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Title:
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The Great Brahmaputra Descent
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Duration:
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13 days
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Location:
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Arunachal Pradesh
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Dates:
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November 16th - 28th 2008
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Grade:
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IV+
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The mighty Tsang Po River rises in the heart of the Himalayas, then flows eastwards through Tibet, before turning south towards India. It cuts a path between the Greater Himalayan Range and the Assam Himalaya, the highest point being Namche Barwa, at 7782 m. Our expedition starts a few
kilometers from the Tibetan border where the river changes its name to the Brahmaputra as it crosses the border into India. This expedition takes us through unique tribal lands in the most inaccessible region of India. Access is restricted to one thousand visitors per annum and the people here are virtually untouched by the modern world.
The Brahmaputra is possibly the biggest white-water run in the world. Some of the few people who have taken on this epic river, think it bigger than the Colorado, Zambezi or White Nile. It’s upper reaches in Tibet, where it is called the Tsang Po, were only fully explored by an leading international team of kayakers in 2003. This river has all the big water features with holes the size of houses, five
meters waves, huge eddy-lines and sucking whirlpools, it is not for the faint hearted! The area is rich in wildlife with tigers, elephants, leopards, deer and over 300 different species of birds.
This is the premier rafting expedition in the world today, a must for rafting enthusiasts and those looking for an extra challenge. We don’t recommend this trip to first-time rafters, due to the length and grade of the river. Kayakers wishing to do this trip should have previous big-water experience.
On arrival to India you will be met at the airport. Depending on your personal itinerary you will be transferred to the domestic airport or hotel.
Day 1: Delhi to Dibrugarh
Take the short flight from Delhi to Dibrugarh on the banks of the immense lower Brahmaputra River, arriving late in the afternoon. Spend the evening relaxing or visit the ethnic weaving centre or heritage tea garden. Overnight hotel.
Day 2: Dibrugarh to Pasighat
We take an eight hour ferry ride across the lower Brahmaputra, spotting the Ganges River Dolphin and a great variety of resident and migratory birdlife en route.
Days 3 & 4: Pasighat to Tuting
Drive by 4WD upstream along the Brahmaputra River, passing through Adi villages, settlements and lush tropical rainforest. We stop regularly along the way for all meals and plenty of chai (sweet milky Indian tea). Camp overnight along the way. Arrive in Tuting in the evening of the second day. Relax and check into tents.
Day 5: In Tuting, Rest Day
Rest day to sort out expedition equipment, check out the area and meet with local tribes-people at Jedu village. In the afternoon we have our comprehensive safety briefing covering paddling commands and all rescue and safety procedures. We then paddle a short calm section of the river to familiarise everyone with rafting.
Day 6: Tuting to Pango
First day of whitewater! This morning we sample the big water of the Brahmaputra, negotiating the mighty ‘Ninguing’ rapid. This is the biggest rapid on the river with huge crashing waves dwarfing 16 foot rafts. We pass more big rapids until we reach Pango and camp for the evening. The days adventures are shared over dinner and a campfire.
Day 7: Pango to Cherring
Today, we scout and paddle down the huge ‘Pango’ rapid and enter the Ninguing and Marmong gorges, one of the most beautiful and remote jungle gorges in the world. Paddling through these gorges with steep impenetrable forests rising on each side we run ‘Rikor’ and ‘Zebra Rock’ rapids and set up camp for the night above ‘Toothfairy’, a Class VI rapid.
Day 8: Cherring to Yinkeong
After a portage around the unrunnable ‘Toothfairy’ rapid, we paddle out of the Marmong gorge negotiating several Class III+ rapids. This is followed by a float trip until Yinkeong where we camp for the night.
Day 9: Yinkeong to Geku
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, which is used by tribes to transport goods across the river. We paddle down the ‘Karko Killer’ another huge rapid and make it to a beautiful campsite near Geku. Overnight camp.
Day 10: Rest day
Relax for the day at Geku Camp. Try kayaking on the calm river section or take a hike in the surrounding hills.
Day 11: Geko to Rotung
An easy day with long float sections. We pass several Adi tribal settlements on the way and float past the confluence of the Brahmaputra and Siyom Rivers. We pass the flood-rutted guesthouse of Yembung and float into camp near Rotung village, in time for a hot lunch. The fresh water spring here is great for washing out those body aches. Relax and overnight camp.
Day 12: Rotung to Pasighat
We begin the final run to the flood plains by negotiating the last big rapid at Ponging. The Brahmaputra gathers a lot more volume as we float into Pasighat where we beach our rafts for the last time. Transfer to rest house at Pasighat.
Day 13: Pasighat to Delhi
Take the ferry boat to Dibrugarh and then fly back to Delhi. Trip ends.
Note: Please contact
us for sightseeing in Delhi, or a trip to the Taj Mahal
at the start or end of this trip. We can also tailor this trip
with a trek or wildlife safari.
All itineraries exclude international flight days. The duration of this trip is calculated from Delhi back to Delhi again.
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