Departure October – April
Eastern India remains one of the less frequently visited regions in the world. Its remote tribes and diverse scenery make it India’s last frontier. Now is your chance to discover the Ziro, Apatani, Hong, Tagin, Nishi and Hillimiri tribes. Begin your journey is Assam before heading to the hill station of Ziro. Visit the Apatani tribe, the men and women who both tattoo their faces. Discover Pasighat and learn about the Adi tribe and the meaning behind their custom of their colorful dress. North East Tribal Tour is that rare gem that you find along the path when you have been searching for that next “undiscovered” place to go!
Day 1 – Arrive – Calcutta
Arrive in Calcutta. You will be met by our representative at the arrivals lounge and escorted till your check in at your hotel.
Calcutta: A mere village in the 17th century, Calcutta is today one of the biggest cities in the world. It is one of the largest ports in the East and the main outlet of West Bengal and the neighboring states. Calcutta is the commercial hub of Eastern India. Overnight at Swissotel
Day 2 – Guwahati – Tezpur, Assam
You will be met at the Guwahati airport and driven to Tezpur (180 kms / 5 hours) and check in at the Wild Mahseer Eco Lodge
Guwahati: Situated on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Kamrup District of Assam, Guwahati is a fast growing premier city. It is the gate way to the North Eastern States of India and a principal center of socio cultural, political, industrial and trade and commerce of the entire region. Dispur, the capital of Assam is a part of Guwahati. Earlier, this city was full of areca nut trees rappled by pan creepers. Hence this city subsequently got the name Guwahati. The word ‘Guwa’ in Assamese means areca nut and ‘Hat’ means market.
Day 3 – Tezpur – Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
After breakfast drive to Ziro (320 kms / 08 hours) – the headquarters of Lower Subansiri, at a height of 5754 feet from sea level on the Apatani plateau surrounded by pine mantled hills all around. Enroute visit a Nishi Tribal Village. Overnight at a local guesthouse, The Ziro Resort
Ziro: One of the most beautiful hill stations of Arunachal Pradesh, located in the midst of the pine clad mountains, Ziro is the headquarters of the Lower Subansiri District inhabited by more than 50,000 friendly Apatanis . This land of the Apatanis is a valley, uneven and dotted with a number of hillocks overlooking the lush paddy fields. On the east, a high ridge, demarcates the plateau from the wooded hills of the lower region.
The Apatani people design beautiful handloom and handicrafts, besides, practicing the famous paddy – fish cultivation. The area is rich in biological diversity having varied flora and fauna as per altitudinal zonation- from subtropical to alpine forest.
Day 4 – Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Full day touring Ziro Valley: Sightseeing includes Apatani tribal villages like Hong, Hari, Hija and local market.
Everywhere we go, we are warmly welcomed. As E.T. Dalton noted in 1845 “The men do not rejoice in much drapery, they wear a girdle of cane work painted red which hangs behind in long bushy tail.” Just as the tail is the distinctive part of the male dress, so is the nose plug peculiar to the Apatani women. It is the ambition of each woman to wear the largest possible nose plugs, which are made of wood. Both sexes extensively tattoo their faces. Each of the sect has distinctive features. Their hats, clothes, ornaments, language and even physical features are totally different. Overnight at Ziro
Hong village: is counted as the second biggest and most organised tribal villages in Asia. The unique feature of the Appertain tribe is the tattooing of the women’s faces and their nose plugs, which you will find different from the other tribes.
Day 5 – Ziro- Daporijo, Arunachal Pradesh
Today we drive to Daporijo (170 kms/6 hours), headquarter of Upper Subansiri. Enroute visit Tagin, Nishi and Hillimiri tribal villages. Overnight at the Singhik Hotel, a B&B
Day 6 – Daporijo – Along, Arunachal Pradesh
After breakfast we drive down to picturesque Along (180 kms / 06 hrs) – the district headquarters of West Siang. Enroute Darka village inhabited by Adi Gallong tribe. Overnight at a basic accommodation, Hotel West
Day 7 – At Along, Arunachal Pradesh
Full day at Along. Explore local villages inhabited by the Adi Gallong tribe to experience their rich cultural heritage. Overnight in Along
Day 8 – Along-Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh
Today, drive on to Pasighat (110 kms/5 hours) – the home of the Adis, who are remembered for their colorful costumes. Enroute see the confluence of the river Siyom and Siang, and visit Adi Minyong tribal village, known for their rich tribal heritage. This drive gives the most scenic view of the river Siang and one has the option to experience a breath-stopping walk on the hanging bridge. Overnight at a basic hotel
Pasighat with its scenic splendor, is Arunachal’s oldest town and is the district headquarters of East Siang.
Day 9 – Pasighat – Dibrugarh , Assam
After breakfast drive to the ferry ghat (160 kms / 6 hours). Ferry across with the vehicle to Dibrugarh and check into to your accommodation. In the evening, enjoy a cultural program (Bihu) performed by an ethnic dance troupe on the bungalow lawn. Overnight at the Heritage Chang Bungalow
Dibrugarh: is the gateway to the “Hidden Land” of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar. The Ahoms from Thailand came through Northern Myanmar to this area in the 13th century to establish their Empire which thrived in the ancient land of Assam. It is the “Camellia” town of Upper Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its rich tea gardens resembling a lush green carpet. Experience and enjoy the richness of these tea gardens while staying at the Heritage Chang Bungalows. These are constructed on stilts and are situated in a serene atmosphere free from pollution.
When the British established their tea plantations in the mid-19th century they quickly built comfortable bungalows designed to make life as pleasant as possible in what, was to them, a hostile and strange land. One of the main features of these buildings has given rise to their name – Chang bungalows. Chang in the local language means “raised on stilts” and the design served multi purposes- to keep the house cool by allowing the breeze to blow underneath and to keep both water and animals out!
Bihu: is the most popular folk dance of Assam. The people of Assam are very proud of its unique position among all other such dances of India. Except Bhangra (the popular folk dance of Punjab), no other folk dance in India can compete with the rhythmic exuberance of the Bihu dance. ‘Bihu’ performed by young men and women reflects youthful passion and joy rejuvenating life during the spring season, accompanied by songs woven around the theme of love and physical yearning. The dance is performed by all- irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Day 10 – Dibrugarh-Wakro, Arunachal Pradesh
Today after breakfast we drive to Wakro (190 kms / 4 hours). Enroute visit Empong Village to see the Khampti tribes and also visit the Buddhist Gompa. Check in to your accommodation (traditional Mishmi huts)
Khamptis: are one of the major tribal inhabitants of the Lohit District. They are deeply influenced by Buddhist ethics and morality. The Khamptis are Buddhists of the Theraveda School. They are the only tribe in Arunachal Pradesh who have their own script for the language. Traditionally, they live on the cultivation of paddy and other crops. The social structure of the Khamptis is well organized on the basis of clan or village determined by kinship or locality.
Wakro: (maximum valley altitude 2000 meters) is the homeland of the “Mishmis” one of the Mongoliod tribes of Tibeto-Burman origin. They speak their own dialect which varies from different groups. The three major Mishmi groups are “Idus” “Tarons” and the ‘Kamans’. Mishmis are very rich in culture and may be termed as a festival loving people. They believe that any day of the year is auspicious for a ceremony if provisions exist. On these days animals are sacrificed. Mishmis are nature worshipers.
Mishmi: are the inhabitants of Lohit Districts and the border area of adjoining district. Mishmis are animist and believe in a number of higher spiritual beings. Kabeya, or Pharai in their traditional village council who exercise the judgment of any disputes comes to their society. The Mishmi society is divided into numbers of sub-tribes such as Idu -Mismis, Digaru Mishmi, Miju Mishmi with more or less distinctive characters on its dresses among themselves. This tribe can be easily distinguished from others by their typical hairstyle
Their dresses reflect the artistic taste and the cultural thinking of the society. The male dress of Miju and Digaru consist of a sleeveless black or maroon coloured cloth with ornamental boarders and waist cloth with a embroidered flag in the front. They wear a head dress of woven cane. The women wear black skirts with coloured stripes reaching above the ankle and a beautiful embroidered bodice and a shawl. The also wear beautiful ornaments made of silver. The women keep themselves busy in weaving. The men are involved in making cane and bamboo products. The puffing of opium with the help of silver or wooden pipes by both men and women is the part and parcel of their tradition. These people may be termed as festive tribe. Reh is the most important festivals celebrated by Idu-Mishmis during 1st week of February.
Mishmi Retreat: Surrounded by enchanting nature, this campsite comprises of four Mishmi traditional huts, each with two rooms one double bedded and one twin bedded. It can cater to a maximum group size of 16 pax. Four western toilets with provision of showers are not en-suite but conveniently located behind the huts. Hot water will be provided in buckets. There is a gazebo which provides for the common seating and dining area – an ideal getaway for the nature lover.
Day 11 – At Wakro, Arunachal Pradesh
Today we visit the local Mishmi tribal villages like Kanjan Village, Pukhuri Village, and Thomba Village to learn about their rich culture and traditions and interact with the Mishmi tribe. Overnight at Wakro
Day 12 – Wakro – Dibrugarh, Assam
After breakfast, you drive back to Dibrugarh (4 hours). Later in the afternoon you visit a local village, weaving center and local market. Overnight at the Chowkidinghee Heritage Chang Bungalow, guest house
Day 13 – Dibrugarh- Mon, Nagaland
After breakfast drive to Mon (180 kms/ 5 hours) and check in to a guest House. In the afternoon visit a local Mon village. Overnight at the Paramount Guest House
Mon: situated at an altitude of 897 meters above sea level, Mon is the home of the Konyak Nagas. Hereditary chiefs known as Anghs (Chief) rule the Konyak and the institutions of Anghship prevail only to the Konyak Naga tribe. It is interesting to see tattooed faces, wearing featured head gears and war traditional dresses. They are known for excellent wood carving, handicraft and blacksmith work.
Day 14 – Mon – visit Longwa, Nagaland
This morning drive to Longwa village which is a 57 kms /2 hours drive. One of the biggest villages in Mon district, the village straddles the international boundary between India and Myanmar with half of the Angh’s houses falling within India and the remainder in Burma. Later in the afternoon return to Mon. Overnight at the guest house
Day 15 – Mon- Sivasagar- Dibrugarh, Assam
After breakfast drive to Dibrugarh (180 kms/ 5 hours). Enroute we visit the 13th Century Ahom Monuments at Sivasagar which encompass the 600 year old history of the Ahom Dynasty. Check in at your accommodation.
Sivasagar: was once the capital of the Ahom Kings. The Shans who came from Thailand through Northern Myanmar to this area in early 13th 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 amphitheater of Asia (Rang Ghar) is also another remarkable landmark in the history of Sivasagar. The Tai- Ahom Museum of Sivsagar contains some of the relics of the Ahom period like – swords, clothes, manuscripts and sundry artifacts.
Day 16 – Depart Dibrugarh – Depart Calcutta
Drive to Dibrugarh Airport (20 kms/ 30 minutes) to board your flight to Kolkata. Meet & assist on arrival at Kolkata airport & transfer to international terminal to connect flight for onward destination.
Option to visit to tea plantation/tea factory prior to fly out (time permitting)
Note: Visit to tea factory is subject to being operational on the day of the visit. There is no tea plucking between December till mid – March and hence the actual manufacturing process of tea cannot be demonstrated when one visits the factory during this period. Factory also remains closed on Monday’s of the week.
Cost from $3995.00 per person, twin share
Single supplement apples
Additional: internal airfare $275.00 per person, subject to change due to availability and taxes/surcharges
CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791
Includes:
-15 nights accommodation on twin sharing at hotels mentioned above
-All meals starting with lunch on day of arrival and ending with lunch on day of departure
-All land transfers as per program
-Entry fees, monuments fees, Parking fee, road taxes, village visits and local sight seeing as per program
-Public Ferry Charges while coming from Pasighat To Dibrugarh
-Tea Tour & 01 Cultural program at Dibrugarh
-Permit charges for visiting Arunachal Pradesh
-Services of accompanying English speaking escort from arrival till departure and local guide wherever necessary
Does not include:
-Any Camera/Video Camera Fees
-Any Insurance
-Any Airfares
-Any room service at hotel
-Any Expenditure of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic & non alcoholic beverages, medical expenses
-Any other expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances
-Any change / new tax imposed by the Government
-Any other services not mentioned above
-Service Tax or any other new Govt taxes as applicable. Presently only service tax @ 3.09% is charged on the total bill amount
