Day 1

Arrive in the morning into Delhi airport. Transfer to guesthouse. Freshen up and relax. Half day tour of Delhi, lunch en-route. Drive by India Gate, the Presidential Palace, lunch en-route, and then on to Old Delhi – visit impressive Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site - a symbol of India`s Mughal past, and now of India`s sovereignty. Immerse yourself in the chaos of Chandni Chowk on cycle-rickshaw. Stroll around magnificent Humayun`s Tomb and its gardens, and watch it change colour as the sun starts to set. Evening to relax and enjoy sumptuous North Indian cuisine. Overnight in Delhi. Meal plan: N/A.

Day 2

After a leisurely start, transfer to Delhi airport for flight to Guwahati, Assam. Your guide and driver will greet you at airport for onward drive to the Eco-Camp at Nameri. Go for a wander in the open fields, watch villagers gather their cattle as the sun sets. Dine in the open air banquet area and feast on mouthwatering Assamese cuisine. Have a drink by the bonfire and gaze at the night sky. Overnight in excellent bamboo tents, complete with comfortable bamboo beds and attached bathroom. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 3

Early morning chai, then set off for game walk. Cross the river by boat to Nameri National Reserve. Explore the forest by foot, catching sight of langur monkeys, wild elephants, barking deer, rare birdlife and more. Return to eco-camp for a hearty breakfast. Soak in the tranquility of the surroundings. Head down to the River Bhorelli for a relaxing boat ride and stop off on the bank for a freshly cooked lunch. Set off through the Himalayas north to Dirang. Settle in at the hotel overlooking picturesque Dirang Valley. Evening meal and overnight in Dirang. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 4

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, encountering its people and wildlife on the way. Afternoon lunch, rest of day to relax or wander through Dirang. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 5

After breakfast, we start our journey to Tawang, the Buddhist heartland of India. Rise high above Himalayan clouds and through snow-capped peaks. Stop at Sela Pass, the world’s second highest motorable pass at 4400 metres. Enjoy a bowl of noodles and hot chai, then continue onwards to Tawang passing yaks on the way. Arrive late afternoon, put your feet up and relax. Munch on Tibetan-style food for dinner. Overnight in Tawang. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 6

Early morning walk to Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery outside of Tibet. Perched majestically on the cliff face of the Himalayas looking into neighbouring Bhutan, watch monks assemble for their daily prayers, admire the huge statue of Lord Buddha and the sublime views. Proceed on by jeep to PT Tso Lake, one of the few accessible high altitude lakes in Arunachal Pradesh, visit 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. Have a relaxing dinner and overnight in Tawang. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 7

Leisurely start to day, wander through Tawang’s main bazaar area and pick up souvenirs. Depart for Bomdila. Drive back via Sela Pass to Bomdila. Stop en-route for lunch, chai and photo opportunities. Arrive early evening in Bomdila. Staying within the campus of the monastery, watch silhouettes of monks clad in robes rushing to the main hall for prayers. Gaze at the nightsky and if lucky catch a shooting star. Dinner served in the guesthouse. Overnight in Bomdila. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 8

Set off after breakfast for the drive to Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. Stop off at the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary for forest walk. The sanctuary is a haven for all kinds of orchids and flora, as well as rare birdlife. Have lunch at one of the small restaurants nearby. Continue on to Itanagar. On arrival, relax and wander through the capital. In the evening, drive to Naharlagun for excellent Indian cuisine, enjoy drinks and music. Overnight in Itanagar. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 9

After breakfast set forth on the tribal circuit, winding your way through lush tropical mountain scenery, very different to the Himalayan monks circuit. Pass villagers and mithuns en-route, relatives of the sacred Indian cow. This burly beast breeds in the wild and is also semi-domesticated. It is a symbol of prosperity and commonly sacrificed during tribal ceremonies. Arrive into Ziro, home of the little-known Apatani tribe, whose older women bear distinctive nose-plugs and tattoos. Visit nearby Hong village, the largest tribal village in Asia, where you will get a rare and privileged insight into a medieval world. Overnight in Ziro hotel. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 10

Free day to explore Ziro. Suggested walks include an early morning stroll to the centre, have a hot cup of chai at a local tea-stop and watch villagers going about their daily chores. 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. Wander through more tribal villages, learn about Apatani culture. After a day of discovery, have a restful night’s sleep. Overnight in Ziro. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 11

After breakfast, leave Ziro and head northeast towards Daporijo. This stretch passes through other tribal villages, including the Hill Miri tribe of Raga. Have lunch en-route in local restaurant, then continue on to Daporijo. Our resting point for the evening is a private and secluded spot by the bank of the river at Lida village. Enjoy the warmth of the bonfire and deliciously cooked food. Overnight in Lida. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 12

Wake up to glorious views of the river and mountains. After breakfast, take a walk to the small picturesque temple situated in the middle of the river, and only accessible by stepping stones and a short and easy climb. Pack up and head to the nearby village of Dumporijo for an excellent lunch and majestic hill-top views of the surrounding area. Drive to Kabu, a tribal village close to Along, where you will have the opportunity to stay the night with a tribe. Relax in the comfort of their ingeniously designed bamboo homes. Enjoy apong, a form of rice beer, and eat rice and traditional food cooked and served in intricately carved bamboo vessels. Comfortable bedding is provided. Overnight in Kabu. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 13

Day to explore local environment. Suggested hikes include a refreshing walk through some of Arunachal’s best scenery. Brave the remarkable bamboo hanging bridge. Stop for a snack by the river and continue onwards through fields and remote villages. After lunch, cross back into Assam and overnight in the colourful town of North Lakhimpur. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 14

Early start for journey to Majuli, the world`s largest river island, increasingly threatened by climate change. Short ferry ride across the mighty Brahmaputra River to Majuli. After settling into your comfortable bamboo hut, stroll around and savour the atmosphere of this unique island life. Overnight in Majuli. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 15

Explore Majuli – 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. Bikes can be hired and a bike ride is a good way of exploring the island. Overnight in Majuli. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 16

After breakfast, cross by ferry to mainland Assam. Drive through the low-lying terrain, passing perfectly manicured tea estates and paddy fields. Arrive around lunchtime in magnificent Kaziranga. Check into your bamboo cottage. After lunch, leave for your afternoon jeep safari in Kaziranga National Park. Look out for the park’s abundant and rare wildlife. Return to the jungle lodge on the fringes of the park. Savour a fabulous Assamese meal and have a drink by the bonfire. Overnight in Kaziranga. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 17

Early wake up with hot cup of chai and biscuits. Jeep will take you to the Central Sector at 5am for your elephant safari. As the sun rises, ride on elephant-back and wade through thick elephant grass on the look-out for the endangered unicorn rhino. Witness a host of other wildlife, including tigers, with Kaziranga being home to the largest concentration of tigers in a protected area. Return to the jungle lodge for a hearty breakfast. Rest of day at your leisure. Options include an afternoon jeep safari in the national park, a visit to an Assam tea estate or visit the Mising Village. Overnight in Kaziranga. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 18

Leisurely start to day. Optional morning visit to Panbari Forest Reserve to look for the elusive hoolock gibbon. After lunch, set off for Guwahati and enjoy a relaxing evening in excellent hotel accommodation. Overnight in Guwahati. Meal plan: B,L

Day 19

Late start to day. After breakfast, simply unwind at hotel or wander some of the busy streets of Guwahati. Transfer to airport for afternoon flight to Delhi. Dinner to be taken at hotel close to airport. Late evening, catch return flight home (or continue with add-on tour if relevant). Meal plan: B,L