Welcome back to my offbeat Arunachal travel series! Over the past few blogs, I’ve been sharing my adventures in the breathtaking Siang Valley. From arriving at Gobuk village to birdwatching in its pristine surroundings, every moment has been nothing short of magical. Today, we continue our journey from Gobuk to Likor village, braving the unpredictable weather of the Northeast.
A Rainy Morning in Gobuk
The day began early at the community hall, where we were greeted with a steaming hot breakfast. Despite the early hour, the locals had arranged a wonderful spread for us, catering to a large group with warm hospitality. Their cheerful smiles and efficiency made the experience even more special.
After a hearty meal, we set off towards Likor village. The rain played its unpredictable game, alternating between heavy downpours and light drizzles—typical of the Northeast. Yesterday had been a sunny day, yet today, rain dominated the landscape. In this region, weather forecasts are often unreliable, so carrying rain gear is a must!
The Scenic Journey and Birdwatching Challenges
As we left Gobuk, the lush greenery, mist-covered hills, and occasional glimpses of the Siang River made for a mesmerizing journey. This route is known to be excellent for birdwatching, as mentioned by our tour guide. However, the persistent rain made it difficult to step out of the vehicle and set up cameras. Every attempt to capture the beauty of the landscape resulted in rain-drenched equipment and slippery roads, making photography quite challenging.
After driving for some time, we reached Yingkiong, the nearest major town to Gobuk. Despite being farther from Likor, Yingkiong is the region’s commercial hub, offering good schools, markets, and medical facilities. We stopped briefly to stock up on essentials, as the upcoming stretch of our journey had no shops or network connectivity.
The Mighty Siang River and a Changing Landscape
One of the highlights of the drive was the ever-present Siang River, which later merges into Assam’s mighty Brahmaputra. The river accompanied us for much of the journey, its turquoise waters contrasting beautifully with the dense green mountains. Sitting on the right side of the vehicle offered spectacular mountain views, while those on the left enjoyed unobstructed river vistas.
The monsoon had transformed the landscape into an artist’s masterpiece—mist-laden peaks, cascading waterfalls, and thick forests. The rain amplified the greenery, making everything look more vibrant. Though we spotted a few birds along the way, including flocks of Grey-chinned Minivets and Pintail Green Pigeons, photographing them proved difficult in the damp conditions.
Arrival at Likor Village
After nearly six hours on the road, we finally arrived at Likor Village—a picturesque settlement nestled closer to the river, at a lower altitude than Gobuk. As we entered, the villagers welcomed us with great warmth. First came a cup of hot tea, followed by a taste of their local rice wine—Roksi—served in unique bamboo cups.
Roksi is a traditional fermented rice beverage, handcrafted by the village women using a special distillation process. The drink varies in strength—lighter and sweeter for women, while the stronger version, meant for men, is usually diluted with water. It is often stored in dried gourd shells, adding to its rustic charm.
A Remote Paradise with No Network
Likor village is truly remote—completely cut off from mobile networks, allowing travelers to disconnect from the world and immerse themselves in nature. The landscape is enchanting, with clouds hugging the hills, intermittent rain showers, and a serene atmosphere.
As the day ended, we relaxed in our homestay, soaking in the beauty of the surroundings. The journey had been long and wet, but the hospitality, the untouched landscapes, and the experience of living in such a remote yet beautiful place made every moment worthwhile.
Likor village is very good place for birdwatching. We have seen many birds here. In fact Gobuk to Likor road is very promising place for birdwatchers.
Birds of Likor
| Species | Count |
| Crested Goshawk (Lophospiza trivirgata) | 2 |
| Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) | 1 |
| Great Barbet (Psilopogon virens) | 2 |
| Blue-throated Barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus) | 1 |
| Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos macei) | 1 |
| Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) | 1 |
| White-browed Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius aeralatus) | 4 |
| Black-eared Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius melanotis) | 2 |
| White-bellied Erpornis (Erpornis zantholeuca) | 8 |
| Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus) | 6 |
| White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis) | 2 |
| Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) | 12 |
| Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer) | 0 |
| Gray-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus) | 2 |
| Common Green-Magpie (Cissa chinensis) | 1 |
| Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail (Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus) | 25 |
| Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) | 1 |
| Ashy Bulbul (Hemixos flavala) | 6 |
| Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) | 50 |
| Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) | 6 |
| Lemon-rumped Warbler (Phylloscopus chloronotus) | 2 |
| Gray-cheeked Warbler (Phylloscopus poliogenys) | 1 |
| Chestnut-crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus castaniceps) | 2 |
| Gray-hooded Warbler (Phylloscopus xanthoschistos) | 1 |
| Striated Yuhina (Staphida castaniceps) | 36 |
| Black-chinned Yuhina (Yuhina nigrimenta) | 2 |
| White-naped Yuhina (Yuhina bakeri) | 25 |
| Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus) | 0 |
| Golden Babbler (Cyanoderma chrysaeum) | 3 |
| Nepal Fulvetta (Alcippe nipalensis) | 50 |
| Himalayan Cutia (Cutia nipalensis) | 25 |
| Blue-winged Minla (Actinodura cyanouroptera) | 15 |
| Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) | 100 |
| Rufous-backed Sibia (Leioptila annectens) | 30 |
| White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus) | 3 |
| Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta cinnamoventris) | 1 |
| Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallasii) | 2 |
| Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis) | 1 |
| Blue Whistling-Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) | 4 |
| Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculatus) | 3 |
| Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus) | 8 |
| Plumbeous Redstart (Phoenicurus fuliginosus) | 1 |
| Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus) | 1 |
| Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) | 4 |
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) | 6 |
| White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) | 5 |
My Youtube Videos
| EP: 1 আকাশপথে অরুণাচল | কোথায় থাকবেন গোবুকে | https://youtu.be/booHqLFRNTY |
| EP: 2 এমন গ্রামে আগে থাকিনি | Gobuk Village | https://youtu.be/tyfgCvkOBEU |
| EP: 3 অরুণাচলের পাখি প্রকৃতি | https://youtu.be/xBvS9cgTWlg |
| EP: 4 জীবনে প্রথম এইভাবে থাকলাম আর খেলাম | Likor Village | https://youtu.be/saU167uj88M |
| EP: 5 এই গ্রামে প্রথম ঘুরতে এসে কেমন ব্যবহার পেলাম | Likor Village | https://youtu.be/2hLvXt8lTqk |
| EP: 6 এত অপূর্ব জায়গায় আমি কখনও যাইনি | Likor to Gobuk Road | https://youtu.be/yn3qPFT2nIM |
| EP: 7 দারুণ জায়গায় তাঁবুতে থাকলাম | Ramsing, Simong | Mouling National Park | https://youtu.be/SwPBl_l_OZ0 |
Some Important Phone Numbers
okit sitek (Tour Arranger)- +91 7629 966 531
Homestay where I stayed – Airaokom Homestay 9402766668
Stay: 700 (Food charge as per order)
2 types of Homestays
1) Rs, 1500 ( fifteen hundred only) including food 3 times ( breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
2) Rs 1200 ( twelve hundred only) including, breakfast and lunch
Vehicle in package above 4 days 1, Rs 3000 ( three thousand per day disel must be filled by tourist, vehicle like, Scorpio, Inova, Bolero and Xylo Pickup and drop
1) Rs 6000( six thousand per day Dibrugarh to Siang landscape (sedan cars)
2) Rs 10000( ten thousand) For suv cars like Scorpio Inova Bolero and Xylo Driver list
Driver details
1)Munna – 8811816148
2)Lom Tekseng – 6009182147
3) Mintu Das – 9957788897
4) Faiyaz Alam – 8099956011
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