest these changes:

- Arunachal needs a permit that is now longer than 10 days, I think it is better to visit West and East AP in the same time.
On my first trip I visited the Tawang side and I was speachless for the beauty of the scenary, for the feeling of being in a world apart, for the himalayan peaks .... and I was breathless for how high the road was (see on the pictures above) !!!
I asked "Wild Grass" to organize, I first contacted them as I first move to Assam for White Rhinos

Two years ago we saw the Siang side and ..... I loved it even more !!!
It's a different landscape, peaks are more farway and the jungle is massive, the Siang is the King of this side and mountains and hills around are lush green, people are nice, very interesting tribes and living in a fantastic bamboo world, the day we left to Dibrughar, at Pasighat, we were REALLY sad to leave such a wonderful area.
I did this tour with "Donyi Hango TOURS" the manager is Mr Nino and everything was perfect, I really recommand.

- Assam and Megalaya have worst roads than AP, traffic is quite heavy.
It's worth to start from there, first Megalaya than Kaziranga (I agree with th Wild Grass choice), after Pasighat, Along .... and Tawang, wow !!! the fly back must be really exciting, what a good idea !!

- Majuli could be possible if you do not waste days crossing the 3 states but I agree: it's such a special island that you cannot give it only an eye glimpse. You must spend some days there.

Hope I helped but very happy to read about the progress of your journey, I will be around there on the same period, let me know.

Ciao
gdurgac

gdurgac · Jan 22nd, 2009, 00:40

Hello Swapnil, are you a Majuli fan too ???

gdurgac · Jan 22nd, 2009, 01:00

Sorry, I gave you informations but did not answer your quesstion ..

I think it is possible to book the Gouvernament Circuit House but sometimes they are suddenly taken by political local VIP, if some of them needs to move to the area.
It has happened twice, Daporijo and Haflong.
Night accomodations are not easy to find and in my opinion it's more practical to ask an agency for a sumo, a driver and the booking.

Roads are quite good considering the wild area.
The ferry from Dibrughar to Pasighat is very good, it's a lovely cruise.

ciao

lara352 · Jan 22nd, 2009, 01:34

Every time I see the title of this thread for a brief moment I've forgotten that I've already read it and think it's someone looking to kiss 'n tell and swop steamy stories.... then my heart sinks as I remember I've read it before

Swapnil · Jan 22nd, 2009, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdurgac

Hello Swapnil, are you a Majuli fan too ???

I am....just on yesterday I'm back from my NE-Bhutan bike trip...& during this trip I visited Majuli too ...however I do agree that you need to give more time here ...especially if you want to visit all Satras

theyyamdancer · Jan 22nd, 2009, 13:43

Oh, oh, I see that I have made a huge blunder. Thanks everyone, especially gdurgac, for all comments made so far and advices given.

I have organized this trip with the help of a travel agent (after trying to organize it without any) and the Days 15 to 17 involving the section from Kaziranga to Bomdila via ELEPHANTA I have completely misunderstood.

"Elephanta"??? I don't know, I thought it was a waterfall in Shillong. Now looking at the map it is completely off the direction we want to take. Need to consult the others and plan again, obviously!

About the circuit house accommodation: yes, that ties in with what I had heard already. But where did you stay in Mechuka?

I'm going to study the maps again and then talk about this.

theyyamdancer · Jan 22nd, 2009, 16:22

OK, OK,
That was a good joke! Days 15 to 17 of our itinerary were hijacked by a cloudy snow leopard who fancied a dip in a Shillong waterfall before returning to his natural habitat in Nameeri.

Itinerary should read:
Day 15: Itanagar
Day 16: Bhalukpong
Day 17: Bomdila

It is great that everyone is actually reading all this stuff.

We will end up with a logical route sometime soon.

gdurgac · Jan 23rd, 2009, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

Oh, oh, I see that I have made a huge blunder. Thanks everyone, especially gdurgac, for all comments made so far and advices given.

I have organized this trip with the help of a travel agent (after trying to organize it without any) and the Days 15 to 17 involving the section from Kaziranga to Bomdila via ELEPHANTA I have completely misunderstood.

"Elephanta"??? I don't know, I thought it was a waterfall in Shillong. Now looking at the map it is completely off the direction we want to take. Need to consult the others and plan again, obviously!

About the circuit house accommodation: yes, that ties in with what I had heard already. But where did you stay in Mechuka?

I'm going to study the maps again and then talk about this.

Ciao, isn't it lovely to share all these news ???
I really enjoy it...

Elephanta ??? I also don't know, if it is close to Cherapunjee it's worth a visit. The waterfalls of Shilong ... it's nice but nothing special, though there are other sites to see, Shilong has a very interesting old center, a big market and don't miss the Archer's gambling stuff, that's also a very special place.

Mechuka: I didn't sleep in Mechuka so I am sorry but I have no suggestion. When we arrived in Daporijo, not such a small village for that area, we had a reservation for the G.C. House but someone took our place. We ended up to sleep in a very, very dirty place, the only one in town. Next village was too far, it was very late, everything was very well managed by Tilak, from "Donyi Hango Tour.

Bye for now !!!! gdurgac

theyyamdancer · Jan 23rd, 2009, 00:57

Ciao bella and thanks for your reply. I have checked with our travel agent today and "Elephanta" in our itinerary is actually in between Bhalukpong and Bomdila in A.P. The Mechuka part is the crux of our trip and I know accommodation is not easy. We are taking sleeping bags and are prepared to camp in the jeep if necessary. Well, other than that, the Wild Grass is all booked up when we will be there. So will stay elsewhere. Doesn't matter. Good to know that you liked it all so much you are a repeat visitor. It is what I keep telling myself, it is totally impossible to see everything is 3 weeks. We'll probably visit Meghalaya another time. That was certainly a "red herring" here. Shillong used to be the capital of Assam and it sounds fascinating. It deserves more than a cursory glance.

What was your favourite part of A.P.? Where would you have stayed longer given the chance?

Ciao.

gdurgac · Jan 23rd, 2009, 01:41

Very good choice Theyyamdancer, very good !!

Towns I saw, like Bomdila, Itanagar or Along ecc, are not so interesting, they are very good for sleeping, showering ....
Villlages instead are something !!!
The ones high on the mountains going to Sela Pass and Tawang are amazing and surprising for the locations, the East side villages are as painted on the landscape.

While driving you will stop so many times as every curve will give you a new astonishing view of the mountains, of the nature, incredible trees and sounds.
Along the Siang the villages are the most interesting and people are very nice. It's beautiful to spend time in the villages to see all the details of their life, based on very simple rules and a strong respect for all the elements of the nature.

Boleng and Pasighat, we spent in each 3 days.

I needed sleeping bag in Tawang, it was very cool.
Tawang: I spent 3 days there too. It's very high. i needed to aclimatate and only when I left I was really ready to stay at that highness. I had some headache, my friends too. But this was not serious enough to stop our happy visit !!!
Tawang area has a cool temperature, sleeping bag and good clothes are needed-
Ziro is cool too but after that a sweater is fine. ...... that's what we found at least !!!

Wild Grass, it's a real pity, next visit ...... !!!! so you maybe have the time to stop in Majuli, why not ??
Dibrughar is a very interesting town, very crowded, very busy, lots of trucks moving lots of items, all sold in the streets of the center, a huge local market, it's very nice o shop there (!!)

ooooopsss !!! it's late and dinner's ready !!!

ciao bella !!!!

gdurgac

palerider · Jan 23rd, 2009, 03:15

You mean the elephant falls in Shillong. Nothing special really.
Elephanta island is a whole different thing.

theyyamdancer · Jan 23rd, 2009, 10:36

Yes, Elephanta Island could be a bit of a long day trip! No, seriously though, Elephanta in this instance is a stop between Bhalukpong and Bomdila so no worries.

Mille grazie, gdurgac, I am looking at Boleng on the map; it could be an interesting addition.

holikarang · Jan 25th, 2009, 20:30

welcome from another Italian India lover!

gdurgac · Jan 25th, 2009, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by holikarang

welcome from another Italian India lover!

GRAZIE !!!!! Hi, Holykarang (what's a karang ??) thank you for welcoming, everybody is so nice on this site !!! I like that ...... and I like your avatar too ..

ciao
gdurgac

holikarang · Jan 25th, 2009, 20:51

yes, it's a nice forum! We all share the India fever...

holi (festival of colours) ka (of) rang (colour), holi ka rang= the colour of holi. This has become my signature especially as a henna arist but not only. Many people also know me as Holi or Holika!

Whereabout in Italy? I'm from Venice, and congratulations from your upcoming wedding!!

Jan 23rd, 2009, 03:15	#26
palerider this is Brad. He's cute Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Armidale, N.S.W., Australia Posts: 2,226	You mean the elephant falls in Shillong. Nothing special really. Elephanta island is a whole different thing. __________________ I always wanted to be someone when I grew up, I realise now that I should have been more specific.

Jan 23rd, 2009, 10:36	#27
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	Yes, Elephanta Island could be a bit of a long day trip! No, seriously though, Elephanta in this instance is a stop between Bhalukpong and Bomdila so no worries. Mille grazie, gdurgac, I am looking at Boleng on the map; it could be an interesting addition. Last edited by theyyamdancer : Jan 23rd, 2009 at 10:39. Reason: forgot something

Jan 25th, 2009, 20:30	#28
holikarang also known as Maya Sharma Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: where the heart is Posts: 695	welcome from another Italian India lover! __________________ holikarang

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Jan 22nd, 2009, 00:38	#16
gdurgac Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: italy Posts: 28	Hi Theyyamdancer, I do agree with both of you: your tour sounds very very nice and 25 days make it possible but I think that it 'd be nicer changing the sequence of the places to visit. Even if the distances are not that far the roads are quite hard to drive and it takes a lot of time to move from a place to a new one, though this makes it nicer, you can really enjoy the landscapes and take pictures !!!! Maybe you have reasons to do this choice but I would suggest these changes: - Arunachal needs a permit that is now longer than 10 days, I think it is better to visit West and East AP in the same time. On my first trip I visited the Tawang side and I was speachless for the beauty of the scenary, for the feeling of being in a world apart, for the himalayan peaks .... and I was breathless for how high the road was (see on the pictures above) !!! I asked "Wild Grass" to organize, I first contacted them as I first move to Assam for White Rhinos Two years ago we saw the Siang side and ..... I loved it even more !!! It's a different landscape, peaks are more farway and the jungle is massive, the Siang is the King of this side and mountains and hills around are lush green, people are nice, very interesting tribes and living in a fantastic bamboo world, the day we left to Dibrughar, at Pasighat, we were REALLY sad to leave such a wonderful area. I did this tour with "Donyi Hango TOURS" the manager is Mr Nino and everything was perfect, I really recommand. - Assam and Megalaya have worst roads than AP, traffic is quite heavy. It's worth to start from there, first Megalaya than Kaziranga (I agree with th Wild Grass choice), after Pasighat, Along .... and Tawang, wow !!! the fly back must be really exciting, what a good idea !! - Majuli could be possible if you do not waste days crossing the 3 states but I agree: it's such a special island that you cannot give it only an eye glimpse. You must spend some days there. Hope I helped but very happy to read about the progress of your journey, I will be around there on the same period, let me know. Ciao gdurgac

Jan 22nd, 2009, 00:40	#17
gdurgac Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: italy Posts: 28	Hello Swapnil, are you a Majuli fan too ???

Jan 22nd, 2009, 01:00	#18
gdurgac Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: italy Posts: 28	Sorry, I gave you informations but did not answer your quesstion .. I think it is possible to book the Gouvernament Circuit House but sometimes they are suddenly taken by political local VIP, if some of them needs to move to the area. It has happened twice, Daporijo and Haflong. Night accomodations are not easy to find and in my opinion it's more practical to ask an agency for a sumo, a driver and the booking. Roads are quite good considering the wild area. The ferry from Dibrughar to Pasighat is very good, it's a lovely cruise. ciao

Jan 22nd, 2009, 01:34	#19
lara352 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 87	Every time I see the title of this thread for a brief moment I've forgotten that I've already read it and think it's someone looking to kiss 'n tell and swop steamy stories.... then my heart sinks as I remember I've read it before

Jan 22nd, 2009, 13:43	#21
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	Oh, oh, I see that I have made a huge blunder. Thanks everyone, especially gdurgac, for all comments made so far and advices given. I have organized this trip with the help of a travel agent (after trying to organize it without any) and the Days 15 to 17 involving the section from Kaziranga to Bomdila via ELEPHANTA I have completely misunderstood. "Elephanta"??? I don't know, I thought it was a waterfall in Shillong. Now looking at the map it is completely off the direction we want to take. Need to consult the others and plan again, obviously! About the circuit house accommodation: yes, that ties in with what I had heard already. But where did you stay in Mechuka? I'm going to study the maps again and then talk about this.

Jan 22nd, 2009, 16:22	#22
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	OK, OK, That was a good joke! Days 15 to 17 of our itinerary were hijacked by a cloudy snow leopard who fancied a dip in a Shillong waterfall before returning to his natural habitat in Nameeri. Itinerary should read: Day 15: Itanagar Day 16: Bhalukpong Day 17: Bomdila It is great that everyone is actually reading all this stuff. We will end up with a logical route sometime soon.

Jan 23rd, 2009, 00:57	#24
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	Ciao bella and thanks for your reply. I have checked with our travel agent today and "Elephanta" in our itinerary is actually in between Bhalukpong and Bomdila in A.P. The Mechuka part is the crux of our trip and I know accommodation is not easy. We are taking sleeping bags and are prepared to camp in the jeep if necessary. Well, other than that, the Wild Grass is all booked up when we will be there. So will stay elsewhere. Doesn't matter. Good to know that you liked it all so much you are a repeat visitor. It is what I keep telling myself, it is totally impossible to see everything is 3 weeks. We'll probably visit Meghalaya another time. That was certainly a "red herring" here. Shillong used to be the capital of Assam and it sounds fascinating. It deserves more than a cursory glance. What was your favourite part of A.P.? Where would you have stayed longer given the chance? Ciao.

Jan 23rd, 2009, 01:41	#25
gdurgac Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: italy Posts: 28	Very good choice Theyyamdancer, very good !! Towns I saw, like Bomdila, Itanagar or Along ecc, are not so interesting, they are very good for sleeping, showering .... Villlages instead are something !!! The ones high on the mountains going to Sela Pass and Tawang are amazing and surprising for the locations, the East side villages are as painted on the landscape. While driving you will stop so many times as every curve will give you a new astonishing view of the mountains, of the nature, incredible trees and sounds. Along the Siang the villages are the most interesting and people are very nice. It's beautiful to spend time in the villages to see all the details of their life, based on very simple rules and a strong respect for all the elements of the nature. Boleng and Pasighat, we spent in each 3 days. I needed sleeping bag in Tawang, it was very cool. Tawang: I spent 3 days there too. It's very high. i needed to aclimatate and only when I left I was really ready to stay at that highness. I had some headache, my friends too. But this was not serious enough to stop our happy visit !!! Tawang area has a cool temperature, sleeping bag and good clothes are needed- Ziro is cool too but after that a sweater is fine. ...... that's what we found at least !!! Wild Grass, it's a real pity, next visit ...... !!!! so you maybe have the time to stop in Majuli, why not ?? Dibrughar is a very interesting town, very crowded, very busy, lots of trucks moving lots of items, all sold in the streets of the center, a huge local market, it's very nice o shop there (!!) ooooopsss !!! it's late and dinner's ready !!! ciao bella !!!! gdurgac

Jan 25th, 2009, 20:51	#30
holikarang also known as Maya Sharma Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: where the heart is Posts: 695	yes, it's a nice forum! We all share the India fever... holi (festival of colours) ka (of) rang (colour), holi ka rang= the colour of holi. This has become my signature especially as a henna arist but not only. Many people also know me as Holi or Holika! Whereabout in Italy? I'm from Venice, and congratulations from your upcoming wedding!!