Tea, Tribes and Rhinos

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.