DAY 1

Arrive in Guwahati and drive to Kaziranga National Park

Arrive in Guwahati, where you will be met by your driver and guide, and transfer to your accommodation. In the afternoon, time permitting, there will be an opportunity to visit Kamakhya Temple, Kalashetra and its museum, plus the state emporium. Drive from Guwahati to Kaziranga National Park, located on the floodplains on both sides of the Brahmaputra River, and home to the endangered one-horned rhino. Overnight at Kaziranga.

DAY 2

Safaris in Kaziranga National Park

Enjoy two game drives in the National Park: an early morning elephant safari to seek out the one-horned rhino, along with a range of other magnificent animals and birds, followed by an afternoon jeep safari. Overnight at Kaziranga.

DAY 3

Drive from Kaziranga National Park to Majuli Island

Drive from Kaziranga to Majuli Island, taking a ferry ride over the mighty Brahmaputra River. Overnight on Majuli Island, the biggest inhabited river island in the world.

DAY 4

Full day on Majuli Island

Explore Majuli Island, visiting a variety of very different satras (Hindu monasteries), and see pottery making in a local village. Overnight on Majuli Island.

DAY 5

Drive from Majuli Island to Sibsagar

Drive to Sibsagar and visit the eighteenth century Hindu temple of Shiv Dol, dedicated to Lord Siva, and the highest Hindu temple in all of India. Built by Queen Madambika, wife of the Ahom King Shiva Singha, it has long been established as one of the most revered and sacred pilgrimage sites in the country. Overnight at Sibsagar.

DAY 6

Drive from Sibsagar to Mon

Visit the ancient Ahom royal house of Talatal Ghar, Kareng Ghar and other historic sites in the vicinity of Sibsagar as time permits before driving to Mon in Nagaland. Overnight at Mon.

DAY 7

Excursion to Hongpoi

Today we will visit Hongpoi village in the morning where we will meet tattooed Konyak tribe warriors. In the afternoon we will explore Mon, the largest village in the north of Nagaland, including its markets. Overnight at Mon.

DAY 8

Excursion to Longwa and Chui

Drive out to Longwa, a village famous for its local opium production, which straddles the Myanmar-Nagaland border. You might even choose to step across the border yourself into Myanmar. Visit the home of the village angh (chief) and other local houses, too. Afterwards drive on to visit the traditional village of Chui. Overnight at Mon.

DAY 9

Drive to Mokokchung

Today involves a very long drive which requires most of the day, first heading into Assam via Sibsagar and then onwards back up into the mountains of Nagaland, through beautiful scenery, to reach Mokokchung town, renowned for its good shopping facilities. Overnight at Mokokchung.

DAY 10

Excursions to Chuchuyimlang and Mopungchucket

Visit Chuchuyimlang, a typical Ao tribe village, and then Mopungchuket, where we will visit stylised traditional carvings in the village park. Overnight at Mokokchung.

DAY 11

Drive to Kohima

Drive to Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, pausing at the Angami tribe village of Touphema to visit its small museum, its amphitheater and community kitchen. Overnight at Kohima.

DAY 12

Full day in and around Kohima

In the morning, visit the Cathedral Church in Kohima and the “heritage village” of Kisama. In the afternoon visit Kigwema, a typical Angami tribe village where some of the houses still bear the traditional kikeh crossed-horn gables. Overnight at Kohima.

DAY 13

Second day in and around Kohima

In the morning explore the exotic local market in Kohima, the State Museum and the World War Two cemetery, immaculately maintained by the British War Graves Commission. In the afternoon, drive to the base of Puliebadze and then trek to Puliebadze Peak. Enjoy the views of Kohima from the summit before taking a walk back down through the jungle and then drive back to Kohima.

DAY 14

Excursions to Khonoma and Dzuliekie villages

In the morning, visit Khonoma village, scene of epic nineteenth century battles of independence against the advance of the British Empire. Drive out to Dzuliekie village where we will take a picnic lunch.

DAY 15

Drive to Dimapur

After breakfast, transfer to Dimapur and onwards to the airport. If time permits, we will enjoy a visit to Chumpo Museum on the way.