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Regenerative Tourism & Social Impact in Arunachal's Mishmi Hills
Follow in the footsteps of the Mishmi hunters.
THE
MISHMI
TRAIL
"Honestly a once in a lifetime journey."
- Sadie Coles. Production,
Seven Worlds One Planet (BBC)
CORE
EXPERIENCES
Experiences that stay with you long after you leave.
Swim in pristine Himalayan waters*
*Water will be cold.
Across Gorge(ous) rivers
Go Foraging*
*Foraged produce varies with season.
Mishmi Village Life
Experience the slow yet challenging life of the Mishmi tribe.
Photos taken with consent.
Trek through lush farms*...
*Seasonal.
...and untamed forests.
Walk on Breathtaking Bridges
Explore Signs of Unique Wildlife
The Mishmi trail is home to species like the Tiger, Clouded Leopords, The Himalayan Tahr, Dholes, The Himalayan Serow, Bears, The Mishmi Takin and rare birds, reptiles & amphibians endemic to the East Himalaya.
Relax in cosy village homes
Experience the Indigenous Ways
Chase secret waterfalls*
*Seasonal
Immerse in lore that goes deeper than the history books.
Wild rivers. Whispering forests. Wandering wildlife.
ADD-ON
EXPERIENCES
Customize your journey with these Add-on Experiences
Local Festivals (in Sep & Feb only)
High Altitude Treks (5-9 Days) / Moderate-Difficult / May-October
TRAVEL
IDEOLOGY
This journey is intentionally raw...
We do not seek to "polish" or alter a locality for the sake of tourism.
...& deeply Personal.
This journey isn’t a commercial tour package—it’s a personal effort to support my Mishmi friends in preserving their land and culture against mass tourism and rapid unsustainable development.
Stay & Food
Accommodation:
Quechua 2-person tents (assigned based on gender)
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Sleeping Arrangements:
Twin Sharing (Gendered), Sleeping Bags with Fleece Liner
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Toilet:
In the outdoors or Indian toilets when in villages
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Food:
Local rice meals with locally farmed/foraged vegetables, local meats (boiled/barbecued) & beverages. Breakfast may include bread, Poha, Pasta etc.
A Brief Overview
Average Elevation
1200m
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Gradient
Gradual & Steep Ascents
Steep Descents
Uneven Ground
Vegetation
Dense Subtropical rainforest
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Difficulty Level
Difficult
Day 1: Arrival at DIB Airport/NTSK Station latest by 2:30 PM + 3 Hours drive to our eco-cottages in the foothills.
Day 2: 6 Hours drive to Camp 1 (River Valley)
Day 3: 7km drive + 3 hours trek through village farms to Camp 2 (The Gorge)
Day 4: 2 Hours steep ascent to Camp 3 (Ridge village)
Day 5: Slow/Buffer Day
Day 6: 5-6 hours dense jungle trek to Camp 4 (last village)
Day 7: Rest Day
Day 8: 3-4 Hours steep trek to Camp 5 (river confluence)
Day 9: 2 Hours steep ascent to vehicle point + 6 hours drive back to our eco-cottages in the foothills.
Day 10: 3 Hours Drive to DIB/NTSK + Departure from DIB/NTSK post 11 am.
Upcoming Journeys
Waiting List | Filling Fast | Slots Available
10 Days & 9 Nights
5-6 carefully selected travellers.
Limited spots. Because experiences this raw can't be mass-produced.
Nov 21-30*
INR 58,000/Person
+ Air/Rail
Flexible Payment plans available.
*Led by Shreyas Danappa
**100% Locally Run
Kindly Note: Our journeys are mainly for solo travellers but we also welcome couples and friend duos who fit the group dynamic. Each person, whether traveling solo or with a companion, must register individually.
We regret that we're unable to accommodate families, children, and private groups of three or more.
INCLUSIONS
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All Meals & Accommodation for the scheduled 10D/9N Program
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A private Scorpio or similar (Includes transfer from/to DIB Airport or NTSK Station)
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Tents, sleeping bags & fleece liners for camping.
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A resourceful team of locals experienced with the region - includes guides, porters & a cook (please note: you are expected to carry your own rucksack of 10-12 kilos max + 1 KG sleeping bag.)
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A Map My Stories Rep to ensure quality of experience.
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Basic Medical/First Aid Kit during the trip.
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Permits (Indian Nationals only)
EXCLUSIONS
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Airfare, Rail fare, Bus fare etc.
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Any food and beverage cost apart from the ones mentioned in itinerary.
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Trip extensions etc.
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Foreigner permits (may cost INR 4000-6000 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 the local guides etc. We do not however encourage tipping the local children or buying them chocolates and other packed foods.)
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Rectangular 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’.​
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Optional Add-on Experiences. Add-on experiences are subject to availability. (We recommend pre booking add-ons if the uncertainty makes you uncomfortable).
Mandatory Check-list
(My Recommendations):
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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 for your personal use.
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Toilet paper (Non-toxic)
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Water bottle (Should not be single-use plastic)
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Rectangular tupperware lunch box with spoon (for packed lunch & to be used as a plate while camping)
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A fully charged torch or headlamp.
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Comfortable breathable clothes for sunny days: 3-4 light Cotton T-shirts & 3-4 pairs of Breathable cotton socks etc.
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Warm Insulating Clothes for winters (temperatures can go as low as 5 during peak winters) - 1-2 Warm pants, Thermals, An insulating jacket, Merino wool cap & muffler/bandana, ,Thick Woolen socks and gloves) for cold nights.
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A quick dry full sleeve T-shirt.
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Odomos cream against mosquitoes
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A pair or two of water resistant trekking trousers are recommended. We do NOT recommend jeans for trekking.
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Quick dry trekking t-shirts (1-2)
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A rucksack (preferably with waterproof covering). We do NOT allow suitcases, carry bags or trolley bags.
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Rain jacket + waterproof/resistant trousers.
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Waterproof cover for your rucksack.
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A quick dry 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.
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A pair of floaters/slippers 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 for cold mountain waters.
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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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Sunscreen
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A fully charged POWERBANK
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A tiny shovel
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Metallic mug with handle (to be used for drinking)
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A small compressible waterproof daypack
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Sanitiser spray (works 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 Inner Line Permit (We will arrange your permits).
Optional Check-list to promote Slow Travel Concepts (My Recommendations):
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A note book for journaling your thoughts & experiences, noting down words from the local dialect, and writing down local recipes.​
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Illustration tools to make paintings, postcards etc. (paints, brushes, pens, paper/canvas etc)
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Binoculars and "Birds of Bhutan and the Eastern Himalayas" book
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The Merlin Bird ID & PlantNet Apps
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A ukulele or guitar
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Marshmallows to roast.
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A yoga mat
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A scrap book to press fallen flowers & leaves. (Can also be used for journaling & illustration)
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Any books of your own.
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A hammock to do nothing on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How big will the group be?
The group will have a maximum of 6 carefully selected, like-minded participants. Quality over quantity, always.
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Are foreigners allowed to participate in 'The Mishmi Trail'?
Yes! Foreigners can do the program. However, special permits need to be arranged at the capital due to Arunachal's proximity to the border with China (Tibet). Our team can arrange them at an additional cost.
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Why are these journeys more expensive than the average tour packages ?
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Our personally curated/vetted journeys offer more unique experiences than the average travel company (cultural immersions, hidden gems, exclusivity etc)
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Remote, Offbeat destinations (especially Northeast India) are pricier due to poor connectivity, higher cost of goods etc. You are going to be in remote locations that are not fully developed for mainstream tourism.
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We will be exploring private, indigenous-owned lands unlike other treks where the lands are public property. Hence, it is important to ensure locals are compensated for this.
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The group size is small (5-6 only) which increases each individual's overhead costs such as guides’ fees, transportation, activity costs etc.
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We are very selective about who you travel with. Many applications are declined to ensure likemindedness among your travel companions. Quality is put before business needs.
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Along with local guides, Either Shreyas or an experienced member from our local team will be serving as your trip leader.
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Our local hosts and guides are paid generously + we don't feel comfortable bargaining or asking discounts. Owing to all this, the costs might seem a bit high at first glance, but they are totally worth it. (Check Testimonials on Instagram)
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What kind of fitness levels are expected in these journeys?
The trek is not for beginners. Above average fitness and endurance is highly recommended.
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I want to extend my journey and visit other places not part of the itinerary. Can you help me plan my extended journey?
Yes! We have a growing local network and will be happy to connect you with the right people and plan your extended journey.
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What do I need to Bring with me on this journey?
Here's a list of things that will help you out :)
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Is it safe (for women) to travel these locations?
YES. We have personally vetted these locations for general safety and our local team has been sensitised about women safety.
Disclaimer
This journey is for you if you’re fascinated by culture and thirsty for adventure. You’re flexible and don't mind the challenge of the unexpected. You aren’t intimidated by bumpy roads or Indian toilets or no electricity. Landscapes thrill you and cultures intrigue you. Meeting locals, blending in and getting a feel for a place is more important than getting a perfect Instagram shot and ticking a million bucket list items. You appreciate the freedom to explore without relying on a rigid itinerary or constant hand-holding from us.
This journey may NOT be the best choice for you if you are physically unfit or prioritise the luxury and comforts of home while traveling, or want to travel as fast as possible, or if you have specific high maintenance needs. Wifi, mobile data, hot water, and electricity aren't always available. You may have to use Indian toilets or do the needful in the outdoors while trekking. Local foods comprise the majority of our diets unless you have restrictions. Accommodations in remote areas can be basic at best. You will be roughing it up through dense subtropical jungles.