Anand Mahindra is always giving us new places to add to our travel bucket list and his latest X post about Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is making us crave a vacation yet again! Describing the valley as “Out-of-this-world beauty… but right here in India”, he brought attention to this remote Himalayan patch, whose serene beauty and innate culture remain unmatched to date.
Dibang Valley: Where The Wild Still Rules
Dibang Valley isn’t a newfound gem, it’s been hiding in plain sight as a wild and unwavering reminder of India’s glorious terrain. Sitting in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Tibet, the valley boasts of great alpine meadows, thick rhododendron forests, and icy cold rivers. Snow-dusted passes like Kaya (4,750 m) and Yonggyap (3,950 m) slice through the wilderness, adding to the beauty of the oh-so-glorious valley.
Dibang Valley is nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled in the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, it sits peacefully in all of its glory. This is not a regular sanctuary but its massive cousin that is a vast and vibrant haven teeming with rare wildlife species and biodiversity. You may even spot the famous Mishmi Takin (Buborcas taxicolor Taxicolon) here. The Dibang and Mehao wildlife sanctuaries guard Mishmi Takin and other rare animals fiercely, while birds like Mishmi Wren-Babbler, Sclater’s monal, and Himalayan tragopan keep attracting bird watchers from all over the country.
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The Valley’s Vibrant Culture
And then there are the people of Dibang Valley. The Idu-Mishmi tribe are the pride of this region, the ones who get to call this stunning place home. Animist shamans, known as Igu, pass down spiritual chants through generations here, while skilled weavers create patterns modern textile designers would kill for. The Reh Festival of Dibang Valley is one filled with snow, dance, and ancestral fire and is special in more ways than one.
Quiet Call Of Dibang’s Seven Lakes
For all the adventurous souls who are looking for scenic treks, the iconic Seven Lakes trek awaits you at Dibang Valley! From the pleasantly haunting Sally and Bako Lakes to the mystical Dri Valley, you have a wide array of choices here. Here, helicopters rarely run and roads exist in theory. Your best bet would be rowing by road from the Dibrugarh Airport and then landing straight in Anini, sitting in all of its glory like a dusty climb to test your resolve.
Best season to visit? November to March, if you want snow. July is apt for you if you want to catch Reh. Monsoons may not be the right choice with chances of landslides and the mist swallowing everything.
And now comes the risk: recognition. Dibang Valley just won Outlook Traveller’s ‘Best Offbeat Mountain Destination’. But viral tweets, hashtags, reels, and a sudden gush of tourists — this place can’t handle all that. Dibang’s value lies in its invisibility and popularity could destroy it. Locals are already pushing back, organising waste-control drives, enforcing hunting bans, and urging tourists to come, but tread lightly.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Dibangvalley.nic.in/Website
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