Nameri - Balinkpong & arriving at Eaglenest

Despite a late night, we are excited enough to wake up early to explore this beautiful place on the border of Assam and Arunachal. Our Campsite is the Nameri Eco Camp run by Assam Bhorelli Anglers Association and true to its name it is built on sound ecological principles. Accomodation is in very comfortable and well equiped tents. My room mate Soma Jha from Kolkatta and I are however assigned unit no 12 which is built in a traditional Assamese style house with wooden flooring and thatched roof - very cozy feel except that to reach our room we need to climb some extra high stairs and to access the washroom we need to bound down those stairs. Now that's sure is some early morning excercise!

A short drive from our resort brings us to the banks of the Jia Bhorelli river which cuts through the reserve forest. We cross the river in small fishing boats that can carry a maximum of 7 persons. So it is 2 rounds for us. There are wild elephants around, so we are warned to take care and for additional security we have an armed forest guard accompanying us. as it is raining photos are few, however we are treated to some good birdlife - Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon etc. and some of the best views of the Bar-headed Geese. The Photo below is of the Forest Rest house on the Opposite side of the river

Half our team crossing the Jia Bhorelli River

Osprey in flight over the Jia bhorolli River

This and the following two pictures are a flock of the Bar-headed Geese - a winter visitor to Western India

Buffaloes in the park give us very suspicous looks

My cottage no 12 at the camp

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A view of the tented accomodation

Giant Wood Spider

Ha Ha - I think I should put this sign outside my house too

A sudden surprsie near our campsite - Black-capped Langurs

Entry to Arunachal Pradesh at Balinkpong

Balinkpong - the place where you show your Inner Line Permits (ILP) before you are allowed to proceed further

Loved this saying

The drive from Nameri to the Lama Camp at Eaglenest is a long one through a winding mountain road that passes through the Military camp at Tenga. An eventful drive indeed with one vehicle running out of fuel in the midst of nowehere. The Army Garrison nearby helped to save the day. Getting fuel is one of the challenges and it had to be purchased at a premium from a wayside vendor (not petrol Pump), so no guarantee of its quality. But that is one of the many experiences and learnings that added excitement. You never know what can go wrong in the North-East. So leave expectations at home and pack in enthusiasm and lots of your sense of humour to get the most out of this trip and you will come away the richer for it.

By the time we reach the Lama Camp it is 1 a.m. in the morning and we have a feast of magi noodles before checking into our spartan tents (all the campsites in this area a very spartan). It is pitch dark and we use the lanterns and torches to find our way around.