ON ENTRY, YOU WILL BE INVITED BY OUR DELEGATE AT DIBRUGARH DOMESTIC AIRPORT HELP YOU WITH YOUR GEAR AND DRIVE TO CITY, DIBRUGARH – 'TEA CITY OF INDIA'. ALONG THE RIVER, BRAHMAPUTRA IS SITUATED DIBRUGARH, THE LARGEST TEA EXPORTING TOWN IN INDIA. IT IS ALSO THE GATEWAY TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH. DIBRUGARH ENCOMPASSES BY TEA GARDENS WITH THE MISTY OUTLINES OF THE HIMALAYAS IN THE BACKGROUND. DIBRUGARH IS LOCATED ALONG THE RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA. SOMETIMES IT IS REFERRED AS THE GATEWAY TO SOME DISTRICTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH. IN DIBRUGARH, ONE CAN GO AROUND THE TEA GARDENS WHICH ARE LOCATED IN AND AROUND THE TOWN. DIBRUGARH IS LOCATED IN THE UPPER NORTHEAST CORNER OF INDIA, DIBRUGARH IS WELL CONNECTED WITH THE REST OF INDIA. TOUCH BASE AT DIBRUGARH. REGISTER WITH YOUR ASSIGNED HOTEL. FRESHEN UP! OVERNIGHT STAY AT DIBRUGARH.
FOLLOWING BREAKFAST BY A STREET DRIVE TO MOKOKCHUNG – ‘INDIAN STATE OF NAGALAND’. MOKOKCHUNG IS AN OLD TOWN IN THE PREVIOUS NAGA HILLS, NAGALAND, INDIA. AS PER THE FOLKLORES, THE AO NAGAS ROSE UP OUT OF 'SIX STONES'. THESE STONES SYMBOLIZE THEIR ANCESTORS AND THAT AREA IS NAMED AS "LONGTEROK" WHICH IMPLIES SIX STONES. THESE STONES ARE STILL IN PLACE AT CHUNGLIYIMTI IN TUENSANG AREA. FROM THIS VILLAGE, THE AO TRIBE MOVED TOWARDS NORTHERN AREA CROSSING A RIVER NAMED TZÜLA AND SETTLED AT SOYIM, OTHERWISE CALLED UNGMA TODAY. THIS WAS THE FIRST AO VILLAGE EVER KNOWN. DESCRIPTION: MON FESTIVAL.JPGAFTER A COUPLE OF HUNDREDS OF YEARS, A GATHERING OF PEOPLE MOVED FURTHER TOWARD THE NORTH-EAST OF SOYIM AND SETTLED AT A SPOT NAMED AS MOKOKCHUNG, OR TODAY'S MOKOKCHUNG VILLAGE. NUMEROUS OTHER AO NAGA TOWNS INITIATED EXISTENCE WHEN PEOPLE MOVED OUT FROM THIS VILLAGE INCORPORATING UNGMA IN THE LATER PART. DESCRIPTION: HTTP://FARM9.STATIC.FLICKR.COM/8030/7949822066_7BF8C1D9F3_M.JPGWHILE IN TRANSIT TO MOKOKCHUNG, EN-ROUTE STOP EVER AT UNGMA, AO VILLAGE. THIS IS THE MOST SEASONED AND BIGGEST OF ALL AO VILLAGES AND THE SECOND BIGGEST VILLAGE IN NAGALAND, NEXT JUST TO BARA BASTI OF KOHIMA. UNGMA VILLAGE IS SITUATED AROUND 3 KM. FROM MOKOKCHUNG TOWN. IT INVOLVES A ONE OF A KIND POSITION IN THE HISTORICAL BACKDROP OF THE AO NAGAS, FOR IT IS SAID THAT THE ENTIRE AO TRIBE ESTABLISHED THIS VILLAGE WHEN THEY INITIALLY ENTERED THE AREA FROM THEIR INHERITED HOME AT CHUNGLIYIMTI (NOW INSIDE THE SANGTAM NAGA TERRITORY). THE RICH AO CULTURE AND TRADITION IS DESIROUSLY MONITORED AND REHEARSED BY THE VILLAGERS EVEN TODAY AND THE SPOT IS THOUGHT TO BE A LIVING EXHIBITION HALL OF THE TRADITIONS OF THE TRIBE. ARRIVE AT MOKOKCHUNG. CHECK IN TO YOUR DECENT HOME STAY. EVENING STROLL AROUND A LOCAL MARKET, MOKOKCHUNG IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT INSPIRES AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE OF VARIOUS PEOPLE, WHILE TALKING ABOUT MOKOKCHUNG. IT'S GENUINE THAT THERE ARE ALL THAT MUCH TWO OR THREE OTHER FASCINATING THINGS TO SEE AND DO TOO. OF COURSE, LIKE EACH AND EVERY OTHER INTEREST, THE LOCAL DAILY MARKET IN MOKOKCHUNG LIKEWISE, HAS ITS OWN BRAND OF UNIQUE CHARM. BASICALLY, REST ENSURE THAT AN EXCURSION TO MARKET, MOKOKCHUNG WILL SURRENDER YOU WITH A LIFETIME OF FRIENDLY MEMORIES. OVERNIGHT STAY AT MOKOKCHUNG.
FOLLOWING BREAKFAST LEAVE ON A TOURING VISIT SOME INTERESTING TRIBAL VILLAGES IN MOKOKCHUNG. START WITH MOPUNGCHUKET VILLAGE, IS 20 KM. FROM MOKOKCHUNG. AT FOUR AM IN MOPUNGCHUKET, EVEN THE CHICKENS ARE YET TO MIX WHEN THE VILLAGE STARTS WAKEFUL. THE QUIET IS BROKEN BY A NOISE IMPACT OF PSALMS FROM A STORE ADJACENT AND AS THOUGH ON PROMPT, THE COCKEREL A-DOODLE-DOO CHORALE STARTS PUNCTUATED WITH THE LOUD SNORTING OF PIGS. IN NORTHEAST INDIA, THE DAY STARTS JUST ABOUT AN HOUR IN FRONT OF THE NATION STANDARD TIME THUS BY 5AM, THE VILLAGE PEOPLE WERE UP AND ABOUT DOING THEIR EVERYDAY TASKS. THE INSIDE PURPOSE OF MOPUNGCHUKET VILLAGE IS A TOWER, WITH AN IMPOSING VIEW OF THE VILLAGE AND COUNTRYSIDE. THERE IS A STORY BEHIND THE TOWER IT WAS FABRICATED TO CELEBRATE A COUPLE OF PARTNERS FROM THE NEARBY AO TRIBE. THE VILLAGE ADDITIONALLY HAS A LITTLE-MANUFACTURED LAKE WITH A CREATED IRON EXTENSION OVER IT, AS A NEIGHBORHOOD VACATION PLACE. IN THE VILLAGE, HOMES ARE CLEAN, YET ESSENTIAL, HOWEVER FURTHERMORE CHARMING IS THE AFFECTION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD INDIVIDUALS. THE NAGAS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY PLEASED WITH THEIR VILLAGE. THE STREETS ARE CLEAN AND PIGS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO CIRCLED – THEY MUST BE KEPT IN PENS IN BACKYARDS. THE SIGHT OF TEENAGE GIRLS SWEEPING THE STREETS IS NOT UNUSUAL HERE. NEXT HEAD TO MANGMETONG VILLAGE. JUST A 10 KM. DRIVE AWAY FROM MOPUNGCHUKET IS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE, MANGMETONG, WHERE YOU COULD SPEND AN AFTERNOON PICKING ORANGES AT A HOMESTEAD. FOR A CHARGE OF RUPEES EIGHTY, THE PROPRIETOR SOMETIMES ALLOW PICKING THIRTY ORANGES. COMPLETE WITH LONGKHUM VILLAGE IS AROUND TEN KM DISTANCE FROM MUPUNGCHUKET. AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1846 METERS, LONGKHUM VILLAGE IS A BLEEDING EDGE VILLAGE WITH A PRIMITIVE HISTORY OF HEADHUNTING. THE AOS ACCEPT THAT LONGKHUM IS THE RESTING SPOT OF THE DEAD SOUL FORWARD VOYAGE TO THE PARADISE. A COUPLE OF PEOPLE OF THIS VILLAGE STILL HAVE FAITH IN THE ANIMISTIC RELIGION AND STILL LOVE THEIR GOD "LONGLANPA TSUNGREM". VISIT A NEARBY CREATOR'S HOME ARE GENERALLY INTRIGUING. THE VILLAGERS ARE CORDIAL IN NATURE AND THEY FEEL PLEASED TO SHOWCASE THEIR PRESERVED RICH CRAFTED WORKS HAND LOOMS SOME FASCINATING GADGETS, TO THE TRAVELER. HERE AS WELL, A WAR DRUM AND A CURIOUS CEMETERY CAN KEEP A SCREEN BUG CLICKING FOR A CONSIDERABLE LENGTH OF TIME. IN EVERY VILLAGE OUR ACCOMPLISHED GUIDE WILL ASSIST YOU TO STROLL AND CAPTURE GREAT PHOTOS IN THESE VILLAGES, HE WILL ASSIST YOU TO INTERACT WITH THE LOCALS, SHARING IDEAS WITH THEM, MORE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR RITUALS AND FOOD HABIT, TASTE THEIR FOOD, WITNESS THEIR LIFESTYLE, IN THE LATE AFTERNOON, BACK TO HOME STAY. EVENING FREE AT LEISURE. OVERNIGHT STAY AT MOKOKCHUNG.
AFTER BREAKFAST, DRIVE TO TOUPHEMA IS A LITTLE PICTORIAL AND CULTURAL VILLAGE WHICH OFFERS YOU A REMARKABLE PERSPECTIVE OF CONVENTIONAL NAGA WAY OF LIFE IN THE LAP OF NATURE. THE MOTTO IS TO PRESERVE THE NAGA TRADITIONAL LIFESTYLE AND THAT IS WHY THIS VILLAGE IS RECOGNIZED AS TOURIST VILLAGE BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE VILLAGE INCLUDE UNIQUE NAGA HOUSES ADORNED WITH CEREMONIAL DECORATIONS, THE AMAZING NAGA KITCHEN WHERE YOU CAN TEST LOCAL CUISINE, AN AUDITORIUM AND A MUSEUM SHOWING UNCOMMON CHRONICLES. AS PART OF THE NAGA HOSPITALITY, YOU MAY OFFER LOCAL DISHES WITH HOMEMADE RICE BEER. A RECENTLY REFURBISHED MUSEUM INSIDE THE VILLAGE OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE ETHNOGRAPHIC COLLECTION INCLUDING WOOD CARVINGS, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, TEXTILES, HANDICRAFTS TRADITIONAL ARTIFACTS, JEWELERS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS. PNGCULTURAL SHOWS TAKE PLACE REGULARLY AND THE LOCAL PEOPLE PERFORM WAR DANCES DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL COSTUME. TOUPHEMA GIVES AN INTRIGUING KNOWLEDGE INTO THE HISTORY, TRADITION AND ANCIENT MYTHS OF THE NAGA PEOPLE. IN THE VILLAGE, YOU WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO HIKE ALONG THE SURROUNDING PEAKS AND RICE FIELDS, TO PARTICIPATE IN BIRDING TRIPS AND CULTURAL EXPEDITION AND TO EXPERIENCE THE WARM CORDIALITY OF THE TOUPHEMA WITH VISITS TO LOCAL HOMES. WHILE IN TRANSIT, VISIT LONGKHUM VILLAGE. A VANGUARD VILLAGE OF THE AO'S IN THE DAYS OF HEAD HUNTING IS STRATEGICALLY SITUATED AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1846M. THE PEOPLE OF THIS VILLAGE ARE HARD WORKING AND YOU CAN FIND EXQUISITE HANDICRAFT AND HANDLOOM ITEMS IN THIS VILLAGE. ON A CLEAR DAY, YOU MIGHT GET A VIEW THE EASTERN HIMALAYAS OF ARUNACHAL AND BEYOND AND ALSO THE INDUSTRIAL BELLOWING FROM THE INDUSTRIES IN ASSAM. THE AO'S HAVE A BELIEF THAT LONGKHUM IS THE RESTING PLACE OF THE SOUL OF DEAD ON THEIR ONWARD JOURNEY TO HEAVEN. CHECK-IN TO YOUR TRADITIONAL HUTS. OVERNIGHT STAY AT TOUPHEMA.
EARLY BREAKFAST DRIVES TO KOHIMA – ‘CAPITAL OF NAGALAND’ FOLLOWING BREAKFAST DRIVE TO KOHIMA – ‘CAPITAL OF NAGALAND’. LAIDBACK AND TRANQUIL, KOHIMA IS ARRANGED IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION OF INDIA. KOHIMA'S COMFORTABLE PACE OF LIFE DRAWS IN TRAVELERS WHO NEED TO MAKE TRACKS IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM THE HOURLY CONSIDERABLE OF CITY LIFE. THE FIRST OCCUPANTS OF THE PLACE ARE THE ANGAMI NAGAS AND RENGMA NAGAS. YET, LATELY, PEOPLES FROM DIFFERENT AREAS AND STATES HAVE ADDITIONALLY SETTLED HERE. THE AREA COMPRISES OF 16 CHIEF TRIBES WHO STRUCTURE THE NAGA TRIBES. THEY HAVE SEMANTIC AND PROVINCIAL VARIETIES. THIS CAPTIVATING STATE WITH REGULAR EXCELLENCE AND ETHNIC DIFFERING QUALITIES IS MANAGED BY THE WARRIORS OF THE NAGA TRIBES. THE TOWN IS NAMED AFTER A WILD BLOSSOMING PLANT CALLED KEWHI, FOUND IN THE MOUNTAINS. KOHIMA WAS BEFORE KNOWN AS THIGOMA. THE ETHNIC TRIBES HAVE BEEN FRUITFUL IN ENSURING THEIR ONE OF A KIND SOCIETY AND CHARACTER. THESE PEOPLE ARE WARM AND AMICABLE. KOHIMA VILLAGE SHOWCASES THE NAGA LIFESTYLE. THE PASSAGE DOOR IS BEAUTIFIED WITH CUSTOMARY NAGA WORKMANSHIP AND BISON HORNS WHICH ARE AVERAGE TO ALL NAGA VILLAGES. WHILE IN TRANSIT VISIT KHONOMA AND VISIT AT ANGAMI TRIBAL VILLAGE. THE KHONOMA GATE TELLS THE STORY OF THE BRITISH INFILTRATION INTO THE NAGA HILLS IN THE 1870'S. THIS VILLAGE IS THE ABODE OF ‘FATHER OF NAGA NATIONALIST MOVEMENT’, ANGAMI PHIZO. NESTLED ON THE TOP OF A HILLOCK, PROVIDES A SPLENDID VIEW OF THE LUSH GREEN BEAUTY OF THE VILLAGE. THIS WAS WHERE THE LAST PART OF THE ANGLO NAGA WAR WAS FOUGHT. THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE - DEEP VALLEYS SKIRTED BY THICK FOREST COVER. YOU WILL FIND THERE ARE SEVERAL MEMORIALS RAISED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE WHO SET OUT THEIR LIVES BATTLING FOR NAGA CAUSE AND OF THE PEOPLES WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE WELFARE OF THE VILLAGE. KHONOMA VILLAGE HAS A POPULATION OF AROUND 3000 MOSTLY INHABITED BY ANGAMI NAGA TRIBE. IT HAS A HISTORY OF FIGHTING BRITISH IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND WITH INDIAN ARMY IN THE LATE 50S. THE VILLAGE HAS TWO ONE-LANE ROADS - THE UPPER CIRCULAR ROAD AND THE LOWER CIRCULAR ROAD. ALMOST ALL HOUSES ARE BUILT AROUND THESE TWO ROADS. ESCORT WILL ASSIST YOU TO WALK AROUND THE VILLAGE AND HELP YOU TO INTERACT WITH THE LOCAL PEOPLE. TASTE THE LOCAL FOOD IN THE KHONOMA VILLAGE. THE VILLAGE WALK TOOK AROUND TWO HOURS TO FINISH. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE VILLAGERS HOW THEY KEEP THEIR VILLAGE CLEAN. VISIT SOME INTERESTING HISTORICAL PLACES LIKE FORTS, MEMORIALS, MURUNGS, SHAWL AND BASKET WEAVING PLACES AND SO ON. ARRIVE AT KOHIMA. IN KOHIMA 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 INLAID BRONZE, THE FOLLOWING FAMOUS WORDS ARE THERE TO REMIND ONE OF UNDOUBTING COURAGE DISPLAYED BY THE WAR HEROES IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE FREEDOM OF THE FUTURE GENERATION. NEXT HEAD TO KOHIMA VILLAGE. POPULARLY KNOWN AS BARA BASTI (VILLAGE) THE KOHIMA TOWN IS ONE OF THE LARGEST VILLAGES IN ASIA. INHABITED ESSENTIALLY BY THE ANGAMI TRIBES IT IS DIVIDED INTO "KHELS" OR LOCALITIES. A LARGE TRADITIONAL WOODEN DOOR INVITES YOU TO THE TOWN WHICH IS INTRICATELY CUT WITH WARRIORS AND WEAPONS AND THE SKULL OF THE MITHUN, A SYMBOL OF PROSPERITY. CHECK-IN TO YOUR DESCENT HOTEL. OVERNIGHT STAY AT KOHIMA.
AFTER A RELAXED BREAKFAST, DRIVE TO THE KISAMA VILLAGE FOR THE SPECTACULAR HORNBILL FESTIVAL. REVEL IN THIS BRILLIANT RIOT OF COLORS AS YOU WATCH EACH OF THE SIXTEEN TRIBES OF NAGALAND SHOW OFF THE RICH DIVERSE CULTURE AND TRADITIONAL ARTS THAT ARE NAGALAND. YOU CAN WITNESS THE ATTIRE, FOLK MUSIC AND DANCE FORMS, HEADGEAR, COOKING STYLES, PAINTINGS, CRAFTED WORKS, AND DIFFERENT INTRICACIES OF THE VARIED TRIBES AND SUB-TRIBES OF THE STATE. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CELEBRATION IS NOT JUST THE MUSIC, BOTH TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY, AND DANCE, YOU WILL LIKEWISE BE CHARMED BY THE SHOWCASE OF EXQUISITE HANDICRAFT AND HANDLOOM. ADDING TO THE EXCITEMENT IS A MOTOR RALLY, TRADITIONAL SPORTS LIKE WRESTLING AND ARCHERY, A LITERARY FEST, AND FUN OCCASIONS LIKE CLIMBING A GREASED BAMBOO POLE OR CHILLY EATING CHALLENGES. FOLLOWING LUNCH VISIT TO EXPLORE THE CHARMING KIGWENA VILLAGE. KIGWEMA IS AN INTERESTING OLD VILLAGE OF THE ANGAMI TRIBE. ACTUALLY 'LEGACY OF THE HOUSE', IT IS TRUSTED THAT NUMEROUS OTHER ANGAMI VILLAGE BEGAN FROM HERE. IN 1944 THE JAPANESE POWERS CAME TO KIGWEMA ON THEIR APPROACH TO ATTACKING KOHIMA AND WERE PROVIDED SHELTER BY THE VILLAGERS. STROLL THROUGH THE LANES OF THE VILLAGE SEEING THE TRADITIONAL HOUSES WITH THEIR IMPRESSIVE WOODEN PILLARS, ARRIVING AT A LOCAL HOUSE TO EXPERIENCE THE ANGAMI LIFESTYLE OVER A CUP OF TRADITIONAL TEA. IN THE EVENING, YOU HAVE THE CHOICE OF COMING BACK TO THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE HORNBILL CELEBRATION, IN THE CAPITAL CITY, KOHIMA. GET INTO THE SOUL OF THE CELEBRATION AS YOU APPRECIATE THE MUSIC OF ONE OF THE MANY TALENTED NAGA ROCK BANDS OR SCOUR THE NIGHT BAZAAR FOR LOCAL ARTIFACTS AND NAGA DELICACIES, A GREAT FOR SOME CURIO SHOPPING. BE INSPIRED BY A FASHION SHOW FEATURING TRADITIONAL TRIBAL WEAR AND IN ADDITION CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS OR BE ENTERTAINED AT THE MISS NAGALAND CONTEST. AS USUAL, BACK TO YOUR HOTEL. OVERNIGHT STAY AT KOHIMA.
MORNING, AFTER BREAKFAST THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUES AS YOU REVISIT TO THE HORNBILL CELEBRATION WHERE YOU SPEND WHATEVER REMAINS OF THE MORNING IMMERSING YOURSELF IN THIS LIVELY EVENT. YOU WILL VISIT THE VILLAGE OF JAKHAMA. THE NAME JAKHAMA IS DERIVED FROM "MEJAKHAMA" WHICH SIGNIFIES 'LAYING RESISTANCE AGAINST INTERLOPERS'. THE VILLAGE WAS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST THE NEIGHBORING MANIPUR SOVEREIGNTY. JAKHAMA'S PROSPEROUS HOUSES, BUILT IN UNIQUE STYLES AND PLANS, ARE AN INCREDIBLE SIGHT. VISIT THE IMMENSE STORAGE FACILITIES WHERE FAMILIES CAN STORE GRAINS FOR A CONSIDERABLE LENGTH OF TIME. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE HIGH SPIRITS WITH A GLASS OF THE NEARBY RICE BREW CALLED 'KHIE'. AT NIGHT YOU CAN MAKE A BEELINE FOR KOHIMA TO CATCH A GREATER AMOUNT OF THE NIGHT OCCASIONS BEFORE COMING BACK TO THE HOTEL. OVERNIGHT STAY AT KOHIMA.
TAKING AFTER BREAKFAST BY SMOOTH DRIVE ARRIVES AT KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK. LYING ALONG THE MIGHTY BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER THE KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 430-SQ-KMS. IT IS SWAMPS AND GRASSLANDS WITH TALL THICKETS OF ELEPHANT GRASS AND PATCHES OF EVERGREEN FOREST SUPPORT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF RHINO POPULATION IN THE WHOLE OF INDIAN SUBCONTINENT. ONCE REACHED TO AN ALARMING POINT DUE TO HUNTING AND POACHING, THIS AREA CAME UNDER WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN 1926 AND IN 1940, KAZIRANGA HAS DECLARED A SANCTUARY. KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK IS A BIRDING PARADISE; THE GRASSLANDS ARE A RAPTOR COUNTRY THAT CAN BE SEEN ON SAFARI MAKES A REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE. THESE INCLUDE THE ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE, BLACK KITE, BRAHMINY KITE, PALLAS,S FISHING EAGLE, WHITE TAILED EAGLE, GREY-HEADED FACING EAGLE, HIMALAYAN GRIFFON, ETC. HUGE NUMBERS OF MIGRATORY BIRDS DESCEND ON THE PARKS LAKES AND MARSHY AREAS DURING WINTERS, INCLUDING GREYLAG GEESE, BAR-HEADED GEESE, RUDDY SHELDUCK, GADWALL, FALCATED DUCK, RED- CRESTED POCHARD AND NORTHERN SHOVELLER. THERE ARE FIVE KINDS OF RHINOS FOUND IN THE WORLD WHITE RHINO, BLACK RHINO, INDIAN RHINO, JAVAN, RHINO, AND SUMATRAN RHINO. THE WHITE AND BLACK RHINOS ARE LIVE IN AFRICA, WHILE INDIAN, JAVAN, AND SUMATRAN ARE ASIA RHINOS, FOUND SMALL IN NORTH PAKISTAN, ASSAM IN INDIA, NEPAL ,BHUTAN, AND BANGLADESH. ON ARRIVAL, CHECK-IN TO YOUR JUNGLE RESORT. OVERNIGHT STAY AT KAZIRANGA.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK - Day 09: 5:30 A.M: Morning tea. 6:00 – 9:30 A.M: Post breakfast experience in Jeep Safari in Central Range of Kaziranga National Park. 9:30 A.M: Back to Jungle Resort. 10:00 A.M: Breakfast. 11:00 – 12:00 Noon: Rest of the time free for leisure. 12:30 P.M: Lunch in Resort. 14:00.-15:30 P.M: Post-lunch experience in jeep safari through the Western Range of Kaziranga National Park. 17:00 -18:30 P.M: Evening experience local traditional Assamese folk cultural Show in the Resort. 19:30 P.M: Dinner and overnight halt. (REMAIN CLOSED FROM 1st MAY TO 31st OCTOBER)
THE FOLLOWING BREAKFAST BY A DRIVE, TAKE THE TRANSFER TO SHILLONG – ‘THE SCOTLAND OF THE EAST’. SHILLONG IS A HILL STATION IN NORTHEAST INDIA AND CAPITAL OF THE STATE OF MEGHALAYA. IT'S KNOWN FOR LADY HYDARI PARK'S MANICURED GARDENS. CLOSE-BY, WARD'S LAKE IS ENCOMPASSED BY STROLLING TRAILS. NORTH, THE DON BOSCO CENTER FOR INDIGENOUS CULTURES HIGHLIGHTS DISPLAYS ON THE AREA'S LOCAL PEOPLE. WATERFALLS INCORPORATE THE ELEPHANT FALLS TOWARD THE SOUTHWEST. EAST OF HERE, FORESTED SHILLONG PEAK OFFERS CITY VIEWS. CHECK-IN TO YOUR DESIGNATED HOTEL. OVERNIGHT STAY AT SHILLONG.
FOLLOWING BREAKFAST LEAVE ON A TOURING VISIT TO SOME FAMOUS PLACES IN SHILLONG. BEGIN WITH SHILLONG PEAK OFFERS SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE CITY FROM AN AMAZING HEIGHT OF 1965 METER, ABOVE SEA LEVEL. BEING THE MOST ASTOUNDING POINT IN SHILLONG, IT OFFERS STUNNING VIEWS OF LAVISH GREENERY AND CASCADING WATERFALLS. ON THE OFF CHANCE THAT YOU ARE HERE ON A DAY WHEN CLOUDS DON'T PLAY SPOILSPORT YOU WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SEE THE MAJESTIC HIMALAYAN PEAKS AND THE BANGLADESH PLAINS FROM HERE. INDIAN AIR FORCE HAS ITS RADAR STATION HERE. DESCRIPTION: ART GALLERYCLOSE TO VISIT ELEPHANT FALLS, THE THREE STEPS IN WHICH THE WATER FALLS EARNED IT THE NAME AS THREE STEPS WATERFALLS, WHICH WAS LATER CALLED AS ELEPHANT FALLS BY THE BRITISH. THE STONE THAT TOOK AFTER AN ELEPHANT CLOSE TO THE EXCELLENT FALLS MOTIVATED THE BRITISH TO NAME THE FALLS CONSEQUENTLY, HOWEVER, THE STONE IS NO MORE SEEN AS IT WAS CRUSHED IN 1897 BY AN EARTHQUAKE. THE RAINY SEASON BRINGS MORE LIFE TO THE ALREADY ENERGETIC WATERFALLS AND YOU WILL SEE THE FALLS IN FULL LIFE. NEXT HEAD TO DON BOSCO CENTER FOR INDIGENOUS CULTURE. THE MUSEUM GIVES YOU A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE TRIBES WHO LIVED HERE IN THE ANCIENT TIMES. THE SEVEN STORIED BUILDING HAS MANY GALLERIES THAT HIGHLIGHT THE DIFFERENT FACES OF THE CITY. THE GALLERIES HERE ARE ABOUT PREHISTORY OF THE TRIBAL WORLD, CULTURE, ART, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND DEVICES UTILIZED AS A PART OF THE PAST FOR FISHING AND HUNTING. IF YOU ARE ADVENTUROUS ENOUGH YOU WILL LOVE THE SKYWALK ON THE SLOPING ROOFTOP AT THE TOP OF THE BUILDING. FOLLOWING LUNCH VISIT BARAPANI LAKE OR UMIAM LAKE IS SYNONYMOUS WITH SHILLONG, MEGHALAYA. IT IS A MAN-MADE LAKE THAT COVERS A BREADTH OF 221 SQ KM. WHICH MAKES IT GREATER THAN THE NATION OF LIECHTENSTEIN AND AMERICAN SAMOA RESPECTIVELY. IT IS LIKEWISE VERY NEARLY 4 TIMES THE MEASURE OF SAN MARINO OR BERMUDA. THE LAKE PROVIDES RESIDENTS WITH WATER AND IS ADDITIONALLY THEIR SOURCE OF FISH. UMIAM LITERALLY TRANSLATES INTO 'WATER OF TEARS'. THE LEGEND ENCOMPASSING THE NAME STARTS WITH TWO SISTERS WHO WANTED TO A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN. DURING THE JOURNEY, ONE OF THE SISTERS GOT LOST, AND THE OTHER SISTER WAS SO TORN WITH GRIEF THAT WHEN SHE REACHED MEGHALAYA, HER TEARS WOULDN'T STOP FLOWING. AT LAST, HER TEARS FORMED THIS LAKE. ENCOMPASSED BY CONIFEROUS FORESTS, IT IS A GENUINELY UNCOMMON GETAWAY FOR THOSE MAKING A TRIP TO SHILLONG. BACK TO THE LAKE AT NIGHTTIME. OVERNIGHT STAY AT SHILLONG.
FOLLOWING BREAKFAST DRIVE TO CHERRAPUNJI – ‘THE WETTEST PLACE ON EARTH’. CHERRAPUNJEE, A SUB-DIVISION IN THE EAST KHASI HILLS DISTRICT OF MEGHALAYA, IS SET UPON A LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN SLOPES OF THE STATE. CHERRAPUNJI IS SPECKED WITH WATERFALLS CASCADING OVER DEEP GORGES. THE QUICK FLOWING RIVERS AND STREAMS FLOW IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION TO THE PLAINS. CHERRAPUNJI IS ACTUALLY THE HIGH POINT OF ANY VISIT TO MEGHALAYA. ONE OF THOSE EXTREME ECO-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS, A PLACE FAMOUS EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FOR HAVING THE PRIVILEGE OF RECEIVING THE HIGHEST RAINFALL IN THE WORLD. SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE BREATH-TAKING LANDSCAPE, IT IS A PLACE TO DISCOVER THE INDIAN SUMMER MONSOON. A UNIQUE ANNUAL METEOROLOGICAL WONDERS DIRECTLY INFLUENCED BY THE SOUTH-WEST MONSOON AND THE NORTH EAST WINDS. THE HEAVY MONSOON RAINS OVER THESE MOUNTAINS WITHOUT A DOUBT MAKES IN CHERRAPUNJI ONE OF THE RAREST BIO-DIVERSE VEGETATIONS ON THE PLANET. REALLY A DELIGHTFUL CORNER IN NORTH-EAST INDIA, WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED AND EXPLORED. ARRIVE AT CHERRAPUNJI. VISIT SOME INTERESTING FALLS AND CAVES AT CHERRAPUNJI. START WITH NOHKALIKAI FALLS IS NATURALLY THE TOP DESTINATION IN CHERRAPUNJEE. THE AMAZING WATERFALLS ARE THE TALLEST PLUNGE WATERFALL IN THE COUNTRY FALLING FROM A HEIGHT OF 1115 FEET AND IT IS THE FOURTH MOST ASTOUNDING ON THE WORLD. FALLING FROM A PLATEAU THAT RECEIVES THE HIGHEST RAINFALL, THE WATERFALLS ROARS ON ITS WAY DOWN, WHICH IS AN AMAZING PLACE. IT HAS CURVED A WATERHOLE WHERE IT FALLS AND THE WATERHOLE IS IN BLUE COLOR IN WINTER AND GREEN SHADING IN SUMMER. THE VIEWS FROM THE FALLS ARE FABULOUS. THE PLAINS OF BANGLADESH ARE VISIBLE FROM HERE. THE WATERFALLS HAVE A LEGEND APPENDED TO IT, WHICH IS GLORY AND IT IS BEST LEFT WITHOUT MENTION. NEXT HEAD TO MAWSMAI CAVE. YES, YOU MAY WONDER WHEN YOU VISIT MAWSMAI CAVE GIVES YOU AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE EXPLORING IN DARKNESS NOT KNOWING FOR TO WHAT EXTENT YOU HAD BEEN CRAWLING, SQUEEZING AND MAKING AN EFFORT NOT TO GET HIT ON THE HEAD AS IN SOME PLACES THE ROOFTOP LEVEL IS LOWER. THERE IS A LIGHT SYSTEM, HOWEVER, MAY BE IT FAILS OCCASIONALLY. HOWEVER, IT SHOULD ADD MORE MAGIC TO YOUR EXPLORATION. WHENEVER LIT, YOU COULD ENJOY THE MINUTE DETAILS OF THE CAVE, DETAILS OF THE FORMATION OF ROCKS AND THEIR PATTERNS. COMPLETING CAVE, VISIT DAINTHLEN FALLS. THE LEGEND GOES THAT THE GENERAL POPULATION OF THE AREA KILLED A BIG SNAKE THAT LIVED IN THE CAVE NEARBY. THE ROCK CARVINGS SEEN HERE OF THE SNAKE ARE SAID TO REPRESENT THE SYMBOL OF EVIL AND GREED. BEING A DELICATE WATERFALL, YOU MAY NOT HEAR THE ROARING SOUNDS OF WATER FALLING BUT RATHER STILL, THE ATMOSPHERE IS ELECTRIC. THE BREATHTAKING VIEWS ARE A TREAT TO YOUR EYES. RIGHT FROM THE DRIVE TO THE WATERFALLS IN ITSELF IS A FABULOUS SIGHT. END OF THE DAY FINISH WITH NOHSNGITHIANG FALLS IS THE FOURTH HIGHEST WATERFALLS IN THE COUNTRY. IT FALLS DOWN FROM 1035 FEET HEIGHT. AS SEVEN STREAMS FLOW DOWN THE PLATEAU, THE FALLS ARE CALLED SEVEN SISTER FALLS. THE VIEW OF THE WATERFALLS WITH THE LIMESTONE CLIFFS AT THE BACKDROP IS MARVELOUS. THE ENTIRE ATMOSPHERE IS SERENE MAKING IT AN AWESOME PLACE TO UNWIND. CHECK-IN TO YOUR HOTEL IN THE NIGHTTIME. OVERNIGHT STAY AT CHERRAPUNJI.
THE FOLLOWING BREAKFAST EMBARKS ON AN EXCURSION TRIP TO LIVING ROOT BRIDGE (DOUBLE DECKER). MEGHALAYA'S DOUBLE DECKER AND SINGLE-DECKER ROOT BRIDGES ARE UNIQUE ON THE PLANET AND ARE AN INCREDIBLE SIGHT. THE BRIDGES ARE TANGLES OF HUGE THICK ROOTS, WHICH HAVE BEEN INTERMIXED TO SHAPE A BRIDGE THAT CAN HOLD A FEW PEOPLE AT ONCE. KHASI PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO DEVELOP THIS BRIDGE OVER THE RAISED BANKS OF STREAMS TO FRAME A STRONG BRIDGE, MADE FROM ROOTS. THE LIVING BRIDGES ARE MADE FROM THE ROOTS OF THE FICUS ELASTICA TREE, WHICH DELIVERS A PROGRESSION OF OPTIONAL ROOTS THAT ARE ROOTED ON COLOSSAL ROCKS ALONG THE STREAMS OR THE RIVERBANKS TO FRAME SPANS. THE ROOT BRIDGES, SOME OF WHICH ARE OVER A HUNDRED FEET LONG, TAKE TEN TO FIFTEEN YEARS TO WIND UP COMPLETELY FUNCTIONAL, YET THEY'RE REMARKABLY SOLID – SUFFICIENTLY SOLID THAT SOME OF THEM CAN SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF FIFTY OR MORE PEOPLE AT ONCE. THE BRIDGES ARE ALIVE AND AS YET GROWING AND GAIN STRENGTH OVER TIME. SPEND THE WHOLE DAY AND EXPERIENCE THE DOUBLE DECKER BRIDGE. YOU MAY INTERACT WITH THE KHASI (LOCAL) PEOPLE, EXCHANGE THE IDEAS AND INTERACT WITH THEM. AS USUAL BACK TO THE HOTEL IN THE NIGHTTIME. OVERNIGHT STAY AT CHERRAPUNJI.
FOLLOWING BREAKFAST DRIVE FOR OUTING EXCURSION TO MAWLYNNONG VILLAGE. MAWLYNNONG WAS DECLARED AS ONE OF THE CLEANEST VILLAGES IN THE WHOLE OF ASIA. THE PROVERB "NEIGHBORS ENVY, PROPRIETORS PRIDE' IS WELL-SUITED FOR MAWLYNNONG AS IT HAS EARNED THE REFINEMENT OF BEING ONE OF THE CLEANEST VILLAGES IN ASIA, AN ACTUALITY THAT EACH MAWLYNNONG VILLAGE IS PROUD OF AND VILLAGERS ARE THE JEALOUSY OF. THE VILLAGE IS QUITE PRETTY, PARTICULARLY IN THE MONSOON WHEN THERE IS LAVISH GREENERY ALL AROUND, WITH WATERFALLS PAVING THE WAY TO SMALL STREAMS AND PLENITUDE OF FLOWERING ORCHIDS DANGLING FROM THE TREES AND HEDGES ADD TO THE EXCE ...
