Talle Valley Trek

Grade:Easy

Location: Arunachal Pradesh

Altitude:2745 m

Duration:6 Days

Passing through three different valleys along two rivers, Talle Valley Trek goes to the heart of Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh. Ziro Valley has a fairly well-defined identity of its own given that it is home to the Apatani tribe and also hosts the infamous Ziro Music Festival each year. The valley is UNESCO’s recommendation for a World Heritage Site for the unique ways its people conserve their environment. With its wide expanses of paddy fields flanked by a canopy of dense forests on all sides, it is hard not to swoon over this place once you’ve witnessed its magnificence. Known as the land of ancient tribes, the trail for the trek winds through dense forests, lush green carpets, and fields of massive fern and white bamboo. Not only is the culture of the valleys we pass on this trek, unique, but so is the variety of flora and fauna in each region that we cross on this 6-day short trek.

You know it is a jungle trail in the truest sense when you are passing through the home of the rare and endangered big cat - the clouded leopard. The sounds of bears, apes, kingfishers and magpies fit beautifully with the hoot of the frogs, the chirp of the crickets and the click of the cicadas to create a harmonious symphony. Along the Talley and Pangey Valleys through a high canopy of birch, maple and oak trees, an assortment of orchids closer to the ground, and birds of all colours fluttering in the thick forest air, Talle Valley is truly an enchanted forest trail.

Through a delightful forest, on unmarked trails to reach the land of the vanishing tribe is what Talle Valley is all about. If you want to explore the thick forests of Arunachal Pradesh and experience the beauty of its remote corners, it couldn’t get better than this trek. Perfect for both beginners and experienced trekkers alike, the trek is best done between the months of October to March.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Ziro (1,600M)

The first day is reserved to make your way to Ziro Valley, the trailhead of the trek. Ziro valley is one of the most beautiful places in Arunachal Pradesh famous for its rice fields flanked by dense pine hills. To get to this picturesque valley, you have to take the only train from Guwahati to Naharlagun and drive from there to the valley. The 90 km drive, with the recent improvement in road conditions, should take not more than 3-4 hours.

If you choose to travel with us, make your way to Naharlagun station. We can arrange for a hired vehicle for the drive between Naharlagun and Ziro. If you wish to get there on your own, this article may be useful.

Once at Ziro, we settle into our homestays. We have all evening to explore this beautiful valley.

Day 2

Mani Polyang (1,700M) to Pange Valley (1,900M)

Distance: 9 km

Duration: 4 hours

Mani Polyang is a small village in Ziro Valley. We start the trek with an easy day. Post breakfast we start our first day of the trek through the forests of the Talle Valley Forest Sanctuary. With an elevation gain of roughly 200M, there are only some and small sections of steep ascents and descents with the overall terrain being a flat temperate forest floor. Some cattle, lots of birds, massive ferns and peculiar bamboo are our companions today on this easy trek along the Pange river. The campsite for today is by the Pange River and if the weather is right, there’s nothing more soothing than spending your evening with your feet soaked in its refreshing waters.

Day 3

Pange Valley (1,900M) to Talle Valley (2,468M)

Distance: 10 km

Duration: 6-7 hours

Today’s walk in the woods is a bit more strenuous than yesterday with a fair bit of altitude gain. Continuing alongside the Pange river like yesterday, we start out on flat terrain which slowly begins to incline an hour into the trek. It is a continuous ascent from here on. The route takes us through a closed canopy with two clearings on the way with splendid views of the mountains in the region.

When you are in the thick of the rhododendron zone, know that you’ve reached the highest point for today. It is a short way downwards from here to the camp site. We pass thorough some villages to get to our station for the day which rests neatly amongst lush green mountains.

Day 4

Talle Valley (2,468M) to Pange Valley River Camp (1,900 M)

Distance: 10 km

Duration: 6 hours

Today we start our descent. Since it is an easy trail, today is all about observing the tiny beings of the forest and enjoying the beauty along the way. With a wide range of colourful fauna and lichen, the route is teeming with brightly-coloured butterflies of all kinds. The soft play of light and shadow caused by the light filtering through the thick vegetation of the forest only adds to the beauty of the trail.

It is overall an easy day which brings us back to our campsite by the river.

Day 5

Pange Valley River Camp (1,900M) to Hong village (1,975 M)

Distance: 7 km

Duration: 3 hours

Today we head to the home of the Apatani tribe at Hong Village. It is an overall easy day which starts out with a bit of an ascent. This rise in elevation gives way to a long stretch of downhill climbing to get to Hong village. It is a short day which leaves us a lot of time to explore the fascinating culture of the welcoming people of this village. The village itself bears an uncanny resemblance to the European countryside.

Day 6

Drive from Hong village (1,975M) to Ziro (1,600M)

Distance: 4 km

Duration: 1-2 hours

We spend some quality time in the village and leave at leisure. The trek back to Ziro valley should take us close to 1.5 hours. If you choose to drive with us, we can arrange for a vehicle to get you to Naharlagun station from where you get your train out to Guwahati at 8 PM.

What's Included

Meals during the trek
Entry Fee,if any (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
Camping Charges,if any (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification along with special rescue course from NIM, Uttarkashi
Exhaustive First Aid kit including Oxygen cylinder
Dome tents - on twin sharing basis, Sleeping bags, mats
Micro-spikes, Gaiters, Helmets, if required
Trek guide, cook, helpers, and porters for carrying common supplies

What's Not Included

Meals during Hotel Stay
Meals during road journeys
Any kind of personal expenses
Any kind of Insurance
Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusions
Permit Fee for Foreign Nationals

Are you Eligible for this Adventure?

Easy

2745 m

40 km

BRS Level Required

BRS 3

Talle Valley Trek is a level 3 adventure on the Bikat Rating Scale.

Although fairly easy, any kind of activity in high altitude requires a certain level of physical fitness and endurance for it to be a pleasant experience..

If you do not know what level of BRS trek would suit you best, worry not! Fill out this Form:

we will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.

Packing List

This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.

Trekking Gear

Ruck sack bag with rain cover. Qty -1
Day Pack Bag - Recommended for treks with summit day
Head Torch with spare Batteries. Qty -1
U V protection sunglasses. Qty -1 Here is how you can choose the best sunglasses for trekking.
Water Bottles: 2 bottles of 1 liter each

Footwear

Non-skid, deep treaded, high-ankle trekking shoes Qty -1
Pair of light weight Slipper/Sandals Qty -1

Clothing

Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants. Qty - 2
Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts. 1 for every 2 days of trekking
Pair of thick woolen socks. 1 pair for every two days of trekking
Thermal Body warmer Upper & Lower. Qty-1
Undergarments. Qty - 1 for every day of trekking
Warm jacket closed at wrist & neck .Qty-1
Full sleeves sweater. Qty -1
Rain wear ( Jacket & Pants ) . Qty-1
Pair of waterproof, warm gloves. Qty-1
Woolen cap. Qty-1
Sun shielding Hat. Qty -1

Toiletries

Personal toiletries kit (Small Towel, Toilet paper, paper soap, Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cold cream, etc.)
Sun screen lotion small pack. Qty -1 Here is your Sun Protection 101 to stay safe in the bright sunny outdoors.
Lip Balm small pack. Qty-1

Utensils

Small size, Light weight & Leak proof lunch box. Qty-1
Plate. Qty- 1
Spoon.Qty-1
Tea/Coffee (plastic) Mug.Qty-1

Miscellaneous

Camera (Optional)
Carry your medicines in plenty in case you have any specific ailment. Consult your doctor before joining the trek.
Dry fruits, Nuts, Chocolate bars (Optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Bikat?

Small Group Size

Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek.

As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.

Qualified Trek Leaders

We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture.

Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response.

Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures

Guided Progression

Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.

Equipment Quality and Check

All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.

Support Systems

Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.

Communication

Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.

Reviews

Cancellation Policy

Cash refund

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date

5% deduction

Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date

50% deduction

Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date

No Refund

Voucher refund

Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date

No Deduction

Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date

No Refund

Please Note:

Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers
This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.

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