Along the Sangu River

Take proper hiking shoes, mosquito repellents and hand sanitiser if you want to come out alive during this river cruise.

EVERYTHING is idle about the bazaar in Thanchi. The men sit solemnly on benches and groups of women lazily walk around in groups. The only time the bazaar is taken in a flurry of activity is when a battered yellow jeep arrives — loaded with people from nearby villages. Then the ghat resounds with bargaining voices, boatmen calling out fares, goods being hurled into narrow wooden boats and the chug chug of engines starting up. Soon we are off on a canoe-shaped boat, on an unforgettable four-day trip along the Sangu River.