Namdapha - Feb '21

Trek to Namdapha, was my second trek post relaxation of Covid 19 lockdown. First one was in Himachal. When I got the details of the trek, I wasn’t quite excited as it wasn’t challenging compared to other treks I have done. But then trekking in a rain forest, which I have never done before made me curious. And of course, getting out of Mumbai was an icing on the cake.

My flight route – Mumbai – Delhi – Dibrugarh – Kolkata – Mumbai.

Travel Date : 31st Jan ‘21 to 8th Feb ‘21

Company : Country Side Adventure Holidays Pvt. Ltd led by Kiran Jadhav

About Namdapha :

Namdapha National Park is a 1,985 km2 (766 sq. mi) large protected area in Arunachal Pradesh of Northeast India including a buffer zone of 177 km2 (68 sq. mi) and a core area of 1,808 km2 (698 sq. mi). With more than 1,000 floral and about 1,400 faunal species, it is a bio diversity hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas. The national park harbours the northernmost lowland evergreen rainforests in the world. It also harbours extensive dipterocarp forests, comprising the north-western parts of the Mizoram-Manipur-Kachin rain forests ecoregion.

The national park is located in Changlang district near the international border with Myanmar and between the Dapha bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range with a wide elevation range between 200 and 4,571 m (656 and 14,997 ft). It is crossed from east to west by the Noa Dihing River that originates at the Chaukan Pass, located on the Indo-Myanmar border. The park also has extensive bamboo forests.

Source : Wikipedia

Certainly, the trek wasn’t challenging – no high altitude, no Oxygen issues, no steep ascents or descents, no negative degree temperature and so on. But it was a totally new and different experience for me – walking through a narrow path with lush green trees and plants on both sides, walking through bamboo forest, listening to the tunes of the birds, inhaling unadulterated oxygen, walking through 7 feet elephant grass, walking on riverbeds over varied sizes of pebble stones and the bamboo bridges. Standing in the middle of a forest with eyes closed and listening to the birds chirping was a boon.

We crossed 14 bamboo bridges. These bridges are made by the locals. Don’t imagine this bridge to the bridges that we are used to. These are made with just two or four bamboos to walk on and bamboo(s) on the side to hold on. It wasn’t difficult to cross the bridge, but one has to exercise caution. I haven’t crossed a river in such bridges and hence this was a unique experience. These bridges get washed away during rainy season and the locals build them again. These bridges are their lifeline. During non-rainy season the locals carry the local produce to sell in the market and while returning carry food and essential items to stock in their place. During this journey they will have to cross many rivers. During rainy season that lasts for about 5 months, the locals cannot move from their villages.

Walking through the forest

Walking on river bed

Walking through tall elephant grass

Crossing river on a bamboo bridge

Some Stats :

Note : 1) Source - Suunto Spartan Ultra Watch 2) Time mentioned is personal timing and will vary with each individual.

The stay during the entire trek were in tents. By the time we reached the camping area, our tents were laid, and the refreshments were kept ready. It’s a great feeling to sit and sip hot tea and at the same time enjoying the nature. By the time the sun goes down, the bon fire is ready for us to soak in the heat.

One of the camping site

Group enjoying Bon fire

Every meal was freshly cooked with an amazing variety each day. We got to taste some local dishes especially ones made with bamboo. Fresh bamboo shoots are brought from the forest and dishes made out of that. One interesting dish was sticky rice made in bamboo. Rice is stuffed inside a bamboo and cooked on fire. Once cooked the outer layer is removed and innermost layer of the bamboo gets stuck with the rice. Rice is eaten with the bamboo layer. This was truly yummy.

Sticky rice being cooked in Bamboo

Forest elephant carrying the luggages, tents, kitchen equipments etc.

And some fun .....

The group

Kudos to Country Side and Kiran for the meticulous planning, safety measures taken and above all taking care of individual needs.

Namdapha is definitely worth a trip.

To view the album --> http://namdapha-feb-21.gopsview.com/