Dates: December 29, 2018 to January 17, 2019
Duration: 20 days / 19 nights
EXPEDITION COMPLETED
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO NORTH EAST INDIA
Day 1. December 29, 2018. Moscow – Delhi
Direct flight with Aeroflot to Delhi. Arrival in the late evening. Overnight in Hotel City Star or similar in the center of local life.
Day 2. December 30, 2018. Delhi
After breakfast we start exploring old Delhi – the huge megalopolis, true city of contrasts. We stay in the very center of local life, so right from the entrance door you are in the middle of Indian universe: loud and frequent car signals, hustle and bustle of crowded streets, crazy traffic and often elephants on the roads! We can visit the most notable historical places or choose "another way", take rickshaw and see true Indian color in such amazing places like Railway station, Spice market or roofs of the slum area. That is the best way to explore Delhi! Overnight in Hotel City Star or similar.
Day 3. December 31, 2018. Delhi – Guwahati – Cherrapunji - Nongriat (158 km /Approx 5-6hrs road trip)
After breakfast early morning transfer to the airport for direct flight to Guwahati.
Arriving to Guwahati airport around 10 a.m. or earlier. Welcome at Guwahati airport and transfer to Nongriat (Cherrapunjee) – en route visit Umium Lake (Barapani). Once reached Cherrapunjee trek down to Nongriat village (about 3500 steps). Overnight in basic homestay/ Guest house in Nongriat.
Day 4. January 1, 2019. Cherrapunjee – Kaziranga (332 km / 7-8 Hrs Drive)
Early wake-up, explore the village and visit Living Root Bridges. 1 hour hike to beautiful waterfalls where we can swim. After breakfast climb up on some 3500 steps. Immediately leave for Kaziranga (8-9 Hours). En route stop at Nohkalikai falls, Shillong peak. Reach the famous one horn rhinos place, Kaziranga national park in the evening. Check-in at JupriGhar. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at JupriGhar in Kaziranga.
Day 5. January 2, 2019. Kaziranga – Dirang (Approx. 180 Km/ 7 - 8 Hrs Drive)
Early morning, Elephant Safari to Kaziranga National Park, which is famous for One Horned Rhinos. Besides one horned Rhinos one can encounter other mammals like wild Boar, hog deer, swamp deer wild buffalos and wild Elephants. After breakfast, we take jeep safari in Kaziranga National park. After safari, drive to Dirang and do not forget to keep your cameras handy as you cross picturesque waterfalls and get some spectacular views. Check-in at the Hotel Pemaling or Dirang Cottage. Overnight stay in Dirang.
Day 6. January 3, 2019. Dirang – Tawang (146 km / 6 – 7 Hrs Drive)
Early in the morning, visit a Monpa village called Lish to see what is Monpa Dirang's way of living. Then leave for Tawang. On the way to Tawang lies the world's second highest pass – the Sela Pass which runs through a small ridge and along a placid Lake called the Paradise Lake. En route visit Jaswantgarh, which is a memorial to the brave soldier who single handedly tried to hold of the approaching Chinese from the pass during the 1962 Indo – Chinese war. The stupa-like Tawang war Memorial also salutes the heroes of the war. On arrival at Tawang check in at the GaykiKhang Zhang hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Tawang.
Day 7. January 4, 2019. Tawang
Whole day in main monastery, which is nearly 400 years old and second largest in Asia to participate and observe the Torgya Festival, where cultural and traditional events will be held such as dances and ceremonies. Appreciate the incredible attires and ornaments of the Monpas. Evening at leisure to walk around the upbeat market area. Overnight stay at GaykiKhang Zhang in Tawang.
Day 8. January 5, 2019. Tawang
After Breakfast go back to monastery to witness the second day of Torgya Festival. One can stay whole day long again otherwise, if wish, one can visit Nunnery, Urgyeling Monastery (the birth place of His Holiness sixth Dalai Lama), Khinmey Monastery of Red hat and others.
Day 9. January 6, 2019. Tawang – Bomdila (195 km/ 9 – 10 Hrs Drive)
After breakfast drive to Bomdila, a distance of 195 kms, covered in 9 to 10 hrs. Bomdila, located at an altitude of 8500ft, is the headquarters of the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh. It is from here that one can see the brilliant landscape and snow-clad mountains of the Himalayan Range. The Buddhist monastery of Bomdila is the repository of culture and is among the primary attractions of the area. It is the land of the Monpa, the Sherdukpen, the Aka (Hrusso), the Miji and the Bogun tribes. En route visit & enjoy the beautiful Jang (Nuranang) Water Fall as well as the Upper and the Lower Monasteries. In the evening we visit Bomdila monastery monks at dinner which appears an interesting point to witness. Overnight at Monastery Guest House in Bomdila.
Day 10. January 7, 2019. Bomdila – Itanagar (265 km / 9-10 hrs.)
After breakfast visit the Buddhist monastery of Bomdila during the morning prayer. Visit monastery school classes. Then drive to Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh which is dotted with archeological sites of great historical value. There are also institutions of great socio-cultural significance. The city is named after the irregular shaped Itafort (the fort of bricks) which is a center of attraction located within the heart of Itanagar. Check-in to a deluxe hotel Donyi Polo Ashok. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay in Itanagar.
Day 11. January 8, 2019. Itanagar - Ziro ( 130 km/ 5-6 hrs)
After breakfast proceed to Ziro – en route visit Local vegetable market in Naharlagun, Nishi villages, stop in Joram village with the long common house. Ziro is almost a level valley enclosed on all sides by pine-clad low stooping hills. This area, also called Apatani Plateau, is famous for Paddy-cum-Fish culture. Discovering the local culture of the tribes. Overnight in Ziro in budget room (homestay with Kago Habung family in Siiro village).
Day 12. January 9, 2019. Ziro
Full day excursion to the interior of Arunachal Pradesh. Using Ziro as a base, the entire day is spent visiting the Hong village, the largest village of Apatani Community & other Apatani villages like Bulla, Hari, and Hija. It it is Sunday, we will also attend the prayer in Donyi Polo temple in Pap village, where many traditional Apatani women get together. Apatani women traditional dancing. Overnight in Ziro in budget room (homestay with Kago Habung family in Siiro village).
Day 13. January 10, 2019. Ziro – Pasighat ( 318 km/ Approx. 7-8hr)
After breakfast leave for Pasighat, the oldest town of Arunachal Pradesh. Pasighat is home to various Sub-tribe of Adi community and situated at the bank of mighty River Siang. River Siang is the main course of Mighty Brahmaputra river and also called a Yarlung Tsanpo in Tibet. En route stop in the village of Galo people to get leaned more about their way of living. Overnight at Takar Homestay in Pasighat.
Day 14. January 11, 2019. Pasighat
After early breakfast drive a bit upstream to the picturesque Siang Valley and board in to the Raft to raft down to Pasighat. In the evening bonfire and traditional dance of Adi Minyong people will be arranged. Overnight at Takar Homestay.
Day 15. January 12, 2019. Pasighat - Majuli ( Approx. 205 km/ 5 - 6 Hrs)
After Breakfast drive to Majuli, on the way stop over at Adi Minyong village to have a look and get to know about Adi culture. Majuli is famously known as the world largest (or, arguably, second largest) river island. We reach Majuli using a newly constructed bridge. Upon arrival check-in at Le Maison de Ananda. Dinner and traditional dances of Mishing (Miri) people. Overnight on Majuli island.
Day 16. January 13, 2019. Majuli
Full day Majuli sightseeing, visiting the Temples with age old history and lrean about the monks staying in the temple, Folk dance by the monk (Gayanbayan), Visit mask making temple, pottery village and Mishing tribal villages. Overnight stay in Majuli at Le Maison de Ananda.
Day 17. January 14, 2019. Majuli – Mon (Approx. 220 Km/ 6 -7 Hrs Drive)
After early breakfast cross the river Brahmaputra by country made ferry and continue drive to Mon in Nagaland. En route visit Historical monuments of Ahom dynasty Shiva Dol, Kareng Ghar etc. Mon is the home of the Konyak Nagas who were the last of the headhunters. They are famous for their accomplished craftsmanship in making woodcarvings, headgears, necklaces etc. Overnight at Taipha Guest House/ Vingghoi Resort.
Day 18. January 15, 2019. Mon
Full day to explore the villages of the Konyaks covering Longwa Village primarily, and Shangha Changyu and Chui villages as per available time. The villages are ruled by the hereditary chief the 'Angh'. Visit headhunters who bear tattoos symbolizing the heads they have taken.
Day 19. January 16, 2019. Mon – Dibrugarh (Approach 130 km/ 5 – 6 Hrs Drive)
After breakfast drive to Hongphoi Village to meet the tattooed Konyak elders, to interact with them and know more about headhunting. Later continue driving to Dibrugarh. Evening take a stroll to the upbeat market of Dibrugarh. Overnight at Hotel Rajawas.
Day 20. January 17, 2019. Dibrugarh – Airport (16 Km) – Delhi – Moscow
After leisure breakfast transfer to the airport for flight back to Delhi with departure around 2 p.m.
Midnight direct flight from Delhi to Moscow.