The North Eastern region of India is one of the least explored regions of India. With its abundant natural wealth, wildlife sanctuaries, high mountains, tribal culture, tea gardens, waterfalls, famous temples, the majestic Brahmaputra valley, angling opportunities, fast flowing rivers, quaint markets and a flourishing textile trade, it”s a wonder that these sister states have been able to keep themselves under wraps for so long! This 12 day tour unveils all of the above during its sojourn through Assam, Meghalaya and the high altitude region of Arunachal Pradesh.

Paradise Lake, Sela Pass, Arunachal Pradesh 

Tour Code: NT NES 25

Day 1: Guwahati             

Arrive at Guwahati airport drive to Shillong - 3hrs enroute visit Kamakhya temples

Drive straight to Nilachal hill (225 m ht) where the Kamakhya group of temples is located. The rock inscription on the eastern slope of this hill indicates 5th century AD, but temple construction activity on this hill was definitely of earlier origin. Over history, a series of temples were built catering to different sects (i.e. Tantrik, Sakta and Saiva). At present only 9 old temples remain and all of these were reconstructed during the late medieval period. In recent times a few have been thoroughly restored. Five km of good motorable road from foot of hill leads to the present active and largely attended Kamakhya temple, altitude 180 m (last major reconstruction 1562, main chambers and ground plan akin to a fully developed North Indian temple). You can enter the sunken sanctum sanctorum (rock formation kept wet by an underground spring). Then proceed to Shillong. A 3 hr leisurely drive brings you to this beautiful hill station. Overnight at Shillong.

Day 2: Shillong. Excursion to Cherapunjee.           

After breakfast depart for Cherrapunjee. 52 km. En route visit Myllien (16 km from Shillong, alt 1720 m), a village of blacksmiths; next a photo stop after 13 km a magnificent view of deep gorge at Mawkdok valley (alt 1820m). A further 11 km before Sohrarim (old Sohra i.e. Cherra or old Cherapunjee alt 1680 m) view the magnificent megaliths. Ram Krishna Mission was established in 1913, on the summit of a hill , 2 km before reaching Cherrapunjee. It has an interesting museum with Khasi/Garo/Jaintia artefacts. By- passing the main Cherra bazaar, proceed to view the Nohkalikai Falls, said to be the fourth highest falls in the world. Return to main Cherra and view the Mawsmai limestone caves. The limestone cave is narrow and the less adventurous can view stalactites from little inside the entrance. Lunch on own at Orchid restaurant from where you can view the Nohsngithiang Falls which is dry in winter months but cascades beautifully during rainy season on to the Bangladesh plains. (The plains of Bangladesh can be viewed from the restaurant on a clear day). In months of April when the orchid blooms you can opt to visit the Thangalang Park, which has a greenhouse. Special plant is the pitcher plant. Overnight at Shillong.

Shillong during the rains.. 

Day 3: Shillong- to eco camp Nameri crossing Brahmaputra near Tezpur. 6 hrs.

7am: After breakfast drive to Nameri.

Optional extra cost: On arrival at Nameri, go by surface (road) for 8 km and then take the boat downstream (own cost) on fast flowing snow-fed Himalayan river. Rubber dinghies are oared by expert local boatmen with option of angling on catch and release basis. This is a good outing. It all depends on the amount of time you wish to spend on the boat. There are a few stops downstream to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. Each boat is oared by two tribal boatmen. Highly recommended but needs to be booked immediately on arrival at Eco-camp.

Nameri National Park is located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. It is 200 sq. km in area and contiguous on its northern boundary with Pakhui National Park (810 sq. km). Nameri is really on the edge of a huge wilderness area. Accommodation is in a tented camp, an angler's camp run by the Bhorelli Anglers Association. You need to cross the fast flowing snow-fed Bhorelli River to visit the Park and walks are allowed. The habitat is diverse and closer to Manas National Park (which is now closed). Sighting of wild animals is difficult but the place has over 350 species of birds. Known to be a good place to sight the White-winged Wood Duck, you can view Ibisbill (uncommon), Ruddy Kingfisher, Wreathed hornbill, Long-billed Ringed Plover, Sultan Tit, and Yellow-bellied and White-throated Fantails. Traditionally known for its Golden Mahseer, the Bhorelli flows along the southern periphery of the Park. Its record on rod and line is a 24.5 kg (52lb) golden Mahseer! Angling is regulated and is permitted strictly on a catch, record and release basis. Other sporting fish found are Saal (Murral) Gorua (Goonch), the Indian trout and the Chocolate Mahseer. The best spots are approachable by boats.

Best time month for angling November and during months of Feb-March.

Angling kit: sturdy equipment with reel capable of holding at least 200m of 0.35mm line. Lure weight should be around 20-25 gm and must include a few plugs.

Overnight in tented camp.

Day 4: Nameri to Dirang. 6hrs

160 km 8hrs drive. Bomdila, the head quarter of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 8000ft,-Bomdila and Dirang-4500 ft. has a marvelous view of the snow capped mountains and inhabitant of mixed tribal group of Monpa, Sherdulpen, Aka, Miji and Bhugun and Tibetans.

Enroute you can have visit orchid research center at Tipi (Bhalukpong). Out of about thousand species of orchids in India, over 500 are to be found in Arunachal Pradesh. In Bomdila, you can visit upper and lower Gompa, local market, museum, emporium etc. Overnight at Dirang, a spectacular valley overlooking the river.

Day 5: Dirang: Full day sightseeing and relaxation.Sangti valley etc.

At Dirang. Visit Sangti valley sheep breeding farm, local gompa, horticulture garden, Yak research centre, monastery, Dirang village, if time permited visit khaso village. Overnight at Dirang.

Day 6: Dirang to Tawang. 180kms/7hrs

Dirang  to Tawang. This is a spectacular drive and one of the highlights of the entire journey. Stop briefly at the Sela pass 14000ft. From Sela, the road goes downhill and there will be many photo-stops enroute past Jaswantgarh, a memorial to Jaswant Singh PVC of the Indian Army who single-handedly repulsed a Chinese attack but fell bravely defending his position, and the spectacular Nuranang water falls made famous by Shah Rukh Khan in his movie Koyla. Overnight at hotel.

Nuranang Falls en route to Tawang

Day 7: Tawang full day sightseeing.

Full day visit at Tawang. Tawang is the land of Monpa tribes and a major centre of Mahayana Buddhism. After breakfast full day excursion including a visit to the famous Tawang Monastery. The 300 year old Monastery, locally called "Gompa" is considered to be the oldest in India and second largest Monastery in Asia after Lhasa in Tibet. The Monastery stands on the spur of a hill over 12000 ft. above the sea level. Over looking the wide valley and surrounded on all sides by towering mountains. Later visit the high altitude lakes including Pangong Tang Tso lake (commonly referred to as PT Tso lake). Overnight at Tawang.

Day 8: Tawang to Dirang. 6hrs.

Your return journey begins and you can catch up on the sights you have missed out before. Go for a walk in the evening to Dirang town. Overnight at Dirang.

Day 9: Dirang to Tezpur. 6hrs

The return journey to the plains continues as at Bhalukpong you bid farewell to Arunachal Pradesh, entering the fertile Assam plains once again. Tonight you will stay in a tea garden bungalow and relive the glory days of the Raj era when staying in these bungalows was an aspiration. Recently renovated, the stay here amidst the sprawling gardens, is hugely relaxing. Time permitting, you may visit the tea factory to see how tea is processed.

Day 10: Drive to Kaziranga. 3 hrs.

AM: Take a long walk in the gardens and return for a session of leisurely tea drinking in the garden in front of your bungalow. Soak in the atmosphere. Later proceed to Kaziranga, crossing en route the immense bridge that spans the Brahmaputra.

Kaziranga National Park is a highly reputed wildlife protected area. It is the largest undisturbed representative area of Brahmaputra, its flood plain, grassland and forest. Reputed to be a mini Africa in the Indian sub-continent, the Park has more than 70% of the world's one-horned rhino population, 70% of the world population of the Eastern Swamp Deer (Cervus duvuaceli ranjitsinhii) and 75% of the world's wild Asiatic water buffalo. It has a significant population of the Asian Elephant.

Stay at Wildgrass Resort. It is an attractive rural-style hotel with grounds having more than 40 species of full-grown trees and over 200 species of climbers, creepers and shrubs.

Day 11: Kaziranga: elephant ride and 2 jeep safaris  

If elephant ride facility is still afforded by Park authorities, then please note that elephant ride timings are A.M.  1^st ride: 5.30 am to 6.30am/ 2^nd ride; 6.30 AM  TO 7.30 AM.   Wake up call half hour before the ride. Depending on the availability, either of these 2 will be given to you.

Return for breakfast.

Proceed on a jeep safari to Eastern range followed by lunch and then a safari to Central range.

The Park has more than 483 species of birds, 18 of them are globally threatened species. Because of the varied habitat-types that the Park comprises of as also of the strict protection accorded to them birding in Kaziranga is very special. The Eastern Range is good for water birds such as Falcated Teal, White-eyed Pochard and Spot-billed pelican (a colony of c 200 pairs is located in this range). For grassland birds the Western Range is ideal. The Bengal Florican can be seen during the elephant ride in the Central Range. The nearby Panbari Reserved Forest is good for primates such as Hoollock Gibbon and Capped Langur and also woodland birds such as Yellow-vented Warbler, Great Hornbill, Darknecked Tailorbird, Grey-bellied and Slaty-bellied Tesias.

Other interesting birds include Green-backed Heron, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Pied and Northern Harriers, Lesser and greater Adjutants, Black-necked Storks, Grey-headed and Pallas's Fish-eagle (common), Swamp Francolin (common), Grey-headed Lapwing, Black-bellied tern, Black-breasted Thrush, Yellow-naped Woodpecker, etc.

Return by evening. Relax for a while. Enjoy a programme of Bihu dance. Dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Kaziranga to Guwahati.

After breakfast, proceed towards Gwt, for your onward flight to Kolkata. You may then take the connecting IC 273 flight at 1830hrs.

TOUR ENDS.

Package Price:

HOTEL USED FOR THE ABOVE TOUR: BEST AVAILABLE HOTEL

Shillong- Tripura Castle

Nameri- Eco Camp

Dirang- Pemaling Hotel

Tawang- Hotel Tawang Inn

Tezpur- Wild Masheer

Kaziranga- Jupuri Ghar

In case we do not get this accommodation, a suitable alternative will be given to you.

Nameri Eco - Camp: This is a beautiful tea-planters bungalow and only 30mins drive from Nameri or Tezpur. Overlooking tea-gardens and (on a clear day) even the snow-clad peaks of Arunachal Pradesh, this bungalow provides a majestic glimpse of tea-garden stay amidst luxury. This property is a historic one characterized by its Victorian architecture and has spacious rooms across four individual bungalows. The accommodation is located on 22 acres of tropical land surrounded by tea gardens and the land has been bestowed with a wide variety of trees, plants, flowers, insects and birds. According to hearsay the Balipara tea estate was established by the British Assam Tea Company sometime around 1875.

At eco-camp Nameri twin sharing tents with sleeping bags & field toilets are available. Separate rooms and tents for ladies.

NOTE:

The Wanderers or its associates are not liable for any kind of natural calamities, strike, Bandh, Train & airline delay or cancellation. River rafting is not allowed for children below 12 years. Indemnity Bond to be signed by all participants at the time of booking.

Travelling Notes: This is designed as a “family adventure tour” with the idea of bringing people to the heart of nature. The first things that are sacrificed are the “normal comforts” one expects on a “sight seeing” tour. We advise you not to book this safari if you do not enjoy traveling with others and are not prepared to sacrifice the comforts which a more “deluxe” holiday to the cities might get you.

One must be ready to face any type of climatic and road conditions as well as other hardships faced on a high altitude jeep safari. Lodging in Eco-camp Nameri and at Dirang and Tawang is basic and simple.  The highest points in this tour will be Sela Pass (14,000ft) on the Dirang-Tawang route. Those with breathing problems or lung problems and heart problems are advised to consult their family physician before undertaking this tour. Meals throughout the tour is both veg/non-veg and stress is on warm, wholesome food.

BAGGAGE RULE: As this trip involves a lot of traveling in mountain areas, we do not wish to over-burden the vehicle as it is unsafe. Hence, only 2 bags (one day small backpack and one rucksack/soft bag totaling 15kgs) are allowed per person. Any excess baggage will not be allowed on the vehicle and the person will either have to leave the luggage behind at the cloakroom at the start of the journey or hire a separate vehicle on the spot at extra cost. Needless to say you will be personally responsible for your own luggage and we will not entertain any claims for lost baggage.

Non-smoking Policy: As per our company travel policy, smoking and drinking is not permitted inside the vehicle. However, frequent stops provide opportunity for those who desire to smoke. Drinking at the hotels within social limits without disturbing others is allowed.

What to Carry: One sturdy rucksack or duffel bag, thick pullover, woolen inner wear, thick jacket, hiking/ walking shoes with rubber sole, cap, woolen gloves, woolen balaclava (monkey-cap), woolen socks, torch, general clothing (emphasis on travelling light), sun-glasses, sun screen lotion. In addition, for dinghy rafting we advise you to also carry a change of clothes, shorts and T-shirt, sandals/floaters. For Kaziranga jeep and elephant safari, we recommend earth colours.

Climate in Winter (Nov-Mar): In Tawang, day temperatures would hover between 6-10deg C and night temperatures could sub-zero (in Dec, Jan). Dirang will be less cold. Kaziranga will be cold with day temp around 10-15deg C and night temp around +3-6 deg C. It will be colder during the 5.30am elephant safari in Kaziranga.