Trans Arunachal Drive 2021—An Experience To Remember
The inaugural Trans Arunachal Drive 2021 organised by Arunachal Pradesh Tourism, in partnership with Mahindra Adventure and JK Tyre, to promote the unbelievably scenic state was a rare experience in every sense.
This 15-day drive through the scenic Arunachal Pradesh traversed from east to west. The 2,400+km route passes through 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, right from Kanubari in the southeast to Tawang in the west.
This 2400 km road from west-to-east across the state, of which 85 per cent is complete, is an ambitious road-building project that was first conceived in 2008. This road has opened up new opportunities for the local tribal population and is seen as a big investment as far as drawing tourist footfalls is concerned.
THRILL BEGINS
It was an exciting journey right from the start. First the sheer excitement of moving out in the real world after working from home for many months and then the scenic setting we landed in from Dibrugarh onwards. It is reported that Arunachal Pradesh will soon have its first commercial airport in 2022 so getting there would only get easier, hope it happens sooner.
Must say there is excellent connectivity from Dibrugarh in Assam on to Tawang with linkages to central and eastern parts of state passing through Bomdila, Ziro, Seppa and all the way to Kaho village.
Far away from the maddening noise of the urban set up and relatively safer as far as covid cases were concerned, we could feel the envious AQI and for a moment it all seemed like a dream come true while we were in Arunachal.
OUR ADVENTURE TRAIL
While the event had started much earlier than we arrived, our leg of the adventure trail was from Bomjir to Ziro, a journey full of adventure.
Our first halt for night was at Bomjir. The first night halt was like a big celebration with rice beer, local delicacies and cultural gigs welcoming us. I remember befriending some of the local tribal artists who were sweet enough to lend their gears as I posed with them for some Instagram clicks.
Next morning I received keys of the Mahindra Thar Experience, I was among the few lucky ones to be driving it for the rest of the journey.
Our first day drive was almost 250 kms long through Raneghat, Yingkoing to Geku. The Geku campsite was probably the most interesting, right on the bank of the Siang river on a sand bar. Once again a memory to cherish.
The next morning soon after breakfast, we headed for a long 300 kms plus drive from Basar to Ziro. Till our lunch spot at Gogamukh, the Trans Arunachal Highway is a smooth drive with some of the best mountain roads in the country. However, before our lunch stop in Aalo, we reached the end of the line. The remaining section up to Ziro was the most difficult yet. Paved tarmac came in small stretches, but most of it was an unpaved road under construction and we had to engage 4x4 for most of this journey.
Though we had to rush back after spending two days driving non stops, close to 600 kms. This 32-car convoy seemed like a large family and I must mention two names –Hari Singh and Lhakpa Tsering, who went the extra mile to snure that we had a great experience.
Can’t wait to participate in its next season!
