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 the 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 its religious and historical significance.
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Mechuka is also known as
Menchuka, which is made of three words: “Men” means "medicinal",
“Chu” means "water" and “Kha” means "ice" in the local
language. The melted water flows here from the snow-capped peak is believed to
have medicinal values.
Mechuka Valley is home to the
people of the Memba, Ramo, Bokar and Libo tribes. The local population is
primarily Memba, a Tibeto-mongloid Ethnic Group. People of this place are
believers of Buddhism, Donyi-Poloism, Christianity and speak Memba, Adi, Hindi
and English. Mechuka is known for both its religious and historical
significance. The 400-year old Samten Yongcha monastery of Mahayana Buddhist
sect is a contemporary of the much-revered Tawang Monastery.
How to Reach Mechuka?
Motorable roads connect most of
the places of West Siang District. Aalo the district headqtr is the gateway to
Mechukha and is well connected to the capital, Itanagar and the adjacent
state-Assam by road and air. Visitors can reach Aalo by bus, Private Tata Sumo
service, private vehicles and taxis from both Itanagar and Guwahati (Assam).
From Itanagar there are two routes to reach Aalo: one through Pasighat via Pangin
(356 km) and another one through Silapathar/Likhabali -Basar (around 303 km).
Though it is longer, the first one is better to travel than the other one. The
2nd option is almost impossible to travel in rainy season due to land
slide/road cutting. From Guwahati, the distance is 817 kms. There are direct
Arunachal Pradesh State Transport (APST) bus service connections from both
Itanagar and Guwahati upto Aalo. From Aalo, daily Sumo is available for
Mechukha. The APST bus station is situated at Itanagar and in Guwahati (ISBT).
Private buses/taxis are also available at both Itanagar and Guwahati
By Train:
Nearest railway station
Silapathar (Assam) and Naharlagun (Arunachal Pradesh).
By Air:
The nearest airports are at
Lilabari (North Lakhimpur) and Guwahati (Gopinath Bordoloi International
Airport) and Mohanbari (Dibrugarh) both in Assam.
What is the Best Time to visit Mechuka?
November is the best time to
visit Mechuka also in November the Mechuka festival and other festival like Ziro festivals and Tawang Festivals held in Arunachal Pradesh
What is Mechuka festival?
The Mechuka Festival, a 3-day
adventure extravaganza organised every year at Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh took
place from November 23-25 (2018). The objective of the festival is to
promote adventure tourism in Arunachal Pradesh, and is an initiative of the
Department of Tourism of Arunachal Pradesh. The festival involves a range of
activities for adventure junkies such as propelled glider and micro-light
glider rides, aero-modelling, paragliding, trap shooting, mountain biking, river
crossing, rappelling, rafting, trekking, zorbing and rock climbing.
The sixth edition of the Mechuka (2018),
Actor Salman Khan, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief Minister of Arunachal
Pradesh, Pema Khandu, had kick started the festival by cycling over the hilly
terrains, inaugurating the MTB Arunachal Mountain Bicycle Race, which is part
of the festival. Not only Salman Khan, The festival also join by the another Bollywood actor John Abraham (Brand Ambassador of Arunachal Pradesh).
Things to Do in Mechuka Festival?
There are five different types of
adventures that people can take part in during the festival:
1. Mechukha Bike Downhill Championship
This mountain biking championship
in Northeast India is the first in the region and the second in the country
after the Himalayan Biking Festival in Manali.
2. Paragliding Accuracy Championship
Pilots get to show their skills
in landing and win a trophy in this event, for which the Paragliding
Association of Arunachal (PAA) is the partner.
3. Competitive angling
In this fishing competition, the
target species is Trout. All your fishing talents will be used here and there
is prize money too if you win.
4. Mechukha Kayak Challenge
Kayakers from all over India
participate in this completion which is organized by the Arunachal Pradesh
Water Sports Association.
5. Endurance ride from Itanagar to Mechukha
This grueling race covers 730
km in 7 days beginning from Itanagar till Mechuka Valley.
Thing needed before visit Arunachal Pradesh?
Arunachal Pradesh falls under
restricted area and official permission is required to enter the state, and
therefore the visitors other than natives of Arunachal Pradesh are required to
obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter into the State. The Permit is
granted as a routine for the tourists and so it should not deter any tourist
from coming to Arunachal Pradesh. Inner line Permits are issued by the
Secretary (Political), Government of Arunachal Pradesh. To Apply Click Here
You Can Also Pre-register for Mechuka Festival at http://www.adventureatmechuka.in