Aalo MECHUKA
THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN
Aalo town, the district HQ of West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. This entire valley is a picnic spot for the next 60 kms upstream. This is next to Yomgo or Siyom river. This river forms by the upstream by the joining of rivers “Yom” & “Go”.Aalo the headquarter of West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 300 m from the sea level. Sitting amidst abundant natural surroundings, Aalo in Arunachal Pradesh is a small town with beautiful villages. Aalo Arunachal Pradesh is a most ideal place to spend the hot summer seasons. The picturesque surroundings laced with brilliant plantations makes Aalo in Arunachal one of the most perfect health resorts of India. The places one can visit at Along are the Mithun and Jersey Cross Breeding Farm at Kamki 25 kms away from Aalo.
Aalo in Arunachal Pradesh is inhabited by Galo Tribe (Tani or predecessor of Abo Tani). You can have visit of Jirdin, Kabu, Kayi villages, this will provide you an insight into the cultural of the people of Aalo in Arunachal Pradesh India. Sightseeing in Along Arunachal Pradesh
Travel Essentials
Things to keep in mind before traveling
- Every tourist visiting Arunachal Pradesh needs to obtain an Inner Line Permit(FOR DOMESTIC TOURIST) and a Protected Area Permit(FOR FOREIGN TOURIST) which can be collected from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati or Tezpur airports.
- The weather in the north-east is pretty unpredictable, so be prepared to have delays due to the bad weather.
- Locals are friendly and helpful. Be patient as not everyone will know fluent Hindi or English.
- Sometimes cell phone networks don’t work well in remote areas, so inform your family or friends about your whereabouts whenever possible.
- Don’t forget to carry some ready to cook food packets or instant noodles if you’re strictly a vegetarian.
- Carry extra batteries, power banks and most importantly warm clothing.
- Keep at least a couple of extra days in hand in case of any problems like landslides and bad weather on your way.
By Air
Owing to its mostly mountainous terrain, Arunachal Pradesh doesn’t have its own airport. If you want to fly to Arunachal, you have two options, North Lakhimpur’s Lilabari Airport and Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, both in Assam. Out of these Lilabari is the closest one to Itanagar, Arunachal’s capital city. It receives flights four days of the week, mostly from Guwahati and Kolkata.
The distance of 72 km between Lilabari Airport and Itanagar can be covered in 2 hours. You can get on a state transport bus or hire a taxi, both of which are easily available outside the airport. But, if you’re looking for better connectivity and more flight frequency, Guwahati Airport is the better option. It receives flights from all the major cities around the country like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. But Guwahati to Itanagar by road is around 315 km which would take about 8 hours to cover.
A flight from Guwahati to Lilabari Airport would take much less time but cost a bit more than a bus or a taxi. Guwahati Airport also handles international flights from countries like Thailand, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.
By Railway
A train journey not Arunachal Pradesh is a fest for the eyes, and you will come across some of the most beautiful sights along the way. The mountains may slow you down but offer some breath-taking vistas in the bargain.
At 15 km the Naharlagun railway station in Arunachal Pradesh is the closest one to its state capital, Itanagar. It was started in 2015 and handles few trains as of now like the New Delhi – Naharlagun Arunachal Express and Naharlagun – Guwahati Intercity Express. Once you alight at Naharlagun, you can easily find state and private buses which will take you to Itanagar. You can also hire a taxi, although it will cost you more.
At 34 km, the Harmuti Railway Station in Assam is a bit farther away, but has more trains passing through. It will take you 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Itanagar by road by bus or taxi. But the best way to reach Arunachal Pradesh by rail is to come into Guwahati Railway station and continue onwards by train to Naharlagun. Guwahati enjoys the best connectivity in the region with the rest of the country. You can reach Guwahati from major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata.
By Road
Trains and aeroplanes might be the fastest ways to reach Arunachal Pradesh, but a road trip is the most interesting one. The winding mountain roads will challenge your driving skills and awe you with stunning vistas. The unreal scenery seems straight out of a picture postcard. The twisting roads add an element of drama while snaking sinuously over the mountains and through the valleys.
The state-owned Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Service (APSTS) has its headquarters in Itanagar. It runs its bus service to some major district headquarters like Tezpur and Guwahati in Assam, Shillong in Meghalaya and Dimapur in Nagaland. Every town and village in Arunachal Pradesh has its own bus station, so you won’t be left stranded.
Apart from buses taxis are the only other form of public transport. If you’re driving yourself, you will find many options. National Highway 52, NH 15 and NH 415 are the national highways that run into Arunachal Pradesh. You can reach Itanagar from Banderdewa, North Lakhimpur, Tezpur and Guwahati.
October and April are the best months to visit Arunachal Pradesh which are the winter and the spring months for the state. Arunachal is located at a high altitude, and so has pleasant weather throughout the year. During the summers (April to June) temperature might be too high to explore during the peak daytime hours. July to September is the monsoon season in the state when the terrain transforms into a beautiful green paradise, but many tourist attractions may be closed due to heavy rainfall.
| Seasons | Months | Temprature |
|---|---|---|
| Summers | March to june | 20 °C – 32 °C |
| Monsoon | july to September | 28°C – 32°C |
| Winters | November to February | 2°C – 18°C |
Mechuka is a small hamlet cuddled up 6,000 feet above sea level in the Mechuka Valley in West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. This picturesque Valley is about 29 km from Indo-Tibet border and around 500 km from the state capital Itanagar. It is one of the most picturesque destinations in the state. The nearest big town Along, which is a major tourist hub is approx 180 km from Mechuka. This place of Arunachal Pradesh is known for both its religious and historical significance.
Mechuka is also known as Menchuka, which is made of three words: “Men” means “medicinal”, “Chu” means “water” and “Kha” means “ice” in local language. The melted water flows here from the snow capped peak is believed to have medicinal values.
The place is a paradise on earth with untouched natural beauties. Due to its mesmerizing landscapes, exotic tribes, natural beautiful lake, snow-capped mountains and Siyom River or Yargyap Chu (local name), this place is gradually becoming a popular tourist destination in Arunachal Pradesh. The Siyom River flows through Mechuka also provide a spectacular view in the valley. The main habitants of Mechuka Valley are the people of the Memba, Ramo, Bokar and Libo tribes
The Patum Bridge is located on the Yomgo River. It is a cable bridge for vehicle transportation and a way for people to easily commute. It is also an important tourist attraction in Aalo as one can have a magnificent view of the entire city from the bridge.
At night, the bridge looks beautiful as it gleams with lights. Behind the bridge, an enticing view of the mountains covered with snow is soothing for the eyes.