North East India Special Edition: Upper Assam & Megalaya

Historically, North East India region has thwarted any attempts from  foreign invasions unlike in some other parts. Consequently it could retain its own indigenous culture and tradition forms . This special edition odyssey celebrates  indigenous and uniqueness of region .It is more about tryst with nature’s grandeur such as largest river island -Majuli, wild life in natural habitat, natural  limestone caves, rubber fig root bridge at world wettest place,impacting socio -economical tea gardens,quaint villages, insights into social dimensions through greater interaction  with people and any spur of the moment activities that we may confront along the way. Also we have incorporated accommodations in  some spartan Bamboo cottages and village home stay  in  a few places.

The Trip begin from Upper Assam  exploring  tea gardens and its social life. Followed by  Ahom’s legacies in form of centuries old Hindu temples. Crossing mighty Brahmaputra river to Majuli and delving into its social, religious structure. Explore best conserve Kaziranga  National park in India that pulsate with myriad wild life in its natural habitat. Gawahati has some contemporary attractions to keep one occupied along with weaving village. Megalaya entice with its allure of being wettest  place on earth and its related natural formation in form of caves, waterfalls.

Itinerary in brief

Day 1. Arrive in Dibrugarh
Arrive and meet the representative. Transfer to plantation Bungalow amidst tea garden. In the evening, take a unhurried walk across tea garden and villages. If possible, also visit Tea factory and tea tasting. Historically, Dibrugarh is a tea town but other commercially establishment grew over the time.
Overnight in Mancotta Bungalow or Similar.

Day 2. Drive to Sibsagar – 85 km – 2 -3 hours without stops.
Early morning refreshing walk in garden.After, drive to Sibsagar but we will take break in between to visit  village school and village.Check into hotel, after, visit attractions such as  Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Devi,  Tatatal Ghar, Rang Ghar.  Sibsagar was erstwhile capital of Ahom dynasty, ruled uninterruptedly for 600 years.
Overnight in Hotel Brahmaputra or Similar.

Day 3. Transfer to Majuli Island
Today is interesting day, it combines some drive to reach pier and ferry ride across Brahmaputra to reach Majuli river Island. However, along the drive, on the way, it is dotted with many temples. Stop to visit a few. In Majuli, free evening – rest and spend evening watching glorious sunset. Overnight in simple Bamboo Cottage.
Majuli is one of largest river island in the world. Due to continue erosion the areas has been downsized alarmingly. Due to its unique topography, Majula could sustain a distinct cultural and social structure.

Day 4. In Majuli
 Wake up early for beautiful sunrise . Full day in Majuli involves visit to Mask Making unit, Satara ( Hindu Monasteries),  pottery village, village of Missing tribe – weaving centre. In evening, village walk. Or  in afternoon, we can go for fishing with locales using traditional fishing traps.
Note – It would be ideal to align with local festival called “Raj Leela” that is based on life of Hindu God Krishna.

Day 5. Drive to Kaziranga National Park ( 110 km – 3 -4  hours)
Spend some more morning hour in Majuli, after retrace  step through ferry ride. After drive to Kaziranga National Park. Depending on the arrival time, we can go for village walk in nearby vicinity. Overnight in Bogros Resort or similar.

Kaziranga National Park is a world heritage site and covers 378 square km.  It is  home to one horn rhinoceros, Asiatic  elephants,  water buffaloes, birds  and varied species of deer. Overnight In hotel.

Day 6. In Kaziranga
Today is action packed day. Starting from early morning for elephant ride. After, village  and tea garden visit . In afternoon, jeep Safari. Followed by visit to Kaziranga Orchid & Biodiversity Park featuring orchid green house, traditional houses displaying historical and traditional elements and traditional tribal dance.

Day 7. Drive to Gawahati  – 195 km – 4-5 hours.
Embark on relatively long drive to Gawahati  however we will stop regularly to stretch our legs and visit some small pastoral village.Traditional Assamese  lunch on the way. Late afternoon take a stroll in Gawahati for shopping or rest in hotel. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 8. Drive to Shillong – 100 km – 2 hours.
Venture into Indian state of Megalaya for first time, the distinct feature is well paved and broad roads . It may take 2 hours  however stop  at Umiam lake on the way. Upon arrival visit Don Bosco Centre that display indigenous culture of region’s native people. Toward late afternoon, walk through Lewduh Bura Bazar – largest market in Megalaya, . Overnight in Hotel.

Day 9. Drive to Mawlynnong  via Dawki – 85 km – 3 hours.

Today’s port of call is Mawlynnong – known as cleanest village in Asia  and also features some natural attractions. However we’ll take a detour to Dawki (Indo -Bangladesh border). Whilst taking a detour, it traverse through Khashi villages and betel nut plantations. Before  the border, the view of fishing boat over blue Dawki river below is spectacular. In the evening take a leisurely stroll through the Mawlynong village. Overnight in simple Homestay

Day 10. Drive to Cherrapunji
Wake up early for a final stroll in village.  Leaving village, a few kilometer away, visit living root bridge . After,  landscapes changes dramatically to moorish land with sparse and dwarf vegetation . Upon arrival in Cherrapunji visit seven sister falls, Mawsami limestone Cave. old Presbyterian church established in 1841 – . Overnight in Hotel.
Note -for  Double Decker Root Bridge hike, in that case, one extra day has to be allocated, as it takes around 6 hours to complete the visit.
Day 11 Drive to Gawahati – 90 kms ( 2 -3 hours).
After breakfast, drive  to Gawahati. In Gawahati,  visit Kamakya Temple – among many rituals, one is macabre animal sacrifices. After,  visit Uma Nanda (world smallest river island) through  public ferry. Or if you wish visit some museums and cultural centre such as Assam State Museum & Srimanta Sankardev cultural centre respectively. Specifically, in Cultural Centre, largely, theatre are active with performing arts regularly. Overnight In Gawahati.
Note:Recommended to include 100 drums Wangala festival in Tura (West Garo Hills in Megalaya).

Day 12. Departure
Transfer to airport for outbound journey. Fly to Delhi/ Kolkatta or any major cities in India to connect international flight.