Tea, Tribes, and Rhinos

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive Dibrugarh

  Arrive Dibrugarh by flight from Kolkata or Delhi where you’ll be met and transferred 30 minutes to Chang Bungalows in the midst of a tea garden. In the evening enjoy a dance performance by an ethnic Assamese dance group on the bungalow lawns.

• Day 2 : Dibrugarh – Roing

  This morning drive 5 hours to Roing in the Debang valley of Arunachal Pradesh and after lunch meet the Mishmi tribes who inhabit this region.

• Day 3 : Roing

  Early morning drive to Mayodia Pass (55kms / 90 minutes) - a unique pass situated at an altitude of 7000ft amidst lofty hills, lush green forests and breath taking landscapes. Return to Roing and visit the local village.

• Day 4 : Roing – Tezu – Wakro

  Drive 4 hours to Tezu and visit the local museum and emporium, before proceeding to Wakro (a further 2 hours).  Enroute visit Parasuramkund - a pilgrimage site where thousands of devotees come every year during Makar Sankranti to take a dip in the sacred Lohit River. Wakro, set in a valley nearly 2000 metres above sea level, is the homeland of the Mishmis, a Mongoliod tribe of Tibeto-Burmese origin. Each group has a distinct dialect - the 3 major Mishmi groups are Idus, Tarons and Kaman. This is a very rich culture and one of the Mishmis’ key beliefs is that any day of the year is auspicious for a ceremony if the provisions for it are present! On these days animals are sacrificed. Mishmis are truly an animist people.

• Day 5 : Wakro

  Day excursion to visit the Lama and Chakma villages situated on the outer fringes of Namdapha National Park.

• Day 6 : Wakro – Namsai – Dibrugarh

  Drive to Namsai, the home of Khampti who migrated from what is now Thailand in the 13th century. Visit Impong village, and learn about the Khampti culture and also visit the Buddhist Gompa which is considered to be the largest of its kind in the north-east. Later drive to Dibrugarh.

• Day 7 : Dibrugarh

  Morning drive to Namphake, a Tai Buddhist Village. The people of this village belong to the sect of Theravada Buddhism who came to this part of the region from their original place – Thailand. They still practice their own traditions which have close affinity with the Thai people. There is a beautiful Buddhist temple in the village. Visit the temple and explore the village.

  Afternoon drive to Digboi which is known as the Oil City of Assam where the first oil well in Asia was drilled. The first refinery was started here as early as 1901. Digboi is the oldest oil well in operation. This place still retains the British ambience, complemented by the clubs and Golf courses nearby. Visit the Oil museum at Digboi.  The most dramatic event in Digboi's history took place during the World War II days when the belligerent Japanese got closer and were within three days marching distance of Digboi. These images come back as one kneels at the headstones at the Digboi War Cemetry, praying for a young life nipped in the bud at battle in a strange land far, far away from home.

• Day 8 : Dibrugarh

  Tour a tea estate to learn all about tea - its origin, how it is grown, all about tea tasting and its quality (if you are tea aficionados, this will be heavenly. And if you’re not, you may leave with a new appreciation of the world’s favourite beverage!). Later visit a weaving centre to see the traditional looms and the weaving of Assamese silk textiles in Assam which are famous all over the world. Evening free.

• Day 9 : Dibrugarh – Sibsagar – Mokokchung

  This day visit Mokokchung in the north-central Nagaland. This district is inhabited by the AO Tribe. The journey will take about 7 hours.

  Enroute visit Sibsagar the old capital of the Ahom who ruled Assam for 600 years before the arrival of the British into these parts. There are a number of old monuments built by them; the most significant being the huge manmade tank ‘Sibsagar’ from which the town got its name. There is a two-storied amphitheatre built by the rulers to enjoy games and sports and dance and music.

• Day 10 : Mokokchung – Kohima

  Morning you will have the opportunity to visit Ungma Village inhabited by AO tribes & then visit Wokha village inhabited by Lotha tribes.  Later drive to Kohima. Enroute visit Touphema village - home of the northern Angami tribe, situated deep in the central Naga Hills.

• Day 11 : Kohima – Day Trip to Khonoma Village

  Khonoma village is a place renowned for its valour and courage. The Khonoma gate tells the story of British infiltration into Naga Hills. The famous war cemetery is a symbolic memorial raised as citation for the supreme sacrifice made by the officers and men of the Allied forces during World War II.

• Day 12 : Kohima - visit Jakhama, Kisama (The Model Village) and Kohima

  After breakfast visit Jakhama village & Kisama – The model village. Post lunch visit Kohima village.  Option to visit the State Museum and the handloom and handicraft emporium, which is a treasure house of traditional weaves, along with the souvenir shops.

• Day 13 : Kohima – Kaziranga

  This day drive to Kaziranga, a paradise for greater Indian one horned Rhinoceros as well as a home to Elephants, tigers, water buffaloes and many species of birds.

• Day 14 : Kaziranga

  Home to 75% of the global population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga is also home to Asiatic water buffalo, elephant, tiger, leopard, and 4 types of deer- swamp, barking, hog and Sambar. More than 400 species of birds are found in the park. Start the day with an early morning elephant safari in the central range of the park followed by a jeep safari after breakfast to the western range of the park. In the afternoon visit the eastern range of the park by jeep. (Note:  You may like to have more than one complete day at Kaziranga to further enjoy this wonderful place).

• Day 15 : Kaziranga National Park – Nameri National Park

  Morning drive to Nameri National Park and check in at the Eco Camp on the fringes of the National Park. Enroute visit Da Parbatia temple ruins and Bamuni Hills.  Nameri is located on the banks of the River Bhorelli on the northern side of the Brahmaputra. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, this is tiger and bison country!

• Day 16 : Nameri National Park

  You have the option to go for the early morning Trek inside the National Park, Rafting at Jia Bhoroli River forenoon and tribal village visit afternoon.  Evening at leisure.

• Day 17 : Nameri National Park – Guwahati Airport

  Drive 5 hours to Guwahati for afternoon flight to Kolkata or Delhi.

  Tour Ends.

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