Namcha Barwa Massif Lying on the easternmost frontiers of the Himalayas lies another zone of mountaineering interests - the Namcha Barwa Massif. The mountains lying beyond the Tsangpo-Dihang are not considered parts of the Himalayas. Namcha Barwa, standing tall at 7,756 m above sea level, is the highest point of this range. The position and height of this 'mysterious giant' was determined by British expeditions as recently as 1912, although its existence had been reported by the pandit explorers.

Arunachal Himalayas is virgin territory. (Download Realplayer)

Golden Sunset Credit: Karamjeet Singh

It is around the Namcha Barwa that the mighty Brahmaputra River enters India. The Brahmaputra flows along the Trans Himalayas where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo and enters India forming a gorge around the Namcha Barwa. The gorge of the Yarlung Tsangpo is one of the wildest and least explored areas on the planet. The gorge is three times as deep as the Grand Canyon of Colorado.

Roads have been built in the region and detailed mapping has been done. However, the entire Arunachal Pradesh is bound with restrictions. The entire state is an Inner-line area and special permits are required to enter it. As a result, these mountains remain as pristine and remote as of yore behind the Official Secrets Act of India.