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Aruunachal Pradesh & Assam- Tribes and Culture

October 22-November 8, 2008

One of the most remote regions in India, Arunachal Pradesh borders Bhutan, China and Burma.
The state is comprised of valleys separated by the ridges of eastern Himalaya. There are approximately 66 different tribes and 80% of the land is still forested.

Explore untouristed tribal villages and experience ancient culture untouched by westernization.

Our Spring tour is scheduled during Bohaag Bihu Festival in Assam

Map of Arunachal Pradesh

Experience the ancient tribal cultures of
Arunachal and Assam, remote areas in East India.

Detailed Itinerary 2008

Day 1 Arrive Calcutta late night. Met on arrival and transfer to Hotel.

Day 2 Calcutta
Morning visit Flower Market and onward to Dakhineshwar Temple, Kumartuli (potters village) south of the temple & Sishu Bhavan, one of Mother Theresa's many homes for the underprivileged.

Dakhineshwar Temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni (1793-1861). This temple is associated with one of India's greatest religious philososphers - Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (Gadadhar Chattopadhyay - 1836-1886). The main temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. It has 12 smaller temples in the courtyard dedicated to Shiva, Radha and Krishna. It is 25 km out side the town.

The village Kumartuli is the home of the kumars or potters who all year round make the life size deities that are worshipped throughout the year at festivals and pujas. Kali, the patron goddess of Calcutta, is usually seen in her blood thirsty form, garlanded with skulls.

Afternoon visit Victoria Memorial another landmark in the city which marks the British reign in India. A combination of Italian renaissance and Mughal architecture, the white marble architecture was the British attempt to replicate the Taj Mahal and is a monument to Queen Victoria and a museum dedicated to the Raj. Afterwards we go to Kalighat temple, the main Kali temple (Durga) in Calcutta, for evening ceremony. 

Day 3 Fly to Dibrugarah IC701 dep 0945, arr 1115. Transfer to Heritage Chang Bungalow. Dibrugarh is a famous tea estate in Assam and we spend a day inside one of its tea gardens. After lunch we take a tour of the tea garden. The majority of people here work in the tea estates or in the tea factories. Usually the women pick the tea. We will have an opportunity to interact with the tea pickers of Assam.

Day 4 Ferry to Bogibill.  Drive to Along (160 Km / 7 hrs) Hotel
Today we enter the state of Arunachal Pradesh at Passighat. We cross the Brahmaputra River by ferry from Dibrugarah to Swaringhat (1.5-2 hrs) and one hour drive on dirt roadbefore paved road begins. We will be climbing up the lower himalayan ranges through thick tropical forest during the last hours of the drive. Transfer to Hotel Holiday Cottage.

Day 5 Along Hotel Holiday Cottage.
Visit the Bokar, Ramo and Gallong tribal villages and its famous hanging bridge. Along is the headquarters of West Saing district of Arunachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 300m. The Adis by nature are democratic and have an organised village council called Kebang. Their traditional dance called Ponung is famous all over Arunachal Pradesh. Adi villages are situated generally on the spurs of hills. Polyandy is practised here (one Wife multiple husbands--usualy a woman marrries brothers). Adi women are very good weavers and weave cloth with highly artistic designs.

Day 6 Drive to Daporizo (1100 Ft / 161 Km / 8 hrs) Govt Inspection Bunglow (Basic)
Interface with Tagins, Hill Miris and the Tamens who have their dwellings in villages between Along & Damporizo. The Tagins are the main inhabitants of Upper Sunansiri district. Their primary occupation is agriculture. Polygamy is customary among them. Their dress is very simple consisting of only one piece of cloth. The Nyishi and Tamens are among the main Hill Miri tribes who form the largest groups of people inhabiting the major part of Lower Subansiri district. Their menfolk wear their hair long and tie it in a knot just above the forehead. They wear cane bands around the waist. They believe that after death the spirit of a dead travels to the 'village of the ancestors'. The Sulungs or Puroik are considered to be one of the oldest of the tribes in the area. Their dress and constumes are simple, and the religion is a form of the primitive ' spirit culture.'

Day 7 Drive Daporizo -Ziro (5018 Ft / 166 Km /9 hrs Hotel Blue Pine
Enroute enjoy the beauity of Kamala river. The Apatanis are settled agriculturists inhabiting the valley around Ziro-the headquarters of Lower Subansiri district. They grow rice on terraces on the Apatani Plateau. The older men-folk tie the hair in top-knots and tattoo the faces. Wearing of circular nose plugs and tattooing of faces is the most characteristic aspect of ornamentation of older Apatani women. However, new generation of Apatani men and women have stopped this practice of tying hair knot, nose plugs and face tattooing since early 1970s. The Apatani are good cultivators and practice both wet and terrace cultivation. Paddy cum fish culture is very popular among them. Unlike other tribes of Arunachal their economy is stable.

Day 8 Ziro
Visit Hong Village the largest tribal village in Asia along with other Apatani and Nishi tribal villages.

Day 9 Ziro - Itanagar (1575 ft/155 km/4 hrs) Hotel Donyi Polo Ashok
Drive to the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. There are numerous villages enroute and we will make frequent short stops. The first 2 hours of the journey while we are still in Arunachal Pradesh, scenery is extremely beautiful, thick lush green tropical forest, clouds floating over the ridges, singing waterfalls all through, a variety of tropical flowers specially the orchids and birds.

Day 10 Kaziranga National Park(443 Ft / 300 km /8 hrs) Hotel Diphlu River Lodge
This is one long day of driving, though we do pass numerous villages along the road. We shall make some brief stops to observe the Assamese village life (agriculture, fishing etc). Kaziranga lies on the south bank of the Brahmaputra, and is famous for its 1000+ population of the great One-Horned Rhinoceros. Tigers are also present in sizable numbers in this area. With a tiger count of 86, Kaziranga has in fact the highest density tiger population in India. Other attractions of this national park include the wild buffalo, magnificent swamp deer, hog deer, wild boar, Hoolok gibbon, capped langur and ratel (badger). A wide variety of snakes including the rock python and the monitor lizard are also found here. Amongst the birds, the crested serpent eagle is common while palla's fishing eagle and gray headed fishing eagle are frequently seen.

Day 11 Kaziranga: morning and afternoon safaris. Overnight Diphlu River Lodge

Day 12 Drive to Nameri National Park. (115 km / 3 hrs) The Eco Camp
We cross the river Brahmaputra by one of the longest river bridges in India to Nameri National Park, near the Assam Arunachal Pradesh border. (Eco camp has comfortable double bedded tents with a thatched roof canopy).
In the afternoon, a walk inside Nameri National Park which is located on the other side of the Bhoreli river. NNP came into limelight when the near extinct White Winged Wood Duck was discovered here only a few years back. Other wildlife found are deer, wild elephant, wild buffaloes and numerous species of birds). (180 kms / 7 hours)

Day 13 Drive to Dirang (altitude of 6500 ft) - 160 kms / 6 hours)
Mooreed high up in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, at 3500 meters above sea level is Tawang-the beautiful land of Monpas. With sobriquets like :The Hidden Paradise or Land of Dawn-lit mountains; this land evokes images of awesome mountain views, remote hamlets, quaint and sleepy villages, magical Gonpas, tranquil lakes and al lot more. At Tawang, you have a heavenly tryst with nature at its best and the heady mixture of history, religion and legends.

The area of the district is approximately 2,085-sq-kms bordered by Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the Southwest and Sela ranges separate West Kameng district in the East. The name Tawang derives from some bearings on surroundings. But people's interpretation is that the name Tawang was given by Merak Lama in the 17th century. 
                                
The inhabitants of the districts are all of Monpa tribes. The Monpas belong to Mongoloid stock, are well built, and fair in complexion. Their houses are built with stones and timbers. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry are the fundamental means of the Monpas occupation. 

Afternoon sight seeing of Dirang town includes visit to local market.

Day 14 Drive to Tawang (146 kms /5 hrs
After breakfast we visit the centuries old Dirang Dzong and the village with its traditional houses. Afterwards we will drive to Tawang at 10200 ft. On the way we will be crossing the Sela Pass at 14000 ft, the highest motorable pass in the Northeast. Check into Private Lodge. Evening take a walk around Tawang town. Dinner and overnight Tawang Inn.

Day 15 Tawang
Today we will visit the famous 400 years old Tawang Monastery. Interact with the lamas (monks). Come back to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon visit a Monpa tribal village. Evening visit market.

Day 16 Drive to Bomdilla  (180 kms / 7 hours)
Evening visit local market and the lower gompa.

Day 17 Drive to Guwahati
We come down from the lofty mountains to the plains of Assam. Evening visit government emporia and bazaars if you wish. . Dinner and overnight at Hotel Dynasty.

Day 18 Fly to Calcutta
Visit the Kamakhya temple on the top of Nilachal hill which is 160 metres high. This hill has a group of ancient temples, the most famous of which is the Kamakhya temple. This temple is considered as the greatest of all the Shaktipithas in India. Around this shrine the small township of Kamakhya has sprung up. Kamakhya is known for its rare natural beauty and one can enjoy an arial view of the city of Guwahati and the mighty river Brahmaputra flowing below. It's a 1000 year old temple believed to be full of powerful energy.

Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Calcutta (Flt 9W616 dep 1605 arr 1715). On arrival transfer to hotel near airport for wash and change; late night transfer to International airport.

Extension Sikkim and Darjeeling:

Day 18: Fly Guwahati - Bagdogra (flight 9W601 dep 13:15/arr 14:05) - Kalimpong (80 km) / Silver Oak
On arrival we drive to Kalimpong. A short distance ahead of Bagdogra is Silliguri (10 km/ 6 miles) which is the gateway town to mountain country and surrounded by West Bengal's picturesque tea country. Most of the drive to Kalimpong from Silliguri is along forests fringing the Teesta River. Built into a steep gorge, the road overlooks this beautiful river as it tumbles and slides through the Himalayan foothills. Overnight accomodations in Kalimpong.

Day 19: A full day of sightseeing in Kalimpong. We visit Tharpa Choling Monastery, Deolo view point, the Bhutanese Monastery and a flower nursery.

Day 20: Kalimpong- Gangtok / Hotel Norkhil.
Enroute we visit Rumtek, the seat of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa and the Research Institute of Tibetology, Do-drul Chorten. It is about 45 minutes / 24 kms before Gangtok. Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center is the seat of the Kagyu order, one of the 4 major Tibetan Buddhist sects. Since the late 1960's, after the arrival of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, the center has housed some of the world's most unique religious scriptures and religious art objects. Traditional in design, it is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tibet. Rumtek Monastery, a must for every visitor, is where one can find some of the worlds most unique art objects. It is about 2 km away from the Dharma Chakra Center. His Holiness late Gyalwa Karmapa lived in this monastery till the completion of the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center.

Day 21 Early morning start for a drive to Pelling ( 6-7 hrs). Hotel Norbugang Resort.
Pemayangtse is situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing (140 km/ 87 miles from Gangtok) and commands an impressive view of Mt. Kanchendzonga. It was originally a small Lhekhang built by Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century. During the rule of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal, Lhatsun Chenpo's third reincarnate Jigme Pawo extended it and rebuilt the structure. This monastery belongs to the Nyigma order and all other Nyigma order monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it. The monks of Pemayangtse are usually from the leading Bhutia families in Sikkim. There are 108 monks in this monastery.

The monastery houses numerous religious idols and other objects of worship, most of which are precious because of their antiquity. On the top floor of the monastery there is a wooden sculpture depicting the Maha Gurus’ Heavenly Palace "Sanghthokpalri". This masterpiece was completed by the late Dungzin Rimpoche, who took five years to craft it single-handed. The main festival of the monastery is on the 28th & 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calender, normally corresponding to the month of February. During these two days religious dances are performed and pilgrims come from all over Sikkim to watch them.

Day 22: Pelling. The day is free to walk and enjoy the magnificent views. Hotel Norbugang Resort.

Day 23: Pemayangtse - Darjeeling (75 km/ 3 hrs).
This is a stunning drive through forests of oak, pine and orchids with the rapturous beauty of the Kangchendzonga range in the background. The tranquil environs of the surrounding hills is a perfect setting for the tea estates and monasteries.

Day 24: Darjeeling
Sunrise view from Tiger Hill. After breakfast we go sightseeing in Darjeeling, which includes the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Tibetan refugee self help center, aong with the Bhutia Busty Monastery, which houses the origanal text of the Buddhist Book of the Dead. Afterward we visit the rail museum to learn about the toy train which UNESCO recognises as the World Heritage Railway. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute was established in 1954 by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, who first climbed Mt. Everest in 1953. The Everest Museum here has photographic and archival records of all attempts ever made to scale the world's highest peak.

Day 25: Depart for Home.  Drive to Bagdogra to connect to flight 9W618 (dep 13:45/arr 14:45) to Calcutta or flight 9W602 dep 1250/arr 1650 to Delhi.

PRICES: based on min 6 people

FallTBA

Extension: $1660 per person based on min 3 people, single room $440, plus airfares Guwahati - Bagdogra - Calcutta $308

Includes:

Main tour: accommodations, daily breakfast, all meals Guwahati-Guwahati (day 3 onwards), airport transfers and land transport in Tata Sumo as per itinerary, accompanying escort Sanjay Verman, local professional guide during sightseeing in Calcutta, monument entrance fees, National Park Entry/Activity Fees, RAP Cost (special permit), India Gov Service Tax 4.95%.

Extension: six nights accommodations, daily breakfast, all meals, accompanying professional local escort/guide, monument entrances, toy train tickets from Darjeeling-Ghoom Monastery.

Does not include: insurance, tips, camera fees, any expenses of a personel nature such as alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls

Our Guide: Mr. Sanjay Verman
We are privileged and honored to have Mr. Sanjay Verman lead our Arunachal Pradesh tour as well as all of our adventureous journeys to the most remote and uncharted regions of India. Mr. Verman started his own travel agency from the courtyard of his house in Delhi in 1993, and by 1996 he was one of the three biggest Indian travel agents in just three years. But he wanted to do something different as he says "sometimes people make money without necessarily enjoying what they do and I don't want to be one of them." Leaving his business to his younger brother, he left for the hills, not the usual Shimla, Mussouri, Nanital variety, but the far off -Kinnaur Region, 12 hours north of Shimla. For two years he rigorously researched the remote areas Kalpa and Chitkul, and then he formed a company, "Timberline Trekking Camps" to develop base camps in this uncharted region. Mr. Verman's dream of doing something different has opened the gates to the people of the world to experience the breath-taking beauty and ancient culture of a land never before open to tourists..

Our Spring tour is scheduled during Bohaag Bihu Festival in Assam

prices for 2008 TBA