DAY 1– GUWAHATI, ASSAM – ARRIVAL
Receive at Guwahati Airport and transfer to the hotel. On arrival check in at hotel in Guwahati for 01 night. Later visit Kamakhya Temple followed by visit to Srimanta Shankardeva Kalashetra in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
GUWAHATI – Situated on the southern bank of the River Brahmaputra 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. In earlier years, 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.
Kamakhya Temple: Situated atop the Nilachal hills, the foremost shrine of Assam, Kamakhya Temple dominates Guwahati, as much as the great Brahmaputra river. Kamakhya is an ancient seat of tantric and shakti cults of Hinduism. A rush of devotees throng the Temple during the Ambubachi Puja celebrated in June.
Srimanta Shankerdeva Kalashetra – a multi-art complex portrays the rich cultural diversity and life of Assam as well as that of the North-east. This art complex has been named after the greatest Vaishnavite saint and integrator of Assamese society. It is also the venue for many cultural activities. Enjoy the sound and light programme on the history of the region here.
DAY 2 – GUWAHATI – KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK, ASSAM
Today post breakfast visit Sualkuchi and Hajo. Later drive to Kaziranga (220 kms/04 ½ hrs). On arrival check in at hotel in Kaziranga for 02 nights. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Sualkuchi : Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra, 35 kms north of Guwahati, Sualkuchi is a weaving village that produces some of the best silk in the state. This sleepy little village exudes a charm like no other. Almost every house has an adjacent shed (karkhana) that houses the traditional bamboo loom- the gentle click-clacking of which can be heard from the streets. You can walk into any of the numerous karkhanas and observe the talented weavers weaving intricate patterns on the golden Muga silk.
In the early years of the 20th century, Sualkuchi was developed as a “crafts village”. Most of the funds for this development work came from eminent Gandhians across the country who responded to the “back to the villages” slogan of Gandhiji’s swadeshi drive. Although the weaving industry of Sualkuchi remained almost confined to the tanti community till the 1930’s , with encouragement from the government, people from other communities also took up silk weaving. There are about 17000 silk looms in Sualkuchi producing an eclectic range of silk products. Most of Sualkuchi’s silk is woven into mekhela-chadars and gamosas. Owing to the increasing demand , the weavers of Sualkuchi have diversified to saris, shawls and dress material. The silk weaving of Sualkuchi provides direct and indirect employment to more than 25,000 people throughout the year.
Hajo – the meeting point of Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra, has a number of temples The chief among them being the Hayagrib Madhab Temple – a place of pilgrimage both for the Hindus and the Buddhists. Hajo’s bell-metal work is renowned for the interesting artifacts made by local craftsmen.
Kaziranga National Park – is a World Heritage Site, where more than 75% of the world’s total population of the great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros can be found. It lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and is one of the oldest parks of Assam. Besides rhinos, the Asiatic Water Buffalo, Elephants, Royal Bengal Tigers, Swamp deer, Barking deer and Hog deer can be seen. About 400 species of birds are found in Kaziranga National Park. To name a few- Swamp Francolin, Great Hornbill, Pallas Fish Eagle, Pied Falconets, Greater Adjutant Stork, Long Billed Vulture. There is no telling what one might find in Kaziranga but it is always a great experience. The specialty here is the Blue naped pitta among a host of Raptors and Waterfowl. The adjoining buffer areas are worth a try too, as numerous rare sightings are reported regularly.
Note: National Park in this sector remains open from 1st Nov to 30th April every year.
DAY 3 – AT KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK, ASSAM
Full day game drive inside the park with morning and afternoon Jeep Safaris. Explore the grasslands and dense forest of the national park on open top exclusive jeeps. In the evening drive back to the hotel and overnight.
JEEP SAFARI-
Forenoon: Entry time between 0730 to 1000 Hours. No entry after 1000 Hrs
Afternoon: Entry time between 1330 to 1500 Hours. No entry after 1500 Hrs .
Jeep Safaris are permitted on pre-defined tourist circuits within Kaziranga National Park- currently at the following four points. Each of these circuits takes about one and half to two and half hours (or even more depending upon interest of the tourists), subject to local range conditions and weather. Jeep Safari may be cancelled / curtailed due to any reason by the Park Authorities without prior notice.
- Mihimukh in Central Range at Kohora
- Bagori in Western Range at Bagori
- Agaratoli in Eastern Range at Agaratoli
- Ghorakati in Burapahar Range at Ghorakhati
The Central Range passes through the entire habitat spectrum from ox-bow lakes, savannah woodland to swamp forests. It is very good for mammal sightings as well as for birds (Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker). While driving along the trail, one can see rows of Indian Roofed and Tent Turtles (Kachuga tecta and Kachuga tentoria). Water Monitors Varanus salvator are sometimes spotted in the beels.
The Eastern Range abounds in water birds such as bar-headed geese, falcated duck, grey-headed lapwing and spot-billed pelican (a colony of 200 pairs of this globally threatened species nesting on the Bombax trees can be found here).
The Western Range has the highest density of rhinos as this part of the park is swampier. It has grassland birds and raptors (swamp francolin, pallas’s fish eagle etc). Smooth Indian Otters ( Lutrogale perspicillata) can sometimes be seen fishing in it’s ox-bow lakes.
DAY 4– KAZIRANGA – JORHAT, ASSAM
Today post breakfast drive to Jorhat (80 kms/02 hrs). Enroute visit Kaziranga Orchid Park cum Biodiversity Conservation Centre. On arrival check in at hotel in Jorhat for 02 nights. Evening option to explore Jorhat town or at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
The Kaziranga Orchid Park cum Biodiversity Conservation Centre is spread across 16 bighas of land. It also has a photo gallery of 500 orchids, a greenhouse, lakes with boating and angling facilities and small tree-houses, among other attractions. The basic purpose of opening this park was to conserve local varieties of orchids, flowers, fruits, fish and also to spread cultural awareness knowledge . Those visiting the park will also be able to taste juices of local fruits, pithas (local cakes) and enjoy Borgeet and Xattriya dance performances as well. Experts have been involved to give shape to the park. Khonjit Gogoi, a teacher who has been preserving orchids for the past 20 years pitched in to shape the park. As did Mahan Bora, a farmer, with his 10-year experience in collecting paddy varieties, Kunti Bora, an expert in medicinal plants, who helped in opening a medicinal plants sales counter, Bihu expert, Dhaneswar Saikia who showcases the original Bihu dance forms and music while Xattriya expert, Biplob Baruah for Xattriya dance training.
Jorhat is the gateway to the state of Nagaland & to Majuli, the largest river island. It was the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom and is home to many historical monuments. Jorhat is another tea hub in the Upper Assam region. Many small and big tea estates surround this town. Cinnamora Tea Estate – the first commercial tea estate, was planted by the British in this area.. Jorhat also boasts of the Tea Experimental Station at Tocklai, where tea scientists continuously endeavor to introduce new and better agricultural practices- some of which include developing of new clones and saplings.
DAY 5 – JORHAT – MAJULI ISLAND – JORHAT, ASSAM
Today morning drive to Neematighat (20 mins) for ferry crossing (1 hr downstream boat cruise- the time depends upon the water level of the river) to Majuli – the largest inhabited river island in the world and famous for the Vaishnavite Satras or monasteries (Kamalabari Satra, Auniati Satra, Benganti satra, and many more) and culture. It is nestled between the confluence of the Subansiri and the Brahmaputra River. Visit the monasteries and interface with the tribes on the island. Later in the afternoon ferry back to mainland and overnight at hotel in Jorhat.
MAJULI ISLAND – Majuli Island-A World Heritage Site, is located in the Brahmaputra River and is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world. The island has long served as a monastic retreat to the Vaishnavite community and is known for its beautiful rural setting and traditional Assamese and Mishing architecture. Majuli, is the largest freshwater river island (1250 sq km) in the world and is contesting for a position in the “World Heritage” list. It is located 20 kilometers from the city of Jorhat, Assam. Since water bodies cover most of the island, it attracts a number of local and migratory birds. About twenty six Satras or cultural houses of power are located in Majuli- of which the Kamalabari, Auniati and Garmur are worth a mention. These Satras propogate the religious ideology of medeival Assam’s Vaisnavite saints like Sankardev and Madhavdev.
The Mishings- The Mishings belong to the Tibeto-Burman clan of the Mongoloid race. It’s not known exactly where they migrated from, but it is believed that they were dwellers of the hills of present day Arunachal Pradesh. This explains the cultural and linguistic similarities they have with the people of the Adi (erstwhile Abor) tribe, and to some extent of the Hill Miri and Dafla tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Somewhere around the 13th century, they started migrating towards the plains of Assam, most probably in search of fertile land. This exodus continued for at least 2-3 centuries. As fate would have it, they found one of the most fertile river-beds (that of the mighty Brahmaputra) and settled on both banks along the length of the river, starting right from Sadiya in the east, to Jorhat in the west. They continued their practice of living in thatched houses raised on bamboo stilts, known as chang ghars. It was a protection against flood waters during the rainy season, although the original logic behind raised houses was protection from wild beasts. The yearly floods ensured that the Misings lived a life of abject poverty and misery. Agriculture being their main occupation, floods affect them in more ways than one. Their chief festival is Ali-Aye-Ligang, held in the month of February, which celebrates the agricultural harvest. Most Mishings follow both the Donyi-Polo and Hindu religions, but some Mishings also follow the Catholic or Baptist faith. The language of the Misings is known as Mishing language.
DAY 6 – JORHAT – KOHIMA, NAGALAND
Today post breakfast drive to Kohima (215 kms/05 hrs). Enroute visit Hot Water Spring and Shiva temple. On arrival check in at hotel in Kohima for 03 nights. In the evening explore local market at Kohima. Overnight at the hotel.
Kohima, situated in the south at an altitude of 1444 m above sea level, occupies pride of place as the capital city of Nagaland. Kohima has the advantage of being centrally located – being bounded by the state of Assam on the west, Wokha district on the north, Zunheboto and Phek districts on the east and Manipur state on the south. The Angami, Rengma and Zeliangrong communities mainly inhabit Kohima District.
DAY 7 – AT KOHIMA, NAGALAND
Post breakfast we drive to the Kisama Heritage Complex (12 kms / 30 mins), for the full day, to observe the different tribal performances and to soak in the atmosphere of the rather colourful and vibrant Hornbill Festival. Enjoy Cultural Dances (All 16 major tribes), War Dances (All 16 major tribes), Folk Songs, Indigenous Games, Music (Rock Beat contest in the evening), Fashion Show (Cultural & Modern), Handloom & Handicrafts, Local Cuisines , Local drinks (Zutho, Thutshe) etc. In the evening drive back to the hotel and overnight.
HORNBILL FESTIVAL: To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagal
and organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December from 01-10th December. This colourful festival is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments. The Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof.
It is held at Naga Heritage Village- Kisama which is about 12 kms from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions. One can witness and understand the people and culture of Nagaland, and an opportunity to experience the food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland within a single arena. The week-long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display. One should consider to be a part of the opening ceremony of the festival held on 01st December, every year
DAY 8– AT KOHIMA, NAGALAND
Today post breakfast witness Hornbill Festival. Later in the afternoon visit Khonoma Village inhabited by the western Angami tribe and is famous for its cleanliness measures. Visit the village and interact with the villagers to know more about their rich tradition and culture. Evening drive back to the hotel and overnight.
Khonoma Village: Located 20 kms west of Kohima is Khonoma village.The village referred to as “Khwünoria” by the residents is estimated to be around 700 years old and is surrounded by hills that are as high as 9000 ft. It was here that the Naga warriors made their last stand against the British in 1879. The Village is named after a plant locally known as “Khüno” that grows in the area. The alder tree (Alnus Nepalensis) is found in abundance in this region and Khonoma is famous for its management of jhum fields with alder trees, which fixes nitrogen in the soil and checks soil erosion.
With its mission” Green Khonoma”, it has become the Model Village for eco-tourism. The Village Council has made it mandatory for every household to have dustbins. Once in a month, sanitation drive is carried out and the community’s garbage is burnt. The ashes and the residue are then used as manure. The combination of rich bio-diversity and stunning landscape makes Khonoma habitat an excellent candidate for eco-tourism.
DAY 9 – KOHIMA – DIMAPUR, FLY OUT
In time transfer to Dimapur Airport (80 kms/03 – 04 hrs) to board flight for onward destination.
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