Tribes of the North East

Arrive at Kolkata by international flight. A KVT representative will meet you at the airport and assist you to the vehicle. Later transfer to hotel. Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, is steeped in history and tradition. From its colonial past to its role in the Indian independence movement, the city bears witness to centuries of triumphs and tribulations. From the iconic Howrah Bridge to the vibrant bustle of New Market, Kolkata is home to numerous famous spots and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. So in the afternoon get out to explore the cultural capital of India. We visit the Victoria Memorial – a beautiful marble monument built by the British in memory of Queen Victoria. Next destination is St. Paul’s Cathedral – first Episcopal Church of the eastern world. Later we start exploring the heritage side of Kolkata. Reach Dalhousie Square and walk through the colonial part of Kolkata exploring the colonial buildings like Writers Buildings, Governor House, GPO Building, Town Hall, Lal Dighi, Job Charnock’s Mausoleum and other heritage buildings.

After breakfast departure to Kolkata airport for morning flight to Guwahati. Meeting on arrival and drive to the Kaziranga National Park (5 – 6 hrs drive) and upon arrival check into the hotel. The Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage Site and famous for the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros.

The landscape of Kaziranga is of forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes and shallow pools. Kaziranga also has a good number of tigers and is the home to large breeding population of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer. Today we will head for two jeep safaris – the first drive is early in the morning, and the second is in the afternoon. We will search for the One Horned Rhinoceros and other wildlife species that reside in the park.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast we leave the plains of Assam and proceed to the hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh. We drive to the capital city of Itanagar (4.5 – 5.5hrs drive) and upon arrival will check in to the hotel. The journey to Itanagar is a prelude to its breathtaking beauty, with winding roads meandering through lush greenery and towering hills. Itanagar has a rich mixture of archeological sites of great historical value and built up resources and institutions of great socio-cultural significance. Later in the day we will visit the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum housing an exquisite collection of textiles, handicrafts, and archaeological finds which tell the story of the state’s diverse ethnic heritage.

Today morning we drive to Ziro (4 – 5hrs drive), a beautiful valley dotted with pine clad mountains overlooking the lush paddy fields. En-route we will visit a Nyishi tribal village to witness the daily lifestyle of the people. The Nyishi tribe is the largest ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh, known for their unique traditions and attire, including intricate headgear adorned with feathers and animal furs. Upon reaching the tribal hinterland we check in to our hotel. Rest of the day free to relax at the hotel or explore the place on your own.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we will explore the beautiful landscape of Ziro on foot. We will walk down to the Apatani tribal villages of Honh, Hari and Hija and will also explore the local tribal market. As we stroll along the villages we will see Apatani houses build adjoining each other. You will get to interact with the locals, especially the tattooed elders who still live a very traditional life. One of the most evolved and intellectual of all tribes, the Apatanis have unique customs and traditions. Their farming practices is considered to be one of the most productive in the world. Apatani women are distinctive by their unique nose plug and both the sexes extensively tattoo their faces. Each of the sect has distinctive features reflected in their hats, clothes, ornaments, language and even physical features. A visit to the local market will help us learn more about Apatani culture, customs, eating habits, attires, and ornaments.

Today we will drive from Ziro to Daporijo (5.5 – 6.5hrs drive) and upon arrival we will check in to the hotel. Daporijo is a small town on the banks of Subansiri river offering beautiful view of the emerald river. Later we will visit the villages of Tagin tribe. The Tagins are an indigenous community residing in the upper Subansiri district of Arunachal and are part of the larger Tani group of tribes. Tagins are known for their rich cultural traditions and celebration of Si-Donyi festival.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning we start our day with visit to few Hill Miri tribal villages. Hill Miri tribes, also known as Abotani tribe, is a major indigenous group residing mainly in Lower and Upper Subansiri districts of Arunachal. They are known for their rich traditional knowledge of plants and their uses, particularly in fishing technique and medicine. They are known for their agricultural practices, including jhum cultivation and their unique brewing traditions using millet and rice. We continue with our driving through some breath-taking landscapes as we cross over the Subansiri valley and enter the main Siang valley. Our destination for today is Along (5.5 – 6.5hrs drive), home to various Adi sub-tribes. It is a beautiful village with picturesque surroundings laced with green plantation fields all around.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast we will visit the village of Adi Minyong tribe learning about their customs, culture and lifestyle. The villages are mostly located on mountain tops, from where they get their name Adi meaning ‘Mountain Top’. Adi Minyong tribes are known for their bravery, particularly their historical resistance against the British in the 19th century. During our walk through the villages you will be impressed by their mastery over bamboo and cane which are used to make everything from their grand houses, to intricate baskets and a unique Adi cap. The women folk are no less, matching their skills in local weaves. If you are interested in local products this would be the best place to buy them from. Later we drive to Darka, one of the largest village of the Gallo tribe. Walk through the village, interacting with the local people to understand their sustainable way of life. They are part of the larger Tani group and are known for their rich cultural heritage, including traditional songs, dances, and festivals. Their culture emphasizes harmony with nature, sustainable living and community. Gallo women are skilled weavers and have unique weaving traditions. We continue with our drive to Pasighat (5 – 6hrs drive), en-route visiting village of Pangin to walk on a 1500 foot long suspension bridge over the Siang. The district headquarter of East Siang district of Arunachal, Pasighat is situated on the banks of mighty Siang river and bounded by rocky mountains and virgin forests.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today morning we will participate in a tribal tour in Pasighat which offers a chance to experience the rich culture and traditions of the indigenous Adi tribe who predominantly inhabit at this region and known for their distinctive clothing, music, dance and festivals. The Adi tribe is a significant indigenous community inhabiting the temperate and sub-tropical regions of Siang belt and Dibang valley districts. They are known for their democratic village councils and are followers of Donyi-Polo religion. The traditional Adi houses are built with wood, cane, bamboo, and leaves, without the use of metal or nails, and are raised above the ground on stilts. We will explore the tribal villages around Pasighat where you can see the traditional houses and interact with Adi tribal people and learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life. Later on the day we will explore the local markets in Pasighat where we can see the indigenous handicrafts and have a chance to purchase them.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast we leave the hilly state of Arunachal and proceed to the plains of Assam. We will drive to Dibrugarh (6 – 7hrs drive), en-route crossing over the Bogibeel bridge – Asia’s second largest railroad bridge standing over the mighty Brahmaputra river. Upon arrival we check into the hotel. Dibrugarh is called “Camelia” town of Assam, an undisturbed heaven with its rich tea gardens resembling lush green carpet.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast we will be transferred to Dibrugarh airport for flight to Delhi or Kolkata. Upon arrival connect onward flight back to home country.
Meals: Breakfast