North East India during Hornbill Festival 9 nights 10 days Guwahati || Kaziranga ||Kohima ||Mokokchung ||Jorhat ||Dibrugarh Introduction In this tour we will try to explore the varied cultural and geographical diversity of this small vibrant state in the far eastern corner of India. Visit villages, meeting the community people and learn their unique tradition, take part in the festival, walk in the natures trail, stroll around the local market, visit historical monuments and war grounds and try exotic local cuisine. Like our all other tours this package is also highly flexible and one can choose or change the day tour even on the same day after discussing with our guide. However, the overnight stay destinations, pre- booked hotels, flights and trains etc should remain fixed to avoid inconveniences. Best season for this tour – 25 Nov to 10 Dec Day 1: Fly to Guwahati airport After breakfast transfer to Kolkata airport and fly to Guwahati. Received by our representative at Guwahati Airport and transfer to Hotel. Drive up to Nilachal Hill to see the Holy Kamakhaya Temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifice, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with the exterior. Afternoon embark on the Cruise at Brahmaputra. We set sail the mighty river. Cruise for about an hour’s and half upstream. We will go to a River Island or Peacock Island. Return to Guwahati Hotel in the evening. Day 2: Guwahati To Kaziranga, 220 Kms in 5 hrs. After breakfast checkout and drive to Kaziranga. Check in at Hotel. Free Evening Overnight at Kaziranga. Lady Curzon, wife of the British Viceroy to India, visited Kaziranga in the winter of 1904. Unfortunately, contrary to her expectations of seeing the great Rhino itself, she could only find a few of its hoof marks. Struck by its perilous state she impressed upon her husband Lord Curzon, the need to save the Rhino. Today 100 years later, in what can be called this Century’s Greatest Conservation Success Story, the Rhino population at 1600 is the single largest in the world! Kaziranga National Park in Assam has to be the most beautiful and attractive place you can choose to visit in north-eastern India. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga's 470 sq kms of lush green flood plains is home to some of the most fascinating wildlife in Asia. The Burma Monsoon Forests of Kaziranga lies in the flood plains of the mighty Brahmaputra River at an altitude of 50-80m. The habitat consists primarily of tall, dense grasslands interspersed with cane brakes, open woodlands, interconnecting streams and numerous lakes or 'beels'. The three primary types of vegetation are alluvial grasslands, tropical wet semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. Wet savanna grassland covers 65-70% of Kaziranga. Everything about Kaziranga is large. From 5 meter tall elephant-grass to Greater Adjutants, Bengal Floricans, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Black-necked Storks, Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian Elephants, size dominates the vast grasslands. The rarity and restricted range of most of these giants adds to the excitement and experience. Kaziranga is a birding paradise with a checklist of almost 500 species. The park also popularly known as the home of the "Big Five" - the elephant, rhinoceros, wild buffalo, tiger and Swamp Deer. A total of 52 mammalian species has been recorded in the Park itself and include such rarities like Gangetic Dolphin, Chinese Pangolin, Hoolock Gibbon, Hog-Badger and Flying Squirrel. 39 reptiles make the list and include the endangered Gharial and the rare Assam Roofed Turtle. Both the Reticulated and Rock Pythons occur in the area. Day 3: Kaziranga Jungle safari. (Elephant Safari 5.30Am to 6.30/7AM-) Early morning explore Western Zone of Kaziranga National Park on back of elephant. Apart from world's endangered One-horned Rhinoceros, the Park sustains half the world's population of genetically pure Wild Water Buffaloes, over 1000 Wild elephants and perhaps the densest population of Royal Bengal Tigers anywhere. (Jeep safari 1.30 Pm to 3.30 Pm) Afternoon explore central Zone, Kaziranga is also a bird watcher's paradise and home to some 500 species of birds. The Crested Serpent Eagle, Palla's Fishing Eagle, Greyheaded Fishing Eagle, Swamp Partridge, Bar-headed goose, whistling Teal, Bengal Florican, Storks, Herons and Pelicans are some of the species found here. Overnight stay at Kaziranga. Day 4: Kaziranga to Kohima 230kms in 6hrs After breakfast, we will proceed to Kohima - the capital of Nagaland. Very little is known about the early history of Nagaland. Dimapur is a prosperous trading centre and was once the capital of Cachar, a Hindu Kingdom. The Cacharis, one of the Naga tribes, were strong enough to raid the neighbouring Assam and Burma. But by the end of the 17th century, the Ahoms of Assam were able to subdue them. When the British intervened in Assam, they set up a post at Kohima. This post too came under the Naga siege. But, a permanent peace was established between the two parties in 1889. The British rule was established over the area by the 1890, and head hunting, a traditional practice, was outlawed. During World War II, the Japanese and the Indian National Army joined hands to attack Kohima and in 1943, they occupied more than half of the city. They also attacked Imphal. The objective was to take over Dimapur which was a vital rail-head for reaching supplies to British troops in the forward areas. Check in at our Homestay or Guest House. Depending on our time we will try to cover some tourist attraction places in Kohima. World War II Cemetry The World War II Cemetry is in a beautiful setting, with well maintained lawns where rose bloom in the season. Two tall crosses stand out at the lowest and highest points. The stone markers each have a polished bronze plaque commemorating the men who fell here. The flowering cherry tree which was used by Japanese soldiers as a snipers post was destroyed and what you see is what grew from the old stump, marking the limit of the enemy advance. The upper cross carries the following inscription: "Here, around the tennis court of the Deputy Commissioner lie men who fought in the battle of Kohima in which they and their comrades finally halted the invasion of India by the forces of Japan in April 1944." At the base of the lower cross, there are four lines:"When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow, we gave our today”. Nagaland State Museum The Nagaland State Museum has a collection of anthropological exhibits of the Naga tribes like Gateposts, statue, pillars, jewellery, a ceremonial drum which looks like a dugout war canoe in a separate shed. Day 5: Full day exploration in Kohima and Hornbill Festival To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. Hornbill Festival is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions. The weeklong festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colorful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and religious ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display. Full day exploration in Kohima and Hornbill Festival Apart from the Hornbill Festival you have an option to go for an excursion to Khonoma Village: Located 20 km west of Kohima is Khonoma village. Reputed for their courage and valour, it is the village of A. Z Phizo, Father of Naga Nationalist Movement. It has its own share of brushes with history. It was here that the Naga warriors made their last stand against the British in 1879. A simple white pillar commemorates G H Damant, major C R Cock, lieutenant H H Forbes and Sub-major Nurbir Sai, who died fighting the Nagas in Khonoma. The Khonoma gate tells the story of the British infiltration into Naga Hills. The village referred to as “Khwünoria” by the residents is estimated to be around 700 years old and is surrounded by hills that are as high as 9000 ft. It runs along a ridge which is a characteristic of Angami Villages and its domain extends from the terrace rice fields in the valley immediately beneath the ridge into the uplands of the Barail range all the way southwards till the border with Manipur, Senapati district. One of the outstanding features of Khonoma village is the presence of the fort called Kuda which literally means “a place of defence”. Day 6: Kohima to Mokokchung ( 180 kms / 06 hrs) – After breakfast we drive to Mokochung Village - the land of Ao Naga people of Nagaland. Check in at Mokokchung Tourist Complex. Afternoon go for a short walk in the village. Day 7: Full day exploration at Mokochung Mokokchung town is the third most important urban hub in Nagaland. The district is home to the Ao tribe, which holds their celebratory Moatsu Festival during the first week of May each year. The location of this village, high on a hill, is its best feature. Each house in the village looks out on to an unending lush chain of hills, which change color with the rising sun. The tourist lodge, while situated away from the village, is perfectly positioned to receive the evening sunlight. Mopungchuket, positioned closer to Mokokchung town on good roads, is perhaps the best kept village in Nagaland.