Arunachal Pradesh - Rising from
the tropically lush valleys of the Brahmaputra River, the serried ridges and
peaks of the Eastern Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh stand vigilant over one
of the most compelling holiday destinations in India. The remotest outpost
of the North Eastern states, Arunachal's mysterious, unspoiled loveliness
entices the adventurer with its verdant valleys, misty mountain peaks, swift
rivers and the finest sanctuary for some of the India's most endangered
flora and fauna. Its virgin isolation, due to restricted entry regulations,
has been a blessing in disguise as Arunachal still retains intact its
centuries old pristine vistas, diverse tribal heritage and exotic
geographical features.
Strung out along the misty hilltops and
deep valleys, its picturesque townships and villages are the first in the
land to be kissed by the rays of the morning sun giving Arunachal its unique
position as literally "the land of the rising sun."
Assam - The stunning grandeur of its dense tracts of tropical forests,
interspersed with emerald patchwork, quilts of paddy and lush tea gardens,
showcase the life-giving largesse of the might River Brahmaputra that
dominates the world of this land and its people.
Nagaland
- its beautiful blue-hued mountains and emerald expanses comprise an
intriguing world of ancient rituals and a proud people. Known for its
salubrious climate, Nagaland has considerable rainfall during the monsoons
that run from June to September
DAY 01 ARRIVE CALCUTTA
You will be met on arrival and escorted till your check in at the
hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02 IN CALCUTTA This morning post breakfast proceed for full
day tour of this city. The sightseeing will include a visit to Victoria
Memorial, the city's "Dream in Marble." The memorial houses within
its spacious galleries some of the memorabilia of the Raj and some of the
personal effects of Queen Victoria. While in Kolkata you will visit the race
course, the cricket fields of Eden Garden, the Jain Temple and the new
market, where you can purchase anything from a needle to an exotic animal.
You will also visit the world headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity,
an organization that was established by Mother Teresa to help and comfort
the most wretched people of the world. You will be welcomed to stay and
participate in the daily activities if you so desire.
Evening at
leisure and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03. CALCUTTA -
GUWAHATI - TEZPUR Morning after breakfast proceed to airport in
time to connect flight for Guwahati. You will be met on arrival and directly
driven to Tezpur (200 kms/125 miles). It's a drive of approx. 5 hours
depending on the traffic. Upon arrival check in at Eco Camp. Later take a
nature walk upto the riverfront. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
DAY 04 TEZPUR - ZIRO Post breakfast drive to the frontier of
Arunachal Pradesh and proceed to Ziro (310kms/194 miles) - the district
headquarters of Lower Subansiri and the home of Apatani Tribes. Upon arrival
check in at Hotel Blue Pine.
Apatani Tribes - The Apatani are
concentrated in about 20 villages on the Plateau's periphery. The tribe is
divided into clans and sub-clans but the clans are not geographically
separated. Each clan lives in a clearly defined part of a village. Some of
the villages have seven or more clans. They speak a dialect distinct from
those of the State's other ethnic communities but have no script of their
own. They believe that they lost it during their migration to their present
habitat. Instead of idols, they worship Sun ("Donyi") and Moon ("Polo")
as also a number of other deities. One of them called Hilo is believed to be
the creator of Abotani, the first ancestor of the Apatani. They celebrate
many festivals but the Dree and the Myokoh are closely associated with
agriculture. Murung festival is celebrated for general peace and prosperity
of the community. Almost all of their festivals are linked with nature's
conservation and the community's welfare The Apatani are known for their
dexterity in using every inch of cultivable space. They depend on
agriculture, primarily paddy cultivation.
Dinner and overnight.
DAY 05 IN ZIRO Morning after breakfast proceed to visit Hong
(Apatani Tribal) village. It is one of the largest tribal village in South
East Asia along with other Apatani villages. Evening enjoy an ethnic
cultural program. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 06 ZIRO - DUMPORIJO Morning after breakfast proceed to
Dumporijo (184kms/115 miles) enroute visiting Nishi and Tagin tribal areas.
Overnight in Government Circuit House on the south bank of river Subansiri.
DAY 07. DUMPORIJO - ALONG Morning post breakfast
drive to Along (160kms/100 miles), the head quarter of West Siang District -
the home of Adi tribes. Enroute visit Hill Miri and Adi Gallong tribal
villages. Upon arrival check in at the Circuit House for an overnight.
DAY 08 ALONG - PASIGHAT Post breakfast drive alongside the
river Siyom, enroute seeing the confluence of Siang and Siyom River and
visit Adi Minyong tribal village. Drive on to Pasighat (140kms/88 miles).
Upon arrival check in at Pasighat circuit house. Later in the evening
explore the local market. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 09
PASSIGHAT - DIBRUGARH BY BOAT CRUISE This morning after your
breakfast, we drive to the riverfront and take a daylong boat cruise on the
river Brahamputra to Dibrugarh. Upon arrival check in at Heritage Chang
Bungalow in the midst of a tea garden for two nights. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 10 IN DIBRUGARH This morning post breakfast we
take a day trip to an ethnic village of Tai-phake community (56kms/35 miles)
- the kith and kin of Ahoms who ruled Assam for 600 years. Lunch will be
organized with the villagers. Evening enjoy the traditional dance
performance. Return to the Tea Bungalow in the evening for dinner and
overnight.
DAY 11 DIBRUGARH - MOKOKCHUNG Post
breakfast we drive on to Mokokchung (248kms/155 miles) in the state of
Nagaland. Enroute we will visit Aliba village to see the world's largest Log
Drum and interface with Ao Naga tribes. Upon arrival check in Guesthouse.
Dinner and overnight.
DAY 12 MOKOKCHUNG - TUOPHEMA VILLAGE
Today after breakfast we proceed to the Angami Naga Tribal belt (120kms/75
miles). Upon arrival we stay in Angami traditional cottages in Tuophema
village. Later in the evening enjoy an ethnic Angami cultural show. Dinner
and overnight.
DAY 13 TUOPHEMA - KOHIMA Morning after breakfast drive to
Kohima (40kms/25 miles) - the state capital. Upon arrival check in at Hotel
Japhu. Later in the afternoon visit the museum (Closed on Sundays and
National holidays) and 2nd World War Cemetery. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 14 IN KOHIMA Today after breakfast we will explore the
local market and emporium at Kohima. Later in the afternoon visit the Kisema
tourist village. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 15 KOHIMA -
DIMAPUR - CALCUTTA Mooring post breakfast proceed by road to
Dimapur to connect flight to Calcutta. You will be met on arrival and
escorted till your check in at the airport hotel.
Later in the
evening you will be transferred to International terminal to connect flight
for onward destination.
DAY 16. LEAVE CALCUTTA Take
the flight back home today.
NOTE: PERMIT IS REQUIRED
TO VISIT THE STATES OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH AND NAGALAND. MINIMUM OF 04 PEOPLE
ARE REQUIRED ON THE ABOVE PROGRAM. WE WOULD NEED YOUR PASSPORT PHOTOCOPIES
AND PHOTOGRAPHS ATLEAST 45 DAYS IN ADVANCE TO PROCURE THE PERMIT OF THE
ABOVE TRIBAL REGIONS.
ALL ACCOMMODATION EXCEPT IN CALCUTTA WILL BE
VERY BASIC IN NATURE.
Embarking
on a journey of India's remote eight states of the Northeast is a tumultuous
but rewarding one. The infinite variety of its geographic setting, its
topography, its varied flora and fauna and avian life, the history of its
people and the variety of its ethnic communities and their rich heritage of
ancient traditions and lifestyles, its festivals and crafts make it a
holiday wonderland that's just begging to be discovered afresh. Discovering
the North East states, is a challenge - yet a romantic adventure in the best
traditions of travel and discovery…