Now there are Notable people who can cover Arunachal and Meghalaya in a single trip and at the same time there are Normal people who gets exhausted by Arunachal alone.
This part of the story is of a normal person who by god’s grace meets a bunch of people with whom he shares the passion of Driving. The story started a long time back in 2014 and after more than 5 years every time we complete a trip the memory of the first trip gets renewed. Due to the distance we traveled together, our internal bonding has now become Rock (Titanium) Solid.
Now I think, by this time everyone in Team-BHP knows that we have
“Sailed Through” different part of this country, but believe me the way few famous people say, driving through North Sikkim, Ladakh, Spiti or even Arunachal this time has not been smooth sailing for a normal person like me in a small hatchback. I will try to explain as the story unfolds.
Before I start sharing my Photologue, I must share that I have parted ways with my long-time companion the 2009 Swift Ldi last year November which has successfully completed all the previous trips with me.
One Last Picture of my old companion from our Ladakh trip.
Now It’s obvious that I needed someone to fill the gap, and old attraction prevails. hence let me present my new travel companion, the 2018 Swift.
I had taken it to Puri for our overnight meet in last November but it had to wait almost 11 months to see the Himalayas.
Picture Credit: Samba Sengupta
Now all set and done, I don’t want to waste any more time of yours and share some photographs taken by me and my wife during these 10 days trip.
We were the last batch of cars to join the trip and me and Rana started on 3rd afternoon. A Tea break at Azad Hind before we started our journey.
Our first stay was at Sikia Jhora and the place was excellent and the place we stayed was excellent.
The Jungle starts from the gate of this resort
Next day we moved ahead to Mangaldoi as planned for our second day stay at planes and we were eager to climb the mountains.
We started from Magaldoi for Dirang and selected Rowta Roopa route as Bhalukpong route was in bad shape with lot of stoppage time.
Here I should give a warning to fellow travellers that don’t believe Google Maps as many times in our Arunachal trip it has misguided us to wrong route and even once you select a route it gets changed automatically as it was finding Bhalukpong route as a faster option.
We reached Dirang around 4pm but decided to move forward to Sangti Valley before we end our day’s journey.
The road condition was bad and the 12 odd kms took us around an hour to cover but at the end you can be happy seeing the serene valley.
We covered around 3500 kms in 10 days, hence there were no rest days. Target next was to reach Tawang as soon as possible so that we can ensure all the cars get the permit for Bum La next day.
Me and Samba started flying towards Sela Pass and soon realized that although we were filled till brim, ours steeds might refuse to reach Tawang without a refill, hence we started managing their thirst by.
A small break at Sela Lake for few snaps.
A video of not so good roads from Sela Pass towards Tawang
A view of Gods own Waterfall managed from Haven.
Soon we reached Tawang War Memorial as intended but of course not before giving our companions a tank full at Jung.
We missed the Nuranang Falls because of time constraint but with a commitment to visit it at the time of return.
Details of Bum La pass is well covered in the main TL hence I am moving forward to the next day.
The enjoyment of Bum La drive was hampered by the unfortunate exclusion of Nexon from our convoy and all of us was feeling quite a bit down because of the same. Soon we realized that the nature was also reflecting the same mood and trying to hide its beauty from us by cloud and rain.
Most of the pictures below was taken on the run by my wife as we were quite late and most of the tourist vehicles has started returning from Bum La by then.
Cloud Attack (Try finding other vehicles)
3 of our cars parked at Bum La (Snow was still falling).
We were the last travellers for the day and while visiting the border we enjoyed snow fall.
Remember, I have said about not so smooth sailing part of our trips. Enjoy the video and judge, is it recommended to take hatchbacks in these roads.
You might say I have done it and don’t want others to try, but believe me quite a few times I have thought of parking my car and jump into one of the other cars in our group. The only reason I have taken the decision to continue is my team, I was confident that whatever the situations demand I have them beside me.
I would request all to take decisions rationally before taking your beloved vehicles in this type of terrain. But if you have friends like I have, Arunachal is nothing plan for Moon.
Words can’t do justice many a times and Our next stop for the day was just the proof.
Broken Team at Sangetsar Lake
While returning suddenly I found a place to capture the lake with its colorful surrounding.
Few more snaps before we say goodbye to the exotic colourful beauty of road to Sangetsar.
Another educational video which might help others to decide not to break their cars willingly. Please remember there were lot more bad roads we have covered and a single mistake or misfortune would have grounded my car.
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