Nagaland & Hornbill Festival

Day 1

Arrive into Guwahati (from Delhi or Kolkata as required). Drive to Kaziranga. Overnight in comfortable lodge in Kaziranga. Meals: n/a.

Day 2

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 looking out for the endangered unicorn rhino. Witness a host of other wildlife, including barking deer and tigers (if you are lucky! Kaziranga is home to the largest concentration of tigers in a protected area). Return to the jungle lodge for a hearty breakfast. Relax, amble around the surroundings. After lunch, leave for the afternoon jeep safari in the national park. Return and overnight in Kaziranga. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 3

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 4

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 5

After breakfast, cross by ferry to mainland Assam. Drive through the low-lying terrain, passing perfectly manicured tea estates and paddy fields and cross into Nagaland. Stop at Dimapur for overnight. Meals: B,L,D

Day 6

Drive to Kohima for the Hornbill Festival. Experience the sights and sounds of Naga culture. Watch tribes in colourful and distinct costumes perform traditional Naga dances and ceremonies. Have a drink of the local rice beer and be part of this unique festival. Overnight in Kohima. Meals: B,L,D

Day 7

Hornbill festival. More demonstrations of Naga culture depicted through song and dance. Learn about the Naga heritage and their way of life. Overnight in Kohima. Meals: B,L,D

Day 8

A full day in Kohima to enjoy the Hornbill Festival. Also make a visit to the World War II site. Overnight in Kohima. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 9

After breakfast, set off for the small hill-top town of Mokochung, the intellectual and cultural capital of Nagaland. Learn about the Ao Naga culture. Wander out to the main park and climb the watchtower for excellent views of the surrounding scenery. Overnight in Mokochung. Meals: B,L,D

Day 10

After breakfast, drive to Mon, home to the famous Konyak tribe. Although headhunting has been banned, one can see other signs of a vibrant culture - tattooed faces, elaborate headresses and skilled craftsmanship. Overnight in Mon. Meals: B,L,D

Day 11

Spend the day to explore more of Mon and discover more about the traditions of the Konyak tribe, the most traditional and elaborate of the Naga tribes. Free time to wander around and soak in the atmosphere of a place time has forgotten. Overnight in Mon. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 12

Breakfast, then onward drive to Dibrugarh in Assam. Dibrugarh is the largest tea-exporting town in India. Visit a tea estate and learn about tea-picking and cultivation. Free evening. Overnight in Dibrugarh. Meals: B,L,D

Day 13

After breakfast transfer to the airport. Fly out of Dibrugarh to onward destination. Either connect for international flight back home, or add-on one of our other exciting tours. Meals: B