EXPEDITION 2020 21ST NOV - 1ST DEC The land of undulating hills, spellbinding azure lakes, gushing waterfalls and verdant greens – India’s Northeast is as culturally varied as its topographically diverse. Blessed with fabulous natural graces, this portion of India resembles an ornately-tinted tapestry owing to the distinctive ways, traditions and cultural heritage of its many indigenous peoples. Peerless destinations and experiences like the stupendous root bridges of Cherrapunjee, rare wildlife at Kaziranga National Park, spiritual bliss of the Tawang Monastery, infectious mysticism of the Kamakhya Temple coupled with the best of nature lend this road trip a unique, pleasurable edge. Prepare to be wowed by unspoilt natural beauty, impressive diversity and warm hospitality of the sister states as you take the wheel of a roaring 4x4, and embark upon an extraordinary adventure with us. En route Guwahati ARUNACHAL PRADESH Tawang BHUTAN Dirang Kaziranga ASSAM Guwahati NAGALAND (Start & End) MEGHALAYA GUWAHATI Cherrapunjee Mawlynnong MAWLYNNONG MANIPUR CHERRAPUNJEE KAZIRANGA TRIPURA DIRANG TAWANG MIZORAM We launch our trip from the capital of the state of Assam – Guwahati. Situated on the southern bank of Brahmaputra River, Guwahati is a major port in the region and known popularly as the ‘Gateway to Northeast India’. With assistance at hand on arrival, our transfer from the airport to the hotel in Guwahati will be a seamless affair. In the evening, you will get to meet your fellow participants & expedition leaders over dinner and drinks. Overnight in Guwahati Brahmaputra River ­ A delectable early breakfast, and we will be ready to hit the road going towards Mawlynnong and thereafter Cherrapunjee. Located 170 km from Guwahati, this idyllic village had been adjudged ‘Asia’s Cleanest Village’ in 2003 and the cleanest in India in the year 2005. Pretty as a picture, Mawlynnong comes replete with flowing waterfalls, bubbling streams, luxurious greenery and clusters of colourful orchids hanging from every nook and cranny. Being located on the India-Bangladesh border, the village also offers breath-taking view of the Bangladesh plains. Having experienced the spellbinding prettiness and simplicity of Mawlynnong, we drive on and finally reach Cherrapunjee (aka Sohra) – which till date holds the all-time record for the most rainfall in a calendar month and year. Overnight in Cherrapunjee Mawlynnong ­ Today is the day you get to explore Cherrapunjee further. Explore stunning spots like the Mawsmai Caves (150 metre-long limestone caves containing ancient monoliths), along with a plethora of refreshing waterfalls which pepper the façade of this fabulous destination. Next up on our list of attractions is one of the most celebrated features that draws tourists to Meghalaya – Living Root bridges. The double-decker man-made wonder in Cherrapunjee is almost 150 years old and has been fashioned out of the secondary roots of the rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica). Shaped by Khasi tribesmen over a period of decades, these spectacular creations are formed as the resilient roots of the rubber fig tree slowly grow to form a cantilevered and entwined web that is then used as a bridge over rivulets and other waterways. Overnight in Cherrapunjee Living Root Bridge Today is the day you get to explore Cherrapunjee further. Explore stunning ­ spots like the Mawsmai Caves (150 metre-long limestone caves containing The agenda for Day Four is to drive to the ancient monoliths), along with a plethora of famed Kaziranga National Park in Assam. refreshing waterfalls which pepper the The route to Kaziranga will have us cruising façade of this fabulous destination. Next up upon the iconic Asian Highway I (AH I), on our list of attractions is one of the most which is the longest route of the Asian celebrated features that draws tourists to Highway Network, running 20,557 km from Meghalaya – Living Root bridges. The Tokyo, Japan via Korea, China, Southeast double-decker man-made wonder in Asia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Cherrapunjee is almost 150 years old and Afghanistan and Iran to the border between has been fashioned out of the secondary Turkey and Bulgaria. The total stretch of the roots of the rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica). historic AH 1 in India is approximately 2648 Shaped by Khasi tribesmen over a period of km, out of which 2640 km is two-lane and decades, these spectacular creations are more. We journey along this momentous formed as the resilient roots of the rubber path all the way to Kaziranga and retire for fig tree slowly grow to form a cantilevered the night. and entwined web that is then used as a bridge over rivulets and other waterways. Overnight in Kaziranga Overnight in Cherrapunjee En route Kaziranga One of the most distinguished wildlife-viewing destinations in India, The agenda for Day Four is to drive to the Kaziranga National Park entices nature famed Kaziranga National Park in Assam. lovers with 430 sq. km of bright green The route to Kaziranga will have us cruising meadows, marshlands and thick forests. upon the iconic Asian Highway I (AH I), Home to 2/3rd of the world’s entire which is the longest route of the Asian population of the native one-horned Highway Network, running 20,557 km from rhinoceros, Kaziranga was declared a World Tokyo, Japan via Korea, China, Southeast Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1985. Asia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, We begin Day Five early, and with a bang. Afghanistan and Iran to the border between After tucking in a scrumptious breakfast at Turkey and Bulgaria. The total stretch of the the lodge, we will embark upon a 2-hour historic AH 1 in India is approximately 2648 long Jeep Safari within the park. An km, out of which 2640 km is two-lane and invigorating visit to an Orchid Garden and more. We journey along this momentous nearby Tea Estate will be followed by a path all the way to Kaziranga and retire for lively Cultural Evening, which will feature the night. folk dance performances by supremely talented local artists. Overnight in Kaziranga Overnight in Kaziranga Kaziranga National Park We start Day Six with a hearty breakfast and One of the most distinguished move out of our lodgings to be soon on our wildlife-viewing destinations in India, way to the gorgeous town of Dirang in Kaziranga National Park entices nature Arunachal. It is located on the bank of lovers with 430 sq. km of bright green Kameng River. This scenic hill station is meadows, marshlands and thick forests. home to the Mahayana Monpa Tribe, and Home to 2/3rd of the world’s entire offers sweepingly beautiful valley views all population of the native one-horned around along with a glimpse into the unique rhinoceros, Kaziranga was declared a World traditions and cultural heritage of its tribal Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1985. inhabitants. En route to Dirang, subject to We begin Day Five early, and with a bang. availability of time, we will make a stop at After tucking in a scrumptious breakfast at the picturesque constituency of Bomdila the lodge, we will embark upon a 2-hour and visit the Orchid Research Centre in long Jeep Safari within the park. An Tipi. Quite popular with visitors and locals invigorating visit to an Orchid Garden and alike, the main attraction at this nearby Tea Estate will be followed by a multi-functional facility is the Glass House lively Cultural Evening, which will feature which has on display a whopping 1000 folk dance performances by supremely varieties of orchids in assorted hues. talented local artists. Prepare to channelize your inner romantic and say it all with flowers! Overnight in Kaziranga Overnight in Dirang Dirang Today, we will proceed towards Sela Pass – one of India’s famous high-altitude mountain passes located in Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh. With an elevation of 13,700 ft, Sela connects the Buddhist city of Tawang to Tezpur and Guwahati and also acts as the main highway connecting Tawang with the rest of India. The nearby Sela Lake, also referred to as Paradise Lake owing to its exquisiteness, adds infinitely to the charm of this destination which affords visitors plenty of breath-taking sights of Eastern Himalayas. Having relished a view of what can only be described as heaven on earth, we cruise along to Tawang where a well-appointed hotel room awaits. Overnight in Tawang Sela Lake The first half of the eighth day of our road trip is to be excellently spent in exploration of the world’s second largest Buddhist Monastery Complex. Founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso in the year 1681 in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, the Tawang Monastery houses a library stocked with highly valuable volumes, a marvellously decorated prayer hall that contains an 8 metre high Buddha statue and a museum. It holds a very high position in Buddhist circles as this is where the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born. We return towards the city centre in the second half of the day in order to pay a visit to the War Memorial, located at a distance of 1 km from the town. An elegant Stupa has been erected here to honour the memory of the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives in 1962 Indo-China war. Overnight in Tawang Tawang Monastery We begin this day early with a drive to Jang Waterfall. Also known by the name Nuranang Falls, this cascading water feature stands approximately 100 m high and is mesmerizing to say the least. We also stop to pay homage at the Jaswant Garh War Memorial, which commemorates the memory of rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the 4th Battalion of Garhwal Rifles Infantry Regiment.