Anini Mechuka Walong Road Trip Arunachal

Rumbling Ride on Jagged Roads…A Blissful Spring Destination at India’s Far-East!

Arunachal Chalo!

by Ravishankar. K. Bhat (Editor at Kannada Prabha)

Crowded streets bursting with people, the deafening noise of vehicles, the relentless demands of professional and personal life, irritating phone calls, notifications buzzing every moment, time-eating reels, and the never-ending whirlwinds of social media… If you try escaping all this for a few days by going to some tourist place, you’ll quickly realize that even those places are now flooded with the same chaos—right?

Looking for a place untouched by any of this? Then the perfect spot right now lies at the extreme eastern tip of our country—Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern counterpart of what Jammu & Kashmir is to the north.

Among the “Ashtalakshmis” of Northeast India, Arunachal is like a ceremonial pot of abundance—vast, serene, and magnificent. Sharing borders with Bhutan (west), Tibet/China (north-east), and Myanmar (east), the state stretches lengthwise across India’s far-east. Geographically, it is the largest of the eight northeastern states, yet surprisingly, its total population is merely around 15–16 lakh. Even more astonishing—Arunachal has the lowest population density in all of India (only 17 people per sq. km!).

Denser forests than our own Malenadu, cloud-touching mountain ranges, countless waterfalls, widespread snow in winter, tiny villages hidden between them, more than 25 indigenous tribes with their vibrant cultures, short but warm-hearted mountain people, growing modern amenities supported by expanding road networks, and abundant opportunities for cycling, biking, trekking, adventure, leisure, and exploration…

All this together forms a brief picture of the extraordinary land called Arunachal. 

Two Major Tourist Circuits

Arunachal has two primary travel circuits:

1. Western & Central Arunachal Circuit: Bomdila Pass, Dirang,  valley, the Indo-China border at Bumla Pass, the scenic Bhalukpong, Seppa, Ziro, and the state capital Itanagar. This is the more popular, tourist-heavy route.
2. Northern & Eastern Arunachal Circuit:  in the north,  in the northeast, and Walong in the far east. These are lesser-known, sparsely visited and still very challenging to access—ideal for those wanting true remoteness. Since we wanted to escape worldly noise, we chose the second circuit. Even here, timing is crucial:

Best for biking: late October to early November (after the monsoon).

For snowfall: late November to March.

Summer (April–May): dry and clear.

Avoid June–September: heavy rains and landslides.

To reach Mechuka, Anini, or Walong you have three options: Cycle / Motorcycle, Public transport like Tata Sumo or cargo vans (no proper buses here), Helicopter services for those who prefer convenience. 

Mechuka — A Hidden Town in the North

Mechuka (or Menchukha) is the main town at the northern frontier of Arunachal. Not long ago, before the roads were built, Mechuka connected with the outer world only through horse trails and an airstrip built by the Indian Air Force. It is a constituency in Shi-Yomi district.

“Men-Chu-Kha” means medicinal water from snow. The Siyom (or Yargyap Chu) river flows right beside the town, with grass-covered hills and snow-clad mountains forming a spectacular valley. The 400-year-old Buddhist monastery, surrounding trekking hills, hanging bridges across the river, calm weather, winter snowfall, the scenic Dorjeeling village, and the colourful tribal culture make Mechuka a treasure. Adventure sports and water activities are available too, and homestays are plentiful.

About 45 km away lies Lamang, the last Indian security outpost on this side. The road leading there is a journey by itself— a Gurudwara built by Sikh soldiers in memory of Guru Nanak’s visit, a Hanuman temple beside a massive rock resembling Hanuman’s face, 15–20 striking waterfalls, Yorlung helipad, and the Lamang Chowki at 11,154 ft. Multiple army check posts require prior permission. Google Maps is unreliable here. Although the distance is only 45 km, a round trip takes an entire day. To fully explore Mechuka, you need at least 7–12 days.

Anini — The Trekker’s Paradise

Known as the trekker’s paradise, Anini lies in the northeastern frontier in Dibang Valley district. The name is believed to come from the supreme deity of the Idu Mishmi tribe. Anini rests between the Dibang and Dri rivers—full of vast meadows, pine-covered mountains, and countless valleys. Compared to Mechuka, it is more developed, with ample resorts and homestays. Roads are also better. Popular trekking spots include: Emuli grasslands, The Seven Lakes, Ayo, Mithun and Mayodia Pass. Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, the serene Dri River at Acheso, the narrow valley between twin mountains, the last ITBP outpost at Bruni, endless waterfalls across Mavu, Mitshe, Ahi, Bruni… the list is endless. You can easily spend two peaceful weeks here without a hint of boredom.

Walong — India’s Easternmost Frontier

Walong is the easternmost tip—not just of Arunachal, but of entire India. In Anjaw district, bordering Tibet (China) and Myanmar, this town holds immense historical significance. During the 1962 Indo-China war, Indian soldiers displayed extraordinary bravery here, pushing back massive waves of Chinese troops. A war memorial stands in their honour. Like Mechuka, Walong too has an airstrip. Along the Lohit river—one of the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra—lies this serene town. Only about 5–6 km away is a base of our own Coorg regiment, home to many soldiers from Karnataka and South India.

Nearby is Tilam, known for natural hot springs. The Dong hanging bridge, capable of supporting motorcycles, gets the adrenaline pumping.

Dong Valley, where India witnesses its earliest sunrise, is spectacular. About 30–35 km further lie the remote villages Kibithu and Kaho—India’s easternmost villages. Walong and Tilam have a few homestays. You need a week to explore this region. But to fully experience Mechuka, Anini, and Walong together, a month and a half will barely suffice.

5 People, 13 Days, 2100 km

Our five-member team—four men and one woman from journalism, design, IT and other fields—began our bike journey from Dibrugarh in Assam.

We flew from Bengaluru to Dibrugarh, hired bikes there, and began our Arunachal circuit. Over 13 days, we covered about 2100 km. Crossing the 4.94-km Bogibeel Bridge (India’s longest road-cum-rail bridge), we reached Likabali, the gateway to Arunachal. From there, the ascents began—mountains to climb, descend, repeat.

Every day demanded climbing 8–10 mountains. Loose stones, sudden rockfalls, landslide zones, narrow muddy tracks, and cliffs plunging 2000–3000 ft on one side—this was routine. Rain doubled the difficulty. Road-widening works could halt you for 1–3 hours if you missed the clearance window. By 3:30–4 PM, the sun would disappear behind mountains and darkness fell instantly. With no mobile network, even Google abandoned us—and with no people around to ask for directions, anxiety could freeze your blood. Hence, even 180–200 km inside Arunachal required 6–7 hours at minimum. Add sightseeing, photos, and chai breaks, and you easily spend 8–9 hours a day. Compared to riding 550–600 km a day on Karnataka highways, riding 180–200 km in Arunachal is FAR tougher. 

Our route roughly went like this:

Day-1: Dibrugarh → Aalo – 190 km

Day-2: Aalo → Mechuka – 190 km

Day-3: Mechuka → Lamang & back – 40 km each way

Day-4: Mechuka → Aalo – 190 km

Day-5: Aalo → Roing – 185 km

Day-6: Roing → Anini – 220 km

Day- 7&8: Around Anini – 130–140 km

Day-9: Anini → Roing – 220 km

Day-10: Roing → Walong – 250 km

Day-11: Around Walong – only 15 km due to bad weather

Day-12: Walong → Digaru – 220 km

Day-13: Digaru → Dibrugarh – 160 km

By the end, we had spent 85–90 hours on the motorcycle in just 13 days!

Chai to the Rescue!

Unlike our highways, Arunachal’s roads seldom have villages alongside. Hotels and eateries are rare. Every 50–60 km, you may find one or two small hamlets. Some have tiny grocery shops, some only a chai-and-biscuit shed. Proper eateries exist only in sub-town regions. Everything is veg-cum-non-veg. For vegetarians, it’s usually dal-chawal, roti-sabzi, or noodles. Tuḳpa is common. Momos are rare here. For bikers, these chai shops are nothing short of oases. After riding continuously for 1–2 hours on difficult terrain, your back begins pleading for mercy! A short break is essential. And in those breaks… chai becomes fuel: Doodh chai, adrak chai, elaichi chai, chini-kum chai, kadak chai, kaala chai… There is no tea that Arunachal doesn’t serve! If petrol was fuel for the bike, chai was our fuel.

In a Bike Ride, You Become Your Own Friend

Compared to car, bus, or train travel, biking offers unique benefits: sharpening your skills, testing your focus, experiencing raw adventure, and enjoying uninterrupted 360° views of the outdoors. But the biggest advantage is solitude. No mobile network, No one sitting beside you to talk, No chance of dozing even for a second, It’s 100% alertness. Throughout the journey, you are your only companion. You talk to yourself, hum songs, shout into the wind if you wish—no other mode of travel gives such intimate solitude. Except maybe the bathroom!

Be “Gear-Ready” Before You Ride

Road trips are now common. Particularly in Bengaluru, bikers are everywhere. Many travel enthusiasts are also well-equipped. But an equal number start riding without any preparation, and many who dream of riding suppress that dream simply because they don't know what gear is needed. So here’s a simple list. Just as soldiers go to war fully armed, riders must begin their journey fully gear-armed. Apart from the bike, you need: High-quality full-face helmet, Balaclava/head cover, Weather-suitable gloves, Riding jacket & pants, Raincoat or rain liners, Riding boots, Comfortable inner-wear, A sturdy bag with bungee cords, A rain cover for the bag, Hydration pack, Chargers, power bank, Basic puncture & repair tools, Camera gear (optional). Without these, a pleasant trip can turn miserable. Example: If it rains and your bag lacks a rain cover, everything inside becomes soaking wet. The rest of your tour descends into chaos. 

The Mighty Himalayan 450

Just as a temple is incomplete without its sanctum, a road trip is incomplete without the right motorcycle. We chose the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, ideal for Arunachal’s mix of highways, rough trails, and off-road mountain tracks.

Its highlights: Powerful engine for steep climbs, Excellent suspension for potholes and rocks, High ground clearance, ABS for stability, USD forks for tight bends & rough roads, Strong disc brakes, Comfortable touring seat, USB charging, GPS navigation, The four men in our group took Himalayan 450s.

Our woman rider chose the lighter Royal Enfield Hunter 350 due to height & weight considerations. Despite its limitations, she completed the entire route effortlessly—quite an achievement!

Budget Estimate:

• Approx. Cost: ₹70,000–75,000 (Per Person)
• Flight (Bengaluru → Dibrugarh round trip): ₹15,000–16,000
• Bike rental (₹2000/day × 13 days): ~₹26,000
• Food + Stay (~₹2000/day): ~₹26,000
• Fuel, service, permits: ₹8,000–10,000

Total: ₹70,000–75,000 per person.

Things to Remember

• Homestays available in most towns; resorts in bigger ones
• Book in advance — dorm: ₹500–1000, rooms: ₹2500–4000
• Pure vegetarians may struggle; dal-roti-maggie are safe options
• Beef (mithun), pork, chicken, eggs are common
• Alcohol is cheap—30–40% cheaper than Bengaluru
• Petrol pumps are rare; never let your tank hit reserve
• Some villages sell black-market petrol at higher rates
• Mobile network is scarce—mostly Airtel or BSNL
• Online payments often fail; carry sufficient cash
• Inner Line Permit is mandatory for entry
• District Collector’s special permission required for border areas; most homestays help arrange this

Incase you are looking to book properties in Arunachal Pradesh, OurGuest Travels is one of the best travel companies who will help you book your stays for you and also help you plan your Arunachal Pradesh Tour. I booked my Chigu Camp stay through them and it was a nice experience.