An exciting, true life expedition journey into India’s tribal north – east and down one of the world's greatest rivers. The Tsang Po, after flowing gently eastwards through Tibet, cuts the Greater Himalaya and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, Namche Barwa before it enters Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called the Chiang, Siang, and the Dihang as it descends the final 200 kms to the plains of India. Our expedition begins a few miles inside the line-of-control with China.
Your journey begins with a ferry boat ride at Dibrugarh on the mighty Brahmaputra, and up the densely forested river valley from the plains of Pasighat to our starting point. We travel through remote hillsides dotted with tribal settlements in clearings surrounded by dense rainforest with many species of ferns, palms and orchids. Bamboo and cane bridges built by the local tribes ; and village visits add to the exciting experience.
Our week long, 180 km long self contained run from Tuting to Pasighat through one of the most inaccessible regions in the world makes this one of the most premier expeditions offered today. This river changed forever after a flood on one of its tributaries, the Yiggong Tsang Po, in June 2000, sent the river up 150 feet, destroying everything in its path. Aquaterra Adventures ran the first departure on this river in Nov-Dec 2002, running a path breaking trip which documented the river for all who care to join future expeditions. The Brahmaputra was documented for a 52 min film for National Geographic, and covered extensively by “Paddler” magazine, the “New York Times”, “Action Asia”, “Outlook Traveller” and several other international publications. We are the only outfitter offering fixed departure trips on this river and very clearly, have the superior skills, equipment, guides and staff, who make this "real life expedition" an outstanding success. It was for our mammoth effort, that in November 2007 ; the National Geographic Society selected Aquaterra Adventures on its list of the world's best adventure travel outfitters in the first Authoritative Rating of Adventure Tour Operators, selected and conducted in a global survey of adventure travel outfitters !
Be an expedition member on one of the top rafting expeditions in the world !
The most exciting way to run the Upper Brahmaputra's (or Siang as its known in Arunachal Pradesh) legendary Ningguing and Marmong gorges, is on a 07-day river trip that we offer in Nov-Dec each year, at the primo time of year for this remote corner of India. We welcome first timers too, as this provides a great insight into the river valley and the tribal way of life. Before launching from our starting point, your guides will instruct you in the fundamentals of safety, paddling, white-water, and rescue. After your day-one plunge through a ten-mile stretch negotiating rapids like "Ningguing’ and 'Pulsating Palsi", you'll be ready to navigate down the Ningguing and Marmong gorges. You will raft encounter the 'Roaring Rikor" and "Zebra Rock" till the possible run / portage on "Toothfairy" rapid at Cherring. We camp on pristine beaches at night, raft down "Moing Madness" and enjoy a wonderful day of rest, relaxation, reading or learning how to kayak. We spend a wonderful day floating down the vastness of this river, past tribal settlements, and beach at Pasighat, where the magnitude of your journey will finally embrace you.
