Explore the Unknown: (West) (2) 17–25 October 2019 (8 nights / 9 days)

Welcome to the Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains.

A mass of densely forested, impossibly steep hills, and snow-capped peaks, Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 indigenous tribes, from the Monpas of to the Apatanis of Ziro. Join us as we explore ’s wildest and least explored state, as it is popularly considered.

But before we begin this adventure, we embark on a journey to the Kaziranga National Park. Situated in Assam, Kaziranga is one of the most popular wildlife holiday destinations in the country, home to over 2,000 one-horned rhinoceros, an endangered species. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985, Kaziranga also has elephants, wild water buffaloes, and swamp deer, and not to forget the mighty Brahmaputra that flows through it.

Following this, we begin our road trip through western Arunachal Pradesh. Much of the state remains beyond the reach of tourists, but certain areas are now slowly being opened to them. We will acquire government-issued Inner Line Permits, which will enable us to visit some of the rare gems of the not- much explored Indian state.

We will drive first to Dirang and visit the orchid centre. A visit to a Monpa village is also on the cards. In Tawang we will spend time at the Madhuri Lake and the magnificent , the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world, after the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Also visit the Urgelling Monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, and the Ani Gompa, a nunnery.

We will end our road trip in Arunachal Pradesh by driving to the town of Bomdila, following which we will head back to Assam – first to Tezpur and then to Guwahati where we end our trip.

The entire road journey is filled with breathtaking views, as you pass the many waterfalls and mountain streams, and terraced paddy fields and alpine forests. Surely, the views make up for the bumpy ride!

Come, join Wonderful World on a spectacular road trip across Arunachal Pradesh that only few boast of covering.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Thursday, 17th October (includes no meals) Guwahati – Kaziranga

- Arrive at Guwahati airport. (Please check flight/train timings with us before booking.) - Then transfer to Kaziranga. The drive will take about 6 hours. - Check-in to the hotel. - Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Iora Residency or similar

Day 2 – Friday, 18th October (includes breakfast) Kaziranga

- Today we begin the day with a jeep safari in the Kaziranga National Park to catch a sight of the famous one-horned rhinoceros. - We return to our hotel for breakfast. - Spend the morning at leisure. - In the afternoon, we go for another jeep safari. If lady luck did not grace you in the morning, here’s another chance to glimpse at the magnificent animal!

You may opt for an elephant safari, cost of which is not included in the package. - Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Iora Residency or similar

Day 3 – Saturday, 19th October (includes breakfast) Kaziranga – Dirang

- Post breakfast, we drive to Dirang. The drive will take about 8 to 9 hours. The small town of Dirang is located on the banks of the river Kameng and surrounded with lush paddy fields. - En route, we visit Tipi Orchid Centre and Sessa Orchid Sanctuary. - On reaching Dirang, we first visit Dirang Dzong. Bhutanese influence can be seen here due to its proximity to the country. The Dzong is nearly 150 years old and offers excellent views of the surroundings. - Then visit a Monpa village. Believed to be the only nomadic tribe in India’s northeast, the livelihood of the Monpas is solely dependent on animals. In the time spent here, we will get to be part of their unique yet simple and humble lifestyle. - Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel Pemaling or similar

Day 4 – Sunday, 20th October (includes breakfast) Dirang – Tawang

- Post breakfast, we leave for Tawang. The drive will take about 5 to 6 hours. - En route, we stop at (at an altitude of 13,476 feet) – a slice of heaven on earth! And then the Sela Lake, one among the nearly hundred lakes in the area, all sacred to Tibetan Buddhism. - En route, we also visit Jaswantgarh War Memorial. This is a major tourist attraction in the state, a memorial in honour of late Jaswant Singh Rawat (1941–1962), an Indian rifleman of 4 Garhwal Rifles, Uttarakhand. He fought the Chinese army during the Sino-Indian War of 1962 from here.

Overnight at Zax Star or similar

Day 5 – Monday, 21st October (includes breakfast)

Tawang

- We start the day with a visit to the Lake District post breakfast. The famous Madhuri Lake is quite the stunner! Sangestar Tso Lake got the name of Madhuri Lake after the famous Bollywood actress, Madhuri Dixit, shot here for the film Koyla. Also, if time permits, visit the Pankang Teng Tso Lake, or the Ptso Lake, a high-altitude lake that remains frozen during the winters. - If weather permits and roads are open, we will drive to the Indo- border at Bum La Pass. One cannot predict if roads will be open, so we cannot guarantee this visit. - Lunch in town. - Thereafter, visit the Tawang Monastery, the largest of its kind in the country, offering a commanding and picturesque view of the Tawang Chu Valley. In Tibetan, the monastery’s name translates to ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’. It was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680–1681, at the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama. The monastery is three storeys high and has 65 residential buildings. The library of the monastery has valuable old scriptures. - Stroll around the town in the evening.

Overnight at Zax Star or similar

Day 6 – Tuesday, 22nd October (includes breakfast) Tawang

- Post breakfast, we will spend a relaxed day around Tawang. - Visit the Urgelling Monastery, the birthplace of His Holy Highness, the 6th Dalai Lama. - Visit also the Ani Gompa, a remote Buddhist nunnery. - Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Zax Star or similar

Day 7 – Wednesday, 23rd October (includes breakfast) Tawang – Bomdila

- Post breakfast, we drive to Bomdila. The drive will take about 8 hours. - Evening at leisure.

Overnight at Tsepal Yangjom or similar

Day 8 – Thursday, 24th October (includes breakfast) Bomdila – Tezpur

- Post breakfast, we drive from Bomdila to Tezpur. The drive will take about 8 hours.

Overnight at KRC Residency or similar

Day 9 – Friday, 25th October (includes breakfast) Tezpur – Guwahati – Departure

- After breakfast, we drive back to Guwahati airport to catch our flight/train back. (Please check flight/train timings with us before booking.)

COST INR 49,500 per person on a twin-sharing basis Single supplement – INR 12,000

NOTES  We need minimum 7 confirmations to do this tour.  All hotels in Arunachal Pradesh are non-star category.  It is a beautiful, but a very remote region, especially central Arunachal – please do bear this in mind.  Elephant safari tickets are issued by a government agency a few days before the date of safari, and this is solely up to their discretion. Although, we have never had an issue in the past getting the same.  Credit or debit cards are not freely accepted.  For Arunachal Pradesh, all Indian tourists require ILP (Inner Line Permits). ILP are issued from Guwahati. We will need your identity and address proofs, such as driving licence or passport, at least 10 days before departure.

INCLUSIONS - Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis

- Breakfast on all days (except Day 1) - All transfers from Guwahati in a Innova (4 people in 1 car) - 2 jeep safaris in Kaziranga - Inner Line Permits for Arunachal - Services of a trip lead from Wonderful World throughout the trip

EXCLUSIONS - GST at 5% - Any air fare/train fare - Travel medical insurance - Lunch and dinner on all days (it works out cheaper for everyone to pay for what they eat, as many days we will be stopping at dhabas en route) - Beverages, alcoholic or non-alcoholic - Tea, snacks, and mineral water - Elephant safari at Kaziranga - Any personal expenses, such as laundry, phone calls, portage, etc. - Any personal camera fees - Tips for guide and driver - Any other item not mentioned in Inclusions above - Any services not mentioned in Inclusions above - Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like ill‐health, land blocks, bad weather, etc.

PAYMENT PLAN  Please pay INR 5,000 as booking deposit to reserve your spot  Balance payment due by 1 August 2019

CANCELLATION POLICY  Upto 60 days before departure – full refund  Between 60 days and 45 days – booking deposit is non-refundable  Between 45 days and 30 days – 50% refund  Between 30 days and 15 days – 25% refund  No refund thereafter for any cancellation or no-show