Anini is a small town situated in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley District and is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination. Named after the Mishmi Tribe’s chief deity, Anini is located in between Rivers Mathun and Dibang and presents an incredible view of the North East Himalayas. Traveling to Anini is quite easy and convenient as it is well connected, although not directly by air through the Tezu Airport, which is roughly 200km from Anini and the Tinsukia Train Station being the closest Railway Station. Alternatively, you can also reach Anini from Assam’s Dibrugarh Airport. From a tourism perspective, Anini is enriched with small villages like Hunli, Roing, Angulin and Arruju New Anaya which depict the rich cultural heritage of varied tribes and the presence of Mehao and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuaries are the feathers to its crown. Here’s a travel guide to help you find your way in and around Anini.

By Air:

Anini does not have a direct airport, however, the nearest airport is about 176km in Dibrugarh. On arrival at Dibrugarh, you can take a cab to reach Anini.

By Train:

The closest train station to Anini is at Tinsukia which is comparatively well connected to most metros in India, making traveling by train comfortable and one of the best ways to reach Anini. With most Rajdhani trains stopping here, it is also a pocket-friendly travel alternative.

By Road:

Anini has a number of buses from neighboring cities that ferry locals and visitors back and forth. The road connectivity to Anini is quite comfortable, however, it may be challenging to access it during seasonal changes. However, a road trip is one of the best ways to enjoy a scenic drive to Anini.

Getting Around:

To travel to and within Anini, it is best to hire a private vehicle or a cab to find your way around. There are some pathways that are accessible by transport. However, there are some beyond which you can only explore the region on foot.

Summer (April-July):

The summer season in Anini is comparatively wetter than the winter season and quite pleasant, given its elevated location. With mild temperatures, the average in Anini from April through July ranges between 20°C and 25°C.

Monsoon (August-October):

Monsoons anywhere are beautiful and make everything look bright, colorful and captivating. So is the case with Anini too. Since the area receives almost 80% of its precipitation, monsoon season is quite heavy in Anini and can hamper any travel plans or cancel outdoor activities. It is best to avoid visiting Anini during this period.

Winter (November-March):

If you’re a winter enthusiast, then Anini’s a tourist paradise from November through March. The climate’s fairly pleasant and really cold with temperature dropping to 2°C at times. Snowfall is common and rather heavy during winters, but you will enjoy sightseeing and indulging in outdoor activities during this time.

Kissing the clouds at Anini: 

A small village where the clouds literally descend to say hello, where the unexplored landscape makes for a natural spa to rejuvenate and refresh your body, mind and spirit, Anini is an ideal tourist getaway in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh marked by glorious basins and a lovely weather to make it one of the popular tourist attractions and one of the most beautiful ones in Northeast India. You can look forward to exploring and experiencing different Arunachali Tribes and their cultural legacy here.

Nature’s Expedition:

Situated at an elevation of 1,900m akin to Manali, Anini’s one of the farthest towns in AP in the Dibang Valley District. It has two beautiful rivers of Mathun and Dri flowing through the town’s edge and the mount Kahaii Kala marking the scenic gorges. With a populace of less than 6,000 people, the town provides plenty of space for everyone to enjoy Mother Nature. Go berserk taking leisurely strolls, treks, picnicking amidst the exotic fauna in Anini in the company of Red Goral, Mishmi Takin, Musk Deer, Asiatic Black Bear and Red Panda

Up-Close & Personal at the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary:

With a panoramic landscape that precedes any description along a rugged mountain belt, the Mehao Wildlife Reserve is a wondrous site for not only its visitors but also the world of Botanists, Ornithologists, Zoologists and Ecologists, with a unique natural lake amidst its wilderness. Located 17km from Roing, the sanctuary spans over 282 sq.km at an elevation of 400m to 356m from the sea level.

Trekking in the lush green Hunli and the Mayudia Pass:

Mayodia is a hill resort of a unique kind, located next to lush and picturesque scenery of the Himalayas. It is a lovely place to explore trekking. The uphill drive to the resort through Baro Golai offers a sense of adventure to the entire experience. You can also look forward to taking a trek in Hunli, a small town en route to Anini, about 90km from Roing.

Anini’s local cuisine has a certain Tibetan touch in addition to the tribal colors and elements that are typical in the region. The typical cuisine common to Arunachal includes stuffed vegetable or pork/meat dumplings, thukpa, millets dish made with veggies or meat & fermented cheese, rice pulao with cured cheese, fish or shrimp and other spices. Aside from the Tibetan fares, you can also indulge your taste buds in Chinese or Bengali cuisine. Be sure to try Churpee – a local delicacy made of cheese and Yak’s milk, Darjeeling Tea and other Indian dishes.

Given its remote location, shopping for keepsakes and souvenirs may be a bit challenging in Anini. However, you can explore neighboring towns and markets for the same. Roing is the last major township at the North-East frontier and its bazaar is a commercial spot where most locals go shopping for supplies and edibles.