THE BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER EXPEDITION

Dates: Nov 19 - Dec 03, 2004

An exciting journey down one of the world's greatest rivers, an option only for the true adventurer. The river, after flowing gently eastwards through Tibet, cuts the Greater Himalayas and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, Namche Barwa before it enters Arunachal Pradesh, where the expedition begins, a few miles inside the line-of-control with China. The expedition takes you through remote hillsides dotted with tribal settlements in clearings surrounded by leech-infested rainforest. It negotiates the finest big volume white water in an area, which is surely one of the most inaccessible in the world. A 9-day self-contained run from Tuting to Pasighat (180 kms approx.) through one of the most inaccessible regions in the world makes this one of the most premier expeditions offered. Between 2002–03, we have run two very successful expeditions on the Upper Brahmaputra, and over 50 people bear testimony to our operational expertise in one of the toughest logistical operations in the Indian Himalayas.

Itinerary :
Nov 19 : Arrive Delhi and transfer to domestic airport. Arrive Dibrugarh late afternoon by air. Transfer to hotel. Overnight Dibrugarh hotel.

Nov 20 : Transfer to Pasighat by boat (75 km; 08 hrs). See the Ganges River Dolphin & a great variety of resident & migratory birdlife from Siberia & Central Europe enroute. Overnight Pasighat.

Nov 21 – 22 :Drive 02 long days along a Siang river, through Adi villages, settlements and lush tropical rainforest. Reach our campsite at Purang / Tuting by teatime. Check into tents, relax.

Nov 23 : Relaxed day to sort out gear - walk around and interface with local tribals at the nearby village, time permitting. Ready rafts in the afternoon - a comprehensive safety briefing followed by instruction on paddling commands and rescue procedures. Overnight at Camp.

Nov 24 : Raft to Pango (5 hrs). Camp. This morning, we encounter the big monster Class IV+ Ningguing rapid and another Class 4 rapid, Pulsating Palsi to reach Pango, where we set up Camp for the night. Campfire dinner and overnight Camp.

Nov 25 : Raft Pango – Cherring. Camp. Today, we scout and raft down the Pango rapid and enter the Ningguing and Marmong gorges, one of the most beautiful and remote jungle gorges in the world. It has steep impenetrable forests rising into oblivion on each side past the big rapid at Rikor and Zebra Rock rapid to set up Camp above a Class 6 rapid “Tooth fairy” at Cherring. Overnight Camp.

Nov 26 : Raft Cherring – Yinkeong / Alubadi. Camp. After a portage around the Class six rapid, we raft out of the Marmong gorge negotiating several Class 3+ rapids followed by a float till Yinkeong / Alubadi where we make Camp for the night.

Nov 27 : Raft to Geku Twins Camp. We begin with a big rapid below Alubadi beach, called ‘Moing Madness” followed by milder ones all the way till the suspension bridge at Nubo. We raft down the “Karko Killer” and make it to a beautiful site near Geku. Camp for the night.

Nov 28 : Rest day at Geku Twins. Camp.

Nov 29 : Raft Geku Twins till below Sangam. After Geku, we begin a long float till the 65 Bridge at Ditte Dime. An easy day with long float sections. We pass several Adi tribal settlements on the way. We continue to Camp for the night below the confluence of the Siang river with the Siyom river after the suspension bridge at Boling.

Nov 30 : Raft till Rotung. Camp. Today is a short day and we pass the flood-rutted guesthouse of Yembung and float onto camp near Rotung village, in time for hot lunch. Transfer all gear onto our travel bags from the dry bags, and a chance to wash up near a fresh water spring.

Dec 01 : Raft Rotung- Pasighat. We begin the final run to the plains at Pasighat by negotiating the last biggie on the trip at Ponging. The Siang seems to gather a lot more volume as we float into Pasighat where we beach our rafts for the last time on this trip. Transfer to rest house at Pasighat.

Dec 02 : Boat ride to Dibrugarh (75 kms; 04 hrs). Stay at Dibrugarh hotel.

Dec 03: Fly / depart Dibrugarh – Delhi. Transfer to international airport for flight home.

Note : We reserve the right to begin the rafting trip at Purang Nallah, 20 mins by river downstream of Tuting, if guide discretion demands that the Ningguing rapid be excluded from the run. This right will be exercised in the best interest of the trip, and everybody’s safety. We have however; run from Tuting on all previous 3 occasions that we have run the river.

Cost: US Dollars 3000/person + Airfare & Accommodation if required in Delhi/Kolkatta

Air Fare - Delhi – Dibrugarh – Delhi: US$ 478 / person or Kolkatta – Dibrugarh – Kolkatta: US$ 230 / person depending on which International airport you arrive at.

Cost includes: All hotels and breakfasts except in Delhi / Kolkatta according to above plan, restricted area permit and fee, flight to Dibrugarh and back if applicable, tented and rest house/hotel accommodation on twin share and all meals while on the trip; lead safety boater, professional guide fee and camp staff, all transfers by jeep / coach, guide, wetsuits, all sightseeing.

Cost excludes: Delhi / Kolkatta hotels and airport transfers (we will book these for your based on your international flight and plans at cost), expenses of a personal nature such as alcohol etc.; insurance; any hike in air fare/fuel cost/taxi rates; any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, flight cancellations, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.