Day 1 : Dibrugarh
Arrive into Diburgarh airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. Evening is at leisure where you will have dinner at the hotel.
Meal plan: Dinner
This perennially popular tour takes you into the little-visited pocket of North East India. Starting off in Dibrugarh, we take a serene boat ride on the mighty Brahmaputra river. Cross the state border into Nagaland, where we meet the last of the Headhunters and visit a village straddling both India and Myanmar.
Move on to Jorhat, from where we take the boat to Majuli Island, one of the world's largest river islands. Visit the unique Hindu satras and workshops where traditional masks are still made. After a tea plantation tour and a visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary, we cross back into Nagaland for one of the highlights of the trip - the Hornbill Festival. We spend two full days at the festival, where regional tribes from all north-eastern states gather in an 'Olympic Games' of war cries and fantastical stomping and posturing, bringing this little-known corner of India to life in song, dance and colourful costume.
The trip finishes with three nights at Kaziranga National Park in Assam, where we can expect to see abundant one-horned rhinos, elephants, sambar deer and varied bird life. Our north east adventure ends with an evening on Peacock Island near Guwahati before your flight home.
Dibrugarh - Mon District - Sibsagar - Jorhat - Kohima - Kaziranga National Park - Guwahati
Arrive into Diburgarh airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. Evening is at leisure where you will have dinner at the hotel.
Meal plan: Dinner
After breakfast, check out and drive to Mon District, home of the Konyak Naga tribe. Upon arrival in Mon, report to the local police station for registration.
Proceed to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, your guide will brief you on the history of the Konyak tribe.
Overnight in Helsa Cottage and Resort, Mon District
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Spend the day exploring Mon, known as the the land of the Headhunters. The last remaining tattooed headhunters can be found here (although headhunting is no longer practised!). We will visit the village of Longwa, which straddles both India and Myanmar. Explore typical tribal bamboo huts, observe villagers weaving or making bamboo baskets, and experience their way of life. Enjoy a traditional Naga lunch at a local home in Longwa. Rest of the evening is at leisure.
Overnight in Helsa Cottage and Resort, Mon District
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, leave for Jorhat. En-route, we will stop in Sibsagar where we will visit Charaideo Maidam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other historical monuments dating back to the rule of the Ahom Kingdom, which ruled the region for 600 years. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Jorhat.
Check-in at your hotel and rest of the evening is at leisure.
Overnight in Kaziranga Golf Resort, Jorhat
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After an early breakfast, drive to the river bank to catch your boat to Majuli Island (approximately 1.5 hours). Considered to be one of the largest river islands in the world, which is now sadly suffering severe erosion, Majuli is known for its unique Hindu culture. Visit a satra (Vaishnavite monastery), observe a bamboo mask-making demonstration, and enjoy a tasty lunch made with local produce grown on the island. Return by boat to Jorhat before sunset. Evening to relax at leisure.
Overnight in Kaziranga Golf Resort, Jorhat
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Early morning, drive to the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary to spot gibbons, where you will hopefully get the chance to spot these rare primates. Return to the hotel for lunch and then take a tour around a local tea estate, for which Assam is perhaps best known. Evening at leisure.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After an early breakfast, check out and leave for Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Stop en-route in Dimapur for lunch and then continue to your hotel. After some rest, visit the centre of town with its food stalls and sample the local atmosphere. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the Hornbill Festival and the programme for the next few days.
Overnight in Classic Aradura Inn, Kohima
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, set off for the village of Kisama on the outskirts of Kohima. Stop at the viewpoint en-route for excellent views of the valley. On arrival in Kisama, take your seat in the amphitheatre where the main tribal performances will take place. This day of the festival typically sees tribes from all over North East India's 'Seven Sister' states perform traditional dances depicting war cries or customs relating to their interaction with nature and agriculture. During the day visit the many 'morungs' (communal tribal hut) set up around the venue. You can have lunch at one of the many food stalls serving authentic Naga cuisine (paid for locally). Early evening return to your accommodation.
Overnight in Classic Aradura Inn, Kohima
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
After breakfast, we will leave for the festival grounds again to enjoy another day of activities at the Hornbill Festival. Return early evening to your accommodation.
Overnight in Classic Aradura Inn, Kohima
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
After breakfast, stop for a brief visit at the Commonwealth WWII cemetery before proceeding to Kaziranga National Park. We will stop for lunch en-route. On arrival in Kaziranga, check into your lodge and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight in Habitas Rhino, Kaziranga National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Early wake up with a hot cup of chai and biscuits, a jeep will take you to the Eastern Sector for your morning safari. One-horned rhino sightings are guaranteed, as well as good chances of seeing elephants, Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, monkeys and diverse birdlife. Return to the jungle lodge for breakfast and a rest. After lunch, proceed to the Central Sector for your afternoon game drive. Evening is at leisure at the lodge.
Overnight in Habitas Rhino, Kaziranga National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Today we will do a final game drive in the Western Sector of the park. Return to the lodge for breakfast and catch up on some rest. Afterwards, there is an optional visit to the nearby orchid sanctuary, where there are over 500 varieties of orchid. We will also take a walk around a local Mising tribal village. Return to the lodge and evening at leisure.
Overnight in Habitas Rhino, Kaziranga National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and set off for Guwahati, Assam's largest city. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will take the boat to Peacock Island for a short walk and to visit the Umananda Temple. The island was also home to rare golden langurs, the last of which sadly died in 2020. Transfer to your hotel for the final night of the trip.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, we might make a brief stop at the Kamakhya Temple (time-permitting) and then continue to Guwahati airport for your onward flight.
Alternatively, you can extend your stay into neighbouring Meghalaya to see the incredible living root bridges, or into the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh. Contact us for more information.
Meal plan: Breakfast
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
Helsa Cottage and Resort is a basic but comfortable property in the rural town of Mon. Rooms are simple, yet clean and spacious, providing a comfortable stay for visitors to the region. The on-site kitchen serves a variety of local dishes. NOTE: There can be frequent power cuts, however this should be expected because of the remoteness of Mon.
Kaziranga Golf Resort is situated in Jorhat and offers heritage accommodation to visitors of the region. It is located on the site of a tea garden, just 75km from Kaziranga National Park, and is an ideal base for day trips by boat to Majuli Island due to its location by Brahmaputra River. The colonial exterior of the resort contrasts the contemporary interior of the bedrooms. Guests can access the many facilities on site at the resort, which include a lounge area, swimming pool, fitness centre and golf course.
The Classic Aradura Inn is located in the hills of Kohima, a few kilometres from the town centre. The rooms offer spacious and basic accommodation with modern facilities, including an ensuite bathroom. The multi-cuisine restaurant offers a complimentary breakfast and also serves lunch and dinner. There is also a coffee shop, laundry facilities and a traditional hand loom and handicraft boutique in the hotel.
Remote villages & jaw-dropping scenery
Marvel at India's most incredible forts and palaces
Discover colonial Kolkata and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
On the tiger trail through Bandhavgarh and Kanha
A real life Jungle Book.
Ideal extension to Bhutan
Travel across the spectacular Himalayan Highway
After exploring the busy cities, there's no better place to relax than one of India's paradisiacal beaches
Himalayan treks, village walks and more
Escape the city and unwind among some of the most breathtaking mountain and hill scapes the world has to offer.
Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.
Discover iconic sights of India, Nepal & Bhutan
Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife
Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh
Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam
Golden Triangle and the Himalayas
Travel India's forgotten Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh
Textile tour of Gujarat & Rajasthan including the Mewar Festival
Aoling Festival, wildlife in Assam & natural beauty of Manipur
Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants
Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India
Experience the culture and landscapes of India & Bhutan
Mighty sea fortresses, rock-cut cave temples, and verdant hill stations
Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages
Track the rarest animals in remote Ladakh
Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala
Charming towns, spice plantations & idyllic backwaters
Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India
Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam and Nagaland
Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms
Uncover the regal wildlife of Rajasthan
Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine
Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans
Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures
Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland
Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns
Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh
Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism
Tribal villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions
Take in the highlights of central India
Wildlife, diverse cultures & rural life in hidden North East India
Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot
Track India's tigers, leopards & lions
Experience the Magh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad
Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife
Expert-led trip through Kashmir and Ladakh
Gujarat's Asiatic Lions, Salt Flats & Textile Villages
Golden Triangle, tigers & exotic Kerala
Attain lofty heights over soul-soothing Ladakh
Set foot in Ladakh's hidden Himalayan valleys
Wild at Heart in India
Discover the forts, palaces, villages and desert of Rajasthan
Waterfalls, hills and living bridges in North East India
Tea, spices, backwaters & beaches
Tracey & Gary , Tailormade IndiaI would highly recommend Travel the Unknown to anyone visiting India. The service we received both prior to, during and following our travels was always timely and excellent. We were able to customize our trip to our liking and to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The guides in every location were outstanding! Honestly. Having travelled through much of the world I can truly say that we have never been more impressed with the quality of the guides arranged for us in each location, as well as the service we received. Similarly, the hotels were excellent and allowed us to live very comfortably while, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Indian experience. If you haven`t already booked your trip with Travel the Unknown, then either do so now....or at least give them a chance to show you what they can offer.
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Christian Noni , Tailormade North East IndiaI had been studying the Apatani Tribe for quite some time… I’m talking roughly 7 years! Travel The Unknown made my dreams come entirely true. They organized every aspect of my experience in the most minute detail. I have never felt such confidence in an agency nor worked with one more knowledgeable about their destination. Because of them and their kind efforts, I will continue to travel with Travel The Unknown for all future expeditions to this or similar regions. Thanks, Travel The Unknown, for everything!
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Lori Martin , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, IndiaThis trip was my first time travelling with Travel The Unknown, but definitely not my last!
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Ann Holgate , Tailormade IndiaA really well planned trip. We experienced life in Northeast India in just the way we wanted to. We loved the game reserves and saw a rock python which thrilled our guides as it is even rarer than the tiger! We visited villages and were able to interact with local people and loved the busy markets in Delhi and Calcutta. A special highlight was the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; shown to us by our very own Naga guide Kezo. Kezo accompanied us for 15 days of our trip and ensured that we had many very special experiences - even taking us to the home of one of his Aunts where we spent a couple of hours sitting by the bonfire chatting.
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Penelope Smith , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, IndiaWhat an excellent service! Rahul adapted, extended and improved our trip so many times without a qualm and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. The destinations are unusual and interesting but everything has been checked out by the team and works brilliantly. I can`t wait to do another trip.
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Andrew Martin , Tailormade North East IndiaI`m sure I could not have found a better operator for the type of complicated Indian tour I wanted to undertake on a limited budget. India is an intimidating country to visit, and I suspect that some operators look down on the first time visitor, or disparage their requirements. Travel the Unknown, by contrast, helped me all the way, and their local guides were superb.
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Dewi Evans , Tailormade North East IndiaI`m very pleased with the way the trip was arranged for me, it was well organised and went very well. The itinerary was just the right pace to enjoy everything without rushing too much. It was never going to be cheap for 1 person travelling alone but I thought it was very reasonably priced.
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Vanessa Betts, Author, Footprint Guide to Northeast India , Tailormade North East IndiaTravel The Unknown`s North East India tours have zoned in on the absolute prime attractions, visiting a string of culturally unique, scenically stunning places - and maximising every moment spent there. They`re also to be commended for their integrity, having established excellent relations with local tour operators, sympathetic to the remote communities they visit. Their outstanding guides take great care to respect and protect indigenous lifestyles in these delicate regions.
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Stephen Price , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, IndiaThe Hornbill Festival was an experience if a lifetime to see the traditional dances, music and games the tribes use in their own village festivals, hence they were so natural and perfect. Even when they left the arena, they never stopped singing, dancing and playing their drums. I was really impressed with the diversity of the costumes, individually owned and cared for. For what I got out of the whole experience, I really thought the tour was exceptional value for money.
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Joan Edmunds (USA) , Tailormade IndiaI have been on 3 tailor made trips with Travel The Unknown and have found them to be knowledgeable and reliable. We`ve stayed in some wonderful places and have had some unusual and satisfying experiences that go beyond the standard tours.
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Maureen James , Tailormade North East IndiaThe personal service provided enabled us to create our ideal itinerary, combining tailor made and group tours. Rahul's knowledge of the area was invaluable, and his suggestions added hugely to our overall experience. Through Travel the Unknown, we were able to visit the more challenging destination of Nagaland in safety and relative comfort, enjoy experiences as diverse as bathing elephants and mountain biking, and even spend our final few days in a sublime yoga retreat. Overall, an amazing experience.
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Stephen , Living Bridges of Meghalaya, IndiaGotta say thanks to Travel The Unknown for organising my fascinating trip to a little-known area of the world. The scenery was fantastic, food was amazing, the guide was great and the living bridges were inspiring. An India not many get to see. Thanks again.
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