THE BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER EXPEDITION

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 7-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 2002–09, we have run 08 very successful expeditions on the Upper Brahmaputra, and several people bear testimony to our operational expertise in one of the toughest logistical operations in the Indian Himalayas.

ITINERARY

Nov 17
Arrive Delhi and transfer to domestic airport.  Arrive Dibrugarh late afternoon by air.  Transfer to hotel.   Overnight Dibrugarh hotel.

Nov 18
Transfer to Boghiwheel Ghat (45 mins) and ferry across the river to cross onto the northern bank. Drive 3 hrs to Pasighat by road.  Overnight Pasighat.

Nov 19-20
Drive 02 long days along a Siang river, through Adi villages, settlements and lush tropical rainforest.  Reach our campsite at Purang by teatime. Check into tents, relax.

Nov 21
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 22
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 23
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 24
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 25
Rest day at Geku Twins. Camp.

Nov 26
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 “Karko” and make it to a beautiful site near Geku. Camp for the night.

Nov 27
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 and float past the confluence of the Siang river with the Siyom river after the
suspension bridge at Boling. 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.

Nov 28
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.

Nov 29
Drive to Boghiwheel Ghat and take a ferry boat across to Dibrugarh. Transfer to airport for flight to New Delhi. Trip ends.

Note :  1. 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.

Price per person: Rs. 1,35,000/- (For rafters)
Rs.  1,25,000/- (For kayakers)
Service Tax of 2.575% applicable. Please see actual forex rates to remit above Rupee Value

Extra cost for Helirafting group chopper charter : Rs. 6,00,000/-
(approx. US$ 15000 ; will carry 14 persons + 400 kilograms of personal baggage)

Cost includes:  Flights Delhi-Dibrugarh-Delhi, All hotels and breakfasts except in Delhi according to above plan, restricted area permit and fee, 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 hotels and airport transfers, expenses of a personal nature such as alcohol etc.; insurance; any hike in air fare/fuel cost/taxi rates; end of trip tips and gratuities ; any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, flight cancellations, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.

Note :
a) Kayakers to bring own boat and gear. We can provide kayaks for US$ 250 if you do not want to carry your boat out (choose from Liquid Logic HOSS, Session Plus, Dagger, Necky and Perception boats).   This river demands solid boaters with Class 4+ skills and experience in big water.
b) Cost does not include transfers and hotels in Delhi, as there are several options. Airport transfers in Delhi and Delhi hotels can be arranged on request.  An airport transfer costs Rs. 1800 (US $40) per transfer. Delhi hotels : The place which we have been using is close to our office,  (and where we put up most of our river guests) in a quiet part of South Delhi (about 30 mins from Connaught Place, but equidistant from the airport). They charge Rs. 3900  (US$ 95) for a double room per day.
c) The US $ conversion equivalents are calculated using the exchange rates averaged over the previous year.   Please check for any foreign exchange fluctuations at the time of booking.

Reading List :
“Tales from the river Brahmaputra” – Tiziana & Gianni Baldizzone
“The Seven Sisters of India – Tribal Worlds between Tibet & Burma” – Agjala Stirn & Peter van Ham

Rates quoted are on twin share. If you prefer single accommodation, the single supplement is Rs. 10,500. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodation, we will try our best to find you a roommate. If that is not possible, you will need to pay a “forced” single supplement of Rs. 6750.

Booking conditions: All bookings are subject to availability of space at Camp. We book space on a 100% advance.   All payments by wire transfer, cash or cheque/draft in favor of “Aquaterra Adventures (I) Pvt. Ltd.”

Activity Level
Our expedition trips are designed for energetic and flexible people who have the spirit of adventure and a positive attitude.  Previous experience in the outdoors and camping helps, though is not a must. These trips are participatory in nature, and everyone is expected to pitch in, set up and break down their own tent, clean their own dishes and help with loading and unloading the rafts.

The Next Step
Ready to go? Email me at pavanemann@gmail.com to book your place and we will guide you through the booking process.

Services provided
In remote regions, we often use local suppliers who provide services that may include vehicles for transportation, equipment, logistical support, hotels, guest houses etc. We do not own or operate these independent services or suppliers. We work with them as they share our commitment to service and quality.