Raft and Rod
Fishing from rafts in a remote and otherwise inaccessible section of the upper Brahmaputra
11 night/12 day holiday, fishing for Mahseer from rafts
We head to the upper reaches of the Brahmapura River in Arunachal Pradesh, India, for a exciting trip that combines adventurous rafting with great fishing.
We spend 7 nights camping-out as we float down some otherwise inaccessible beats on the river. Fishing will be the priority but you can be sure to have some white-water fun as the trip unfurls.
Good-sized Mahseer are regularly caught on this section and there are reports of big Goonch for those more interested in catfishing.
This is a remote area requiring special permission to enter, but you can expect to be rewarded by an unforgettable experience.
Please note: This fishing holiday starts and ends in Dibrugarh (Airport Code, DIB) the nearest to the rafting. Through our agents in India we can provide you with all the assistance you need to get there from your international portal, including any domestic flights, trains, transfers or accommodation.
If you would like to extend your holiday with other services in India then we can provide a free quotation on request.
Day 1: Arrival in Dibrugarh
Transfer from the airport to a comfortable hotel in town.
Once everyone is ready, your tour leader will give a short briefing followed by an orientation tour.
There is free time before a welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner at a restaurant
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2: Dibrugarh - Pasighat
We take the ferry upstream and across the Brahmaputra, weaving our way through the Braids (magnificent white-silt islands) towards Pasighat. We take private jeeps the last leg to this, the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch en-route and a traditional dinner with a cultural show
Drive: 60 km by ferry, 8 hours. Then one hour by private jeep
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3: Pasighat - the put-in near Yingkiong and rafting to Five Mile Camp
We make an early morning start for the drive up to the put-in near Yingkiong.
There will be an afternoon safety orientation for the rafting before the first section down to Five Mile Camp.
You can get out the fishing rods as we drift down. Who knows when the first fish will strike.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel. Packed lunch, and dinner from the camp kitchen
Drive: 100 km, 8 hours by private jeep
Accommodation: Camping
Day 4 to Day 7: Five Mile Camp - Rotung
We raft several class III rapids as we float back towards civilization. You are free to fish whenever we are clear of these.
We expect the best fishing to be concentrated around the confluences with the Yambo and Siyom Rivers.
Both Golden and Chocolate Mahseer are found in this section of the river. Fish to 12 Kg were caught by anglers last year.
You may want to leave a line out at night and try for a Goonch. These mighty catfish are certainly present in the river but require much patience.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from the camp kitchen
Accommodation: Camping
Day 8: Layover near Rotung
Today is planned as a rest day. That allows some flexibility in the itinerary as a whole.
You can take the opportunity to go hiking up a nearby stream or head off with a kayak.
There will be a BBQ and fun in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from the camp kitchen
Accommodation: Camping
Day 9: Rotung - Upper Pasighat
Today is the most spectacular in terms of the rafting. There is a large class IV rapid at Ponging followed by other smaller, but still impressive, rapids. (N.B.You can opt out of all/any of these if you so choose.)
The final camp is at Upper Pasighat. There will be an extra special dinner but you are expected to earn this by telling good stories.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and an extra special dinner from the camp kitchen
Accommodation: Camping
Day 10: To Pasighat
We take-out the rafts in Pasighat and spend the rest of the day enjoying the local market. This is your opportunity to get souvenirs for everyone back home.
Meals: Breakfast from the camp kitchen. Lunch and dinner in Pasighat.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 11: Pasighat - Dibrugarh
We make an early start to catch the ferry back downriver to Dibrugarh.
This is where you say goodbye to the guides.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch en-route and dinner in your hotel in Dibrugarh
Drive: One hour by private jeep, then 60km about 8 hours by ferry
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12: Depart for home
For many there will be a flight to Guwahati airport and another on to an international portal for the flight home.
You can always extend your stay in India with us. Just give us a rough idea of what you would like to do.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel