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-   -   Safari 2.2 VTT-TMT -4500 km self-drive Central Arunachal exploratory expedition, 2012 (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/124703-safari-2-2-vtt-tmt-4500-km-self-drive-central-arunachal-exploratory-expedition-2012-a-3.html)

That is one spectacular expedition! Clocking more km in Arunachal than Kashmir to Kanyakumari! Really appreciate the sheer spirit that goes into simply saying "Ok lets do this" to such a trip! Top rated!

Nice pics too... I wanted to check on one thing - I saw some mud-roads etc in the pics, but nothing far worse than mumbai roads... so were there any roads along your journey which you think a Safari (or 4WD) was an absolute must on? Any patches that say an Alto, Manza or City would simply not be able to drive through?

Very very doubtful, until and unless you take it as a challenge (not a tour), ticking checkboxes. And I'm thinking of Calcutta, Ranchi, Patna, Gangtok, (Thimpu), Guwahati, Shillong, Itanagar, Kohima, Imphal, Aizawl, Agartala.

For 10 - 12 days Bhutan or Sikkim.

Regards
Sutripta

PS. Lets not pollute ADCs wonderful thread.

Great travelogue, you are inspiring people of to travel more. Thanks ADC.

Also, it seems a Tata vehicle is the best to use in such journeys, if the car breaks down, it would be easy to fix locally.

Raneesh

Hello adc,
After going through the travelogue I must say , you can be a perfect example of what the famous Tata Safari ad says "Reclaim Your Life".
Your Safari ownership is definitely an example which would tempt and inspire many to own this beast and do such wonderful trips.
Hope to see more expeditions from you in the future.
Nicely explained wonderful travelogue and pics !

ADC, as usual wonderful words and pictures. Please complete the Travelogue before you take your next one, otherwise we would be kept gasping.

Great travelogue as always, Anirban, as also great pics.

Incidentally, I am sure getting your alignment and suspension bush replacement done in AR at an FNG would have also saved you a lot of money vis-a-vis getting it done at the TASC. Correct me if I am wrong.

Hey ADC, Lovely travelogue, you are really out there doing stuff we all just make plans about. I am curious, did you get the OEM bearings at this mechanics place itself or were you carrying replacements? Also how was the environment with regards to travelling with your family, going by the recent events and also feedback from friends from Calcutta I have always been advised against travelling in the North-east, I am told there are just too many variables and troubles. However after seeing it through your eyes I think I should make plans for next summer. Thank you very much for sharing, you are a pioneer of sorts on the forum. Definitely a 5 star.
Manmohan.

Definitely the journey through the upper highway to Assam is beautiful as it goes through beautiful forests and tea gardens. But then as soon as Assam is entered and with the night fall it is was quite errie plus bad roads even for a SUV. Sudden check posts were coming up and no way one can make out if it was police people or just someone with a fake blockade - to solve that we halted a checkpost and picked up two police personnel who were waiting for their service bus to come! and we breezed through the check posts.

The congested Boxirhat has very well defined bypass through villages, which all the local drivers know of and whatever be the length of jam, one can take these roads. But then driving is nowhere scenic like that of NH31C.




.


Thanks a very interesting idea and planning of roads and sequence is much required - if done definitely a fanastic travelogue and experience surely.





Nothing. Hill people all over favour Sumos and Maruti Altos - all vehicles can do this journey - the places were we have gone in this travel.







Actually wheel rotation was not done for long and thus did rotation over at the roadside tyre repair shop.

And again due to the various journey including the Zanskar and Kashmir and this one and in between some rough travel, the bush change was overdue. Since could not go to the workshop for a checkup before the travel and knowing that the bushes have gone much abuse, was looking for a shop where to change those.

Now some of the parts and bearings are common as that of Safari and Sumo, and hence there was no such problem over at Daporijo. Specific Safari parts would be a problem definitely, but with Sumo auto components for some, it can be serviced in most of the areas travelled.






We have been travelling as a family in all parts of India, whether be it through interior Chhattisgarh or Orissa or at Changthang or interior Kashmir or in Arunachal. What you hear and listen and what in reality is different most of the times.

As for me I discount "breaking news" or painting a whole State as troublesome, instead rely on local knowledge of bus and truck drivers, Sumo persons, and tea shops that we stop in between. All our travels have a lot of local interaction.

All said and done, I would just say be comfortable with your drive or travel, if you feel uneasy about don't go about that journey. Travel is for enjoyment.

That is the major reason. The other is that at night one cannot make out which of the two flanks to take.

I normally go off the NH slightly after Gossaigaon. But I guess for the near future, that option is closed.

I'll leave the planning to you!

Regards
Sutripta

Along to Mechuka, West Siang, 220 km approx

Next day early morning, on a slightly overcast day, we are exited. We again travel more northerly to a new land and lesser known place called Mechuka, just around 30 km from the Indo-China border.





Early morning, on an overcast day, we leave from Along towards Mechuka, a 220 km journey





And soon again we enter virgin jungle roads and lands, as move ahead











River Siyom takes a turn at West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh - brilliant yet menacing. River Siyom is formed by join of two rivers Yom and Go



Mechuka and Manigong are located on either side of each other



And the jungle road and land continues...







We enter into Mechuka circle, the actual town and valley is still some distance away



Then a stop at this roadside shack for afternoon food and tea


A road is being constructed that would connect Mechuka and Tato with Nacho via Tahila, but that may still take time


And our journey continued as we stopped as and when we liked!







Finally after an exhilarating drive, entering the valley of Mechuka. From a distance, itself it was beautiful. Almost a "Ladakh but with greenery" like place suddenly emerges as the jungle road descends into this valley







Again the drill was the same - with no bookings went in search for the circuit house/inspection bungalow, and got a room. Relieved, but there is also a private hotel in Mechuka. In fact Mechuka you can camp even, a beautiful valley it is



Mechuka town as seen from the IB, it was an overcast day today with looming black clouds on the horizon



We arrived around evening time, so went to the town and surroundings as long as daylight was there. And saw a very confident young man pumping out a tyre by a cycle pump.





Mechuka is by River Siyom. Just before entering Mechuka, a natural river bank is located and we went back to that place again.






Mehcuka - High hills, snow-capped mountains and River Siyom are the major attractions. Home to the people of the Memba tribe, mostly believers of Buddhism


As dusk fell, we returned back to the Inspection Bungalow. The fire that is seen on the hillside has been lighted purposely so that the old grass is burnt away and new grass with rains grow more vigorously for cattle-stock pasture land. So nothing to be alarmed!



And we huddled around in that small yet cozy room as another day of fantastic travel ended. Tomorrow again is another exciting day as we explore more of this beautiful town of Mechuka and we further north, almost to the MacMahon line of India-China border - towards Yarlung and end of road.



contd..

Mechuka/Menchukha --> Yarlung/Yorlung, end of road near India-China McMahon Line --> Mechuka -- 15 km


Yarlung or Yorlung is the last post till where one can travel and has an Army base camp for forward posts on Indo-China border. Yorlung is located at an altitude of more than 8,900 feet above the sea level.

Morning Mechuka - it rained all through the night and morning was overcast and sometimes a slight drizzle


Early morning passed the quaint houses of this beautiful valley as we climbed again through the forests road/track towards Yarlung












Historical Gurudwara and Hanuman camp falls on the way to Yorlung.



With overcast clouds and rains, we thought of touching the Yarlung base first and then halt over here on the return back to Mechuka



A dip and a skid en route we moved on towards the end of road at Yarlung











Finally after a slow yet most enchanting drive, we reach Yorlung, where the road ends and ITBP soldiers trek towards the Indo-China border. Being a very sensitive military base, this is the only long shot image of the place



Asmita and Bambi, thewanderers, and Safari VTT-TMT at Yarlung, West Siang, Arunachal


After some time spent there and some interesting interaction with an officer at Yorlung, it is time for the return journey to Mechuka



And that mud pack part of track was less dramatic as it was a downhill journey


On return we stopped at Hanuman camp and Gurudwara



It was a relaxed day today though weather was a bit of dampener. Some time spent with the locals who were working over here, including that rifleman huntsman. Interesting interactions and talk again of their lives and times.









Now back towards Mechuka and the beautiful valley



The rains stopped and we just walked or drove around the town and outskirts. Mechuka is one of the most enchanting places we have seen till now. It has that old town of "Ladakh feeling" yet with greenery and lush vegetation.



Safari VTT-TMT at Mechuka



Mechuka has an ancient Buddhist Monastery called “Samten Yangcha Gompa” located on a towering hill



and some random images...









So as another eventful day ends and dusk falls, we retire early. Tomorrow we move on to Upper Siang district of Arunachal, to Yingkiong, for a further travel towards Tuting and end of road, again near India-China border at Gelling.




contd...

Mechuka, West Siang, to Yingkiong, Upper Siang

So after some well spent time in Mechuka [again as I emphasize a must visit place in Arunachal], we move now to the adjoining district of Upper Siang. The district headquarters is Yingkiong and we are headed now to that town to base ourselves for the next day journey towards Tuting and further northwards to the LAC border of Gelling.



Early morning start for Mechuka as it is a 12-hour journey via Along again and then to Yingkiong.



Fully overcast day with looming black clouds as we headed towards our first stop at Along.







And breakfast at roadside shack as overcast clouds loomed large



And a temporary halt...



And another favorite pic of VTT against the pristine tropical forest background



Reached Along for our afternoon lunch break at the same Hotel Toshi Palace



And soon again the journey continued towards Yingkiong, another 4 hrs around from here











There are some major slidezones just before entering the town and we were lucky in that this was cleared just in the morning after a gap of 2 days.



Finally a hurried shot as we entered the town of Yingkiong late evening. We had to fix up a place to stay



Yingkiong is a small town. Late evening with falling light and overcast clouds, we again went in search of circuit house - which has only a few rooms and was it full. The caretaker told me that the only other option is another budget hotel, where luckily we got accommodation just in time as night came around. A quick dinner of what the hotel could arrange and we were off to bed, tomorrow we make another journey northwards - towards lesser known places of Tuting and Gelling. And torrential rain fell all through the night....


contd...

The saying 'It is not the destination so much as the journey' befits you adc sir.
You have such a wonderful family that can make even the most trecherous journey look simple. What an amazing thread!

Marvellous, fantastic and way to go Mate. A true wanderer travellogue, indeed. Another one from you like this and I shall start thinking about changing my Handle here at bhp. Am getting depressed, lolz. At the end would you please make it a point to specifically write the places you need permits for or a single permit for the entire AP will do from Tezpur? Also is it safe to camp outside in these regions? seeing armed hunters is there dangerous wildlife very common? But please continue your excellent narration.

Thats exactly is the essence of this journey - the road and tracks and suddenly the lesser known or unknown destination that come up along with the different interactions that take place with the locals and those tea and food stops at the local food shacks - it has been a great journey!




Absolutely, will post at the end info about permits and some the points and misconceptions that go about with Arunachal and its remoteness.