SIKKIM & NORTH EAST INDIA

Undiscovered North-East

This tour covers the highlights of Arunachal Pradesh, also known as India’s ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ being the easternmost state and the remotest. Arunachal is known for its charming tribes, natural unspoilt beauty, rare orchids, exotic animals and Buddhist monasteries. Assam, one of the greenest and loveliest states of India with fertile valleys and plains, the terraced landscape carpeted with miles upon miles of tea gardens - producing the famous Assam Brooke, CTC and Orthodox teas that cheer millions of people around the world. Animals, Birds and mosaic of races and tribes create a vibrantly alive kaleidoscope in Assam. Nagaland, home of 16 Naga tribes, each with its own dialect, customs and habits, a common bond is their love of music, dance, pomp and pageantry. Nagaland was once a shrouded territory, soaked with the mystery of the unknown but now it has emerged as an exciting, charming and exotic tourist destination with its landscape of hills, valleys, rivers and streams that crisscross this state supporting an astounding variety of vegetation and animal life. Finally, visit the world-renowned Kaziranga National Park famous for its unparalleled diversity of flora and fauna species.

Day 01: Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 02: Kolkata – Tezpur - North Lakhimpur
Fly from Kolkata to Tezpur, the friendly tea center and commercial hub for Assam’s tea industry we drive eastward along the Brahmaputra valley to North Lakhimpur (220 Kms / 5 hrs).

Day 03: North Lakhimpur - Ziro
Leisurely drive to Ziro (91 Kms) heading northwards into Arunachal Pradesh, we pass several scenic hill settlements inhabited by Nishi and Miri tribals.

Day 04: Ziro
Ziro is the headquarters of the Lower Subansiri District, and is located on the Apatani plateau at an elevation of 1500 m. Visit an Apatani village and explore the local market in the evening.

Day 05: Ziro - Daporijo
Drive to Daporijo. On the way hike to Raaga through the rice terraces, which is inhabited mainly by people belonging to the Nishi tribe.

Day 06: Daporijo
Visit surrounding villages inhabited by Tagin, Hill Miri and Adi who constitute the main tribal population in this area. Meet tribal families in their homes, see their lifestyle, go hiking in the forest, or fishing with the locals.

Day 07: Daporijo - Along
Drive to Along (140 Km/4hrs). The main tribe of this area is the Adi Gallong. We will visit their villages on the way. On reaching Along we will visit the local market and the tribal museum.

Day 08: Along - Boleng
Drive to Boleng on a rough fair weather road visiting several small tribal villages en route. Stay here for a couple of nights.

Day 09: Boleng
In Boleng we hike in the nearby hills visiting several tribal villages to see the lifestyle of the locals.

Day 10: Boleng - Babuk (Dambuk)
Drive to Babuk (Dambuk). Overnight in Tented Camp.

Day 11: Babuk (Dambuk) - Pasighat
Drive to Pasighat. Experience crossing over one of the longest cane bridges, across the Siang River. Visit more Adi tribal villages. At Pasighat visit Mishmi tribal villages

Day 12: Pasighat - Dibrugarh
We start our journey to Dibrugarh. Along the way we will cross the mighty Brahmaputra, by ferry. Then we take a short drive to Dibrugarh.

Day 13: Dibrugarh - Mon
From Dibrugarh, we drive south crossing into Nagaland to Mon which is home to the Konyak tribe. They are distinctive with tattooed faces, feathered headgear and traditional dresses. The Konyaks are adept artisans and skilled craftsmen known for wood carving, making machetes called ‘dao’, guns, gun powder, ornamental combs, necklaces etc;

Day 14: Nagaland - Tuensang
Drive to Tuensang (190 Kms).The tribes of this area have a rich cultural heritage, colourful attire and heart warming song and dance. Saramati Peak, 3841 meters- the highest peak of Nagaland is located close by.

Day 15: Tuensang
Hike around Mokokchung, which is the cultural hub of the Ao tribe. Main attractions are the villages located close by such as Longkhum and Ungma, renowned for their head hunting tradition in the past and their unique lifestyle.

Day 16: Tunesang - Kohima
Drive to Kohima (125 Kms) Nagaland’s capital visiting Wokha en route. Wokha is at the hub of the habitat of the Lotha tribe. The picture postcard, hill top villages are worth exploring.

Day 17: Kohima
Kohima, located at an altitude of 1444 m, is the headquarters of 15 major tribes, with amazing diversity in dress, customs, language and traditions. It is a pleasant place with an interesting central market, where you can see tribal people selling local delicacies such as insect grubs. Visit the state Museum with interesting displays on various Naga tribes.

Day 18: Kohima – Dimapur - Kaziranga National Park
Drive to Kaziranga National Park via Dimapur, the commercial centre of Nagaland on the border with Assam. It was the former capital of the Kachar hill tribals and an independent kingdom at one time. Overnight at a jungle lodge.

Day 19: Kaziranga National Park
The world famous Kaziranga National park lies in central Assam, covering an area of 430 sq. km and an equal size of buffer zone around it. Apart from one horned Indian Rhinoceros, for which the park is famous, other fauna seen are wild Elephant, Asiatic Buffalo, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, Royal Bengal Tiger, Hoolock Gibbon. Among the avian species are Geese, Hornbill, Adjutant Stork, Ibis, Cormorant, Egret, Heron, Fishing Eagle are some exotic ones. During winter large number of migratory birds are seen here. Full day activities inside the park including Jeep and elephant safari. Evening traditional dance show.

Day 20: Kaziranga National Park - Guwahati - Kolkata
Morning transfer to Guwahati airport (230 Kms 5 hrs) in time to connect the flight to Kolkota.

Day 21: Kolkata
A full day tour in Kolkata taking in some of the city highlights; drive past the Maidan, Fort William, Raj Bhawan visiting Victoria Memorial possibly the most awesome reminder of the Raj to be found in India. Visit Kali temple, the Jain temple, Parasnath and Missions of Charity, Mother Teresa’s Home.

Day 22: Kolkata - Departure
Transfer to the airport for outbound flight from Kolkata.