Siang River Expedition (trip)
Siang River Expedition
- Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi, India
- Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
| from $3,600* per person | 12 Days | December |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Global Descents | 12 people max | |
Opened to foreign travelers in only 2003, the Siang remains one of the least explored gorges on the planet to anyone – other than the 100,000 Adi who inhabit the corridor, which sustains the last surviving rainforest in India. The Adi subsist much as they have for thousands of years in the steep, forested Siang River Valley, hunting; fishing; foraging; cultivating rice and wheat; and lodging in picturesque bamboo, cane, and thatch homes, which dot the landscape.
The river has only been descended a handful of times; and sections of the gorge are all but inaccessible by boat, making for some of the most preserved and pristine scenery remaining on the planet. Enormous sand beaches, flanked by showers warm enough for bathing, make for perfect camping; fifty species of mammals, including eight primates and several species of leopards, thrive in the surrounding jungle; and professional kayakers compare the quality of the whitewater among the greatest in the world, ranking with the Zambezi, the Grand Canyon, the Futaleufu, and the White Nile.
Sadly, the Indian government and the Chinese government upstream are concurrently working on projects that will flood the Siang Valley along with its rainforest, the wildlife, the Adi homeland, and the spectacular Siang River Gorge. Global Descents urges you to take advantage of the opportunity to explore this remote, wild, and astonishing place before it ceases to exist!
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Locations visited/nearby
India, Asia
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Global Descents:
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Reviewer: Hi Matt
located in
Elizabeth Pagano,
I thought you'd get a kick out of knowing that my mom is singing your praises to business audiences. We've been promoting our new book in Atlanta, Austin, Memphis, Chicago, and Madrid, and she's ending her speeches with a story about how you got down in the boat and gave a pep talk to the women before the last few rapids...and what a difference you made to the women...and what a great example of leadership you are. The audiences love the story. You're a hit! All the best to you, Matt.
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Reviewer: Matt and Harvey
located in
Jeremy Deem,
I'm writing to thank you for the expedition of a lifetime! I've
traveled around the world with numerous outfitters, and I have to say that my Global Descents Zanskar expedition was hands down the most best one that I've participated in. Your professionalism, your fun and flexible personalities, and your ability to handle the most extreme situations amazed me. I look forward to the Zambezi this fall and the Futaleufu next January! Yours truly,
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Reviewer: Jane
located in
Sincerely, Alex ,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for such an amazing trip on the Nile. I never though that I would feel so comfortably calm in such huge whitewater. Your calming leadership and focus on safety is unmatched. By the way, my favorite part of the trip was when we flipped the boat in "Silverback"! I'm already thinking about doing a trip with you in Chile this winter. Thanks for memories!
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Days 1 and 2Beginning your journey with a flight to New Delhi’s Gandhi International Airport, you’ll debark and spend one night near the airport. The next morning, you catch a five-hour fight to Dibrugarh, Assam, in Northeast India. Your Global Descents Trip Leader will meet you at the Dibrugarh Airport, and will accompany you to one of the nicer hotels in this eclectic town. After welcome drinks and snacks, there will be time for a stroll around town, or time to relax before a great Indian meal served at the hotel night one!
Day 3
We leave the hotel at 6:30 AM for the Dibrugarh ferry terminal. A two-hour, local ferry across the braided Brahmaputra starts at 8 AM. Keep an eye out for the endangered Brahmaputra freshwater dolphin! After reaching the other side of the Brahmaputra, we journey to Arunachal Pradesh’s border post. There we present our Restricted Area Permits, and continue on to reach our hotel in Pasighat by early afternoon. The afternoon is free to explore Pasighat’s traditional market, buy souvenirs, get over let-lag, and explore. We have another talk over dinner at 7 PM, and pack our waterproof dry bags for the journey to put-in. Extra bags can be left at our base in Pasighat for pickup on return.
Day 4
This morning we will drive by private jeep through the rainforest (India’s last remaining one) to our put-in near Yingkiong, taking in panoramic views of the traditional bamboo and thatch homes of the Adi; and meeting many of the people along the road. We’ll meet the rest of the Global Descents staff, who await with rigged boats and a great lunch. After covering a detailed safety orientation, it’s time to get on the water for a short run to an enormous sunset beach for camp.
Day 5
After a spectacular breakfast, we’ll paddle Yingkiong Rapid and several other Class III-IV’s such as Good Morning and Initiation followed by a scenic float through steep canyons teeming with waterfalls cascading out of the rainforest, over gneiss cliffs, and into the river. Happy hour at camp with horseshoes and appetizers, followed by a Global Descents specialty for dinner!
Day 6
Floating downstream today we’ll visit with Adi people who gather alongside the river foraging and fishing. We’ll encounter several large rapids and more fantastic scenery. Tonight we will set camp on a sand beach near the village of Rui and bath in the waterfalls that stream into camp.
Day 7
After a hearty breakfast, today we glide past the confluences of the Yamne and the Siyom Rivers. The volume of the river increases with the added water. Early into camp, we’ll have a great happy hour, appetizers, and campfire as we watch the sun set over the (as it is now called) Brahmaputra.
Days 8
Today we’ll marvel at the hanging cane/bamboo bridges between tackling several smaller rapids and marveling at the seemingly endless incredible scenery.
Days 9
Layover Day! Today we’ll make an early start for hiking to an indigenous village uphill of camp. Upon our return, we’ll learn to kayak, pitch horseshoes, relax, and enjoy an extraordinary fresh Maseer (fish) dinner caught or purchased from local fishermen we encounter in the village.
Days 10
Our last big river day, today we encounter one of the most intimidating rapids, Pongging, which is followed by numerous Class III-IV’s. Our final night on the river, we’ll celebrate with an awesome barbeque dinner and s’mores over the fire!
Days 11
We’ll awaken early this morning to make it to the take-out near Pasighat. Wishing your guides farewell, you’ll cruise into town with your Trip Leader for a great lunch and a short helicopter ride back downstream to Dibrugarh, where you’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel. After hot showers and a great dinner, we’ll sleep in comfortable beds and pack for the flight back to Delhi in the morning!
Day 12
After a relaxed breakfast buffet is served in the restaurant and guests are welcome to enjoy it at their leisure. At noon we leave for the airport to catch a scenic Himalayan flight back to Delhi and connect to your international flight or on to your next destination.
More information from Global Descents:
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www.globaldescents.com/expedition/siang-river-expedition/… - Company profile, experience, and history
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