Three Weeks Special North East India Trip: To the Hornbill festival by bicycle

Day 3. Cherrapunjee Local

Living root bridges are unique to this area of Meghalaya; nowhere else in the world can you find them. The Khasi’s have developed a means of crossing the fast-flowing streams that separate their villages by taking advantage of the growth habits of the native tree – Ficus elastica, which is endemic to the region and usually grows among rocks next to water. Some of these bridges are over 500 years old. We hike through these forested trails to the Double decker root bridge and swim in one of the numerous natural pools that dot this valley.

Activity: Hike- Root bridges / 2 hrs each way / Swim

Overnight: Lodge

Meals: All meals

Day 4. Cherrapunjee local

We start with a visit to Nohkalikai waterfalls, followed by Wei Sawdong, a three-step waterfall.  Next we start with a 4hr long caving activity in the Krem Mawmluh cave complex. Krem Mawmluh is India’s 4^th longest cave spanning 7.2 kilometers. The cave complex is a maze of openings, with stalagmites, stalactites, columns, drapes and moon milk. Another prime feature is the pool formed from five different rivers that pass this cave.

Activity: Transfer – 130 Km, Local visits

Overnight: Homestay

Meals: All meals

Day 5. Cherrapunjee to Mawlynnong

Starting early, we drive to the village of Wakhen. Here starts the Bamboo Trek to U Mawryngkhang. According to Khasi legend, once there was a great battle between stones. In this unique battle, one mighty stone emerged the winner. It was Mawryngkhang and he became the King of Stones and came to be known as U Mawryngkhang. The Hike isn’t very long taking about 1.5 hrs to cover each way (3 km each way). Upon returning to Wakhen ,we drive to Mawlynnong Village, touted as Asia’s cleanest village.

Activities: Transfer 70km , Day hike, Local visits

Overnight: Homestay

Meals: All meals

Day 6. Mawlynnong to Shillong

Start the day with an hour-long boat ride on the Umgot river at Shnongpdeng. Following this, drive towards Shillong via the Jaintia Plateau. En route visit the beautiful Krangshuri Waterfalls.  In Shillong visit the local Archer competition. Archery is deeply entwined with Khasi culture; it is a sport as well as a way of gambling. Towards the evening a walk around the local markets.

Activity: Transfer 130 km, Local visits

Overnight: Hotel

Meals: All meals

Day 7. Shillong to Jowai

The first day of cycling takes you to the periphery of Jowai perched on the Jaintia Plateau. We start the day from Shillong peak which is the highest point of Meghalaya and generally wind our way down towards Jowai, however there are numerous short and steep climbs along the way. Today we ride initially on the Khasi hills, towards the latter half of the day we enter the Jaintia Plateau. Our destination for this day is in the vicinity of Tyrshi Waterfalls.

Day cycling distance: 55 Km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: All meals

Day 8. Jowai to Kupli Reservoir

Post breakfast we start cycling, heading in a general easterly direction. Our destination for this day is the beautiful Kupli Reservoir perched close to the border of Assam. We will have a beautiful road condition for most of the way with phenomenal panoramas all around. We will camp overlooking the reservoir.

Day cycling distance: 61 Km

Accommodation: Camping on the banks of Kupli Reservoir

Meals: All meals

Day 9. Kupli Reservoir to Panimur

Post breakfast ride out towards Panimur waterfalls in neighboring Assam. Panimur waterfall is in the Dima Hasao district of Assam in the North Cachar hills. It is often called the Niagara of Assam and the resemblance cannot be overlooked. As you enter Assam the road conditions deteriorate as you ride through thick forests along the Kopili River. Enroute, we stop to take in the beauty of the Umrangso Lake. Tonight, we camp alongside the beautiful waterfalls.

Day cycling distance: 46 Km

Accommodation: Camping in the vicinity of Panimur Falls

Meals: All meals

Day 10. Panimur to Diphu

The longest day of the ride takes us to Diphu which is the district headquarters of the Karbi Anglong district. For most parts the roads are in very good condition, however, small and numerous undulations are the norm for the latter half of the day as you cycle through the forested tracts of Karbi Anglong.

Day cycling distance: 46 Km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: All meals

Day 11. Diphu to Dimapur

A fairly short day to give you some rest from the previous days exertions as well as from the next days climb. We take the little used route from Diphu to Dimapur via forests and scattered Karbi Villages. Our destination for this day is the city of Dimapur, which is the gateway of Nagaland as well as its largest city.

Day cycling distance: 45 Km

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: All meals

Day 12. Dimapur to Kohima

Though not the longest, this is definitely the toughest as we climb from the sweltering plains to the Naga hills. The unending climb takes us from 200mts to 1400mts in altitude. The roads are generally in good condition with few patches of roadwork. We end the cycling about 5 Km before entering the city of Kohima. Check in to our respective homestays, freshen up and we drive to the Kisama Heritage village to enjoy the festivities.

Day cycling distance: 67 Km

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals: All meals

Day 13. Kohima

A day of Rest and Recuperation while enjoying the festivities at the Hornbill Festival.

Day Activities:  Hornbill Festival

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals: All meals

Day 14. Kohima

Post breakfast we drive to Khonoma Village. Surrounded by lush green mountains and picturesque landscape, Khonoma is said to be India’s first Green Village. Inhabited by the Angami tribe, Khonoma is famous for its fierce resistance to the British colonial rule, of late it has become well known for its conservation effort.

Following this visit we head back to Kisama heritage village to continue with the festivities of Hornbill festival. Rest of the day is spent at the heritage village is is the main location of the Hornbill festival. Culture events are lined up through the day. The venue also has numerous stall both of food and local handicraft.

Activities: Khonoma village visit, Hornbill festival

Overnight: Homestay

Meals: All meals

Day 15. Kohima

Start the day early with a jeep transfer to the roadhead for Dzukou Valley. Dzukou Valley sits high amongst the clouds, at 2,452 meters above sea level, straddling the border of Nagaland and Manipur. The initial part of the route involves a steep hour and a half climb, through thick ever green forests. Once the climb finishes, a six-kilometer traverse through stunning landscapes of dwarf bamboos will get us to the heart of the valley. Lunch here and we retrace our steps back to our waiting vehicle. Spend this last evening at the festival venue.

Day Activities: Dzukou Valley day trek, Hornbill Festival

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals: All meals

Day 16. Kohima to Majuli

Driving out of Kohima we head back to the Brahmaputra valley of Assam. our destination for this day is Majuli. It is one of the worlds largest river islands and also the cultural heart of Assam. The distance for this day is 240 km which should take us about 6-7 hrs to cover, we also have a ferry crossing across the Brahmaputra river.

Activity: Transfer 240 Km (6-7 hrs)

Overnight: Lodge

Meals: All meals

Day 17. Majuli

Majuli is the seat of Neo-Vaishnavite culture, a monotheistic offshoot of Hinduism. Since the 15th century, the followers of local Saint-Scholar Srimanta Sankardeva, who venerate the god Vishnu, have been building monasteries or satras here. There were more than 60 monastries, but the mighty Brahmaputra has washed away more than half of them.

We will visit some of these surviving satras. Many of the satras are centres for art, where drama and mask making are still practised and taught to the young monks. It is interesting to note that all the dramas, much like that of early England, are performed only by males.

In Majuli, the inhabitants regularly celebrate a series of festivals throughout different seasons of the year. Among those regular celebrations’ Raas Leela’ in Majuli is observed and celebrate at the different Satra institutions, permanent community halls and in temporary stage pendals arranged by the organizers. 

Activity: Local visits

Overnight: Lodge

Meals: All meals

Day 18. Majuli to Kaziranga

Post breakfast drive out of Majuli and head towards Kaziranga National Park.  Kaziranga National park’s 430 square kilometer area sprinkled with elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests is home to more than 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros, approximately 2/3rd of their total world population. Formed in 1908 on the recommendation of Mary Curzon, the park is located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots.  In the year 1985, the park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Upon reaching Kaziranga, check in to your hotel and have lunch. This after noon we have a Jeep Safari in the Central Range of the National Park.

Activity: 1 x jeep safari, Transfer 120 Km (3.5 hrs)

Overnight: Safari Lodge

Meals: All meals

Day 19. Kaziranga to Sapoi TE

Start early on a elephant back safari in the central range. The safari itself is about 1hr and takes you through the tall grass. Close spotting of Rhinos are assured. Return to Lodge for breakfast and drive to Sapoi Tea Estate. Enroute stop at the Bagori Range where we have another Jeep Safari. For the first time you will be crossing over to the north bank of the Brahmaputra via the Koliabhumura bridge at Tezpur.

Activity: 1 x Elephant, Transfer 120 Km (3.5 hrs)

Overnight: Tea Bungalow

Meals: All meals

Day 20. Sapoi TE

Sapoi Tea Estate setup in 1914 is a family run plantation covering about 800 hectares is a typical Assamese Tea plantation. Here you will have a guided tour of a tea factory and see the process of tea plucking.  Start the day with a guided tour of a tea factory and see the process of tea plucking.

Activity: Tea Factory and Field visit

Overnight: Tea Bungalow

Meals: All meals

Day 21. Sapoi TE to Guwahati

Your port of departure is the Guwahati Airport.  However enroute you visit Sualkuchi Village, which is know as the Silk Capital of Assam. Muga silk, Pat silk along with Eri silk and Endi cloth from this region is famous for its quality The weaving tradition in this hamlet can be traced to the 11th century when king Dharma Pal, of the Pala dynasty, sponsored the craft and brought 26 weaving families from Tantikuchi to Saulkuchi. The village took shape as a weaving village when the ‘Shyams’ occupied Sualkuchi defeating the Mughals in the mid-17th century.

Activity: Transfer 170 km (4.5hrs), Sualkuchi visit, Depart

Meals: All meals

Optional: Flight back via Kolkata and 1 to 3 extra days in Kolkata for Sightseeing and vsist of the Sunderbans Nationalpark to spot the Royal Tiger. Please inquire.