An Introduction

India's North East is a land of undulating hills and plains with a luxuriant green cover and a wide variety of rare and exotic flora and fauna. The states of North East India have some real surprises for travellers. This area is not so well established on the travellers map, yet the North Eastern part of the country, has its own charm that will sweep you off your feet. Come here just once and lose yourself in its charismatic magic.

Journey Highlights

• Shillong -A beautiful city encircled by pine trees
• Enjoy Archery – a popular game of the region
• Touring places inhabited by fascinating tribes of the region.
• Relish wildlife at Kaziranga

  Arrive Delhi / Guwahati

Arrive at Delhi airport where you will be met by a Holiday Freakers representative who will assist you to reach the hotel. Upon arrival you will check in at the hotel.

In time you will be escorted to the airport to board the flight to Guwahati. Arrive at Guwahati Airport and proceed to the Hotel

In the afternoon visit Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Temple.

  Guwahati

In the morning, visit Sualkochi Village (Approx. 35 Kms / 01 ½ hrs) from Guwahati.

Sualkochi, a village in the Kamrup district has been developed over the years as a major centre for commercial production of these indigenous fabrics especially Pat and Muga silk. Sualkochi is famous as the ‘Manchester of Assam’ and was established by Momai Tamuli Barbarua, a great administrator of the Ahom kingdom during the reign of Swargadeo Pratap Singha.

In the afternoon visit Shankerdeva Kalashetra. It has been conceived as a grand exposition of the life and the culture of the people of Assam, of its diverse ethnic groups and sub-groups who have created the cultural mosaic which is the essence of the State, in all its beauty and splendour. (Monday closed)

  Guwahati - Shillong (Assam - Meghalaya)

After arrival proceed to Shillong (Approx. 100Kms / 03 hrs). Visit Don Bosco Museum and later after lunch, you can witness the traditional Archery game in Archery field. The evening is at your leisure.

  Shillong (Meghalaya)

Early morning proceed to Mawlynnong (Approx. 80Kms / 02 hrs) and enjoy the various sights in and around the place such as the village itself, which is recognized as the cleanest village in Asia and a living roots bridge, 30 minutes distance away from Mawlynnong and which entails a brisk 15 minutes hike. Byrdew falls lies an hour’s drive away from Malynnong at Pomshutia and entails a brisk 45 minutes hike. It is one of the most picturesque falls in East Khasi hills and allows a visitor to stand in a carven behind the sheet of falling water and also walk down to the base of the falls.

  Shillong - Tezpur (Balipara) (Meghalaya - Assam)

After breakfast leave for Tezpur (Approx. 280 Kms / 08 hrs). Reach Tezpur and drive further to Balipara and check into heritage tea bungalow.

  Balipara – Ziro (Assam - Arunachal Pradesh)

After breakfast drive to Ziro (280Kms/08 hrs drive), en route visit Nishi Tribal village, reach Ziro and check into Hotel /lodge.

  Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh)

After an early breakfast, drive to Apatani tribal village. Ziro is the district headquarters of lower Subansiri district and home of the famous Apatani tribe.

‘Apatani’ is a Tibeto-mongoloid race believed to have migrated from the Tibet area. The time of migration is unknown as there are no written records. They are Animism by religion and descedants of Abo-Tani, the universal father of all the Tani group tribes (viz., Nyishi, Adi, Galo, Tagin and Apatani). The religion is known as Donyi-poloism though the presence of Christianity is also felt in the state. Farmers by profession, they depend mostly on agriculture and forests. Their way of farming and using fields to breed fish, Paddy-cum-pisciculture, is famous worldwide and recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The women are also equally famous for their face tattoos and nose plugs, though the tradition of this practice is being abolished by the govt. as a social evil. It can be seen only the older women as the younger generation does not do it anymore. The Apatani have many festivals, rituals and ceremonies. The most famous of all is the ‘Dree festival’ celebrated on the 5th of July every year after the sowing of paddy, praying and giving offerings for good crops, harvest, health and wealth. Another festival is ‘Myoko’, celebrated specially by three indigenous tribes, for 10 days betwen 20^th and 30^th March.  The Shaman (priest) is the main attraction as without him nothing can be performed. The entire Abotani group bury the dead with sacrifices and taboos.

Note: you can hire a bicycle and visit the villages.

Visit Hong village which is the largest village in the Apatani plateau and the 2^nd largest in Asia after Kohima or Bara Basti village in Nagaland.  Walk to end of the village where an altar is erected offering a sacrifice of chickens to the malevolent spirits.  Walk back to the village and visit local houses and interact with the people. Being so famous and much sought after by tourists, we need to have permission from them to take their photographs. Later visit Hari, Bulla and have lunch in the local restaurant.  Thereafter visit Hija and Dutta villages. In the evening visit the local market.

  Ziro - Majuli (Arunachal Pradesh - Assam)

After breakfast, drive to North Lakhimpur and then cross river Brahmaputra to reach Majuli.  After reaching Majuli drive to the accommodation, check in and later explore Mishing Tribal village and Vaishnavite monasteries (satras).

MAJULI – perhaps the largest river island is a treasure of the cultural heritage of the region. The founder of ‘Eka Naam Dharma’ Srimanta Shankardeva took shelter in Majuli in the fifteenth century and ever since that Majulihas emerged as the crowning glory of Vaishnavite culture in Assam. Majuli has a unique treasure of natural and cultural attractions. A melting point of various tribes, Majuli is multifaceted in its attractions that include rare migratory birds like Adjutant Stork, Pelican, Siberian Crane, etc., traditional handicrafts and pottery, the Mask – craft, ethnic culture and colourful festivals.

  Majuli - Jorhat (Assam)

After breakfast resume exploration of Majuli and then cross the river Brahmaputra (2 hrs for crossing) and reach Jorhat and check into heritage tea bungalow.  After lunch spend the day at your leisure.

  Jorhat – Mon (Assam – Nagaland)

Carrying packed lunches drive to Mon (Approx. 175 Kms /06 hrs), the homeland of the Konkay Nag through a very thrilling road which is so narrow that some part of the vegetation on both the sides of the roads sweeps the jeep on the drive. Konyak are known for their skill in making use of metal, as they are the first among the Nagas who make muzzle loading guns. They are the only Naga who live under the control of a hereditary Angh, locally, meaning chief.

En route sightseeing at Sivasagar - once the capital of the Ahom Kings. The Shans who came from Thailand through Northern Myanmar to this area in the early 13^th century, ruled for 600 years. The Siva Temple, built by the Ahoms, situated here is believed to be the tallest of all existing Hindu temples. The ruins of the Ahom palaces and monuments dot the landscape around this historical town. Centuries before the arrival of the British, this part of the world was controlled by a number of tribal chieftains.

In the town of Sivasagar, one can still see the remaining well preserved relics. The largest and the oldest amphi-theatre of Asia (Rang Ghar) is also another remarkable landmark in the history of Sivasagar. The Tai- Ahom Museum of Sivasagar contains some of the relics of the Ahom period like - swords, clothes, manuscripts and sundry artefacts.

Reach Mon and check into the Hotel.

  Mon (Nagaland)

Visit Longwa village which directly borders with Myanmar. As a proof of this, the International boundary line divides the Angh/chief's house. Explore the village and meet the local people.  If luck favours, one will get to see tattooed people which shows that they are men of the old headhunting days. See the massive wood carving in front of the Morung pillars with motifs of tiger, elephant, hornbill, human beings etc.

On the way back to Mon, visit Shangkhachingnyu village, meet the local gun-smith, step in the Angh’s house and see the animal head trophies on the wall.

  Kaziranga (Nagaland - Assam)

After breakfast drive Kaziranga (Approx. 298Kms/09 hrs) and check-in to hotel
Stay overnight stay at hotel.

  Kaziranga

After an early wake up call, you will be taken to the riding point in the central range (Kohoro) for an Elephant ride. After the ride return back to the lodge, have breakfast and drive to the central rang (Kohora) of the park for a jeep safari. After lunch there will be another Jeep safari in the western Range (Baguri) of the park. Spend the evening at your leisure.

  Kaziranga /Guwahati /Delhi Or Kolkata

After breakfast, drive to Guwahati (Approx. 170 Kms/04 hrs) and board flight for Delhi or Kolkata to connect with your onward International flight.