Mechuka (Arunachal Pradesh), Nov 7 (IANS): Seeking to promote adventure tourism, this scenic valley nestled at the foot of the north-eastern Himalayan range in Arunachal Pradesh will host a three-day festival starting on Monday showcasing local sports, food and wine.

The festival, jointly organised by the union tourism ministry and state tourism department along with the event partner Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation (CCRD), Naharlagun, aims to brand Mechuka, also known as Mechukha, as a preferred adventure tourism destination.

Situated on the banks of the Siyom river (locally known as Yargap Chu), about 30 km from the McMahon Line, the valley is locally called 'Menchuka' ('men' for medicine, 'chu' for water and 'kha' for snow).

The valley, home of five tribes, is one of the lesser-explored tourism destinations.

Apart from paragliding, quad biking, rappelling and trap shooting, the fourth edition of the festival would showcase rafting on the Yargap Chu while the local cuisine, brew and local sports are also expected to be top draws.

Weaving a bond between the ancient times and the modern technological era, there will be demonstrations on how the locals took part in hunting in the past and the manner of take-off of micro-light aircraft.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who hails from West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, will grace the festival.

The latest version of the adventure festival at the 'Land of medicinal ice water' is based on four elements of the universe -- water, air, earth and fire.