2.8 Back to Arunachal

9/3/24 Saturday

Today we are going back to Arunachal Pradesh to explore it's beautiful landscapes. We got our Inner Line Permits, crossed the border at Bhalukpong and immediately the topography changed. I had noticed this earlier when we were on our way to Ziro. It's almost as if a curtain rises no sooner you cross over from Assam to Arunachal.

Our tea breaks and lunch were besides the gurgling waters of the Kameng river.

A word about the roads built over the past few years in this area by BRO. The Border Roads Organization is providing yeoman service by developing and maintaining road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighboring countries. The roads that we are traveling on are very well made in spite of the difficult terrain of Northeast India. Had it not been for the BRO, we would not be able to cover the distances that we are doing. And some of the roadsigns they put up are quite funny, like "Speed is a knife that cuts life" or "If you are married divorce speed" or "Mountains are a pleasure if you drive with leisure" etc.

We went through the newly opened Nechipu tunnel, which is 5700 metres above sea level. The tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to the strategic Tawang region along the Line of Actual Control. The Nechiphu tunnel will benefit armed forces, apart from tourists. It is part of the Centre’s massive infrastructure push in the region amid the border tension with China. Earlier, the region’s thick fog interfered with military and civilian movement. Such visual difficulties would no longer exist in the tunnel. The highest point we drove today was Bomdilla at 10000 feet.

We reached our hotel in Dirang by 5.30 pm which is a pit stop on the way to Tawang. Once we are settled, every evening, before dinner, all of us get together for drinks and light snacks. This is the time of the day that I love the most as it is the time for getting to know each other and creating bonds by sharing our tales and experiences. The credit for this goes to the AO team. Prachur, Fareed and Harish take very good care of all of us and create a space that makes us feel very special.

Tomorrow, the anticipation builds as we gear up to conquer the majestic Sela pass on our way to Tawang.


The figures:
8.45 am Hotel Wild Mahseer
9.45 am Bhalukpong border Diesel 55 L - 34 kms
10.40 am Tea break scenic point - 15 kms
12.15 pm Bio break Jamiri - 42 kms
1.00 pm Picnic lunch by the river at Tenga - 19 kms
3.40 pm Sheep rearing farm - 64 kms
4.00 pm Tea break at riverside - 5 kms
5.30 pm Hotel Pemaling, Dirang - 14 kms

Traveled today : 193 kms

Total distance covered : 3811 kms