Exploring Kibithoo, the first village of India

Home Minister Amit Shah visited and stayed overnight in Kibithoo, which is India’s eastern most forward post, along the border with China, on 10 April. During his trip, the Home Minister had said that “I urge all to visit Arunachal Pradesh, especially Kibithoo, to be inspired by its history and stunned by nature’s marvels.” He said “Kibithoo should not be termed as India’s last village but first village as the sunrays fall first in this village in the country.”

This drew a lot of media attention towards this remote but beautiful place in the heart of northeast.
Kibithoo is one of the most remote places in Arunachal Pradesh, facing the border of India and China. It is located 87 km northeast of Hawai, on the right bank of the Lohit River, at an elevation of 1305 meters above sea level. With a population of 1862 people, tall blue mountains add a pleasantly cool climate to Kibithoo’s charm, while bamboo groves stand tall, both sides of the road.

In the past, this place was also where the war between India and China took place in 1962. Tourism in this area is based around the unique Himalayan landscape and culture distinct from the rest of India. Flowers of vivid hues, cascading waterfalls, wild raspberries and spectacular pine forest adorn the place in most exquisite way. From a cool Himalayan weather, to exotic Arunachali cuisine, this place is heaven for adventure lovers and people who are submerged in wanderlust. Local people are generous, they love it when people come to explore their village.

How to reach? This place is connected to the Nearest Walong-Hawai tehsil, via both Anjaw and Tinsukia, thenearest Railhead is Tinsukia Railway Station (332 kms) and the nearest Airport is Dibrugarh Airport which is 381 kilometres away.