India
| country: | India, Tibet |
| trip type: | High altitude, strenuous / very challenging trekking holidays |
| departures: | This trip is no longer running |
| price: | From £3250 (23 days) excluding flights. Price includes twinshare accommodation, permits/fees, meals, highly experienced guide/trek crew, transfers by 4WD or bus, and sightseeing activities and excursions. We can arrange flights from the UK. Group size 6-12 people |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to India
Do not even think of joining this expedition unless you are prepared for difficulties and setbacks. For those who know about Pemako, we say one word – come! For those who don't, be prepared for a truly life-changing experience.
This exploratory route, never before attempted by outsiders, is through harsh mountainous terrain and rainforest, full of leeches and pit vipers. The trails are seasonal, and often disappear. Camping is very difficult. The local people are fierce animistic warriors who were converted to Buddhism by early lamas. Poison cults (women who poison people in order to acquire their good fortune) are also believed to be quite prolific in the area.
Pemako is, despite and perhaps because of this, extremely special. Situated in northeastern India, on the border of, and stretching into, Tibet, Pemako is considered a 'hidden land'.
Recently Pemako has become more known because of Ian Baker's exploration of the hidden waterfalls of the Brahmaputra. It is a land of rich spiritual heritage and ancient mystical traditions. According to Buddhist belief, the entire landscape of Pemako is a manifestation of the body of the female Buddha Dorje Phagmo. Mountains, lakes, rivers, plants and animals all carry the blessing power of the Buddhas.
The physical landscape is truly a wonder, and holds countless untold treasures at the outer, inner and secret levels. On an outer level Pemako is beautiful with scented flowers, fruits and herbs, jungles and mountains. It has the greatest bio-diversity in all the Himalayan range. It is home to 85 types of mammals including the snow leopard, clouded leopard, the densest population of Bengal tigers left in the world, black bear, elephant and eight species of gibbon, as well as 500 bird species and 600 species of orchid. Many plants here have special therapeutic powers, and there are many healing streams. On an inner level countless Buddhas bless the entire landscape. There are groves of primordial wisdom, lakes of medicine and blood, and magical herbs that grant happiness, immortality, the ability to fly and intrinsic realisation.
Many great masters fled to Pemako after the Chinese invaded Tibet. Many of the sacred texts of Tibet talk about the special qualities of Pemako. For instance in a recently rediscovered text, it says, 'Out of all mystic places, that which is most pre-eminent and supreme amongst the hidden valleys is Pemako - resplendent like an immaculate lotus flower.'
Our entirely self-sufficient expedition is the first ever to make a route in this area, and we will arrive at villages so remote that they have never seen a white person before. The general area of the trek is east of the Siang River, in northern Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Tibetan border, and the final route we take is open to change. The main aim of the expedition, however, is to take a party of twelve people to explore the holy lake of Pema Tsering north of Kugging village.
After flying from Delhi up to Dibrugarh, we cross the Brahmaputra to the temple town of Pasighat, and continue north following the course of the mighty river by 4WD. Two days of tough driving bring us to the village of Tuting, and the start point of our trek. We cross from tribal territory to tribal territory, from the lands of the Adi people to those of the Simong, Memba, Khamba, Idu Mishmi and Tangam. It is in these territories that we complete our trek, making a circle back to Tuting, before returning to Delhi and back to ‘civilisation.’
Please note this itinerary is subject to change according to local conditions.
This exploratory route, never before attempted by outsiders, is through harsh mountainous terrain and rainforest, full of leeches and pit vipers. The trails are seasonal, and often disappear. Camping is very difficult. The local people are fierce animistic warriors who were converted to Buddhism by early lamas. Poison cults (women who poison people in order to acquire their good fortune) are also believed to be quite prolific in the area.
Pemako is, despite and perhaps because of this, extremely special. Situated in northeastern India, on the border of, and stretching into, Tibet, Pemako is considered a 'hidden land'.
Recently Pemako has become more known because of Ian Baker's exploration of the hidden waterfalls of the Brahmaputra. It is a land of rich spiritual heritage and ancient mystical traditions. According to Buddhist belief, the entire landscape of Pemako is a manifestation of the body of the female Buddha Dorje Phagmo. Mountains, lakes, rivers, plants and animals all carry the blessing power of the Buddhas.
The physical landscape is truly a wonder, and holds countless untold treasures at the outer, inner and secret levels. On an outer level Pemako is beautiful with scented flowers, fruits and herbs, jungles and mountains. It has the greatest bio-diversity in all the Himalayan range. It is home to 85 types of mammals including the snow leopard, clouded leopard, the densest population of Bengal tigers left in the world, black bear, elephant and eight species of gibbon, as well as 500 bird species and 600 species of orchid. Many plants here have special therapeutic powers, and there are many healing streams. On an inner level countless Buddhas bless the entire landscape. There are groves of primordial wisdom, lakes of medicine and blood, and magical herbs that grant happiness, immortality, the ability to fly and intrinsic realisation.
Many great masters fled to Pemako after the Chinese invaded Tibet. Many of the sacred texts of Tibet talk about the special qualities of Pemako. For instance in a recently rediscovered text, it says, 'Out of all mystic places, that which is most pre-eminent and supreme amongst the hidden valleys is Pemako - resplendent like an immaculate lotus flower.'
Our entirely self-sufficient expedition is the first ever to make a route in this area, and we will arrive at villages so remote that they have never seen a white person before. The general area of the trek is east of the Siang River, in northern Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Tibetan border, and the final route we take is open to change. The main aim of the expedition, however, is to take a party of twelve people to explore the holy lake of Pema Tsering north of Kugging village.
After flying from Delhi up to Dibrugarh, we cross the Brahmaputra to the temple town of Pasighat, and continue north following the course of the mighty river by 4WD. Two days of tough driving bring us to the village of Tuting, and the start point of our trek. We cross from tribal territory to tribal territory, from the lands of the Adi people to those of the Simong, Memba, Khamba, Idu Mishmi and Tangam. It is in these territories that we complete our trek, making a circle back to Tuting, before returning to Delhi and back to ‘civilisation.’
Please note this itinerary is subject to change according to local conditions.
how this holiday makes a difference
 Our colleagues and collaborators in India for this project are one of the new breed of specialist adventure planners. They have an enormous respect of the diverse cultures and indigenous tribes throughout India - specifically in the North East. This has been gained by their own journeys into these remote areas, getting to know the tribes and their ways, gaining their respect and asking their permission to bring foreigners to share and experience their way of life and culture. By travelling into the North East of India with us you will be helping to create the income and funds for the exact benefits and development required, as determined by the villagers themselves. They believe in Fair Travel Trading in all the journeys they make for themselves and with others, and adhere to the principles of Green Globe 21, for which Nigel Gifford OBE, FRGS and Founder, is the advisor on adventure travel worldwide. As a company we support charities that strive for better conditions for staff who work in ‘off the beaten track’ tourism. In the Indian sub-continent and South America we help to provide better conditions for porters, and the protection of indigenous peoples in remote and fragile places such as rainforests and the sub-polar regions. All our trips are operated and planned in line with PATA and Green Globe 21 principles. We expect our clients to be committed to sustainable tourism. We offer you the chance to contribute to Climate Care, from £12 per person. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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