To the Power of Impression- Shaily’s Review of Arunachal Pradesh Trip
So, the strange thing about unexplored places is that you can only get a clear idea about the place once you reach it.
Unlike mainstream destinations, the tourist spots of Arunachal Pradesh are less known, thereby offering an opportunity for a quaint and secluded exploration. There will not be many crowds or much hustle, and you can witness the pristine beauty of the region without commercial interference.
When Shaily went for an Arunachal Pradesh trip with his friends, he did not have any clue as to what to expect either. There were a lot of questions in his mind and he was quite excited to visit a place so unique and off-beat.
When Shaily reached the ‘Land of the dawn-lit mountains’, he was shocked to see people live such a different life, something he had never seen before. Curious and thrilled to have a completely different kind of adventure, he finally set out for the trip with Thrillophilia.
Four squares
Since they had their own vehicle booked for the trip, they did not face any issues navigating around the place. But one thing sure did affect their trip, their understanding of how different the lifestyle there was.
Coming from Hyderabad, they found the local issues and the plights of the people to be different from them. It was on this trip that they realised that no matter how proud we are about the Northeast being a part of India, our practices and mindset do not establish so.
Anyway, they made their way from Guwahati to Bhalukpong, their first stop on the journey. Exploring this remote village with limited facilities broadened their idea of the place. And the authentic local food that was served to them found no residue on the plates after dinner, they found it that tasty.
The Tipi orchidarium visit was a blissful experience, and so was exploring the markets and witnessing the works of regional handicrafts. There were sculptures made of bamboo and cane and shawls with distinct handloom designs and materials, and finally, the wood carvings and the ornaments stole their hearts away.
All four squares of the place seemed to be nature’s favourite, and Shaily witnessed a bond between humankind and nature as he had never done before.
Locks and Keys
They visited the Sangti Valley in Dirang- a road journey that they mentioned in their Thrillophilia review. The main roadway was blocked, so they had to take a detour. Off-roading through emerald jungles with various kinds of birds flying all around was an experience they would never forget. Crossing waterfalls and lakes, they had a spectacular time.
They said, “We could see some amazing views of the Sangti Valley, although it took us an hour more to reach the place, the experience was worth it. The driver was so skilled that he never hesitated for a moment to climb steep ascents. His steady hands were the reason we did not feel much jerking, otherwise, the road was very very bumpy”.
On the way from Dirang to Tawang, they took a stop at Sela Lake. After taking a few pictures, they moved on. But on the way, Shaily spotted a rainbow right in the middle of the Dirang River which was flowing right along the route. He urged the driver to take a short stop to click a few pictures as it was truly a magical scene.
Watching a sunrise in Tawang was a dream come true for them. Although they could not make it to the Dong Valley, Tawang's beauty was no less. The sunrise blessed the entire landscape before them with its golden glow, announcing a marvellous start to the day and welcoming them to Tawang. The Tawang Monastery and the Giant Buddha Statue enhanced their cultural exploration of the place all the more.
Their journey to the Bumla Pass, crossing the Madhuri Lake, was a hit. This pass is located at the Indo-China Border and offers some picturesque sights of the surrounding peaks and snow-covered valleys. They also headed for the Bombila in their tour, covering places like the Nuranang Falls, Bomdila View Point, and the Bomdila Monastery.
All of these attractions portrayed the glorious history and heritage of Arunachal Pradesh, something that very few people know about.
Although they faced many challenges on their trip, they did make the best out of their time there.
Last but not least, Kaziranga
Their final stop was Kaziranga, purposefully kept, because they wanted to end this trip with a bang. Having heard about this National Park since childhood, all of Shaily’s friends and he himself wanted to pay a visit there.
They witnessed so many elephants, deer, bison, alligators, hippopotamus, and the famous, one-horned Rhinoceros. The jeep safari was very fulfilling, traversing through the dense conservation area and waiting at just the right spots for a glimpse of these majestic animals. Since it was December, we aimed for grasslands for game viewing as the animals indulged in sunbathing there. It proved to be the right decision, thanks to our guide who was also our driver.
They spent an entire day in Kaziranga, before finally bidding goodbye to this mesmerising destination.
Shaily felt that it was rather good that he had no expectations, and the canvas of his mind was blank. When he actually completed the trip, the canvas had a picture worth hanging in an exhibition of memories. He had found a new combination of colours to think with, and new coloured glasses to look at the world with.
And he knew that without the help of Thrillophilia’s support and travel arrangements, he perhaps would not have had such a memorable and relaxing experience. He had enjoyed this trip to the fullest, and he could not thank them enough for making the trip so smooth!
Read More: Thrillophilia Arunachal Reviews