HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS, UNSEEN TRIBES & AMAZING WILDLIFE

EXPERIENCES 20 DAYS LIVING WITH UNSEEN TRIBES & RHINOS

Encounter the ancient Apatani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and chill out in bamboo huts on Majuli Island, the world’s largest river island. See how tea is grown in Assam`s famous tea estates, and spot one-horned rhino and other stunning wildlife on elephant-back in Kaziranga National Park. Rise above the Himalayan clouds to stunning Tawang, home to the world’s second largest Buddhist monastery, perched on a mountain edge overlooking Bhutan.

TOUR PROGRAM

DAY 1 GUWAHATI – NAMERI

Arrive midday into Guwahati, Assam (flying from Delhi or Kolkata). Your guide and driver will greet you at airport for onward drive to the Eco-Camp on the fringes of Nameri National Park. Depending on arrival time, go for a wander in the open fields and watch villagers gather their cattle as the sun sets. Feast on Assamese cuisine in the open air dining area and enjoy a drink by the bonfire. Stay in very good bamboo tent/cottages, complete with comfortable bamboo beds and attached bathroom. Overnight in Nameri.

Early morning chai, then set off for game walk. Cross the river by boat to Nameri National Park. Explore the forest by foot, looking out for langur monkeys, wild elephants, barking deer, rare birdlife and more. Return to eco-camp for breakfast. Head down to the River Bhorelli for a relaxing boat/raft ride and stop off on the bank for a freshly cooked lunch. Rest of afternoon/evening free. Evening meal and overnight in Nameri.

Early breakfast, then set forth on the tribal circuit, winding your way through lush tropical mountain scenery. Arrive in Ziro, home of the little-known Apatani tribe, whose older women bear distinctive nose-plugs and tattoos. Depending on arrival time, visit nearby Hong village, one of the largest tribal villages in Asia, where you will get a rare and privileged insight into an almost medieval world. Overnight in Ziro.

Full day to explore Ziro. Take a walk out to the paddy fields where you can learn about the ingenious system of ‘pisci-culture’ where villagers breed fish and grow rice within the same plot of land. Visit the craftshop in Ziro, run by Future Generations Arunachal, a worthy NGO supported by Travel The Unknown. Overnight in Ziro.

Free day to explore Ziro and nearby tribal villages. Hiking possibilities. Overnight in Ziro. Other than Hong, other less well-known tribal villages nearby include Hijo, Hari, Bamin and Dutta.

Early start for journey to Jorhat, located on the banks of the Brahmatputra. Arrive around lunchtime. Check into tea bungalow. After lunch, proceed for a tour of the tea plantations for which Jorhat is renowned. Return to the bungalow. Rest of the evening free to relax. Overnight in Jorhat.

Early morning private ferry to Jorhat. Spend the day exploring one of the largest river island’s in the world. Visit the island’s ancient satras (rare Hindu Vaishnavite monasteries worshipping Lord Vishnu). Pop into the local mask shops and pottery workshops and watch master craftsmen at work. Late afternoon take the ferry back to Jorhat. Evening free to relax. Overnight in Jorhat.

After leisurely breakfast drive to Kaziranga National Park. Check into your accommodation. After lunch, leave for your afternoon jeep safari in Kaziranga. Look out for the park’s abundant and rare wildlife. Return to your lodge on the fringes of the park. Savour a delicious Assamese meal and have a drink by the bonfire. Overnight in Kaziranga.

Visit Panbari Forest Reserve to look for the elusive hoolock gibbon and visit the nearby tea estate. After lunch, rest of day free. Suggested visit to Mising tribal village close to the lodge. Overnight in Kaziranga.

Visit Panbari Forest Reserve to look for the elusive hoolock gibbon and visit the nearby tea estate. After lunch, rest of day free. Suggested visit to Mising tribal village close to the lodge. Overnight in Kaziranga.

After breakfast, set off for Bhalukpong, a small town on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. Check into your cottage. Relax and rest of day free. Options include taking a walk along the riverbank and wander the local shops and roadside restaurants. Overnight in Bhalukpong.

Cross the border into Arunachal Pradesh and drive through the Eastern Himalayas to Dirang. Arrive late afternoon. Rest of day free. Enjoy the picturesque surroundings of Dirang Valley. Overnight in Dirang.

Spend the day exploring Dirang. After breakfast, visit picture-postcard Old Dirang, its winding streams and Old Fort. Take a light trek through Sangti Valley and enjoy fantastic views of Dirang. Afternoon lunch, rest of day to relax or wander around Dirang. Overnight in Dirang.

Early morning walk to Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet. Perched majestically on a Himalayan cliff face looking into Bhutan, admire the huge statue of Lord Buddha and the sublime panoramic views. Proceed on to Urgelling Gompa, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, then on to charming Ani Gompa (nunnery), and watch the lowering of the Indian flag at the Indo-China War Memorial. Overnight in Tawang.

Early morning walk to Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet. Perched majestically on a Himalayan cliff face looking into Bhutan, admire the huge statue of Lord Buddha and the sublime panoramic views. Proceed on to Urgelling Gompa, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, then on to charming Ani Gompa (nunnery), and watch the lowering of the Indian flag at the Indo-China War Memorial. Overnight in Tawang.

Free day in Tawang. Your guide can suggest activities and walks. Overnight in Tawang.

After early breakfast, start drive down to the small Buddhist town of Bomdila. Lunch en-route. On arrival, check-in to accommodation and refresh. At dusk, visit the local monastery to see the monks go to prayer. Evening free. Overnight in Bomdila.

After breakfast drive to Tezpur stopping at the Orchid Centre in Tipi which houses over 7500 orchids. On display are some of the finest species of orchids in the world, with intriguing names like the ‘Dainty Lady’s Slipper’. After lunch continue drive to Tezpur, and check into hotel on arrival. Rest of evening free. Overnight in Tezpur.

After breakfast leave for Guwahati. Check into hotel on arrival. Rest of day free or optional excursions can be arranged, for example a visit to the Kamakhya Temple, where animal sacrifices are still a daily occurrence, or a visit to the quaint Umananda Temple located on a small island in the Brahmaputra. Overnight in Guwahati.

After breakfast, transfer to airport for onward flight to Delhi or Kolkata.

Journey Highlights — Northeast India Wilderness, Tribes & Himalayas

  • Traditional welcome and scenic drive to eco-camp near pristine forest.

  • Guided jungle walks spotting elephants, langurs, deer and rare birds.

  • River rafting on the Jia Bhorelli with riverside lunch and bonfire evenings.

  • Explore homeland of the Apatani tribe and Asia’s largest tribal villages.

  • Learn traditional fish-and-rice farming systems.

  • Visit craft centres and remote villages like Hong, Hijo and Hari.

  • Stay in heritage tea bungalow amid lush plantations.

  • Ferry to Majuli — one of the world’s largest river islands.

  • Visit ancient Vaishnavite monasteries, pottery workshops and mask artisans.

  • Jeep safaris to see one-horned rhinos and rich wildlife.

  • Birding and primate tracking in Panbari Forest Reserve.

  • Cultural visits to nearby tribal settlements.

  • Scenic mountain drives across Arunachal’s high passes.

  • Explore Old Dirang fort and trek through Sangti Valley.

  • Visit cliff-top monasteries including the grand Tawang Monastery.

  • Witness evening flag ceremony at Indo-China War Memorial.

  • Prayer ceremony with monks in Bomdila.

  • Discover 7,500 orchid species at Tipi Orchidarium.

  • Optional visit to Kamakhya Temple or island-set Umananda Temple.
EXPLORE EAST INDIA
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