Unexplored North East
Unexplored North East – Mountains, Plantations, Birding and Wildlife offers a journey through some of the most unexplored countryside areas of North East India that are renowned for their villages, reserve forest areas, plantations, exotic birds and wildlife. Here, you stay in a colonial style Tea Bungalow in the heart of the tea plantations, explore villages and understand their culture and lifestyle, ride elephants through the countryside, explore the most pristine reserve forest areas for superb birdlife and wildlife, take a peek into conservation projects and experience the divinity of Kamakhya Temple.
Unexplored North East Highlights
- Stay in a colonial style plantation bungalow in the heart of tea plantation districts of North East India
- Cruise on Dibru River to explore swamp forests of Dibru Saikhowa National Park
- A village tour to show the Khampti traditions, farming and weaving
- A daylong elephant expedition to the monastery and Buddhist Pagoda
- Full day birding expedition to Namdapha Tiger Reserve
- Cultural visit in the Idu Mishmi villages, bird-watching and nature walk in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary
- A daylong wildlife and patrolling expedition in Manas Tiger Reserve
- Attend Puja at Kamakhya temple overlooking superb Brahmaputra river views
Inclusions
- 12 nights accommodation on twin sharing basis at the mentioned hotels or similar inclusive of daily buffet breakfast, lunch & dinner in the hotels
- All activities indicated as per programme
- All game drives in national parks as per programme
- All permits, Park fees, monument entrance fees, Restricted Area Permit fees
- Boat ride as per programme
- Elephant activities as per programme
- Services of an English-speaking local guide at the time of sightseeing
- Train tickets using 2nd AC Sleeper as per programme
- Meeting and assistance on arrivals and departures with services of representatives
Exclusions
- Expenses of personal nature such as gratuities, telephone calls, laundry, liquor etc.
- International air fares, airport taxes, visa charges or any kind of insurance cover
- Any liability arising owing to last minute changes in the programme due to reasons beyond our control for instance; political disturbances, natural phenomenon, change in schedule of flight or train, any VIP movement, etc.
- Camera/video fees at various monuments
Tour Plan
Day 01 - Dibrugarh
Arrival at Dibrugarh for Tea Bungalow Stay
Arrive at Dibrugarh, the heart of the tea plantation area of Assam. Our guide will meet you at Mohonbari Airport near Dibrugarh Town. You will drive to the Heritage Mancotta Chang Tea Bungalow and will be served a freshly cooked Assamese lunch. You will take a tour to the Jalannagar South Tea Garden's Factory, which is one of the oldest tea plantations of Dibrugarh. You will be shown the entire process of tea manufacturing. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Assamese cultural performance before dinner.
Day 02 - Dibru Saikhowa National Park
Explore Saikhowa National Park
You start your morning with a steaming cup of garden fresh tea. After breakfast, you will take a short trekking tour in the tea plantations on the trained horseback and visit a local colorful market. From Dibrugarh Town, you will drive for two hours (80 kms) to the Eco Camp near Dibru Saikhowa National Park, a biosphere reserve and one of the largest swamp forests in North East India. The camp located on the bank of Dibru river with its nicely made bamboo huts on stilts, is not only a visual delight, but also offers clean and basic amenities. Here, you may engage in bird watching, nature walk and other inhouse activities. After a freshly cooked Assamese lunch, you will take a tour to the national park by boat. You will return to the camp by sunset.
Day 03 - Chongkham
Travel to Chongkham. Village walk in evening.
Early morning, you will take a birding tour in Guijan Range by boat, a nature trail in the park. Packed breakfast will be served during the break. Cruise back to the Eco Camp. You will drive for three hours (90 kms) to the picturesque village of Chongkham near Lohit River, one of the main tributaries of Brahmaputra. The traditional Khampti families of the village will host you. After a freshly cooked Khampti lunch, our local guide will take you on a village tour to show the Khampti traditions, farming and weaving.
Day 04 - Chongkham
Daylong Elephant Expedition
After a local breakfast, you will leave for a daylong elephant expedition to the monastery and Buddhist Pagoda where you will attend a special Buddhist prayer session. The elephant trek will continue through the rivers and forests. The villagers will perform a Khampti cultural dance in the evening.
Day 05 - Namdapha
Travel to Namdapha Tiger Reserve
After breakfast, you will proceed to Namdapha Tiger Reserve, your onward destination. You will drive for four hours (80 kms) to Camp Namdapha, which is the gateway to the Great Namdapha Tiger Reserve, one of the last surviving intact forests of the trans-border ecosystems of Eastern Himalaya. The park harbors an outstanding array of wildlife including four species of Wild Cat and has been crowned with many new species discovered recently by scientists to its credit. After lunch, our local guide will take you on a village tour to show the Singpho traditions.
Day 06 - Namdapha
Full day birding expedition
After early breakfast, you will leave for an exciting full day birding expedition to Namdapha forest. Our local naturalist will assist you in identifying the birds and mammals.
Day 07 - Mishmi Hills
Proceed to Dibang Valley (Mishmi Hills)
You will spend a few hours birding in the Namdhapha National park and proceed to Dibang Valley (160 kms - 5 hours). Dibang Valley is the nothern most region of Arunachal Pradesh and is characterised by spectacular views with the Dibang River flowing right through. Dibang Valley is part of Mishmi Hills, home to 6000 plant species, 100 mammals and 700+ bird species.
Day 08 - Mishmi Hills
Bird watching and nature walk in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary
Enjoy a cultural visit in the Idu Mishmi villages, bird watching and nature walk in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, part of lower Dibang Valley, renowned for its Hoolock Gibbon population and home to wildlife and birds.
Day 09 - Overnight Train
Departure to Dibrugarh for overnight train to Guwahati
After breakfast, you will leave for Dibrugarh Town (240 kms - 6 hours) to board the Rajdhani Express Train in the evening for Guwahati.
Day 10 - Manas
Arrive at Guwahati and Travel to Manas Tiger Reserve
Meeting and assistance at railway station and your trip begins with a brief introduction to the Brahmaputra, one of the greatest river systems in the world and finally you reach Manas, one of the best parks in North East India. The Florican Jungle Camp is a 4 hour drive from Guwahati and is run by the Manas Ever Welfare Society formed by the local Bodo conservators. After checking in, you will be greeted by your hosts with a small traditional reception ceremony. Your local trip guide will de-brief you about the project and the tour.
Day 11 - Manas
Wildlife and Patrolling Expedition in Manas Tiger Reserve
In the morning, you will set out for a daylong wildlife and patrolling expedition with our conservation team in the park. You will explore the Eastern core of the national park and visit patrolling camps, species conservation and monitoring centers. In the evening, experience the local cultural programme performed by the villagers. The dance and the songs tell the story of the local Bodos and their long association with Manas and its wilderness. A hearty meal of local cooking from the village’s organic farm will end your day.
Day 12 - Guwahati
Guided Village Walk before departure to Guwahati
After breakfast, you will enjoy a guided village walk where you will have the opportunity to interact further with the local villagers. You will experience wonderful encounters learning about their lifestyle, local crafts, weaving tradition, rice beer making, cuisines and even a bullock cart ride. After lunch, you will be transferred back to Guwahati, a city by the river Brahmaputra, and the capital of the modern state of Assam. You will take a sunset cruise on the river and visit the Umananda temple on a little island. Your stay will be at Prabhakar Home Stay run by an Assamese couple engaged in various social development projects in the region.
Day 13 - Guwahati
Kamakhya Temple visit before Departure
The morning starts with a filling Assamese style local breakfast and you will set out for a visit to Kamakshya Shakti Temple, one of the prominent Shakti sites and Tantrik Hindu pilgrim centres of India. The temple is standing imposingly on the top of the Nilachal hill from where the cityscape and views of Brahmaputra are spectacular. You will be taken close to the Sanctum Sanctorium of the temple (entry inside is restricted) to attend and observe the puja. Thereafter, you proceed to the airport for departure for your onward destination.
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