There is no other place in the world as colorful and diverse as the elusive North East India. It is a world stuck in time which is yet to open up to the world. For a photographer North East India presents amazing opportunities to capture stunning pics, tribal way of life amidst natural abundance and richness of traditions and cultural heritage.
North East India is the easternmost region of India representing both a geographic and political administrative division of the country. It comprises eight states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
It is a diverse cultural mix with 145 tribal communities of which 78 are large each with a population of more than 5000. Furthermore, there are about 220 languages spoken in the states of the Northeast. Interestingly, both language and culture of Northeast are a mix of Tibetan, South-East Asian and East Indian culture.
Arunachal Pradesh, also known as the land of rising sun receives the second ray of sunlight everyday on planet earth after Japan. The world’s largest river island, the Majuli and the world’s smallest river island Umananda, both are in the Northeast. The North-East India has been identified as one of the world’s seven richest biodiversity areas by Myers 2000
Arunachal Pradesh has prestigious 2nd position in terms of the total global tea production and the tea production from Assam may be attributed for this honor that India enjoys in the global tea market. The hottest chilli in the world, the Bhut Jolokia or Raja Mirchi, comes from this region. It’s like the Chuck Norris of spicy food.
Best time to Visit: November to May
9N/10D North East India Photography Tour
Kolkata – Lilabari – Ziro – Majuli Island – Mon – Jorhat – Kaziranga – Guwahati – Kolkata
Itinerary
Day 01: Kolkata – Lilabari (by Flight) – Ziro (By surface approx. 130 Kms/04 Hrs)
Early morning transfer to airport to catch the flight to Lilabari. Arrive at Lilabari airport and drive to Ziro en-route visit Nyishi tribal villages.
On arrival, check in to the hotel. Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 02: Ziro
Full day is to visit the Hong/Hari/Hapoli and other Apatani Villages. It is the ambition of each woman to wear the largest possible nose plugs, which are made of wood.
Both sexes extensively tattoo their faces. Each sect has distinctive features. Their hats, clothes, ornaments, language and even physical features are totally different.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 03: Ziro-Majuli (By surface approx. 220 Kms/05 Hrs + Ferry crossings)
After breakfast drive to Majuli Island, En route cross the local tributaries of Brahmaputra River by locally made ferry.
On arrival in Majuli, check in to the lodge for overnight stay.
Day 04: Majuli Island
Full day is to explore the Majuli Island. The world’s largest River Island is famous for its twenty-two 15th Century “satras”. Visit Samuguri Satra famous for making Mask which are used during the live performance. Later visit Uttar Kamalabari Satra – the older Satra in Majuli Island.
We will also explore the villages of Mishing tribes who live on this island & Dairy farmers village.
Day 05: Majuli Island-Mon (By surface approx. 210 Kms /06 Hrs + 1 ½ hrs. ferry crossing)
Early morning start your drive to Mon for 06 hours. If lucky we may see tea workers working on the numerous tea gardens enroute. After going through local Police & Indian Army checking formalities at the border of Nagaland, we enter the state.
We will enter the first Naga village on the way to Mon to pay a visit to the Village Morung. On arrival, check-in to the resort.
Day 06: Mon
After breakfast, we drive to Longwa village (approx. 42 kms/2 Hrs), one of the biggest villages in Mon district, it is an interesting sight to see. En route we make stops to visit local market and admire scenic beauty.
As the village straddles an international boundary line, one half of the Angh’s house falls within Indian Territory, whereas the other half lies under Myanmarese control. However, the whole village is controlled by the Angh and the village Council Chairman. Another interesting feature of this village is that the Angh of the village has 60 wives and his jurisdiction extends up to Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh. Our special local guide speaks local dialect so he will unable the interaction with tribe people. Angh’s House and Morungs are decorated with different trophies like different animals skulls.
After our picnic lunch we drive back to Mon and visit another Konyak Tattooed Head Hunters village – Hongpoi Village (approx. 15 kms/45 mins). We drive back to our resort by late afternoon and evening free to relax.
Day 07: Mon- Jorhat (By surface approx. 190 Kms/06-07 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Jorhat. En-route visit Charaideo Maidam – 30 kms from main Sibsagar town, sacred burial grounds of Ahom kings and queens and is also the place of ancestral Gods of the Ahoms. Later visit Kareng Ghar – The Royal Palace of Ahom Dynasty who ruled this area for 600 long years before the British came.
After lunch continue your drive to Jorhat and on arrival transfer to your Tea resort for overnight stay.
Day 08: Jorhat-Kaziranga NP (approx. 90 kms/2-3 hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drive to Kaziranga National Park, famous for its one horn Rhinos. Arrive Kaziranga and transfer to your hotel. After lunch we go for our first Jeep safari in Central Zone. O/n hotel.
Kaziranga National Park is spread over 850 sq kms across Golaghat, Nagaon and Sonitpur districts. Kaziranga National Park is also designated World Natural Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1985. Originally established as a reserve forest in 1908, Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary in 1916 to counter excessive poaching, especially of its most prized inhabitant, the rhinoceros.
NOTE: Kaziranga National Park is closed from 01st May TILL 31st Oct every year.
Day 09: Kaziranga NP
Early morning enjoy Elephant safari to visit central range of the park.
Return back to your hotel for breakfast and after breakfast another trip of Jeep safari in Western Zone of the park. Afternoon after lunch enjoys your Jeep safari into the park. O/n Hotel.
Jeep Safari Timings:
Morning Safari starts from 07.00 am till 09.30 am for 02 hours.
Afternoon Safari starts from 01.30 pm till 03.30 pm for 02 hours.
Elephant Safari Timings:
Central Zone of the park at 05.30 am and at 06.30 am for 40 minutes respectively.
Day 10: Kaziranga National Park – Guwahati – DELHI/KOLKATA (FLIGHT)
After breakfast drive back to Guwahati and straight transfer to airport to catch your flight to onward destination.
End of Tour
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