NORTHEAST INDIA: NAGALAND, MEGHALAYA, ASSAM - February 14 – March 3, 2010 - ($3,450 USD from Bangkok)
| DATE |
ACTIVITY |
NIGHT |
| Feb 14 |
S |
Gather at the Amari Boulevard Hotel, Orientation, optional group dinner. |
Bangkok |
| 15 |
M |
Fly Bangkok – Kolkata – Guwahati. Visit Kamakhaya Temple. Stay at the Dynasty Hotel, with the best food in Northeast India and a wonderful dessert shop around the corner. The Night Market springs up on the street in front of our hotel. (BLD) |
Guwahati |
| 16 |
T |
By road south to Shillong in Meghalaya. The town is one of the oldest "hill stations" in Asia. Busy, interesting markets with all types fabrics. Everything from vegetables and fish to spices and Naga blankets. Mostly Khasi people, a matrilineal tribe with the women dominant. (BLD) |
Shillong |
| 17 |
W |
After breakfast to Cherrapunje and vicinity. Caves, waterfalls, vine bridges. Wettest area in the world; many locations have gotten more than 1000" in a year and Cherrapunje once got 360" in a month. Unusual landforms result. Beautiful orchids, ferns. (BLD) |
Shillong |
| 18 |
Th |
By road to Kaziranga National Park, check in at Diphlu River Lodge (Google it) or Wild Grass. Many birds in the evening and probably elephants and rhino. Diphlu River Lodge is new, a beautiful place and right on the water. Lots of animals, especially birds, in the evening; night sounds are from birds, elephant, and sometimes tigers. (BLD) |
Kaziranga |
| 19 |
F |
Early morning elephant ride. We will see rhino, wild elephants and buffalo, hog deer, swamp deer, wild pigs, possibly tiger. Kaziranga is a bird watchers paradise; we will see thousands of birds of many species. In late morning visit a Mising village. Beautiful weaving. I once saw a fascinating "walking" fish here. Jeep safari in the afternoon. See mostly the same mammals, more habitats and bird species. Sometimes hornbills, pied kingfishers. (BLD) |
Kaziranga |
| 20 |
S |
Eastward up the Bramaputra Valley through the tea estates of Assam. Then into Nagaland and on to Mon, home to the Konyak, Most fearsome of the Naga groups. Metal workers. Late afternoon visit markets. (BLD) |
Mon |
| 21 |
S |
Morning to Longwa, Chui villages. Later in and around Mon. Within my trips to Nagaland this has been the best day of all: The observation post high in the tree, rice beer offerings, Incredible carving (sometimes obscene), the large chest full of skulls, 30¢ drums made of a single log, the ancient chief and his opium, his rice beer served in a mithun horn, etc. (BLD) |
Mon |
| 22 |
M |
Interesting drive down into the Bramaputra Valley. Coal mining as done centuries ago. Tea plantations. Picking should have begun. Visit a century old British "Club" and an older "tea bungalow." (BLD) |
Jorhat |
| 23 |
T |
Morning drive to Kohima, in Nagaland. Afternoon: To large WWII cemetery. The Battle of Kohima ended the Japanese advance in Asia. One of the major battles of the 20th century (Google it). Then visit crafts market in town. (BLD) |
Kohima |
| 24 |
W |
To Touphema Village. Stay in Angami Naga style chalets, each made by a different clan of the village. Visit Tsiminyu Village of the Rengma. Late afternoon: watch preparation for the Sekrenyi festival. (BLD) |
Touphema |
| 25 |
Th |
Early morning: Sacrifice of some large hogs, perhaps mithun (Bos frontalis) for feasting during Sekrenyi celebration. Then huge colorful entry "parade" of Naga warriors and beautifully dressed Naga women. Singing and dance competition between clans and villages. Naga food. Singing around fire at nite. (BLD) |
Touphema |
| 26 |
F |
Second day of Sekrenyi. Hundreds of Naga warriors. Wrestling competition, dance contests. Evening dancing and singing. (BLD) |
Touphema |
| 27 |
S |
Conclusion of festival. Afternoon scenic drive to Kohima. Visit the excellent Nagaland Museum. Market near hotel. (BLD) |
Kohima |
| 28 |
S |
Drive to Khonoma, a town of great historical significance (Google). Fascinating stone buildings and water system. Further into the mountains to see the almost mythical mithun. See men, using only simple wedges, making cobblestones from rocks the size of a bus. (BLD) |
Kohima |
| Mar 1 |
M |
AM: Morning to crafts market : carving, metal work, weaving. Wet market: Vegetables, fish, vermin. Later: Down out of the mountains to Dimapur to catch the Jan Shatabdi Express to Guwahati. (BLD) |
Guwahati |
| 2 |
T |
Fly on Jet Airways to Kolkata and then on to Bangkok. Group dinner (option). (BL) |
Bangkok |
| 3 |
W |
Tour ends after breakfast. (B) |
|
NORTHEAST INDIA: NAGALAND, MEGHALAYA, ASSAM
February 14 – March 3, 2010
An adventure to some of the least visited places in the world. Fascinating tribal groups (various Naga, Khasi, Mising, etc), spectacular landforms, Kaziranga National Park.
Our last visit to Sekrenyi there was a gathering of about 40 women who sang in parts as they spun and wove; it was perhaps the most enchanting singing I have heard. It is important to note that the Naga festivals and performances are held for the Naga, not as a tourist attraction. There are very few tourists; our group attended a ceremony engaging thousands of Naga from Khonoma and we were the only foreigners there.
The cost of $3,450 covers all hotels in Thailand and India, breakfasts in Thailand and full board in India, all flights and ground transport, elephant and jeep safaris in Kaziranga, guides. Single Supplement $964.
It does not include any camera fees, laundry, tips, visa to India.
Deposit of $500 holds a place, the balance by December 15.
Registration forms can be downloaded from the website or are available from Mekong Tours. Those signing up will be sent information on money, visas, clothing, medical, hotels, etc. I can assist those wanting to remain in Thailand or travel elsewhere in SE Asia.
It is best to communicate by email as I am away from home a lot of the time.
To make a reservation, please print the tour registration form, fill in all blanks and mail with a $500 deposit to:
Robert Phillips
Mekong Tours
7135 Fawcet Creek Road
Tillamook, OR 97141
(503) 842-7198
MekongTour1@Hotmail.com
www.MekongTours.com
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