2.4 Journey into the heart of Arunachal Pradesh

5/3/24 Tuesday

We bid adieu to the idyllic Majuli, setting our sights on the mystical Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. The road ahead presents a choice – the shorter ferry route to Nimati ghat and then drive ahead or the road less traveled, a scenic odyssey via a new bridge connecting the island to the mainland.

Choosing the path less trodden proves to be a stroke of brilliance. As our wheels glide through winding roads, the landscape unfolds like a living painting. The small roads pass through emerald-green paddy fields, weaving amid vast bamboo cultivations that sway in rhythmic unison. Quaint little villages with traditional thatched roof houses dot the route, adding to the allure of our journey.

Indeed, it's moments like these that reaffirm the essence of a road trip - the opportunity to witness firsthand the rugged, untamed natural beauty of rural Northeast India!!!

Crossing the Subansiri river, we took a tea break near Lakhimpur. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the roadside, a panwala's stall caught my eye, and I couldn't resist the temptation of savoring a small paan, locally known as "tambul." Wrapped around a betel nut and eaten raw, the experience left an unforgettable taste lingering on the palate. The betel nut, surprisingly soft, transforms into the famed "supari" when dried under the sun. I loved the simplicity and richness of local traditions.

As we crossed the border from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh at Kimin, a dramatic transformation unfolded before our very eyes. It was as if the invisible hand of nature had painted a new canvas, with the topography shifting drastically at the mere crossing of a line. The dense foliage and towering trees obscured the very mountains they stood upon, while the hills stretched endlessly into the horizon, a testament to the untamed beauty of the land.

Driving for about four hours, our journey through the lap of nature was nothing short of exhilarating. The road, winding through the verdant expanses, felt like a voyage into the heart of Arunachal's untouched beauty.

The figures:
8.30 am Majuli
9.30 am Bio break - 37 kms
11.30 am Tea break, Subansiri Bridge, Lakhimpur -  69 kms
1.00 pm Enter Arunachal Pradesh at Kimin border - 57 kms
2.30 pm Lunch break, Potim - 43 kms
5.00 pm Hotel Ziro View, Village Hapoli

Tolls paid today : Rs. 0
Total Tolls paid : Rs. 3675

Traveled today : 251 kms
Total distance covered : 3340 kms