Linya Homestay at Aalo: Traditional Galo Tribal Home Experience
A holiday in Arunachal Pradesh is special in many ways. The mind blowing nature (with lush forests, rich biodiversity, mighty rivers and the stunning Eastern Himalayan mountains), the rich tribal culture and the delicious food make your trip to Arunachal Pradesh a dream experience. If Central Arunachal Pradesh - Ziro, Daporijo, Mechuka, Lamang, Tuting or Pasighat happens to be in your itinerary, you might be passing through Aalo (Along). This town located at the confluence of the Sipu and the Siyom rivers is an ideal place to get introduced to everything Arunachal.
During my road trip through Central and Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, I stopped at Aalo while heading towards Mechuka. At Aalo, I stayed at this lovely homestay called Linya Homestay. This review is based on my recent experience of staying with them.
Highlights of staying at Linya Homestay in Aalo:
1) Staying with a local Galo tribal family: Linya homestay is run by a lovely Galo tribal family where 3 generations of women manage the entire show. The family were very hospitable, helped us with guidance and sightseeing inputs, opened their kitchen and dining hall to us and shared loads of their tribal culture and traditions with us.
2) Great location: The Linya homestay is located right in the middle of a residential locality in Aalo town and is situated right above the Sipu river. The home is located right in the middle of a huge space that includes a large parking area, a huge flower garden, a large vegetable garden, a small poultry farm and steps that lead you to the Sipu river. A short ten minute drive from the homestay takes you to Cozy, a local hotspot located at the confluence of the Sipu and the Siyom rivers. This place is perfect for those evening sun downers and dinner.
3) Traditional Galo tribal dining experience: At the Linya homestay, you have the option to eat with the homestay family in their traditional bamboo based dining area that consists of a bamboo floor, fireplace in the centre of the room, low level seating and decorated with traditional hats, bags, knives and other equipment used in their daily lives. This dining experience coupled with their home made rice beer and delicious home cooked food is one of the top highlights of staying here. It is not often that you get invited into the private dining space of the home owners, share their food and beer and have a fabulous conversation with them about their traditions, culture, festivals and so much more. Meals are on a chargeable basis and the prices are reasonable.
4) Simple and lovely rooms: Linya homestay has 6 to 8 double bedrooms with attached bathrooms and a dormitory for drivers. Some rooms are bigger than the others, but all the rooms are neat, cosy and comfortable. Hot water facility is there in the bathrooms and each room comes with a shared sit out where you can enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee while admiring the mountain landscapes. They also offer free wi-fi facility in their rooms. The rooms cost between INR 2500 and INR 3500 per room per night.
5) Very safe facility with CCTVs and security personnel: Linya homestay has a large parking area where you can park your two and four wheelers in a safe environment. There is a huge gate that is locked during the night and the homestay dogs guard during the night along with the watchmen. The large secure area also makes it a great place to go for those post dinner walks without worrying about dark spaces and stray animals.
Overall, Linya homestay is a fabulous place to stay in Aalo during your Arunachal Pradesh trip. The traditional setup is a must experience. Such cultural exchanges are one of the top things to experience during your Arunachal Pradesh holiday.
How to make bookings at Linya homestay:
If you are booking on your own, you can reach out directly to the homestay owners at 8731803677 or 8126143734. If you are going through a travel agent or a travel company, you can also request them to book your accommodation at Linya homestay.
Best season to visit:
The best season to visit Aalo would be between October through April. This is when the weather is pleasant, the surroundings are lush and the rain is minimal, thus allowing you to indulge in water activities.
May and June will be warm and humid and June through September will be full of heavy monsoon rains that can close mountain roads anytime.
How to reach there:
The nearest airport would be Pasighat airport, 102 kms away, but the airport with the best connectivity would be Dibrugarh (at 200 kms away). The nearest railway station would be Dibrugarh railway station (about 200 kms away).
Buses ply between Aalo and Silapathar and also between Aalo and Pasighat, though they might ply only a few times every day. The fastest way would be to hire your own mode of transportation and drive through these beautiful mountain roads.
Nearby tourist attractions:
1) Cozy and the Siyom River Bank: For a relaxed evening by the riverside
2) Pasighat: Beautiful town by the Siang river that is known for its riverside, rafting and wooden hanging bridges
3) Likabali Tea Estates: Vast stretches of tea estates before the landscape shifts from plains into mountains
4) Daporijo: Scenic town and cultural hub in the upper subansri district of Arunachal Pradesh
5) Majuli Island: The largest river island in Assam, a heritage site and that serves as a hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture
6) Ranaghat Bridge near Pasighat: Mesmerizing view of the Brahmaputra river
Top tourist attractions of Arunachal Pradesh:
1) Emuli Grasslands: Gateway to the hidden seven lakes trek of Arunachal Pradesh
2) Traditional wooden hanging bridges of Arunachal Pradesh
3) Mayodia Pass: Arunachal Pradesh’s high altitude gem
4) Anini: Gorgeous hill station of India
5) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary: Land of waterfalls and mini Switzerland in India
6) The world of rhododendrons between Mechuka and Lamang
7) India’s Last Cafe: Gorgeous pit stop enroute Lamang, Arunachal Pradesh
8) Lamang: Unknown snow covered paradise of India
9) Arunachal Pradesh’s Kaho: The first village of India
10) Breathtaking Western Arunachal Pradesh: A place full of natural riches
11) Dirang: Arunachal Pradesh’s hidden magical world
12) Tawang: India’s true shangri-la
13) Sela Pass: A high altitude Himalayan wonderland
14) Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary: Birdwatcher’s paradise in the Himalayas
15) Heavenly Sela lake in the Eastern Himalayas of India
16) Thukje Chueling Ani Gompa: Buddhist monastery run by nuns
17) Tongpen La View Point: A Himalayan vista
18) Jung Falls: A sensational setting
19) The serene and majestic Tawang Gompa
20) Tawang War Memorial: Honoring the unsung heroes of the 1962 India – China war
21) Tak-Tsang Gompa or T Gompa: As serene as it gets
22) Penga Teng Tso: A high altitude Himalayan lake
23) Ugyenling Monastery: Birth Place of the 6th Dalai Lama
24) Sangetsar Lake: Abundance of Himalayan vistas
25) Tenga Valley: Tucked amidst the Eastern Himalayas
