East India Rafting Expedition on the Brahmaputra

A journey into the secrets of the Earth

Totem Adventure, for the 'Journey into the secrets of the Earth' proposes two amazing rafting and kayaking expeditions absolutely unique in the Eastern Himalayas flowing in Arunachal Pradesh, NE India:

* BRAHMAPUTRA, the biggest river of Asia - December 9. – 21. 2011
* SUBANSIRI, its major tributary - November 30. - December 11. 2011

Arunachal Pradesh is the easternmost state of India. In Sanskrit the word Arunachal means "land of the dawn lit mountains" It is the least known area of India, totally off the beaten track and to enter the state, we need a special permit. Some areas are still restricted to the western people.

BRAHMAPUTRA, In Sanskrit 'The son of Brahma' is one of the biggest rivers in Asia.
It starts form Mount Kailash in North West Tibet and flows into the gulf of Bengal 3000 km after. Its minimum average volume is never below 5000 cms.

SUBANSIRI, the 'Golden river' it’s the major tributary of the Brahmaputra.
It starts his way in Tibet, from Mt. Tsona Zong, near the”Great loop”, and flows in totally secluded areas through deep canyons, encountering some small villages hidden in the pluvial forest until it reaches the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.

Its volume is definitely smaller than the Brahmaputra nonetheless, the steep gradient and continuity make it at times more difficult than its bigger brother!

BRAHMAPUTRA

An amazing journey down one of the world's greatest rivers. It is an option only for the true adventurer.
The Brahmaputra, 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 will take us through remote hillsides, dotted with tribal settlements in clearings surrounded by the most dense rainforest. It negotiates the finest big volume white water in an area, which is surely one of the most inaccessible in the world.

SUBANSIRI

The Subansiri “Gold River” is the biggest tributary of the Upper Brahmaputra and descends through verdant rainforests in the tribal state of Arunachal Pradesh. It drains the waters beyond the Great Himalayan Range spanning from Tsona Dzong up to the Great Loop of the Tsangpo cutting through the Eastern Himalayas to flow into India at Asaphila through the rugged isolated hinterland of Arunachal.

It has a run of 170 km in Tibet, 250 km in the Eastern Himalayas and 86 km in the plains of Assam before joining the Great Brahmaputra at the mystic confluence of Majuli – the largest inhabited river island in the world. The river has no road artery linking it on either side of the Great Himalayan Range spanning about 150 km. Very difficult terrain with vertical rock faces with only very sparse inhabitation has kept and continue to keep the upper reaches of this challenging river isolated.

The difference between the two rivers: Brahmaputra is a big volume river so its features are huge waves, big 'boils', enormous rapids followed by relatively flat water. Subansiri, with less volume, has pretty steep gradient and it is very continuous, making it at times more technical than its bigger brother.
For paddlers: both the rivers require solid class 4+ kayaking skills and to be accustomed to big water.

Some good reasons why these two trips amongst the finest river expedition in the world:
* amazing white water
* 7 days totally self supported starting from Tuting to Pasighat (about 180 kms) on the Brahmaputra
* 8 days from So Nala to the confluence of Majuli (about 100 Km)
* through one of the most inaccessible regions in the world
* meeting its diverse warm-hearted hill people with their unique traditions

Which one to choose?
It is a difficult decision…dates are organized in a way that you can take out from the Subansiri and two days later you can be running the enormous rapids of the Brahmaputra. So, if you can, both is the choice!!

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Itinerary / Highlights

BRAHMAPUTRA EXPEDITION
December 9
Arrive Delhi and transfer to domestic airport. Arrive Dibrugarh late afternoon by air.
Transfer to hotel. Overnight Dibrugarh hotel.

December 10
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.

December 11-12
Drive 2 long days along the Siang river, through Adi villages, settlements and lush tropical rainforest. Reach our campsite at Purang by teatime. Check into tents, relax.

December 13
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.

December 14
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.

December 15
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.

December 16
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.

December 17
Rest day at Geku Twins. Camp.

December 18
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.

December 19
Raft Geku Twins till below Sangam. After Geku, we begin a long float till the 65 Bridge at Ditte Dime. An asy 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.

December 20
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.

December 21
Drive to Boghiwheel Ghat and take a ferry boat across to Dibrugarh.
Transfer to airport for flight to New Delhi.
Trip ends.

SUBANSIRI EXPEDITION
November 30
Arrival in Dibrugarh. Chill out and explore this mellow, pleasant town.
Overnight hotel.

December 01
We take local river boat, across the wide Brahmaputra. Sunbathe and look for dolphins, to Boghiwheel ghat approx 3 hours. A long 9 drive up to Along.
Overnight hotel.

December 02
Drive up to So Nala (8 hrs) and prepare the base camp.
Overnight in camp.

December 03
Put-in for a first raft descent at So Nala and raft to Koda (5 hrs+).
Possible 3 line-ups, Class 4+ section. Overnight Koda.

December 04
Run from Koda to Taliha (2 hrs). Overnight Camp.

December 05
Run from Taliha to Menga (4 hrs). Overnight Menga.

December 06
Run from Menga to Wilderness Camp (6hrs). Overnight Wilderness
Camp.

December 07
Run to Tree Log Beach (3 hrs). Overnight Camp.

December 08
Run to Tiger Beach. (4 hrs). Rest and relax, hike, or take a walk on
this most amazing campsite.

December 09
Rest Day. Read, relax, soak in the final bit of the Subansiri.

December 10
We run 90 mins to the dam. Take out and drive 3 hrs 30 mins to
Boghiheel Ghat. Transfer to hotel. Overnight Dibrugarh.

December 11
Fly from Dibrugarh to Delhi. Trip ends.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Camping while on the trip, accommodation on twin share basis in tents.

Hotel in Leh and Resthouses on the roadtrip to Zanskarvalley.

Rates quoted are on twin share. If you prefer single accommodation, there is a single supplement.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

River Expedition, 1950 Euro (From Dibrugarh to Dibrugarh)

Package "Domestic Flights"
(Flights - Delhi Dibrugarh – Dibrugarh Delhi)
220 Euro (approx., depending on the date of the booking)

Package "Delhi no problem"
(airport pick-up, transfer to hotel / airport, hotel bed and breakfast)
Approx. 90 Euro (in double room)
Approx.135 Euro (in single room)

+39 0165 87677