Assam & Nagaland
Arrive in Dibrugarh airport onward to Digboi (1 hour and 30 mins away) to stay in a tea plantation called Hollong Habi (it is a homestay in a beautiful Tea Bungalow where the family who own the tea plantation lives) If you prefer to stay in a hotel that can also be done.
Visit the tea plantation and the factory early in the morning and then drive to a Singpho (or Jingpho) tribal village .After a picnic lunch on the banks of the Tirap river drive on to Namphake village (near Naharkatia) of the Tai Phake tribe who migrated to Assam from Burma in the 18th century . Drive on to Dibrugarh town after the visit and stay at the Chowkidinghee Tea Bungalow.
Dibrugarh to Mon in the state of Nagaland :(5 to 6 hours drive). Nagaland is home to over fifteen different tribes known collectively as the Nagas. The Mon area is home to the Konyak tribe, once known for the practice of headhunting. Some of the old men have elaborate tattoos on their faces and chests . Stay at Helsa Cottage .
Spend the day visiting Konyak villages in an around Mon. The Konyak villages are always on the top of hills and the houses of the hereditary chiefs called Anghs have beautifully carved wooden doors and posts.
Mon to Sibsagar :(5 to 6 hours) Drive down to the plains of Assam and en route to Sibsagar visit Charaideu the burial grounds of the Ahom Kings. The Tai – Ahoms were a group of people who Migrated to Assam from Shan state in Burma in the early part of the 13th century and by the 18th century ruled over entire Assam. On arrival in Sibsagar check in at hotel Shiva Palace. In the afternoon visit the Shiva Dol an 18th century Shiva temple considered to be the tallest in India, Rang Ghar the royal pavilion from where the king and his noblemen used to watch, elephant fights and buffalo fights, and falconry and then visit the ruins of the Ahom Palace, the Talatal Ghar .
After breakfast drive to Neamati to be on time to catch the ferry to Majuli. On arrival check in at the Mepo Okum Guest house. Majuli is the biggest river island in South Asia. It is a rural island and it is the culture centre of Assam. There are many Neo Vaishnavite (Vishnu worshippers) monasteries founded in the 17th century. You will visit these monasteries and watch a Satriya dance performed by the monks in one of the monasteries. Satriya Nritya is one of the eight principal Indian classical dance traditions and were choreographed by Shankar Dev the great 15th century reformer and founder of the Neo Vaishnavite movement for the propagation of the Vaishnavite faith and is preserved by these monasteries till today.
visiting different monasteries and Assamese villages. You will also visit a Mishing tribal village. Mishings belong to the Tani group of Arunchal Pradesh and are closely related to the Adi group.
An early morning ferry back to the mainland and then drive on to Kaziranga. On arrival check in at Wild Grass Resort. Kaziranga National park is a World Heritage Site and home to more than 75% of the world’s population of the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. Water buffalo, deer, elephants and tigers and many species of birds can also be seen. After lunch go for a jeep safari in the western range (Baguri) of the National park. Return to the lodge and enjoy a folk dance performed by a dance troupe from a neighbouring village.
Take an elephant ride for an hour early in the morning return to the lodge for breakfast and then do a jeep safari in the central range(Kohora) of the park. Return to the lodge for lunch and post lunch do a jeep Safari in the eastern range.
Start very early from Kaziranga and if you have a late afternoon flight it is possible to visit the famous Kamakhya temple en route.
