Day 01: Arrive Delhi and Fly to Kolkata (Calcutta).
You will be met at the airport. Later board flight for Kolkata. On arrival transfer to the Oberoi Grand hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 02: Kolkata Sightseeing.
The vibrant city of Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal. In 1772 it became the capital of British administration in India with Warren Hastings as the first Governor of Bengal. Some of modern Kolkata’s most impressive colonial buildings date from the years that followed. Visit some of the most important places in the city. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 03: Fly Kolkata to Jorhat (Assam).
Met upon arrival and drive the one – two hours across the Assamese plains passing through villages, forests and endless tea Gardens to the Thengal Tea Garden Estate. Overnight at the Thengal Tea Garden Estate.
Day 04: Drive Jorhat to Mon Town in Nagaland.
You leave after an early breakfast and drive towards the Nagaland border via Jorhat and Sonari towns and country villages, and on into the northern Nagaland district of Mon. This is the land of the fierce former head-hunting Konyak tribe and the region is rich in culture and tradition with a heritage dating back to the stone age. Overnight at Mon “home stay” guest house, Nagaland.
Day 05: Drive from Mon to Shengha Chingnyu village via Longwa Village.
This morning you will drive, stopping along the way, to take a walk east through the remote Naga hills to the Indo/Myanmar border village of Longwa. An interesting high light is that one half of the Angh’s house is within Indian territory and the other half lies in Myanmar. However the whole village is controlled by the Angh (King) and the village council Chairman.
You will have a tour of the village before taking lunch in a village longhouse. After lunch you will drive and walk, almost parallel to the border, to the extremely remote village of Shengha Chingnyu. There are only seven “Kings” or “Anghs” in the Mon District and Shengha Chingnyu is one. An Angh rules his village with sole authority, holding immense power in his own and subordinate villages and is held in high esteem by the villagers.
Meals will be taken in the Angh’s house where you will enjoy true Naga hospitably and evenings around a campfire. This will be your base for the next two days. Overnight Tented Camp, Shengha Chingnyu Village, Nagaland.
Day 06: Shengha Chingnyu Village.
Today we will explore the village and its surrounds. Photography opportunities are endless. This can encompass a full day walk with a picnic lunch or two half day walks.
The Konyaks are of Mongoloid origin and before the advent of Christianity they were believers of “Animism” worshiping the elements and different objects of nature. The Konyak society is a patriarchal society and is dominated by male chauvinism. The eldest son of the family usually inherits the paternal property. The male members take all major decisions regarding the village, society etc. and women usually partake in the discussion in the meetings, however, with modern day education trends are changing with more liberal thinking and women are now treated as equal to men in all respects.
You will take breakfast and dinner around the kitchen fire in the Angh’s house. Overnight Tented Camp, Shengha Chungnyu Village, Nagaland.
Day 07: Drive to Langmeing Village.
Break camp and drive via Mon for lunch, shopping for supplies and drive onwards to the remote Village of Langmeing. Langmeing is one of Nagaland’s few remaining traditional Naga villages, retaining its ancient culture and traditions. The dwellings include the traditional ‘morung’ which is a bachelor long house for all the young boys of the village as they enter puberty. They are also brought up to be warriors and act as the initial war party to stem any unexpected raid on the village. Set up camp and dinner around the campfire of the Angh.
Day 08: Langmeing Village.
After breakfast and, with the special permission of the King and the village council members, you may be fortunate to witness the young men re-enacting their ancient ‘log drum’ beating and sing their war song for us. The skulls of the enemy are still preserved in the village and can be viewed, with special permission from the Angh.
You can spend the entire day trekking and exploring the village and surrounding area with lovely walks through the bamboo forests nearby. Overnight in tents, Langmeing Village, Nagaland.
Day 09: Drive to Doom Dooma in Assam.
After breakfast you will begin a picturesque drive down through the Naga Hills – back to the plains of Assam via ancient towns such as Sibsagar and Dibrughar. The drive is varied as you pass through forests, villages, towns and tea gardens – stopping en route for a delicious “darbar curry” or a packed lunch. At the end of an exciting, albeit long, drive you will receive a warm welcome at the home of your new hosts, Mr. And Mrs. Raj Mounglang, at Doom Dooma, Assam. Overnight at this private residence.
Day 10: Drive to Deban in Arunachal Pradesh.
Early morning drive after breakfast drive the 5 – 6 hours across the Assamese plains to the Arunachal Pradesh border police post of Namsai. Continue along the north bank of the Noa Dehing River and through thick tropical jungle to our ultimate destination – the village of Deban.
After your long and exciting drive, you will settle into your tree-house type accommodation, overlooking the Noa Dehing River which forms the western borders of the Namdapha National Park. Dinner around the campfire. Overnight at Deban, Arunachal Pradesh.
Days 11 & 12: At Deban exploring the forest and nearby Chakma & Mishmi Villages.
Using Deban as our “base camp” for the next two days – enjoy nature walks through the park both into the jungles or and to the nearby villages inhabited by the Singpho, Mishmi and Chakma tribes. The nearby Noa Dehing River is one of the last strong holds for the Mighty Golden Mahseer (Tor Tor Barbus). A chance to “stretch a line” is to be had on a strictly catch and release basis. Overnight at Deban, Arunachal Pradesh.
Day 13: Drive from Deban to Lohit River Gorge.
Camp is broken after breakfast and you will drive and walk through the jungle and villages towards Parasuram Kund or Brahma Kund, at the mouth of the Lohit Gorge. Here your crew will find as secluded a spot as possible to shelter you from the morning and evening strong katabatic winds, and make camp on the riverbank.
In the afternoon walks to the nearby forest and grassland are not to be missed. Parasuram Kund is a place of great sanctity and once a year, in January, this otherwise remote and beautiful place, attracts many pilgrims who come to bathe in the river.
Day 14: Lohit River Gorge.
Enjoy a few hours fishing in the afternoon, or walk and explore. Overnight in tents, Lohit River Gorge.
Day 15: Drive to Doom Dooma in Assam.
Those who wish will have time to fish in the early morning or take an early morning walk. The crew will break camp after breakfast and you will drive, via the outpost town of Tezu and the Digaru River crossing by ‘African Queen’ ferry, back to the residence of your hosts, Raj and Antina Mounglang, at Doom Dooma, Assam. Overnight Doom Dooma, Assam.
Day 16: Doom Dooma to Kolkata via Dibrughar.
In the morning you will be transferred to Dibrughar airport to take your midday flight to Kolkata where you will be met and transferred to The Oberoi Grand Hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 17: Kolkata to Delhi. Depart Delhi.
Early morning transfer to the Airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival transfer to a hotel close to the Airport where a room is held for the group to wash and change. Time permitting a shopping trip to the city can be arranged. Later transfer back to the Airport to board flight for onward destination.
Date and price to suit individual arrangements based on 2 people sharing. Breakfast included. Private air-conditioned car and driver with English speaking guides for sightseeing.
