Odisha Tribal with Nagaland Special

Odisha Tribal with Nagaland Special

32 Day, 31 Night

Life of tribal people exists in harmony with the wildlife and the ecosystem which is the reason for the picture perfect scenery of tribal areas. These people lead minimalistic lives and take pleasure in their traditional dances, music, and art as a source of entertainment. The undefined beauty of tribal life can be best explored by taking a tour to the tribal regions of Odisha

Plans

Upon arrival at Bhubaneswar airport, transfer to hotel. If time permit ( depending upon your flight schedule) proceed for half day local sight seeing. Overnight at hotel.

Full day local sight seeing of Bhubaneswar including visit to Rajarani/Brahmeswar/Mukteswar/Parsurameswar & Lingaraj temple. Also visit to the Yogini temple at the city outskirt. Overnight at hotel.

Morning drive to Puri enroute visit Dhauli peace pagoda, Pipili appliqué village & Raghurajpur heritage village. On arrival check into hotel. Evening relax on the golden beach. Overnight at hotel.

Morning visit to Jagannath temple (Non Hindus are not allowed to enter inside), later excursion to Konark sun temple, also visit to the ASI museum, Fishermen village, Chandrabhaga beach. Back to Puri & evening relax on the golden beach. Overnight at hotel. 4 Hrs of Sightseeing at Konark.

Morning drive to Gopalpur on Sea enroute visit Chilika lagoon, cruise through the lake upto the Kalijai Island & Bird Sanctuary. Continue drive to Gopalpur, on arrival chk into the resort. Evening relax on the sea beach. Overnight at resort.

Drive to Rayagada enroute Taptapani hot water Spring, and Some Saura Tribal Villages. Overnight at Rayagada.

Visit to the weekly market of Desia Kondha at the Dukum market on Tuesday only. Later visit to the Dokra Craft Village.Back to hotel & Overnight.

After Breakfast Visit the indigenous tribe, DONGRIYA KONDH PRIMITIVE TRIBE in their Weekly Market, Chatikona on Wednesday only. Later Drive to Jeypore enroute Some Tribal Villages. Overnight at Jeypore.

This day is another Colourful Day as You are to Visit another Colourful Tribe, Second Primitive Tribe of India, The BONDA. Later Visit some other Tribes on your way back to Hotel at Jeypore.

After Breakfast Drive to KUNDULI WEEKLY MARKET to see a a huge Weekly Market Full of Colourful Vegetables, Animals, Musical Instruments, Terracotta , Country Alcohol. Really Amazing.

Morning visit to the Jagannath temple ( Here in this Temple Non Hindus are allowed to enter) Tribal Museum, later drive to Taptapani. Upon arrival check into hotel . Overnight.

Visit to Tibettan settlement amidst green forest, later drive back to Gopalpur On Sea typical tribal villages. check into hotel,Overnight.

Drive back to Dhenkanal enroute visit Chilika Lagoon, the Largest Brackish water Lagoon in Asia. Your Tour Guide will take you to some traditional Villages too.

Excursion to Nuapatna weaving village, Sadaibareni Dhokra craft village. Overnight at hotel.

Morning visit to Buddhist Diamond Triangle of Ratnagiri / Lalitgiri/ Udayagiri. Continue drive back to Bhubaneswar. Overnight at hotel.

Upon arrival at Kolkatta, Check into your Hotel. After refreshment Pls go for sightseeing of the famous Flower Market, Victoria Memorial Hall, Indian Museum etc , Overnnight at Kolkatta.

Morning drop at airport to board the flight to Guwahati from Kolkatta. Upon arrival at Guwahati Airport check-in to your hotel. Spend the day sightseeing in Guwahati. Visit Kamakhya temple on Nilachal Hill, the main landmark of the city. Go on a short ferry ride in the Brahmaputra River to Umananda Island. If time permits, visit the unique 17 th century Navagraha temple which is dedicated to the nine planets. Evening will be free to visit handloom emporiums to purchase handicrafts and souvenirs or try some delicious ethnic cuisine. Overnight at hotel.

After an early breakfast, you will drive to Shillong (3 hours), a charming hill-station and the capital of the state of Meghalaya. En route you will visit the scenic Umiam Lake where you can enjoy boating or just relax as you like. Spend the rest of the day sightseeing around Shillong. As time permits, you will visit the Don Bosco Cultural Museum, Wards lake, Elephant falls and the Shillong Peak. Afternoon, go to watch a game of Siat Khnam, the local way of gambling where archers shoot arrows on a haystack. Evening will be at leisure to explore the upbeat and fashionable market area of Shillong and maybe dine in a nice restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Starting early morning, you will drive through the spectacular landscape of Pynursla to reach Mawlynnong (3 hours/80 km), considered to be one of Asia’s cleanest village. Mawlynnong is a little hamlet which became famous as the ‘Clean Village’ due to the collective efforts of its local community. The villagers have beautifully maintained their village, which attracts numerous visitors and is also known as the 'Garden of God'. You can leisurely explore the village and interact with the Khasi villagers, one can also experience their Khasi cuisine in the little food stalls. Also, if interested visit the 'balancing rock' of Mawlynnong and the root bridge at Riwai village nearby. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Bangladesh plains below from the Skywalk viewpoint. You can drive through the foothills to reach the blue waters of the Dawki River at the Bangladesh border. You can enjoy boating here. A few waterfalls en route make the drive extremely scenic. A short hike can also take you to the secretive Bardaw Falls. Later in the afternoon, proceed to Cherrapunji (4-5 hours/80 km), renowned as one of the wettest places in the world. En route you may stop at Umiam Lake and enjoy its vistas. Cherrapunji is located in the Khasi hills of Meghalaya and is well known for its serene landscape. It was historically known as Sohra, the land of oranges in native Khasi dialect and was once the capital of the region during the British era. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

A relaxing day to explore the waterfalls and caves of Cherrapunji, such as Nokhalikai Falls, Seven Sister Falls, the secretive Weisawdong Falls which can be visited with a short hike. You can visit the Mawsmai and the Arwah Caves. Other activities include visiting landscape viewpoints. You can enjoy your lunch at the lovely restaurant of Jiva Resorts. Evening at leisure can be enjoyed with a bonfire. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, travel to the biodiversity hotspot of Kaziranga National Park (6-7 hours), one of India best kept national park and famous for its large herds of one-horned rhinos. Kaziranga was declared a protected forest area by Viceroy Lord Curzon in 1904 and later became an UNESCO heritage center for its unique environment and successes on the conservation front. Evening at leisure can be enjoyed with bonfire. Overnight at the national park.

After breakfast, go on a guided jeep safari in the dense forests of eastern range, with good opportunities to see the migratory birds and sometimes tigers on the banks of Brahmaputra. River dolphins, wild ducks and turtles can be also seen in the riverside. After lunch, proceed for another jeep safari in the western range to see the wild buffaloes, elephants, swamp deer, sloths, jungle cats, mongoose and birds such as pelican, parakeets, fish eagle and Drongos. Midday will be free to visit nearby villages and the informative Orchid center. Overnight at the national park.

Go for a thrilling early morning elephant safari bringing you close to the big herbivores. After a leisurely breakfast, a scenic drive to Majuli (3-4 hours), the largest inhabited river island in the world and a well preserved spot for Assamese and tribal culture. Cross the mighty Brahmaputra in a scenic ferry ride to reach Majuli. Spend the rest of the day leisurely exploring the vast island and the beautiful countryside. The large wetlands and lakes on the island also attract many birds which interest many ornithologists, enjoy the spectacular sunset by the riverside. Enjoy a rural stay, relish the ethnic Mishing cuisine and you can also try the local brew, Apong. Overnight at hotel.

Spend the day at leisure exploring the island and its secrets. Observe fishermen in the misty morning as they go out for their daily catch. Visit age-old monasteries where monks learn unique forms of arts, drama, music and Hindu philosophy. Interact with the monks to learn further about the tradition they follow. Visit a mask making center where extremely elaborate masks are carved in an indigenous method depicting elements from mythology. Go for leisurely walks or bicycling to some of the villages of the island, home to tribes such as Mishings, Deoris and Kacharis, thus learning more about local way of life and the sustenance it provides. You may also do a bit of bird watching, spend time. Overnight at hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast drive to Kohima on a scenic drive (6-7 hours); the capital of Nagaland remains the venue of the Hornbill Festival which is a fascinating gathering of the 16 Naga tribes . En route you may stop at Dimapur to see the Kachari ruins. Evening at leisure. Overnight at home stay.

Spend the two days attending the famous Hornbill Festival. Witness the traditional dances, games and indigenous sports of Naga tribes. Also visit the World War II Museum within the Heritage Village complex. One can also try the various items of Naga cuisine for lunch. In the afternoons drive to the nearby Jakhama and Kigwema villages where you can interact with the local people and enjoy the countryside of Nagaland. You can go for local sightseeing in Kohima and visit places such as Nagaland state museum, which displays tribal artifacts, the large Reconciliation Cathedral and Bara Basti of old Kohima. One can also attend film fests, concerts and cultural programs held in Kohima during the evenings. Also, enjoy the special night market and fairs held for visitors during the Hornbill Festival. Overnight at home stay.

Spend the two days attending the famous Hornbill Festival. Witness the traditional dances, games and indigenous sports of Naga tribes. Also visit the World War II Museum within the Heritage Village complex. One can also try the various items of Naga cuisine for lunch. In the afternoons drive to the nearby Jakhama and Kigwema villages where you can interact with the local people and enjoy the countryside of Nagaland. You can go for local sightseeing in Kohima and visit places such as Nagaland state museum, which displays tribal artifacts, the large Reconciliation Cathedral and Bara Basti of old Kohima. One can also attend film fests, concerts and cultural programs held in Kohima during the evenings. Also, enjoy the special night market and fairs held for visitors during the Hornbill Festival. Overnight at home stay.

After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive through the hills and villages to Mokokchung (7-8 hours) in the Naga Hills, home of the Ao tribe, who are famous for their arts and folklore. Evening at leisure. Overnight at home stay.

After breakfast, drive to Mon (7 hours) in the Patkai hills of northern Nagaland. Mon can be considered as one of the most remote regions of eastern India and is the home of the fierce head hunting Konyak Tribe, known for their tattooed faces, wood carving and gun-making skills. The Konyaks can be easily recognized from the other Naga tribes for their tattooes earned from their head-hunting expeditions, which stopped only in the 1960s. Evening at leisure.Overnight at home stay.

Visit few nearby Konyak villages such as Hongphoi and Changa Shingu. A good opportunity to observe the Konyak lifestyle, tribal arts and crafts. In Hongphoi, it is easy to see village elders with tattooed warrior faces. Visit the houses of the chiefs, which are decorated with skulls of wild buffaloes and other hunted animals. Elderly villagers with tattoos can be sometimes seen gathering at the chief’s house or making bamboo crafts in the Morungs nearby. An old world charm exists as the long-houses are very traditional, constructed in ancient Konyak way of using palm leaves roofing and jutted main pillars. Many villagers also continue to live their old traditional lifestyle. In Changa Shingu, it is still possible to see skulls collected during headhunting days in the museum. Overnight at home stay.

After breakfast, travel to the remote eastern corner of India to Lungwa Village (2 hours), half of which falls in Myanmar. Visit the home of the Angh (village chieftain), whose house interestingly is divided by the border. Interact with the chief and other Konyak families to learn about their rich history and culture. See their local crafts and war trophies collected in the Morungs (dormitories), where young children were taught their traditions. The Morungs also have large log drums which are used to alert the villagers. One can also purchase beautiful tribal ornaments and interesting metal crafts souvenirs from the villagers. Explore the countryside, walk down their farms where they practice Jhum cultivation. Later, return to Mon by evening.

An early morning drive to Dibrugarh Airport (5-6 hours) as per your flight schedule. Tour ends.