Discovering Eastern Arunachal: Anini and Chigu Resort Adventure Guide

Why Visit Anini in Arunachal Pradesh?

Anini, nestled deep in the Dibang Valley district of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, is one of India’s most untouched offbeat destinations. Known for its serene landscapes, gushing waterfalls, dense forests, and thrilling outdoor adventures, Anini offers a rare experience far removed from mainstream tourism.

Recently awarded the ‘Best Offbeat Mountain Destination’ at the Outlook Travellers Award 2024, Anini has started gaining recognition among explorers, yet it still retains its raw charm. Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure enthusiast, or culture seeker, Anini has something unique to offer.

Here you can:

• Hike, trek, and camp in pristine mountain trails.
• Experience bird-watching, forest walks, and wildlife safaris.
• Spot the rare Mishmi Takin, a unique species native to the region.
• Enjoy tribal area tours and cultural immersion with the local Idu Mishmi community.
• Indulge in thrilling activities like white-water rafting on the Dree River.  

How to reach Anini?

Nearest Railway Station to Anini: New Tinsukia Junction, Assam. From Tinsukia it takes about 9 hours to reach Anini. Unless you are starting really early in the morning, it is a good idea to halt one night at Roing before starting for Anini the next day. Roing to Anini takes about 6 to 7 hours. But there is road repair work going on at Awali village (about 2 hours before Anini) and the road remains closed between 2 pm to 5:30 pm in the afternoon. Therefore you need to plan is such a way that you cross Awali before 2 pm, otherwise you will be stuck there till 5:30 pm.

Nearest Airport to Anini: Dibrugarh Airport. The journey from the Dibrugarh Airport to Roing takes approximately 3 hours. From Roing, it's a 7–8-hour drive to Anini and another 1 hour from Anini to Chigu Resort.
Please Note: The roads to Anini and Chigu Resort are off-road and challenging. In case of emergencies, you might face difficulties. We strongly recommend a minimum stay of 2 nights.

Where to stay in Anini?

Mishmi Hills Resort, Anini is a secluded property with amazing views!!  Good food, decent and clean rooms.  Chimi, the owner, is very helpful and goes out of her way to make the guests feel comfortable. 

Electricity Problem in Anini:

Electricity can be erratic in Anini. However, our partner properties have power backup generators for essential needs like charging and geysers. Please follow the specified timings for using the electricity. Incase you cannot use geysers, the owners will provide you with hot water.

Chigu Camp near Acheso -  Perfect Escape for Nature Lovers: 

Booking for Chigu Camp: OurGuest takes reservations for Chigu Camp. For a hassle-free experience you can book rooms online. You will receive a booking slip, which is the only assured way to confirm your reservation.

The difficulties of making a reservation in Chigu Resort:

Chigu Resort is about 1 hour from Anini when you travel by car and the mobile network connectivity out there is really poor. Therefore whenever we have to confirm a reservation for Chigu Resort, we have to request someone from Anini to drive down to Chigu Resort and inform the exact reservation details of the guest. This includes how many people will be travelling, what meals are included, what kind of rooms, etc. Because of this complication, we request all our clients to make full advance payment before check-in date. OurGuest provides a reservation voucher to guests who have booked through us. The guests show the reservation voucher at Chigu Resort.

Other difficulties at Chigu Resort:

•    There is electricity problem but there is a power backup in Chigu Resort. The generator is switched on in the mornings and evening.
•    Geyser also runs on power backup
•    There is no mobile network

Limited stays are available in Anini at Mishmi Hills. Please avoid last-minute bookings, as the owners often travel to cities for holidays.

What to Expect in Anini?

•    A nature-centric experience with breathtaking waterfalls and untouched forests.
•    Pre-book white-water rafting to ensure availability and preparedness.​​​​

Wildlife: Keep an eye out for the unique Mishmi Takin during your stay.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Things to Know Before Reaching Anini:

•    Distance: Plan a night halt at Roing. The travel time from Roing to Anini is about 7-8 hours. It is advisable to stay one night at Anini before you travel to Chigu Resort. 
•    Network and Connectivity: There is a limited phone network in Anini. Pre-arrange your trip to avoid being stranded due to lack of communication.

One of the big mistakes that travellers make when they are travelling to Anini or Chigu Resort is that they drive down themselves without making a confirmed booking. What they don’t realize is that there are very few properties or hotels in Anini and often times, the owners of the properties may not be there at the property when there are no bookings for the day. Hence, it is advisable to make full payments and confirm your booking beforehand before travelling to Anini or Chigu Resort. 
Travellers have enquired with us about Chigu Resort, not made payments and then directly went to the resort only to find that nobody was there (because the staff had all gone to Anini for the day since there were no bookings). They drove 1 hour to reach Chigu Resort, did not find anyone, and the drove all the way back to Anini.

Nature's Reward:
Despite the challenges, the pristine beauty and serenity of Anini and Chigu Resort will undoubtedly reward you. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Last words: Nature will reward you for visiting this place. So, plan ahead, book with us, and embark on an unforgettable adventure in Eastern Arunachal!
OurGuest plans and organizes tours for guests wanting to travel to Anini and other offbeat parts of Arunachal Pradesh. We also manage the ILP documents on your behalf. 

Written by Omanso Tayang: Offbeat Travel Enthusiast 
Omanso, an avid backpacker with an engineering background from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, returned to his home state after completing his education in Chennai & NERIST. Passionate about promoting the lesser-known destinations, Oman has traveled across most parts of Arunachal to find unique locations like Anini, Dong Valley, Namsai etc. When not exploring, Oman enjoys camping, trekking, dancing and going on culinary adventures. 

Please do reach out to us at 7669503993 or email us at contact@ourguest.in to plan your customized Anini Arunachal Pradesh holiday.