Located in the Eastern Himalayan sub-region and known to be one of the richest bio-diverse regions in India, Namdapha National Park protects the lowland evergreen rainforests in the northernmost region at 27°N latitude and is also renowned for its dense Dipterocarp forestry. Spanning over 766 square miles, Namdapha is a large protected area in Northeast India with over a 1,000 floral and about 1,400 faunal varieties. From a tourism perspective, Namdapha is one of the major tourist destinations in Arunachal Pradesh and also one of the largest national parks in the country. Here’s a travel guide to help you find your way in Namdapha National Park.

By Air:

The closest airport to Namdapha is in Dibrugarh at Mohanbari Airport in Assam, about 182 km from Deban’s Forest Rest House. It takes roughly 2 ½ hours from New Delhi to Dibrugarh and then about 5 hours in a taxi to the National Park.

By Train:

New Tinsukia Railway Station is the nearest long-distance train station to Namdapha National Park and is about 141km from the Forest Rest House in Deban within the premise of the park. The closest passenger station to the Park is in Margherita, roughly 91km from Deban.

By Road:

The road conditions to Miao, the entry to Namdapha National Park are well-maintained and pretty accessible. While Deban’s Forest Rest House is about 186km from Dibrugarh and roughly 141km from Tinsukia, Assam State Transport Corporation and Arunachal Pradesh both have ample bus services operating en route.

Getting Around:

An hour’s drive through the captivating 26km span of forest roads with flowing streams, waterfalls and narrow gorges through the entire journey, Deban – a small village is nestled between the soft folds of the Patkai Hills within the Namdapha National Park and is best reached by either hiring private cabs or government-run and private bus services. Hiring a taxi from Miao to Deban can be really expensive. You can also hire a Taxi Sumo for a road trip.

Summer (March-May):

With a summer that witnesses temperatures as close to winters and a fair bit of rains, Namdapha National Park is quite pleasant during a summer visit as well. Since the showers prevent a lot of sunlight from heating up the interiors of the park, you’d be able to enjoy your wildlife excursions well from March through May.

Monsoon (June-September):

With moderate to heavy rainfall, June through September in Namdapha National Park affects all excursions, outdoor activities and bird watching during the Monsoon seasons. A typical average is roughly 2900mm of rains during the monsoon months.

Winter (October-February):

It is an absolute wonder to visit Namdapha National during October through February and one of the best times of the year as well. With an average temperature range of 8°C-25°C, while the flat land and valleys experience really cold weather, there’s recurring snowfall at the peaks.

Wildlife Spotting:

Its spectacular alpine and temperate forestry and colorful fauna make Namdapha National Park an absolute treat to visit and explore. Comprising of clouded and snow leopards, Asiatic black bears, red pandas and more, the park houses a huge variety of wildlife species and you can also visit the Dapha Bum Range at the Mishmi Hills, which also is one of the highest points in the park premise.

Jungle Safari:

Namdapha’s huge expanse is an excellent place to explore a wildlife safari here, where tourists can enjoy elephant rides, trekking, or boating, passing through dense forests and passing jungle rivulets with occasional animal sightings as well. Visitors can also choose to camp under the stars near the river beds.

A Trip to the Miao Museum:

One of the most popular tourist sites in the National Park, the Miao Museum is an incredible tourist spot located near the Field Director’s Office where a large number of animal species from the park are exhibited. You can also get an insight into local village life with the displays on clothes, tools and other lifestyle amenities from the nearby hamlets.

You may not really find anything too fancy in and around the Namdapha National Park to enjoy in terms of eating out, however, the next best stop to explore local cuisine is in Miao. Here, you’d find an assortment of delicious fares like noodles and momos. It is also recommended that you carry packaged snacks or a decent supply of fruits with you to avoid getting stuck unawares. Some of the best places to enjoy eating out in Miao include the Wunpawng Restaurant, Ana Dawa Tibetan Restaurant and the River Café. You can also explore eating at the Namdapha Jungle Camp, Tai Hut and the Bamboo Hut Restaurant.

Namdapha National Park is good for enjoying a nature’s retreat or wildlife safaris, however, for your shopping requirements, it is best to explore Dibrugarh or the Changlang District at large. Being a popular tourist destination, Dibrugarh offers a number of souvenirs to take back home. Besides the local shops, there are shopping complexes and malls here, where you can go shopping. Famous for its tea, Dibrugarh has a number of tea estates and hence warrants taking some samples for your home. You can also explore shopping for traditional silk fabrics, mekhela chaddar made of paat or muga. There’s Gamocha which is a cultural symbol and very popular among tourists.