16 DAYS ~ FROM £2,840
This is a truly awe–inspiring journey through some of the most outstanding countryside in India with soaring snow tipped mountain peaks bisected by deep gorges with fast flowing rivers. The slopes are covered in lush vegetation and nurture a rich and diverse eco system. Go on safaris and soft trek in the outstanding Namdapha and Kaziranga National Parks. Visit ancient monuments and see the simple lives of the local Mishmi Tribe: still living a traditional life in a fast encroaching modern world.
Kolkata • Dibrugarh • Deban • Namdaptha National Park • Haldibari • Wakro (Mishmi Tribal Village) • Roing • Dibrugarh • Jorhat • Kaziranga National Park • Kolkata
 Day 1. To Kolkata
Fly from Heathrow to Kolkata on direct British Airways flight.
Day 2. Kolkata
Arrive Kolkata early in the morning. Afternoon city sightseeing includes the beautiful Jain Temple, Victoria Memorial, National Museum and Mother Teresa’s Orphanage. Overnight stay at Hotel Kenilworth.
Day 3. To Dibrugarh
Fly to Dibrugarh. Stay in the Chang Bungalow, the restored home of former British Tea plantation managers. Chang in the local dialect means ‘raised on stilts’ – a precaution to keep animals at bay and cool the home. Evening ethnic dance performance on the lawn. Overnight at Chang Bungalow.
Day 4. To Namdapha National Park
Morning drive to Deban and visit the Namdapha National Park famed for its extremely elusive snow and clouded leopards. The Park now a Project Tiger reserve and home to elephants, Himalayan black bears, wild goats and red pandas. Primates include the Assamese macaque and gibbon. Overnight at either the Forest Lodge or Camp at Deban.
Day 5. Namdapha National Park
(Trek to Hornbill)
Early morning trek along the River Noa–Dihing – a tributary of the great Bhramaputra. Overnight in a Tent at Hornbill.
Day 6. Namdapha National Park
(Trek to Haldibari)
Trek to Haldibari. The area is a birdwatchers paradise with 400 recorded species, including many indigenous to the area. Look out for ibisbills and white–bellied herons, Blyth’s tragopans and snowy–throated babblers. Overnight Camp at Haldibari.
Day 7. To Wakro Village
After breakfast trek back to Deban and drive to the Wakro village. Two nights stay in a traditional Mishmi tribal hut.
Day 8. Excursion to Mishmi Tribal Village
After breakfast visit the local Mishmi tribal villages to learn about their rich culture and traditions. The Mishmi are of Tibeto–Burman origin, speaking their own dialect – differing slightly between the 3 major groups – “Idus” “Tarons” and the ‘Kamans’.
Day 9. To Roing via Parasuramkund
Drive to Roing en route visiting Parasuramkund – a pilgrimage site. During the auspicious Hindu ‘Makar Sankranti’, thousands of pilgrims bathe in the Holy water of the Lohit Rriver. After lunch continue to Roing. Two nights stay at Purvi Nefa Camp.
 Day 10. Roing
Early morning drive to Mayodia Pass, a beautiful journey climbing to 7000 ft through lofty hills, lush green forests and enchanting landscapes. Return to Roing and visit the local village.
Day 11. To Dibrugarh
Drive back to Dibrugarh through a land of natural beauty. Overnight stay at the Chang Bungalow.
Day 12. To Jorhat via Sivasagar
Drive to Jorhat, en–route visit Sivasagar where the Ahom Rulers reigned from 1228–1826 AD, when the area fell to the British. They left behind numerous fascinating monuments including a manmade reservoir commonly referred to as ‘Tank’ with three Temples on its banks. Overnight at the Heritage Thengal Manor.
Day 13. To Kaziranga via Majuli
After breakfast drive to Neematighat for ferry crossing to see Majuli– the largest inhabited River Island in the world. It’s famed for the Vaishnavite Satras (Monasteries). Continue the drive to Kaziranga. Two nights at the IORA– The Retreat.
Day 14. Kaziranga
Early morning elephant safari to the central range of the Park followed by a jeep safari after breakfast. Following lunch go for another jeep safari. Marshland, grassland, and tropical semi–evergreen forests on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra, give this Park an excellent eco–diversity. Home to the rare one–horned Indian rhino, the Park also shelters the Project Tiger conservation programme.
Day 15. To Kolkata
Morning drive to Jorhat airport for flight to Kolkata. Overnight at the Hotel Kenilworth.
Day 16. To Heathrow
Early morning flight to Heathrow on direct British Airways flight.
If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.
With love from India....Kolkata Rasagolla
Rasagolla is one of the most widely available and popular sweetmeats in Eastern India. First made by Haradhan Maira, a confectioner of Phulia district, during the time of Bengal renaissance. These white cottage cheese balls in sugar syrup not only created a revolution in the confectionary industry and but also set the trend for the modern sweet.
Suggested extensions: Andaman Islands
(Various other extensions are available on request)
|
