THE LAND OF THE DAWN LIT MOUNTAINS

Experience The Wilds: Arunachal Pradesh is the northeastern tip of India with its borders touching China, Bhutan and Burma (Myanmar). Its endless variations of scenic beauty are the first to greet sunrise in the country. The state is proud of having more than 500 rare species of Orchids. Its rivers are ideal for angling boating, rafting and its rugged terrain is suitable for trekking, hiking and holidaying in a serene atmosphere. The sixth Dalai Lama was born on the soil of Arunachal Pradesh and the 13th found refuge and safety here.

The picturesque and hilly terrain, Arunachal Pradesh is crises-crossed by innumerable mighty rivers and rivulets. Once described as the 'Hidden Land' it has now opened its doors to outsiders. The mountain peaks show a great variation, ranging from 6,400 -1,829 m.

The striking feature of the topography is that the mountainous routes follow the river system except in places where the mountainsides are very steep. These offer perfect opportunities for trekking and other adventure sports. So long closed to visitors, the terrain and the environment are totally untouched. What could be more inviting to adventure-loving people? Southern Flank: The southern flank of the Arunachal Himalayas is visible from the plains. This part of the range includes peaks as secluded as Kangto, among the highest and unconquered peaks in the world. A puzzling approach and thick jungle has kept these summits virtually off limits to mountaineers.

Five of the main tributaries of the Brahmaputra River rise in these ranges: the Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap. Geographical seclusion has made the people of these valleys self-contained. Cross communication is a relatively recent phenomenon. The total population of the state is small and it retains much of the original forest cover. Se La Pass: The western most district is west Kameng, named after the Kameng River, which drains the basin of Groi Chen and Kangto peaks. From the inner line check post at Bhalukpong, 52-km from Tezpur the road winds through the Tipi Orchidariurm to Bomdila. It crosses the crest of the Se La Pass at 14,000-ft finally reaching the Mahayana sect Buddhist monastery at Tawang. These are the environs of the Bailey trail the old border trade route over Tukung La from Tibet first used in 1913 by the British surveyors. Selected Tourist Routes: Certain tourist routes have recently been opened in Arunachal Pradesh. The first of these routes originates at Itanagar and links up to Ziro in the center of the state 150-km away, at an altitude of 1,754 m in the resplendent Apatani plateau. The trail pushes farther east and north, crossing Sunansiri River at Daporijo to reach along. Here, one meets the peripatetic harbinger of Mansarovar, the Siang, still within its white water section. In 1991, an Indo-Japanese team rafted the length of the river in India, putting in near Geling in west Siang district, just a few km short of the Indo-Tibetan border. The final section of this circuit goes down to Pasighat and re-enters north Assam before returning to Itanagar.

Day excursions include Ganga Lake, the state museum and a ride on the elephant back to the salubrious camp on the nearby Dikrong River. Margherita Railhead: This circuit covers the well-known Namdapha National park in the Tirap district near the east end of the state, not far from the Burmese border. The designated entry and exit point on this circuit is the railhead at Margherita, also reached by National Highway 38 from Tinsukia. Coaches continue up to Miao for entry into the park. Unique in that its elevation varies between 200 and 4,500 m, the park is also unmatched as the home to four large cats: Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Snow Leopard. Thick Forests: Using Pasighat as the base, where the Brahmaputra enters the plains, a reasonably good road meanders up-river through thick forest. Neat settlements at Yembung, Pangin and Boleng lead to the Siamang Bridge, 110-km from the base. The route is a photographer's delight. Here also lie promising tracts for catch and release Mahaseer angling. Again for Pasighat, aside from the Dibrugarh ferry, there is another access via the 415-km drive from Tezpur roughly parallel to the north bank of the Brahmaputra. ENTRY PERMITS: Indian nationals intending to visit any part of the state may obtain an inner line permit from the Arunachal Government office at Delhi or Itanagar. For the permitted areas, the total time allowed to foreigners is 10 days. The usual stipulations of entry permit group size and advance application also holds well. These can be filed with any Indian mission overseas, foreigner's registration offices, and the home commissioners of the state in Itanagar or its resident commissioner in Delhi. BEST TREKKING SEASON: The best season is from October to February. For the energetic leisure seekers keen to undertake a rare wilderness experience, few destinations in the world would match the dimensions of Arunachal Pradesh. HOW TO GET THERE

Air: Nearest Airport is situated at Tezpur. There are daily flights from Calcutta. Rail: The nearest railhead is north Lakhimpur in Assam 60-km from Itanagar. Road: Itanagar is connected to the other state capitals in the Northeast. There are regular bus services from Itanagar to Bomdila.

MALINITHAN