FAIR TRAILS® EXPLORER WANTED!
Join an expedition to the mysterious mountains of the dawn
„Where travelers are part of the solution, not part of the problem!” With the Fair Trails® we want to make the world a little bit better. That is precisely why it is important to responsibly select those regions where we develop a Fair Trail and put them to the test with our Explorer Tours.
We do not promise too much: This Explorer Tour will be one of a kind! It leads to Arunachal Pradesh in the extreme northeast of India. Because “the land of the mountains in the dawn”, as the region is called in Sanskrit, is little known to Western travelers. Until recently closed to foreigners, Arunachal Pradesh forms the eastern and wild cornerstone of the Himalayas. Here, for example, the mystical Brahmaputra river makes its way in a gigantic gorge from the Tibetan plateau to the Indian Ocean. And while impenetrable jungle covers the steep flanks of the gorges, majestic, ice-armored peaks tower above, first and foremost the 7,782m high Namcha Barwa.
What now leads us to this wild land of sunrise? About 140 ethnic groups live in Arunachal Pradesh, often isolated and economically disadvantaged. Our Indian partner GHE has set itself the goal of improving their living conditions through solar electrification of their villages. We want to explore these possibilities on unknown paths, actively participate in a pilot electrification and lay the foundation for a new Fair Trail.
Date I Duration:
Land I Region:
Type of travel:
Experience:
Impact:
4. – 24. November 2022 I 21 days
India I Assam Himalaya
Challenging discovery tour on largely unknown paths
A true voyage of discovery through the unexplored Assam Himalaya
Solar electrification of remote villages
01 — YOUR MISSION
Design a new Fair Trail with us
01
Assam Himalaya: The fabled northeastern cornerstone of the Himalayas was closed to Western travelers until recently © GHE
The Fair Trails® Explorer Tour to Arunachal Pradesh is a real discovery expedition to one of the least explored mountain regions in the world. We are therefore looking for experienced adventure travelers with a spirit of discovery, tolerance, patience and a sense of humor for this Explorer Tour, because not everything will always go according to plan on this expedition. Your mission will be to explore and design a new Fair Trail together with the impact professionals of GHE India and the experienced tourism expert and Fair Trails® Explorer Günter Mussnig. To lay the foundation for a fair and responsible tourism, for a careful and responsible development in the fascinating land of sunrise.
The mystical river Brahmaputra (Siang) shapes the landscape of Arunachal Pradesh with its gigantic gorge © GHE
02 — YOUR EXPLORER TOUR
A journey of discovery
in the land of mountains in
the dawn
02
The mysterious Namcha Barwa (7,782m) is the highest peak of the eastern Himalayas and was for a long time the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. A panorama that only a very few travelers have been able to behold © GHE
The Fair Trails® travel destination: Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh lies in the northeast of India, where the sun rises and the mountains shimmer in the dawn. Until today, hardly anything is known about this legendary land, because it was closed to travelers for a long time. Thus, at the foot of the mighty, glaciated seven-thousand-meter peaks, hidden behind the impenetrable curtain of the jungle, there is said to be a paradise on earth, a prophesized refuge for Tibetan Buddhists: Pemako. This mystical spot on earth is the destination of our discovery expedition. It will take you from the gigantic gorge of the Brahmaputra up to mountain passes that will reveal breathtaking views of the Assam Himalayan mountain range and lead you into an alpine wonderland. Crossing the sacred lake Danakosha, the winding paths will then lead to the world-forgotten village of Tashigaon. Here, at the climax of our expedition, we will electrify the village with solar-powered electricity under the guidance of GHE experts. This is a pilot project in this region, but it has been done many times in Ladakh successfully. For the village it will be a historical event, which will be celebrated together.
Behind the impenetrable evergreen curtain of the mountain jungle, the Assam Himalaya hides an alpine wonderland © GHE
Your Fair Trails® Experts & Explorer
The development Expert
Paras Loomba founded Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) in 2013 and has led over 50 successful expeditions in Ladakh with a focus on adventure and impact. Paras is intimately familiar with the geography of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and knows the region like the back of his hand. He designs all expeditions and creates a philosophy of impact with each expedition. Paras is an electrical engineer and spent his childhood in the mountains when his father served in the Indian Army. As a practitioner, Paras specializes in developing social solutions based on technology.
Paras Loomba,
Fair Trails® Expert
Gaurav Gaur,
Fair Trails® Expert
The impact Expert
Gaurav works for the GHE and is the impact leader in this effort. He designs expedition models with a focus on impact. He is a passionate mountaineer and adventure seeker. Born in the arms of the world’s oldest fold mountains, he has a natural affinity for the mountains. His years of experience in the corporate world serve him well when interacting with people from diverse backgrounds on his expeditions.
He has led several leadership expeditions in the Himmalayan area but especially in Ladakh. He has done extensive trekking in the Northeast, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. He is a creative person and loves to read when he is not trekking in nature.
Global Himalayan Expeditions (GHE) is the partner of Fair Trails® in India. GHE is THE pioneer of responsible travel in India and has won many awards for its inspiring projects, including from National Geographic and the World Tourism Council. GHE’s electrification expeditions are unique in that they have been able to bring light to many remote villages in India, particularly in Ladakh. This successful model is now to be applied to Arunachal Pradesh for the first time. To this end, GHE and Fair Trails® have formed a strong partnership. We cannot imagine a better partnership. GHE will lead this exploration expedition with its regional expertise.
The Trail Guru
Managing Director at Trail Angels. Is convinced that responsible travel can make the world a little better and therefore passionate about product development for responsible tourism. Endowed with a never-ending enthusiasm for the wonders of nature, the lure of the high mountains and the secrets of foreign cultures.
Diploma geographer, national park expert (20 years in national park management) and Himalayan veteran (about 20 trekking trips and expeditions since 1992).
Günter Mussnig,
Fair Trails® Explorer
Karan Chandran,
Fair Trails® Explorer
The connecting strategist
Strategy Director at Ennovent and catalyst for responsible impact in low-income regions. Passionate about working with companies that have a positive impact on conservation. Has lived in more than 10 countries since birth, where he learned to appreciate diverse cultures and make connections. His mission at Fair Trails® is very clear: to actively contribute to responsible change in tourism patterns in developing countries.
Studied management and responsibility in India, Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom, years of trekking experience in the Himalayas, the forests of the Western Ghats and along the fjords of northern Norway.
The program of the Fair Trails® Explorer Tour
140 different ethnic groups live in the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh. Their living situation is to be gently improved with the help of Fair Trails, while at the same time preserving their unique cultural heritage © GHE
1. Day | 04.11.2022 | Arrival Dibrugarh (via Delhi); Transfer to Pasighat
2. Day | 05.11.2022 | Drive through the Brahmaputra Gorge to Jengging
3. Day | 06.11.2022 | Drive through the Brahmaputra Gorge to Tuting
4. Day | 07.11.2022 | Start trekking: trekking to Kuging village (850m)
5. Day | 08.11.2022 | Trekking to Mabi camp (2.200m)
6. Day | 09.11.2022 | Trekking to Yungchuk camp (2.415m)
7. Day | 10.11.2022 | Trekking to Camp Kanebenga (3.290m)
8. Day | 11.11.2022 | Trekking to Camp Pao Lipik (3.650m); View of Namcha Barwa (7.782m)
9. Day | 12.11.2022 | Trekking to the holy lake Dana Kosha (4.000m)
10. Day | 13.11.2022 | Trekking to Wangchen Phukpa camp (4.050m)
11. Day | 14.11.2022 | Trekking to Dungchen Droma Camp (3.810m)
12. Day | 15.11.2022 | Trekking to Camp Tashi Droma (1.420m)
13. Day | 16.11.2022 | Trekking to Tashigaon village (1.550m)
14. Day | 17.11.2022 | Electrification in Tashigaon village
15. Day | 18.11.2022 | Electrification in Tashigaon village
16. Day | 19.11.2022 | Trekking to Mankota Village
17. Day | 20.11.2022 | Transfer to Tuting
18. Day | 21.11.2022 | Transfer to River Camp Damroh
19. Day | 22.11.2022 | Rafting on the Brahmaputra to Pasighat
20. Day | 23.11.2022 | Transfer to Dibrugarh
21. Day | 24.11.2022 | Flight to Delhi
The destination of our discovery expedition: the Assam Himalaya in the far northeast of India. View from space: Where the jungle meets the glaciers!
© Google Maps
Hard Facts: Explorer Tour Arunachal Pradesh
Date: 04. – 24. November
Price: € 2.838,-
This is an “Explorer Tour Nice Price” (cost price without commission); € 115,– per person will be donated to the project “Electrification of the remote mountain villages of Arunachal Pradesh” of GHE.
In den Kosten sind enthalten:
- Overnight stay in double room in selected lodges/guest houses (where available) or in tent (during trekking)
- Full board
- All mobility services from Dibrugarh airport
- Qualified guiding
- Luggage transport (max. 15kg/person) during trekking
- Rafting on the Brahmaputra stream
- All necessary permits
- Impact fee for the support of the electrification of mountain villages
- Participation in the electrification of mountain villages
- CO2 flight compensation with our partner Atmosfair® (based on economy)
- Expert advice during trip preparation
- Accompaniment by Fair Trails® experts
03 — YOUR WAY TO BECOME AN EXPLORER
Become an Explorer & create a Fair Trail with us
03
The holy lake Dana Kosha: it is said to be the legendary heart of the Buddhist heaven on earth © GHE
What expects you as an Explorer?
We have developed the “Explorer Tours” travel format to explore new Fair Trails® (as with this one) or to test future Fair Trails® offerings. In most cases, the trip is also accompanied by an accompanying media production (photo, film, blog). Explorer tours are therefore very special exploratory trips that open up a unique experience with profound insights into the great myths and challenges of the region and invite you to actively participate. Your inspiration and creativity are needed for product development, the integration of impact projects, as well as for travel reports.
Especially for this Explorer Tour, experienced adventure travelers with a spirit of discovery, tolerance, patience and humor are needed, because exploration expeditions will always present you with new, exciting and unexpected challenges. Team spirit is very important to us! Because an inspired and cool team with great cohesion will be able to overcome all challenges together. And lay the foundation for something really great, a responsible future for the local people.
How can I become an Explorer?
We have made you curious? You want to be part of the Fair Trails® community and participate in shaping the new way of traveling in the future? And you think that this Fair Trails® Explorer Tour is the right one for you? Then just send us your interest for this Explorer Tour!
We will then get in touch with you and together, we will tackle the further milestones for the Explorer Tour step by step. And we are already convinced: You have made the right decision and we will explore this new Fair Trail together. We look forward to hearing from you!
Become an explorer now
or simply ask for more information without obligation.
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