TRIBAL TRAIL
Duration : 19 Days – 18 Nights
Places Covered: Shillong – Shillong – Kaziranga – Kohima – Touphema – Kipfiizha – Dziikuo valley – Kohima – Khonoma – Kohima – Jorhat – Sibasagar – Jorhat – Majuli – Guwahati
Day 01: Shillong: Arrival, Welcome Ceremony
You will be received at Guwahati and after a welcome ceremony transferred to Shillong (100 kms 3 hrs). Have Lunch enroute at Borapani Umiam Lake, a majestic placid lake with its surrounding sylvan hills. Check in at your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Shillong.
Day 02: After an Early morning breakfast drive down to Krem Mawmluh Cave.
This cave is located half a km west of Cherrapunjee adjacent to the small hamlet of Mawmluh. The cave has five river passage with impressive proportions. The cave has a length of over seven Kms. Explore the cave under the guidance of Best caving experts of South Asia. Also visit the Waterfalls of Cherrapunjee (fourth tallest waterfall-Nohkalikai is at herrapunji) & Living root Bridges. Overnight stay in Cherrapunjee.
Day 03: An early wake up call and breakfast in the morning and ready to walk to the Double Decker Livng Root Bridge.
An engineering marvel of Indegenous Khasi Tribesmen. Who weaved the routes of the ereca tree to make bridges across streams. Return to Chera Tourist Resort after a picnic lunch at the bridge. Evening at leisure to experience the breathtaking views of the Khasi hills and the plains of Bangladesh. Overnight at Cherapunjee.
Day 04: After breakfast drive to Shillong, the ‘Scotland of the East”.
En-route encounter Elephanta falls and Shillong peak for some breathtaking views. Overnight at Shillong.
Day 05: Shillong:
Sightseeing at Shillong, admire the beauty of Shillong also called Scotland of the East. It is erstwhile capital of undivided Assam; present North-East and home to the Khasi Highland tribes. Overnight at Shillong
Day 06: Shillong-Kaziranga (280 kms 5 hrs drive)
Afdter a leissurely breakfast drive onto famous Kaziranga National park. Overnight at Kaziranga National Park.
Day 07: Kaziranga: Elephant Safari, Rhino.
Early morning explore central area of Kaziranga National park on an elephant safari. Ride an Elephant through the park chasing a unicorn rhino along with a wide range of rare species. After lunch again take jeep safari to the central area of the park. Rest of the day at leisure to explore nature. Overnight at tourist Lodge.
Day 08: Kaziranga-Kohima
Drive to Kohima after breakfast (225 kms 4hrs drive). On arrival lunch at Kohima and proceed to Touphema Village Resort (41 kms from Kohima) run by Angami Naga village community. Overnight at Touphema Tourist village.
Day 09: Touphema-Kohima-Hornbill Festival
After breakfast check out of the village resort & drive to Kohima to attend the inauguration of Hornbill Festival (December 1st to 5th). It is a festival where Naga tribes come together and celebrate. All Naga warriors use the hornbill feather as a headgear, which is how this occasion was being named hornbill festival. This five days festival has Cultural Events, Traditional Dances & Folk Songs, display of Handloom & Handicrafts, Ethnic Naga food Stalls, Exhibition of flowers, Arts & Crafts etc. It also highlights traditional and modern fashion show & beauty contests and promotes upcoming young artiste. Post lunch visit the WW II Cemetery, nestled in the heart of Kohima town, where one of the fiercest battles was fought. On a huge stone in in-laid bronze the following famous words remained one of the undoubting courage displayed by the war heroes in order to preserve the freedom of the future generation.
“When you go home Tell them of us and say For your Tomorrow We gave our today”
Also visit The State Museum, located at Bayani hill kohima, it gives you a peep into the various aspects of Naga Culture. It displays dioramas of the lifestyle of the Naga tribes. Artifacts, handlooms, & Handicrafts, Tools & Implements, Gems & Jewelry, Coins & Ancient weaponry will give you an idea of the rich Culture and Heritage of the native people. Proceed to Kepfiizha (Kigwema village) and check into Dimori Cove Guest. Overnight stay at Dimori Cove.
Day 10: Kipfiizha-Dziikuo valley
Morning drive to Dziikou valley via Jakhama village. The drive will end at a point from where one has to trek up to the Dzukou valley, which takes 4hrs. Dzukou valley is at a height of 2438 mts is on the southwest side of Japfu ranges. It is at a distance of 25 kms from Kohima and can be approached from different routes via Jakhoma, Viswema on NH 39. This valley is a place of Solace and Tranquility and provides the right atmosphere for all Eco Adventures, Nature lovers, Trekkers. Bamboo brush, a tough dwarf bamboo predominates the vegetation and it gives an appearance of a fully mown lawn from afar. The serpentine streams & rivulets flows leisurely through the valley freeze during winter. Rhododendrons adorn the hills, rocks during spring. Summer brings its own variety of flowers to the valley, during this season, the valley looks a veritable “Garden of Eden”. For all lovers of adventure and trekking, Dziikou beckons with the refrain, which seems to say-
“All you seekers of Adventure, And lovers of tough treks, Come and be my guest- And drink deep of my beauty.”
Overnight in the rest house/rock caves or tents.
Day 11: Dziikou Valley Kipfiizha
Morning Explore Dzikou valley. The call of Dziikou is irresistible for trekkers. This is the best trekking spot in the NE Region. Post Lunch return to Dimori Cove and proceed to Hornbill Festival. Overnight stay at Dimori Cove.
Day 12: Kohima-Khonoma
Morning check out of Dimori Cove & drive to Khonoma (20 kms)Angami Tribal village and the home village of father of Naga Nationalist movement Angami Phizo. This village located on top of a hillock has a pastoral beauty of its own. This was where the Last part of the Anglo Naga War was fought. Return to Kohima for overnight stay.
Day 13: Kohima- Jorhat: Tea Capital of the world, the Thengal Mansion, Assamese village
Early in the morning, we will drive to Jorhat (200 Kms 4 hrs), the tea-capital of Assam. On arrival at Jorhat, you will be accommodated in the Thengal Mansion, a historic ancestral house of a Tea Planter amidst an Asssamese village, 15 kms from Jorhat. The 72-year old Thangal Mansion is to answer the queries on Assamese culture and tradition. After lunch and rest, take a walk in a nearby village to see the simplicity of their lives.
Day 14: Sibasagar: Ranghar, Tolatol.
Early in the morning we will depart for Sibasagar, the ancient capital of ahom kingdom (1699-1788). Taking a brief rest after lunch, visit Ranghar the Capital and military station of Ahom Kings, then we visit the Tolatol Ghar a seven storied building- Four above and Three Below the ground. The other significant archaeological remains in Sibasagar are Shiva Doul, Vishnu Doul and the Tombs of Ahom Kings and Queens in Charaideo Hillock. Return to Jorhat for overnight stay.
Day 15: Jorhat-Majuli: Biggest River Island, presentation on wild life.
Early morning drive to Majuli the biggest River Island in the world and seat of Baishnavite monasteries. You will cross-mighty Brahmaputra on a ferry to reach this historic Island. Overnight stay at the Govt. circuit house at Majuli.
Day 16: Majuli: Baishnavite Monastery, Cultural programme.
Majuli, the biggest river island, laps Kamalabari Satra and Auniati Satra, centers of Vaishnavite culture. Early morning visit to these satras and admire the close proximity of nature that thrills. Arrive back at Circuit house and in the evening enjoy the cultural display by the artists.
Day 17: Guwahati: River cruise, City.
Early morning drive to Guwahati (340 kms 6hrs). On arrival check in to your hotel. In the evening set out on a River cruise to watch the sun go down the Brahmaputra River and see yourself why the river is locally called ‘Luit’- colour of blood. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 18: Guwahati: Assam Silk, Pilgrimage centres.
Today you will visit Sualchuci, the Manchester of Assam. Which produces some of the finest qualities of ‘Adi’ and ‘Muga’ silks hand-woven and presented in colourful dresses. There are lots if you want to buy as souvenir. Also visit Hajo an all religion pilgrimage centre. Arrive back at your hotel by afternoon. Rest of day at leisure.
Day19: Farewell, departure.
Day free till the time of departure from Guwahati airport/railway station.
Notes
- Mode of Transport: 10 seater light utility vehicles a/c or non a/c
- Journey time: Average 50-60 Kms per hour
- Road condition: National Highways connects these places.
- Best time to visit September to April.
Tourist Interest places:
Shillong: a hill station called the Scotland of the East and wettest region of the world with some breathtaking Waterfalls
Kaziranga National Park: famous for One Horned Rhinos found only in this part of the world and other wild life.
Kohima
Majuli: The biggest River Island of the world and a seat of Vaishnavite culture.
Guwahati: Ancient Gateway city to North-East India.
- Accommodation in good star category hotels, except for Majuli where it is in Government Rest House.
