Tribal and Cultural Tour

NAGALAND & ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Season

  • October till May

Route

  • DIMAPUR – KHONOMA – KOHIMA – MOKOKCHUNG – TUENSANG – MON – DIBRUGARH – CHOWKHUM – TEZU – ROING – PASIGHAT – AALO – DAPORIJO – ZIRO – NAMERI - GUWAHATI

DURATION: 20 NIGHTS / 21 DAYS

Day 1

DIMAPUR – KHONOMA

Today arrive at Dimapur airport, received and transferred to Khonoma (90 kms / 03 hrs drive), reach Khonoma and check into home stay, after lunch and refreshment we will explore the village. Overnight stay in Khonoma.

Khonoma village has been declared as the first “Green village" in India because of the initiative taken by the village to stop hunting, logging and forest fire. The village has taken an odd step by declaring 27 sq kms of its territory as "Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary" (KNCTS). At Khonoma you will find Culture, History and Nature intact together. As we go through the village we will see ceremonial gates, morung, cairn circles, forts, historical sites, age group house, meet local craftsmen weaving shawls and cane basket.

 

Day 2

KHONOMA

Today after a leisurely traditional breakfast we will explore more of the Khonoma village. Post lunch, we shall get down to see the terrace fields and see how terrace cultivation is being done. Towards the evening we shall witness some indigenous games which will be demonstrated by the local youth and thereafter we shall try the locally prepared brew. Back to Kohima and overnight stay.

 

Day 3

KHONOMA – KOHIMA

Today drive to the capital city of Nagaland ( 20 kms / 01 hrs drive), reach Kohima and visit Kohima War Memorial, Museum, and after an early lunch we will drive further to visit the famous Jhakhama and Kigwema village of the Angami tribes, back to Kohima and check into hotel and overnight stay.

 

Day 4

KOHIMA – MOKOKCHUNG

Today after breakfast, with packed lunch drive to Mokokchung( 160 kms / 06 hrs drive)- the headquarter of the Ao Nagas. They are known for their colourful attires and are regarded of having the most motifs shawl among the Nagas, which usually speaks the person’s status in the community. En route get introduce to a Rengma Naga village TSEMINYU one can also collect their souvenir as we will see fantastic local weavers in this village. Drive to Longkhum village (Ao village) which was known as the vanguard of the Ao region during the spear and dao era. As the village is situated at 1586 mtrs. above sea level we can see some part of Himalaya on a clear winter morning. Depending on the time of arrival, explore Mopunchuket village bamboo forest. Overnight stay in Mokokchung.

 

Day 5

MOKOKCHUNG – TUENSANG

Today we will drive to Tuensang ( 140 kms / 06 hrs drive), a place for the Chang, Sangtam, Khiamniungan, Yimchunger, Phom and a part of Sumi tribes of Nagaland. On reaching Tuensang we will check into our accommodation, it would be a village guest house or camping near a village. Overnight stay in Tuensang.

Tuensang is bordered by Myanmar all along its eastern side. On the North lies Mon district. Tuensang touches Assam on its north on a narrow strip between Mon on the east and Mokokchung in the West. On the South of Tuensang lies Phek District and on the west are Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts. The district has approximately 180 Kms of international border with Myanmar.

Day 6

TUENSANG

After an early breakfast we set to explore the villages in Tuensang, we will explore the Yakor and Sangphur where the Yimchunger Tribe live and to Noklak and Pansao (it time permits) to see the Khiamungan Tribe. Return to Tuensang before evening for overnight.

Day 7

TUENSANG – MON

Today after breakfast we shall drive to Mon( 180 kms / 07 -8 hrs drive), Konyak Nagas are known for their tattoo culture, wood carving skills, gun-making, etc. The land of the Konyak Nagas (Mon) is also regarded as the “Land of Anhg”. Enroute visit Mon village, where we can have a basic idea of the Konyak Naga world!.

Check into your basic accommodation for 02 nights, Guest House.

Day 8

MON

Today we shall visit Longwa village which boders with Burma as the international boundary runs through the Anhg’s house. The Angh eat in Nagaland and sleeps in Burma! As we get into the village we shall visit the Angh’s house where one can see the massive wood carvings and also the size of the house which in itself is a magnificent sight. Meet the local people (they are reserved by nature). Post lunch drive to Hungpoi village where we will the Konyak warriors with tattoo faces and sit with them to listen to their stories and galore. Back to lodge. Overnight in a Guest House.

Day 9

MON – DIBRUGARH

Today drive to Assam and proceed to Dibrugarh ( 180 kms / 07 hrs drive), enroute we will stop at Sibsagar to visit the ruins and temples of the Ahom kings who ruled Assam for more than 600 years, after lunch we will drive for Dibrugarh. Reach Dibrugarh and check into accommodation, evening free at leisure and overnight stay.

Day 10

DIBRUGARH – CHOWKHUM

Today after breakfast we will drive to Chowkhum (140 kms / 05 hrs drive), befre that we will explore the Thai Phake village in Naharkatia ( 60 kms from Dibrugarh), explore the village and also enjoy a traditional Thai lunch, later proceed to Chowkhum, check into Chowkhum tourist lodge and overnight stay.

The people living in Chowkhum are Buddhist, the Khamti people a descendants from the Thai region.

Day 11

CHOWKHUM – TEZU

Today we will explore the Monasteries and villages of the Khamti tribes and later we will drive to Tezu, enroute we will explore the villages of the Digaru Mishmi tribes at Wakro. We will have lunch in Parasuram Kund one of the holiest places in Hindu Mythology, reach Tezu and check into hotel/lodge. Overnight stay in Tezu.

Wakro (maximum valley altitude 2000m) is the homeland of the “Mishmis” one of the Mongoliod tribes of Tibeto-Burman origin. They speak their own dialect which varies from different groups. The three major Mishmi groups are “Idus” “Tarons” and the ‘Kamans’. Mishmis are very rich in culture and may be termed as a festival loving people. They believe any day of the year is auspicious for a ceremony if provisions exist. On these days animals are sacrificed. Mishmis are nature worshipers.

Parasuram Kund, This holy kund is situated within the Kamlang Reserve Forest area and is surrounded by dense forest of Ruddhraksha trees which is considered sacred to Hindus. It is a sacred place where according to Kalika Purana, Srimat Bhagawata and the Mahabharata, sage Parasuram (one of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations) took a dip in the waters of Lohit at Brahma Kund to cleanse his sin (he had killed his mother on the instruction of his father). Every year on Makar Sankranti (first day of the month Magh) thousands of pilgrims converge here to take a dip in the water to wash away their sins. A fair (mela) is held during this period.

Day 12

TEZU – ROING

Today drive to Roing (120 kms / 04 hrs drive), enroute we will visit some Adi villages, reach Roing and check into lodge and after lunch and refreshment explore the local markets. Overnight stay in Roing.

Day 13

ROING

Today explore the Idu Mishmi tribal villages in Roing, also drive to Mayodia Pass, through the twisting roads and semi evergreen forest of the Mishmi hills, back to Roing and overnight stay.

Day 14

ROING – PASIGHAT

Today after breakfast we drive to Pasighat (141 kms / 05 hrs), we have to cross three small rivers by country made boat and drive pass through Mishing Tribal villages and Bora Villages and reach Pasighat. Overnight at Pasighat.

Day 15

PASIGHAT – AALO

Today we drive to Aalo, enroute visit Galo tribal villages and Hill Miri (now Nishi Tribal) villages. Reach Aalo and check into hotel and overnight stay at Aalo.

Day 16

AALO

Today we will explore more of the Galo villages, also enjoy a traditional dnace by Galo ladies and if you fancy a traditional lunch it could be arranged in a Galo house, evening free at leisure and overnight stays.

Day 17

AALO – DAPORIZO

After an early breakfast drive to Daporijo (180 kms / 06 hrs), enroute visit Nishi and hill Miri tribal villages. Reach Daporizo and rest for lunch.

Daporijo is the headquarter of ‘Upper Subansiri district’. It stands at an elevation ofaround600metersfromsealevel.Daporijo inhabitants go on to have belonged to Hill Miri, Adi Gallong, and Tagin tribe.

Day 18

DAPORIJO – ZIRO

Today after breakfast we visit the Ligu village of the Tagin tribes and then proceed to Ziro (165 kms / 08 hrs drive), reach Ziro and check into hotel, evening at leisure and overnight stay in Ziro.

Ziro is located in the lower Subansiri District, at an elevation of 1688m above sea level and 164km drive from Itanagar (capital of Arunachal Pradesh). Ziro is home to the Apatani people, a non-nomadic, agrarian tribe. The Apatani people are environmentally conscious community who practice wetland cultivation, instead of the dry land one, which involves the burning of the forest. The paddy farms here double as fish cultivations, with farmers using traditional irrigation techniques to rear fish in knee deep water. The UNESCO has even proposed for the Apatani culture landscape’s inclusion to the list of World Heritage site for the tribe’s high agricultural productivity and unique conservation practices.

Day 19

ZIRO

Today we will explore the villages of the Apatani Tribes, there are several villages in the Apatani Valley but the most popular are Hong Village, Hari Village, Hija village and Bulla village, we will also visit the paddy fields, Apatanis are famous for their rice cultivation process. After lunch we will attend a traditional dance of the Apatani tribes. Overnight stay in Ziro.

Day 20

ZIRO - NAMERI

Today drive to Nameri( 290 kms/ 08 hrsdrive), reach Nameri and check into Eco Camp, evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Nameri

Day 21

NAMERI – GUWAHATI

Today drive to Guwahati (240 kms / 05 hrs drive), and fly for onward destination.

TOUR ENDS

 

 

 

 

 

NAGALAND

Season

  • October till May

Route

  • ROUTE: DIMAPUR – KHONOMA – KOHIMA – MOKOKCHUNG – TUENSANG – MON – DIBRUGARH

DURATION: 09 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS

Day 1

DIMAPUR – KHONOMA

Today arrive at Dimapur airport, received and transferred to Khonoma (90 kms / 03 hrs drive), reach Khonoma and check into home stay, after lunch and refreshment we will explore the village. Overnight stay in Khonoma.

Khonoma village has been declared as the first “Green village" in India because of the initiative taken by the village to stop hunting, logging and forest fire. The village has taken an odd step by declaring 27 sq kms of its territory as "Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary" (KNCTS). At Khonoma you will find Culture, History and Nature intact together. As we go through the village we will see ceremonial gates, morung, cairn circles, forts, historical sites, age group house, meet local craftsmen weaving shawls and cane basket.

 

Day 2

KHONOMA

Today after a leisurely traditional breakfast we will explore more of the Khonoma village. Post lunch, we shall get down to see the terrace fields and see how terrace cultivation is being done. Towards the evening we shall witness some indigenous games which will be demonstrated by the local youth and thereafter we shall try the locally prepared brew. Back to Kohima and overnight stay.

 

Day 3

KHONOMA – KOHIMA

Today drive to the capital city of Nagaland ( 20 kms / 01 hrs drive), reach Kohima and visit Kohima War Memorial, Museum, and after an early lunch we will drive further to visit the famous Jhakhama and Kigwema village of the Angami tribes, back to Kohima and check into hotel and overnight stay.

 

Day 4

KOHIMA – MOKOKCHUNG

Today after breakfast, with packed lunch drive to Mokokchung( 160 kms / 06 hrs drive)- the headquarter of the Ao Nagas. They are known for their colourful attires and are regarded of having the most motifs shawl among the Nagas, which usually speaks the person’s status in the community. En route get introduce to a Rengma Naga village TSEMINYU one can also collect their souvenir as we will see fantastic local weavers in this village. Drive to Longkhum village (Ao village) which was known as the vanguard of the Ao region during the spear and dao era. As the village is situated at 1586 mtrs. above sea level we can see some part of Himalaya on a clear winter morning. Depending on the time of arrival, explore Mopunchuket village bamboo forest. Overnight stay in Mokokchung.

 

Day 5

MOKOKCHUNG – TUENSANG

Today we will drive to Tuensang ( 140 kms / 06 hrs drive), a place for the Chang, Sangtam, Khiamniungan, Yimchunger, Phom and a part of Sumi tribes of Nagaland. On reaching Tuensang we will check into our accommodation, it would be a village guest house or camping near a village. Overnight stay in Tuensang.

Tuensang is bordered by Myanmar all along its eastern side. On the North lies Mon district. Tuensang touches Assam on its north on a narrow strip between Mon on the east and Mokokchung in the West. On the South of Tuensang lies Phek District and on the west are Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts. The district has approximately 180 Kms of international border with Myanmar.

 

Day 6

TUENSANG

After an early breakfast we set to explore the villages in Tuensang, we will explore the Yakor and Sangphur where the Yimchunger Tribe live and to Noklak and Pansao (it time permits) to see the Khiamungan Tribe. Return to Tuensang before evening for overnight.

 

Day 7

TUENSANG – MON

Today after breakfast we shall drive to Mon( 180 kms / 07 -8 hrs drive), Konyak Nagas are known for their tattoo culture, wood carving skills, gun-making, etc. The land of the Konyak Nagas (Mon) is also regarded as the “Land of Anhg”. Enroute visit Mon village, where we can have a basic idea of the Konyak Naga world!.

Check into your basic accommodation for 02 nights, Guest House.

 

Day 8

MON

Today we shall visit Longwa village which boders with Burma as the international boundary runs through the Anhg’s house. The Angh eat in Nagaland and sleeps in Burma! As we get into the village we shall visit the Angh’s house where one can see the massive wood carvings and also the size of the house which in itself is a magnificent sight. Meet the local people (they are reserved by nature). Post lunch drive to Hungpoi village where we will the Konyak warriors with tattoo faces and sit with them to listen to their stories and galore. Back to lodge. Overnight in a Guest House.

 

Day 9

MON – DIBRUGARH

Today drive to Assam and proceed to Dibrugarh ( 180 kms / 07 hrs drive), enroute we will stop at Sibsagar to visit the ruins and temples of the Ahom kings who ruled Assam for more than 600 years, after lunch we will drive for Dibrugarh. Reach Dibrugarh and check into accommodation, evening free at leisure and overnight stay.

 

Day 10

DIBRUGARH

Today drive to Dibrugarh (16 kms / 40 min drive), and fly for onward destination.

 

TOUR ENDS