The Hornbill Festival is a celebration held every year from 1 to 10 December, in Nagaland, Northeast India. It is also called the ‘Festival of Festivals’.
Hornbill festival began in 2000 CE with an intention to promote the 16 indigenous tribes of Nagaland, their culture and products to the rest of the World.
Named after a bird, who is a symbol of ‘Respect’ and ‘Folklore’ among the Nagas, it is a week-long fair which commences from December, 1st and is usually extended till the 10th day. The dates for the festival, therefore, are December, 1st – 10th every year.
The Hornbill Festival gives you a unique insight into Naga culture, tradition and way of living. Besides that you could participate in the Chili eating competition, try delicious local cuisine, drink some freshly brewed Rice Beer and watch tribal performances.
Hornbill Festival is a sensory extravaganza which promises rich experiences and a truly memorable vacation. Bookings are open for Hornbill Festival Tour 2020.
Tour Details
Day 1, 23 Nov 2020
Arrival Delhi – by International flight
Arrive Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Check-in time is 1400 hours. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2, 24 Nov 2020
Full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi Or we can keep same day trip to Agra (especially for 1st time travelers).
Day 3, 25 Nov 2020
Delhi – Guwahati by Flight
Arrive Guwahati and transfer to hotel. Later visit Kamakhya Devi Temple, on Nilachal hill, 08 kms west of Guwahati city, is one of the most venerated shaktipeeths in India.
The temple is dedicated to goddess Kamakhya an incarnation of Sati. It is on Nilachal hill, says the Shiva Purana, that the yoni or creative organ of Sati fell when Vishnu, in a bid to save the world from the Shiva’s tandava nrittya or dance of destruction, cut her dead body into 51 pieces with his suddarshan chakra. The garbhagriha deep inside the temple, marks the sacred spot and is kept covered with red silken cloth.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 4, 26 Nov 2020
Guwahati – Kaziranga National Park drive (approx. 240 kms/4-5 hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drive to Kaziranga National Park and on arrival transfer to your hotel for lunch. After lunch, your first Jeep safari in Central Zone of the park.
Overnight in Hotel.
IMP NOTE: Kaziranga National Park is closed from 01st May TILL 31st Oct every year.
Day 5, 27 Nov 2020
Kaziranga National Park
Early morning elephant safari in Central zone and return hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast go for Morning Jeep safari in Western Zone. After lunch we take our last Jeep Safari to Eastern Zone. Overnight in Hotel.
Jeep Safari Timings:
Morning Safari starts from 07.00 am till 09.30 am for 02 hours. And 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. Elephant Safari – Approx. 45 mins duration
Note: Elephant safari for foreign nationals are held only on Kaziranga Range, Kohora, Central Range (Elephant ride is subject to availability from the Forest Dept.)
Allocation of elephant riding seats and timings are regulated by the forest department, Kaziranga National Park, Government of Assam. The tickets for the same are issued only on the previous evening of the ride after 7:30 PM. We will try our utmost to avail the seats but cannot guarantee the same
Day 6, 28 Nov 2020
Kaziranga – Majuli Island drive + cruise (approx. 110 kms/3 hrs. + 1 hrs cruise)
After breakfast drive to Nimatighat to catch your ferry at 10.30 am for Majuli Island. On arrival and after lunch we visit Samuguri Satra famous for making Mask.
Later we visit Uttar Kamalabari Satra, oldest satra of Majuli Island.
Evening free and overnight in hotel.
Majuli is the largest fresh Water mid-river deltoid island in the world. It is situated in the upper reaches of the river Brahmaputra in Assam. This Island, with a population of 1.6 Lakhs, majority being tribal, is endowed with rich heritage and has been the abode of the neo-vaishnavite culture. The island is a bio-diversity hotspot and has rich ecology with rare species of flora and fauna.
Day 7, 29 Nov 2020
Majuli Island – Jorhat cruise + drive (1 ½ hrs cruise + 30 kms/45 mins drive)
Morning visit Mishing tribal village by walk and drive back to Kamalabari ghat for your return ferry. On arrival at Nimatighat straight drive to your Tea Retreat. Overnight at resort.
Day 8, 30 Nov 2020
Jorhat – Kohima drive via Dimapur (approx. 195 kms/6-7 hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drive to Kohima via Dimapur visiting Kachari Dynasty Palace Ruins.
After lunch in Dimapur continue drive to Kohima and on arrival transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 9, 01 Dec 2020
Kohima
After breakfast visit Khonoma Village, (approx. 25 kms/45 mins), Khonoma village is the last village where Nagas fought their last battle against the Britishers in 1879.
Afternoon attend Hornbill Festival at Kisama village along with inaugural event/function. Overnight in hotel.
Day 10, 02 Dec 2020
Kohima – Full day attend Hornbill Festival at Kisama. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 11, 03 Dec 2020
Kohima – Dimapur airport drop (approx. 70 kms/3 hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drive back to Dimapur airport for your flight to Delhi via Kolkata
By late evening, arrival at Delhi airport and remain in transit to catch your flight back home.
Day 12, 04 Dec 2020
Departure Delhi Airport
End of Tour
