DAY 01 ARRIVE GUWAHATI

Upon arrival in Guwahati, transfer to hotel. P.M. visit Kamakhya Temple:  one of the greatest ‘Shaktipeeth’, the Shakti shrine of Goddess Kamakhya is situated on the Nilachal Hills and is the oldest center of Tantric Shaktism. The legend regarding the birth of the Kamakhya temple narrates that Lord Shiva, rage with anger at his wife Sati’s death, wandered the entire earth carrying Sati’s corpse. An organ of Sati fell here, eventually the place became a temple of worship. The temple features stone inscriptions, terracotta works, sculptures and idols of Ganesha and Chamundeswari which are worth mentioning. Also, visit the Umananda temple located on a small island with the cleanest waters. Srimantra Sankardev Kalakshetre – a cultural institution in the Panjabari area of Guwahati, named after the medieval poet- and reformer Srimanta Sankardev. It includes a cultural museum, library and various facilities for preserving, demonstrating and performing cultural items, besides a children’s park. In addition to being Northeast India’s largest cultural congregation, the artistic excellence of Assam and rest of the north-eastern region is displayed here. Other places in Guwahati..  Tirupati Balaji Temple, Nabagraha Temple, Assam State Museum.   Overnight stay at Guwahati.

DAY 02 GUWAHATI (HAJO & SUALKUCHI EXCURSION)

After breakfast drive towards Sualkuchi – the silk village of Assam. Here we shall visit a household to see the processing of Silk from cocoons to finish product. All the weaving is still done on handloom. Later visit Hajo – the place popularly known as where the three religions meet namely: Hindu , Muslim and Buddhism. Here we shall visit Hygrib Madhab Temple and Puwa Mecca followed by visit to Sualkuchi Silk
or choose any of the following options
Day visit to Pobitra wildlife sanctuary (02hrs drive one way) – This is a small but nice sanctuary.  Famous for large density of one horned rhinos, multiple sighting opportunities. Wild buffalo, boar, foxes, eagles and other migratory birds can also be seen.
Or
Visit Chandubi Lake – Chandubi Lake is an earthquake-born natural lake located at the foot of the Garo Hills and surrounded by Assam and Meghalaya. A calm and peaceful lake surrounded by tea gardens, deep forests and tiny villages. The lake is free from pollution, owing to the fact that it is out of the reach of modern civilization. Place also boast of rich flora and fauna.
Evening sun-set cruise in Brahamputra River or a dinner cruise in the river. Return to hotel for night stay. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03 GUWAHATI – KAZIRANGA (193 kms 4hrs)

After breakfast, leave for Kaziranga. Arrive and check into hotel.
Kaziranga National Park: Internationally popular forest reserve and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is situated on the northern banks of the mighty river Brahmaputra, spreading wide on both the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. It covers an area of over 430 sq km. Its landscape is characterized by swamps, beels, tall elephant grass, flat grasslands with streams.

The park supports a variety of flora and fauna and an undistributed residence of the Great One horned Rhinoceros. It is also a home to a large population of Indian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Indian Boson, Royal Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Hog Deer, Leopard Cats, Otter, Hog Badger, Capped Langur, Hollock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Pythons, Monitor Lizard, and Fishing Cat etc. Small mammals like the rare Hispid Hare, Indian Gray Mangoose, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civet, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal, Chinese Pangolin, Indian Pangolin, Hog Badger, Chinese Ferret Badger, Parti-colored Flying Squirrels etc. are also found here.

More than 500 species of birds have been recorded in Kaziranga National Park including 26 species of globally threatened category. Migratory birds like Lesser White Fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer’s Pochard Duck and Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Black Necked Stork, Asian Openbill Stork etc. migrate to this park during the winter season every year. It is also a habitat of threatened species like Blyth’s Kingfisher, White Bellied Heron, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Black-Bellied Tern and other birds like the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Indian Vulture, Slender billed Vulture, Indian White-rumped Vulture, Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican, Pale- Capped Pigeon, Black Breasted Parrotbill and Rufous vented Prinia etc. It is also a home to the endangered Gangetic Dolphin. Besides there are more than 40 species of fishes and 42 species of reptiles are found in Kaziranga National Park.

En-route visit – Gajraj View Point and Kanchanjuri View Point at Burha Pahar Range of Kaziranga National Park. Arrive at Kaziranga and check-in jungle resort. Overnight: Stay in jungle resort.

DAY 04: KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

Elephant Safari: In the early morning, enjoy an elephant ride in the western range (Bagori) / central range (Kohora) of Kaziranga National Park.
Return to hotel for breakfast, after that a visit to the Ethnic Village of Kajir Ronghangpi Aklam, Kohora and explore the way of living of North Eastern People. Have a glimpse of Assam tea plantation. Observe the teams of colorfully dressed tea garden female workers plucking the delicate buds and leaves with their nimble fingers. Also, visit the company outlet of Hathikuli Tea Estate for purchasing different kinds of organic Tea.

Later visit – Kaziranga National Orchid and Bio-diversity Park: Witness more than 500 varieties of wild orchids collected from different parts of North-East Indian states, 132 species of sour fruits and leafy vegetables, 12 species of cane, 46 species of bamboo and a large variety of local fishes in Kaziranga National Orchid and Bio-diversity Park, located in Durgapur.

Also visit – Souvenir shops of bamboo and wooden products near Orchid Park at Kaziranga.

Jeep Safari: In the afternoon post lunch, enjoy one round of Jeep safari in the central range (Kohora) / western range (Bagori) of Kaziranga National Park.

If interested, visit in the evening – Kaziranga Orchid Park again to enjoy special cultural show of different folk dances of Assam. Overnight: Stay jungle resort.

DAY 05: KAZIRANGA – MAJULI ISLAND (113 kms, 2 & 1/2 mins drive & 1/2 hr ferry ride)

In the early morning after breakfast, take transfer to Majuli Island. En-route cross- the Brahmaputra River by local ferryboat.

Majuli Island: Majuli, the largest river island in the world, is being short listed for future status of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The formation of this river island dates back to 1691 AD, when a great flood swept Assam and created a new island in the midst of river Brahmaputra. Majuli is acclaimed mainly as the main centre of vaishnavite culture and satras of Assam. Srimanta Sankardeva, the Vaishnava saint and religious reformer of vaishnavism and his disciple Madhavdeva took forward the vaishnavite culture at Majuli. The first satra (monastery) was established at Belguri, the western part of
Majuli.

The satras represent the preservation and propagation of socio-cultural ethics and ideals of Assam. There were about 66 satras at Majuli. At present, only 31 of them are survived. These satras are great places of visit during the Raas festivals. Majuli also appeals tourists for its various attractions like rare seasonal migratory birds, display of various collection of traditional handicrafts, pottery, various ethnic dance forms, religious and mythological-based dramas etc.

At Majuli, a rare sight of Gangetic River Dolphin in the mighty Brahmaputra River may be an experience for lifetime. Arrive at Majuli and check-in at hotel / traditionally built bamboo cottage. Later visit –

Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, the main attraction of this vaishnavite satra are its Paal Naam Ceremony, Dashavatar dance and Puppet shows. The satra also offers a magnificent display of ancient collection of utensils, jewelry and handicrafts representing Assamese culture.

Uttar Kamalabari Satra: Uttar Kamalabari satra, a part of the actual Kamalabari Satra was founded by Padma Aata or Badula Aata, a disciple of Shri Shri Madhavdeva. It is a centre of Assamese art, culture and cultural studies. The satra is famous for Ankia Naat drama and Saali dance forms. It also has a branch in Guwahati. This branch has displayed Sattriya dance in many states of India and abroad.

Natun Samaguri Satra: Globally famous for traditional art of mask making culture, Natun Samaguri Satra is a newly instituted branch of Samaguri Satra, originally established by Chakrapani Ata, an illustrious disciple of vaishnavite saints Srimanta Shankardeva and Shri Shri Madhavdeva. Experts of this monastery make masks for the performers of religious plays and also for decorative purpose. Masks crafted in this monastery are exported on demand made by the tourists from time to time.

Mishing Tribal Village: The Mishings are the largest ethnic tribal group in India. Earlier called Miris in the historical days, this group belongs to greater Tani people community, which comprises other Tani tribes such as Adi, Apatani, Nyishi, Padam, Minyong etc. in India and in Tibet Autonomous Region in China. The cultural, linguistic and ritual aspects of all Tani tribes are quite similar. The Mishings specifically belong to a Southeast Asian sub-race of the Mongoloid race. There are no written records about the migration of Mishings from hills to the plains of Assam. Historical and folklore sources regard that the Mishings were the Adis who migrated to Assam. Legend narrates of the Mishings coming in contact with the more civilized communities residing in the plains of Assam during early 16th century.

The Mishings originally believed the Donyi-Polo religion, but later on a majority of them converted to Hinduism and a minimal group took to Christianity. Ali-Aye-Ligang is the major festival of this tribe celebrated during the month of February. They also observe other festivals such as Pohrag and Dobur. Mishing culture exhibits traditional craft of weaving colourful cotton cloths. Mishing women weave cotton jackets, light cotton towels, endi shawls, thick loin cloths and shirting. Mishing women weave ‘ege’, ‘rihbi’, ‘gaseng’, ‘gero’, ‘seleng gasor’, ‘riya’, ‘segreg’ and ‘potub’. All these are beautiful cloth sheets with broad & narrow stripes of bright contrastive colours worn by Mishing women. They also weave ‘niseg’ so that mothers can carry their babies in their back.

If time permits, visit – Pottery culture: Pottery is an ancient culture of Majuli. It is one of the traditional forms of cottage industry in Assam. At present, more than 4000 people at Majuli live on pottery culture for their livelihood. The potters at Majuli practice a peculiar technique in which they beat the clay by hand to make the utensils. Visit Kumhar Gaon to have a glimpse in the rural lives of the potters at Majuli working without the wheels which indicate a historic origin of this culture.

Later, enjoy a magnificent Sunset view in the Brahmaputra River from Ferry Point. Overnight: Stay in hotel / bamboo cottage.

DAY 06                    MAJULI – GIBBON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (01hr ferry and 01 and half hour by car)

Visit Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, the main attraction of this vaishnavite satra are its Paal Naam Ceremony, Dashavatar dance and Puppet shows. The satra also offers a magnificent display of ancient collection of utensils, jewelry and handicrafts representing Assamese culture. Uttar Kamalabari  Satra: a part of the actual Kamalabari Satra was founded by Padma Aata or Badula Aata, a disciple of Shri Shri Madhavdeva, is a centre of Assamese art, culture and cultural studies. The satra is famous for Ankia Naat drama and Saali dance forms. It also has a branch in Guwahati. This branch has displayed Sattriya dance in many states of India and abroad. Natun Samaguri Satra: Globally famous for traditional art of mask making culture, Natun Samaguri Satra is a newly instituted branch of Samaguri Satra, originally established by Chakrapani Ata, an illustrious disciple of vaishnavite saints Srimanta Shankardeva and Shri Shri Madhavdeva. Experts of this monastery make masks for the performers of religious plays and also for decorative purpose. Masks crafted in this monastery are exported on demand made by the tourists from time to time. Mishing Tribal Village  The Mishings are the largest ethnic tribal group in India. Earlier called Miris in the historical days, this group belongs to greater Tani people community, which comprises other Tani tribes such as Adi, Apatani, Nyishi, Padam, Minyong etc. in India and in Tibet Autonomous Region in China. The cultural, linguistic and ritual aspects of all Tani tribes are quite similar. The Mishings specifically belong to a Southeast Asian sub-race of the Mongoloid race. There are no written records about the migration of Mishings from hills to the plains of Assam. Historical and folklore sources regard that the Mishings were the Adis who migrated to Assam. Legend narrates of the Mishings coming in contact with the more civilized communities residing in the plains of Assam during early 16th century. The Mishings originally believed the Donyi-Polo religion, but later on a majority of them converted to Hinduism and a minimal group took to Christianity. Ali-Aye-Ligang is the major festival of this tribe celebrated during the month of February. They also observe other festivals such as Pohrag and Dobur. Mishing culture exhibits traditional craft of weaving colorful cotton cloths.
By afternoon we leave for Gibbon wildlife sanctuary.  Arrive by evening and check into hotel. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 07                   GIBBON WLS – DIMAPUR – KOHIMA (195 kms Approx)

Gobbon WLS is famous for the App family (Seven different types of apps like Hoolok Gibbon, Pigtail macaque, Slow loris etc.). The sanctuary consists of semi- evergreen and evergreen forests surrounded by tea gardens. The sanctuary is famed for the Hoolock Gibbon, India’s only gibbons. Trek into the sanctuary. After the trek and breakfast, we leave for Kohima via Dimapur. Arrive Kohima by late afternoon and check into hotel.  Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08                     KOHIMA – KHONOMNA – KOHIMA (20 kms, 1 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast, drive to Khonoma Green Village. This 700 year old village also referred to as ‘Khwunoria’ by the inhabitants holds a historical record of a brave resistance made by the Naga warriors against the British in 1879 AD. The presence of a fort called ‘Kuda’, meaning “a place of defense” is a unique feature of this village. The villagers practice terrace farming of Alder trees which exhibits their skill in management of terraced cultivation. This farming fixes nitrogen in the soil which controls soil erosion. This step towards ‘eco-tourism’ has heightened the mission of “Green Khonoma” in the village. In the afternoon, visit in Kohima – Kisama Village (Hornbill festival site) , Kohima village or Bara Basti, the second largest village and one of the most densely populated village in Asia, Catholic Cathedral, Kohima War Cemetary and Sales Emporium. Overnight at Kohima.

DAY 09                   KOHIMA – IMPHAL (136 kms)

After breakfast, drive to the capital of Manipur, Imphal. Arrive and check into hotel.  P.M. visit
Kangla Palace:  an old palace, it was situated on both sides of the bank of the Imphal River, but now it remains only on the western side of the bank. Kangla means “dry land”.  Ima Market: Ima Keithel, also known as Ima Market or Nupi Keithel is a market run exclusively by women in Imphal.  Shaheed Minar: The indomitable spirit of the patriotic Meitei and tribal martyrs, who sacrificed their lives while fighting against the British in1891, is commemorated by this tall Minar at Bir Tikendrajit Park in the heart of Imphal city. Polo Ground (Mapal Kangjeibung): The oldest polo ground in the world is the Imphal Polo Ground.

DAY 10                     IMPHAL –LOKTAK LAKE – IMPHAL

Today after breakfast we will go for an excursion tour to Moirang ( 42 kms), explore Loktak Lake on a motor boat and visit the local fisherman and families staying in the floating island in their tiny floating house and then Kaibol Lamjao National Park to get a glimpse of the most Endangered Deer Sangai, after having lunch in Sandra resort we will also visit Indian National Army Museum and on returning back to Imphal we will stop at Red Hill (the memorial of Japanese Army), Return to Imphal and check into hotel. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 11                     IMPHAL

Today after breakfast we will drive to Sangshak (50 kms / 2 ½ hrs drive), first we will visit the famous Finch Corner and then we will go to Sangshak (20 min from Finches Corner), then we will meet the only messenger who worked for both Japanese and British soldiers, inside his compound is the Japanese Memorial and also a British memorial 5 min walk from his house, we can sit with him and listen to his stories, later he will escort us to Sangshak village and tell us more about the WW2.

DAY 12                   IMPHAL – MOREH – IMPHAL (INDO MYANMAR BORDER VISIT)

After early or with packed breakfast, leave for Moreh, enroute visit Govindajee Temple and then proceed to the Indo-Myanmar Border Town of Moreh. On reaching there, hire a local auto rickshaw and cross over to the Myanmar side to see altogether a different culture and lifestyle in their nearest town of Tamu. There we will make a quick visit to the Buddhist Pagoda and the Local Market, then spend some time in the Namphalong market. India-Myanmar border: Moreh is a town located on the India-Myanmar border in the Tengnoupal district of the Indian state of Manipur. The town is mainly inhabited by Kuki, with Tamil, Nepali, Meitei, Punjabi, Telugu, Bihari, Marwari and Muslim Pangals.
Return to Imphal by evening. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13                   IMPHAL DEPARTURE BY FLIGHT

Morning half at leisure.  Transfer to airport to board flight via Kolkatta

*******BON VOYAGE*******