Bailey Trail Trekking
The trek was initially an ancient trade route that connected Burma, India and Tibet. In 1962 the Chinese army used this route to strike deep into Arunachal Pradesh. The ‘Bailey Trail’ as it is known now, crosses through some pristine remote forests of the Eastern Himalayas, where pine, oak and rhododendrons grow aplenty. Throughout the trek, the presence of breathtaking landscapes will overwhelm you, and at times, you’ll be able to see the majestic peaks of Gorichen and Kangto, two of northeastern India’s highest peaks. The highest point of this trek will be Sela Pass at a height of 4550 m. Entirely, you’ll be crossing high mountain passes, glacial rivers, crystal clear lakes, villages of the Monpa Tribe, and will be staying at campsites that will awe you. And as a bonus, you’ll be visiting the Buddhist hill station of Tawang where the second largest Buddhist monastery of Asia is magnificently located.
Bailey Trail Trekking
This trek leads you through many different altitude zones. On the first part you will meet with a tropical environment and unknown tribes such as the Aka and Miji, who had never seen westerners until very recently. You walk over forest trails and open farmland, sometimes through dense primary (virgin) forest and you regularly follow wild rivers.
Tour Highlights
- Hike through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests in the Eastern Himalayas.
- Cross Sela Pass at 4550 m.
- Explore tribal villages of the Monpa community.
- Discover the Buddhist hill-station of Tawang, home to Asia’s second largest monastery.
Itinerary
Guwahati – Dhekiajuli– Shergaon – Thembang– Thungri– Changla- Potak – Lurtem – Mago- New Mealing– Tawang– Bomdila – Nameri NP – Guwahati
- Best Season:
October-November and February to May
The highlights of this trip
The Monpa People of Twang
The Monpa make up 97% of the population in the Tawang area. This nomadic tribe migrated here thousands of years ago. Once they settled in the Tawang area, they made great efforts to terrace the mountain slopes in order to prevent soil erosion. The area Increasingly came under Tibetan political and cultural influence, but many elements of pre-Buddhist Bon faith are still present. Tawang Monastery plays a central role in Monpa culture. Traditional Monpas can be recognised by their hats made of yakhair with long tassels. Their houses, made of stone and wood, often have beautifully carved doors and window frames. Limited numbers of Monpas can also be found in other parts of Arunachal Pradesh, in Tibet and in Bhutan.
Tea Gardens
If there is one legacy of the Brits in India it is tea. Tea estates, tea processing and exporting, and tea drinking. It was long believed that wild tea, Camelia sinensis, only grew in China, but this small woody brush was ‘rediscovered’ by the British in the early 19th century in the jungle of Assam. Camelia sinensis var. assamica had long been used by indigenous people. Large tracts of land were converted into tea gardens and these days Assam (and Darjeeling) tea are known worldwide.
Nameri National Park
Nameri is a beautiful national park located between the Jia Bhorelli river and the foothills of the eastern Himalayas. The vegetation consists of moist deciduous forests with epiphytes and lianas, sections of cane and bamboo, and some open grasslands along the rivers. The park is very popular with bird enthusiasts, but also non-birders will greatly enjoy its pleasant atmosphere. Birds to look for are merganser, Pallas’s fish eagle, lapwings, cormorants, ruddy shell duck, kingfishers and perhaps the elusive white-winged wood duck and the great Indian Hornbill. In 2000 part of the park was declared a tiger reserve. The best accommodation here is Nameri Eco Camp. Here, you sleep in comfortable ‘safari tents’ under thatched roofs with attached bathrooms and in lush forest surroundings.
- Adventure 95%
- Monuments & Local Ethinies 90%
- Wildlife & Safari 45%
- Landscapes 95%
Discover our other tours in Tamil Nadu
Homestays In North East
Northeast is about its people so the best way to discover this region is to stay with its inhabitants.
Wild Assam
Off the tourist trail, North East India is home to some of the most endangered wildlife in the world. Arriving into Assam, drive to Manas National Park on the fringes of the Bhutan border, which plays host to over 450 species of bird as well as secretive big cats including tigers, clouded leopards and panthers.
Hornbill Festival
Nagaland is steeped in history and tribal tradition. Wander through tribal villages and soak up the atmosphere at the Hornbill Festival, where Naga culture is brought to life in colourful song and dance.